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So I bought a WallyScope...

It's a very nice microscope and the software that comes with it, while I assume off-the-shelf, is excellent.

But here's the thing. At the end of the day, you are still basically eyeballing your VTA setup, and the instructions for the WallyScope have you do two separate observations to reach your conclusion. The first is the angle by which your stylus hangs off the cantilever, and the second is the angle of the cantilever versus the record surface.

I understand why this is done. It's so that you can measure with the record moving to get the dynamic rake angle instead of static, so that's one error that the method corrects for. But at the cost of introducing the compounding observational errors by taking two measurements and then combining them to calculate your angle.

I was very patient with this process. I spent many hours over several days. I even dismounted the scope from its frame because I found a better way to line it up for taking measurements. 

 

And after all of that, I adjusted VTA by listening. Which achieved better sound. This came to me as a revelation, although it shouldn't have.

I don't regret the purchase, but it's a lesson that we can and should trust our ears.

Ag insider logo xs@2xwoofhaven1992
Ag insider logo xs@2x
woofhaven1992 OP
60 posts
 

@wallytools Thank you for the post, J.R.  My original submission was not intended to suggest anything deficient with the WallyScope itself or your support -- which you are correct, I did not take advantage of.  It was more of a comment of the repeated refrain in this pages of measurement vs. listening.  I.e., are one's ears ultimately the best measuring tool?

That said, the proper way to answer that question is to be sure to use the measurement tools correctly, which I undoubtedly did not do here.  Unfortunately, I did not save my photos.  I will, however, take new ones when I have a chance and circle back with you.  

wallytools's avatar
wallytools
25 posts
 

@woofhaven1992 , I look forward to helping you. We will explore your SRA and your VTA for ideal alignment. Make sure you've seen the short tutorial videos on use of the WallyScope on my website before you start.

We can also discuss how you CAN use your ears to correct for zenith error! The effect is not subtle.

joenies's avatar
joenies
258 posts
 

Greetings,

@pindac Thanks for the tip on using a new deck of cards for tonearm leveling. Works great for getting the arm level. This gives you a great starting point.

When I purchase a new cartridge I’ll send it to WAM to get it analyzed. It will be a great starting point. Sometimes it’s hard to trust your own ears but we need to.

 I’m very happy with the tools I have purchased thru WAM. Have not purchased the Wally Scope. It can be very hard to look at a magnified image without a super stable structure for the scope.

Joe Nies

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,471 posts
 

The Cards do a fine job, I'm happy to see another pick up on their value for the unusual role.

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