Walker Vortex Vacuum Wand for VPI


Hello all,
From a thread over on the Asylum, I noted Walker has introduced an Arm Wand for VPI RCMs.
After reading it's description at Elusive Disc, I can't help but think that this Delrin Wand, with no protective strips, coming in contact with the vinyl, no matter how one adjusts the Wand Tower, will be "kind" to the vinyl?

The other item included with the Wand, is two little O-rings, placed on Spindle, said to keep the record from touching the Mat. Wouldn't a rubber washer serve the same purpose?

Perhaps too new to hear other's opinions? I like the idea of never needing to worry about velvet strips going bad, less chance of cross-contamination, etc, but just cannot seem to get past the idea of the Delrin contacting Vinyl? Mark
markd51
So before I subjected my LP collection to a new device such as this, I'd really like to see some electron microscopy on a new LP, and after various numbers of cleaning cycles with the Vortex to determine if the landings or top edge of the groove walls were at all distorted.

Since the stylus normally touches halfway down the groove, what is happening at the surface of the record should not be of much consequence.
I've decided for now that I'm not going to trust this thing either. For one thing, I'm not sure how much advantage it offers and Intuitively it sounds risky. Based on the lack of buzz on the subject I'm wondering if others have decided the same.
Sorry to hear, Madfloyd. I'm well over 100 LPs with the new Walker Vortex wand and continue to get much better results with it than I was getting with the stock felt lipped wands (switching between two). A half a dozen friends in the Philadelphia Area Audio Group also have switched to the Vortex wand and are getting great results thus far. Clearly one of those "ymmv" situations. Thanks for the report.
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Guys just wanted to add that I've had my Vortex for a couple of weeks now, and am having much success. It sonically and visibly gives me better results than using the VPI tubes.

Given all the comments, I proceeded with much caution and spoke with a couple of other users. I did scratch a couple of throwaway LPs while adjusting the setup, but now things are great. Learnings include:

- The slot should be not perfectly downward, but a tiny bit slanted away from you towards the back of the machine

- Adjusting the collar height as Rushton mentions is key

- The slot is intentionally designed to maximize suction in the groove area; it won't vacuum fluid off the lead-in grooove or dead wax area. Place a finger in a microfibre cloth and let the LP spin a couple of revolutions so that the towel picks up excess fluid at the edge or center of the LP(this is easier & faster than it sounds)

- Yes, the large washer will lift the LP slightly off the cork mat, so as to eliminate contamination of a clean side; so remember that you don't need to apply much pressure when scrubbing fluid into the LP

Coupled with Walker Audio Prelude, I'm getting results that surpass anything I've tried previously. Like many aspects of this hobby, it takes some learning to maximize what you've got, but the trouble is worth it. Cheers,
Spencer