Need help and advice on a VPI 3D arm


I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue with the new 3D arm? I bought a new Prime table 4 months ago to try the new 3D arm I also have a Classic stainless steel arm to load another cart on to compare the two back and fourth, last night I was going to switch the cartridges on the two arms and could not set the azimuth on the 3D arm, to get the azimuth right I had to tilt the drop counter weight plus the Soundsmith intuitive way off of center and it is causing the side weights to rub against the adjustment column and is very tilted, after walking away from the setup 3 times I pulled the arm, pulled the side weights off so it would sit square on a level marble counter top and set it flat on the surface and eyeballed it, this thing has lost its shape, the barrel of the arm has a gradual bend downward and the cartridge shell portion of the arm is rolled down and in. This is really throwing off the geometry of the cart in the arm. I placed the stainless steel arm out in the same way and its barrel is perfectly straight and it's head shell is straight as well, it's only issue is that it is slightly off on the azimuth but that can be adjusted out easily. The fact that the barrel and the headshell on the 3D arm is so far off I certainly can not trust my setup to be accurate. I store whichever arm is not being used in a VPI holding case for the 10 inch arms and it has not been dropped or subjected to any drastic temperature changes. I am going to call VPI on Monday but if this is an issue with these arm wands I certainly don't want another one. Let me also add that I believe that this has been a gradual demise of the arm and that I do love the arms sonic signature so would hope VPI has an answer. Tooblue
tooblue

Dear TooBlue,

So, their first instinct was to ask YOU what happened???

That was helpful! :(


Good to hear they've taken steps to rectify it.

Hope this solves your problem.


Can you post your pic of arm here for other 3D arm owners to compare?  I know I would like to see it.  Feel free to send to my contact info.
Yeah I will post some pics, please be patient with me and I will get that done shortly. I am of the old school, literally and fumble around on computers but have been getting better lately.

TooBlue...Lol! .That should speed up the manufacturers response time ;^)


Personally, if I get a problem like this I tend to keep it low profile lest it affect the resale value of the item.  ;^) :D

...Not to mention the value of the Company. ;^)

..But, like Miner42, I'm still curious... :)

Yeah I am of the same mind, don't rock the boat an all, they have already said they will be sending me a new one and that they are going to cut into the damaged arm to test and diagnose. Do bear in mind I have been working with them since 9/2015 on the issue of this arm losing its azimuth settings and having to be reset about every two weeks the issue just got so severe that it could not be adjusted out and really obvious visually.