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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

Showing 4 responses by sbank

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
I dropped a hint on another thread about the Walker Vortex after I heard a prototype a few weeks ago at the home of friend who lives near Lloyd. Glad to know that design is finalized and it's now available. I will get one asap, as I was greatly impressed.

The magnitude of sonic improvement compared to cleaning w/the standard VPI arm tube is REMARKABLE! The speed benefit, and no more replacement pads is also a great benefit.
Way to go, Walker Audio! Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
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
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Johnny, if you use Walker Prelude but haven't added Step 4, I highly recommend that you get your hands on some and try it! Cheers,

Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Chad,

Not so sure that the food coloring would prove anything. I'm no chemist, but since food coloring is made to adhere color to other things(e.g. cookies), it seems like that happening in your experiment just would show that food coloring does indeed dye things as intended. The food coloring could produce the residue. It wouldn't prove that without it, a residue is left on LPs.
I'd also be hesitant to try this because I wouldn't want to get food coloring inside the tube. Cheers,
Spencer
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