Is Wally tool preffered for Graham 2.2?

I agree with the above posts.

I sold my WallyTractor in favor of the much less expensive "Cart Align" tool. I preferred the "Cart Align" to both Wally and the Graham set up tools. The Cart Align uses the tracking force of the cartridge during alignment of the diamond, placing the overhang and azimuth at actual play conditions.

The Graham estimates that distance and is frequently off several thousandth's of an inch. The Wally takes this into consideration but is a different formula than "Cart Align."

Don't forget to take track force into consideration with all settings. As tracking force is increased or decreased, the VTL and overhang are altered as well. Sometimes this requires going back and forth a few times to get it perfect. For this reason I like the repeatable results of the Winds stylus force gauge ( the 1/100 th's gram). By presetting my cartridge to the weight I know will be near perfect, the other settings are close to perfect the first time you go through the setup.

SirSpeedy, it's an old, long since discontinued set up tool that was built in the late 1970's or early 80's. I think I paid $25.00 for it (used) about 9 years ago.

Art Dudley mentions it in passing here:

http://www.stereophile.com/phonoaccessories/1205wally/

And somebody at vinyl asylum seems to like it too. http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/t.pl?f=vinyl&m=51494

Tom, I pretty much agree with all you have said.

When I set up using my Cart Align, I use a tiny nylon thread around the turntable spindle to locate the spindle bearing to tone arm pivot. As you pointed out, having the mirror helps me do the other parts of the setup and I like the sound I get from the Cart Align formula.

The one thing on the Graham tool that seems to be missing from the discussion is the alignment of the cartridge in the head shell. As I remember (from the three I've owned) the user presses a plastic device against the cantilever to sight the correct overhang. While in theory this appears to be a clean solution, it does not take into consideration the exact stylus pressure during playback, which effects overhang and VTA.

I agree with your assessment of the Graham tool for setting pivot to spindle distance. I got where I could feel the side to side pressure of the unipivot and could get pretty close, but never 100%.

I also owned the Dennison and as you pointed out, the spiked metal outrigger allowed for very good sighting of the pivot to spindle, much easier than the tiny thread on the Cart Align system. I could never "read" the Dennison once I had it in place and for that reason, sold it as I did the WallyTractor.

Truth is, I keep my set up tools to help others (which I do all the time). My Walker does not benefit from any of these, but I enjoy hearing all turntables and arm setups because I love analog so much.

Hello Bob, long time no talk to.

You said:

"...Graham estimates that distance and is frequently off by several thousandth's of an inch".... This is wrong, as the cross-hair intersection is exactly to the right specification, and engraved with a laser to prevent any possibility is template misalignment.

Unless I missed something, or the set up tools have changed, a unipivot design allows for several thousands of an inch variation in the measurement between spindle and tone arm pivot, regardless of how accurate the laser engraves the target.

Also:

Our instruction book also points out another fact that the writer missed: the flip-over target plate of the alignment gauge DOES place about 1.25 grams of load force on the stylus, thereby placing the cartridge in it's dynamic operating position.

Perhaps my own failing, but I was never able to hold the cartridge, depress the plastic gauge against the diamond to an extent to feel comfortable with the alignment. Add to that, the user has no way of knowing how much stylus force is being exerted with one's fingers, assuming you could hit the 1.25 gram’s and if that were the correct force needed (which for my cartridge is WAY off).

Like all set up systems, there are limitations. I have an easier time with the Graham system than the Wally and easier with the (discontinued) Cart Align than the Graham.

Discussions here at Audiogon are partly for our own amusement and to exchange ideas and technics.

You know I respect your arm as I have defended it in countless threads here at Audiogon. My own methods for set up are personal and like many choices in one's system are based on trial and error.