Btw,where the Wally was "outstanding" was in the way it allows for azimuth alignment,"BUT" you need good/young eyes to max out it's way of alignment/sighting.
I like Doug's method,which I think is to set close enough by eye,to "then" let the ear take over.A good ear,with familiar LP's,can do the trick.
Best |
It must be nice to be able to actually go "hands on" with the great analog toys,you all speak of....The "jig thing" is fun....A nice way to spend a week-end of "hobby".
My last experience,of months ago,left me "cold"!!Both towards a well known dealer(a joke,who could have saved me serious "repair" money,and major aggravation,if he gave a crap,or "knew his products")and the frustrated experience of not having the correct info on hand,to allow proper set-up....The lack of correct info caused major problems,and could easily have been avoided!Luckily my perseverence has led "ALL" of this to a major upgrading of all products involved....It was NOT worth it!!!
Anyone around fifteen to twenty years ago,should remember the "Jurassic Period",of well versed analog dealers,who could answer simple questions,"be local",and help avoid potential customer problems.Maybe(if you were lucky) they cared enough to follow up a problem.I had one of these!....Back in the "Jurassic"!
I had a dealer/analog guru/ employee/store manager/friend who became quite reliable,and it was "he" who spent loads of time going over different set-up parameters with me.This led me to know my analog,a little bit(P.S-he got fired,once Digital got going!) ....Not many fellows like that these days!One reason for the value of this kind of forum.
I'm not going to elaborate on this problematic dealer's name,or any mfgrs,but all potential customers should arm yourself with "knowledge",because EVERYONE down the chain is going to claim innocence,and attempt to pass the buck...to maybe you!!..."Laughable"!!
OK,sorry(I still need to vent)...but one aspect of the experience was the loan of the Wallytractor alignment/set-up tool.....
A dear friend uses this,and before it's usage I was underwhelmed with his switch to a pivoting arm.His previous LLT arm was performing far better.
With the Wally,things got alot closer,and the accuracy of set-up was clearly heard.
My short time(two weekends) with the "Wally",which was cut short by an almost catastrophic set-up problem(yes I am gnarling my teeth, STILL)..was one of "really" being impressed with it!...This is a damn good little "gizmo"!
I cannot understand why anyone would need to read three pages of "posts",after utilizing one of these babies....
Next weekend,I'll FINALLY be able to set-up an analog rig again!My pre/phonostage is coming back the week after that..with a major upgrade/mod...BUT...
sadly I won't have the Wally to double check things(I sent it back to the "dealer").Doubt I'll ever call the guy again,yet.....I don't think I'll care too much by then! -:)
Sorry for the "definite" rant....as well as the lack of "Doug-osity"(ie: "interesting technical input",which was sorely missing in my post)
Best |
Stiltskin et al,I did use both the Wally,and the Graham Phantom jig...over "the" two weekends,where I spent a TON of time setting criteria to the n'th degree(and maybe 6 to 8 hrs of sound,before..."Krakatoa,East of Java").One reason I was SO peeved,after SO much wasted set-up time.
I've also used the Graham Phantom jig on my friends Phantom,which I set up.....
From my own experience,the Graham jig really is superb,and I only used the Wally,because it was on loan!
I was able to get the arm absolutely equal to the Wally's spec, for sure,with the "somewhat underrated Graham jig".....I used the Graham jig "first",then checked the results with the Wally,afterwards....
The Graham jig was spot on!
I don't understand why some view it as not being anything other than an ingenious,easy way to get set up accurately?
Best.
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Doug,it's hard for me to believe "you" of all people are going to "need" something else that will allow you to fine tune your set-up any more than it already is !!
I already got the impression that you have the eye of a Bald Eagle,and the hands of a Vascular Surgeon.Not to mention the amazing degree of "Doug-osity",which is defined as audio knowledge on par with Michael Phelps' swimming ability!Ok,maybe I'm getting carried away...."that one" may belong to Raul!
So,why waste the money...go buy a few nice bottles of Barolo or a nice Australian Shiraz...."Downunder" can help with the wine selection -:)
Trust me,once under the influence of a half bottle you'll hear a big improvement in sound.Paul can knock off the other half!
Best |
Downunder,I just received my new Phantom Series II,and there "is" a set-up line for the cantilever,"and" stylus tip!...I believe all the necessary stuff is enclosed to allow for a very precise setting,of all parameters,except azimuth....
Here,the Wally is KING....assuming you have good(preferrably young)eyes.
I still would go with a Wally(only compared to my limited alignment accessories)as I was very impressed with it's attention to the slightest detail.
Btw,it was also quite cool,and the mirror could be used by those with a teenage daughter -:)
Best |
Forgot to mention,for those wanting a nice assortment of magnifying glasses,if you are close to a Barnes and Noble bookstore..."they" have about ten different types on display.Many look to be very good,with two different magnifying strengths(on each model),and a little led light too.The majority are quite small,and very good for this subject matter.
Good luck |
Smoffatt,thanks for the concern....As you know I have been "down" for a LONG time,and am just beginning to get back to a workable system.
Due to a "could care less dealer",and circumstances surrounding "one particular" component(that affected others)I had problems which could "easily" have been avoided if the guy "knew something or cared" about the products he sold(I was too conditioned,by ten years of setting "it" up "one" way,to realize the problem).I am still "fuming" about this,because it could SO easily have been avoided,but I'll not ever go beyond that,or ever get more specific...let him(the dealer,NOT the mfgr) make his living(THE PRICK)....Oh well! -:)
Fortunately,I have pushed my set-up to a far better configuration(through perseverence,and being motivated by the LP collection I've ben able to amass over the years,which "kept me going"....I was down almost a year...and I mean DOWN!!)but am only just beginning to approach the hobby again.
I've had alot of time to "think through" logical improvements I might employ,and went for it!Much of the "on paper but makes sense" stuff I learned from fellow hobbyists,here.
My pre/phonostage is on it's way to me,with a V-Teflon cap upgrade,and some other very nice tid-bits,done by Great Northern Sound.I'll have it Thursday or Friday.
I spent the last few days setting up the new Phantom,which seems to be more sensitive than the previous fine series I.It has some nice touches,like a magnetically locking cue bar(on the down position)which makes sense to me.The fit and finish seems better,and the bearing threading is finer.I know all about the Titanium wand,and new wiring,but we'll see about that!
The tolerences of the appearance,and some ergonomic aspects of the new arm look better than the previous one,especially the magnaglide feature,which seems more sensitive than I remember.Even the IC-70 looks refined,but Bob Graham is a serious designer(and a very nice person)so I'm not surprised!It really is a gorgeous instrument!
The Phantom II sets up very well,and I made some adjustments to the supplied jig,which gives me the confidence to feel it is very accurate(all one needs in stylus to pivot/cantilever alignment/stylus tip/cartridge overhang "IS" there,with the Graham stuff....I can't understand why some question this,but I'm NOT complaining at all....whew).
I am quite familiar with how Grahams set-up,but I think the Wally would "still" be the icing on the cake!!....My friend will lend me one eventually(if I still care)but where I am at now,I really don't care much....Just being honest.
I'm gonna find out what I need to know this Saturday,when I FINALLY get everything up and running again,if I've done my job though,because(guys like Doug know this)the LP's I use for set up tell me everything I need to know!!
I have LOVED reading everything about all the particular system characteristics/approaches ALL of the fellows on this site have done(even when I was questioning some input)over the last year,and THIS has kept me enthused!
I guess I am quite eccentric(my wife concurs),because though I have been without my hobby,the beautiful system approaches of some...like Dan Ed's "gorgeous" hand made horns,and Downunder's upgrade path,Doug's technical wizardry/confidence,and the seemingly over the top,but I love it, stuff from giuys like Thomas H and Raul,Albert P.,and Jfox(the multi component crowd)keep me enthused.Even the "retro crowd" approach(Garrard,EMT,Ortofon etc)is too much fun to not assume is going to be a great listen.
BUT it was "Atmosphere's" good advice and concern that got me back on track,because I was clueless as to dagnosing my problem,until I thought about his input....Anybody in "HIS" marketplace would do very well dealing with such a good designer,who cares about his industry,beyond dollars and cents!
My LP collecting has kept pace though,and the only reason for "this" post,is my "hopefulness of pending joy"('cause I know this is a bit much,and wonder why anyone could really care) of being where I think I should be,by this week-end!!
Even my friends have been going through the upgrade path,so my only canned music has been in my new Subaru -:)
I've been saving a nice Barolo for the occassion of hearing sound,in my room...Due to the length of the wait,the wine has either aged out,or will be great!
I KNOW I am a bit over the top,but I also privately get real satisfaction from reading about the attitudes and deliberate approaches of some very interesting systems,
owned by the majority of hobbyists here on Audiogon!
Fingers crossed. |
To anyone still interested,and an answer to the "Downunder one"(btw,don't count Federer out SO fast)!...
I communicated with Bob Graham on this exact subject yesterday.Basically to confirm what I felt I already knew....Since some of you guys definitely make me a bit insecure sometimes,with your "envelope pushing" approaches.
You're all "Fabulous Fanatics"(meant as a compliment).
He insisted(and I believe him)that the cantilever set-up jig is accurate to .001 inch(I hope that's good enough for most of us,but who knows with the Audiogoner hoy-pulloy crowd)and the 90 degree angled line(for cartridge overhang..."Downunder",which is marked ON the jig)is set for the Loefgren measurement.Of course one has to use the supplied "spindle adapter" for pivot to stylus distance,and align with the "holes" on top of the arm tube.Clearly stated in the instructions.
It could not be easier actually,and I now doubt I'll ever get the Wally,since it is being loaned to a friend,and I am totally confident in the Graham stuff.I've had enough waiting/fotzing around,and "need" to get "into" my music collection!
BUT DEFINITELY the Wally is fabulous for azimuth,and looks to RULE here!....ONLY(IMO)if you have good young eyes!Otherwise a good set of ears,and some familiar LP's will do fine -:)
Btw,thanks to those who sent me kind sentiments.....
Believe it or not,my pre/phono was delayed for one more week.My friend had the exact update done to his "same" unit,and got his about a month ago.He is going crazy,because he claims the V-Teflon cap,and Switch Mode Power Supply mods are a vast improvement over the original superb mod.
I'm SO worn out,that I have mixed feelings about the "fabulosity" of his sentiments....."Music Pleeeease'!
Next weekend is my BIG moment again!!
Hope the Barolo I've been saving for the "canned music celebration" is still good!
Best to all
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Smoffatt,I don't think I know about the specified lengths.I trust in Bob's set up tools.
This is the second time I've had my pre/phonostage modofied by Steve Huntley.He truly is one of the nicest folks I've dealt with,in the hobby.It;s nice to deal with someone who "really" knows his stuff,and is sincere!
Originally I had the Black Gates/Elna's put in,along with other goodies.
Now,along with the new Phantom/Orpheus,brand new Cosmos IV(which blows away my previous series III,in fit and finish/low noisefloor....GOD this is a gorgeous table,in the gloss black Fountainhead base/pump),and the custom job Jeff Rowland did on my two chassis 8t,I'm ablout to pop,in anticipation.....BUT....
I've gone through SO much aggravation,in my upgrade process,and having to push along component enhancements/repairs/upgrades(this industry really has to take a hard look at how customers are expected to pay "this" amount of money,wait SO damn long for repairs/updates,and be subject to some dealers who are "clueless" as to the finer points of potential problems,if it "really" wants to exist)that I am absolutely "numb",even though I assume I will have a far superior set-up soon.
I think I was most happy,with a simpler system,back in the day!This will hopefully change soon,or it's gonna be a couple of new Martin/Froggy Bottom/McPhearson acoustic guitars....Not such a bad proposition!
Best |
