Using Wally Tools

[J.R. Boisclair]

I have almost all the test records ever made, and yes there’s no way they’re all “the same”. I’m coming around to your (and Wally’s, RIP) way of thinking, that if it can be accurately assessed in physical terms, without a record, and it can be corrected using physical methods, do it that way first.

We've done several hundred hours of multivariate testing (think: test record) in 2023 and have come several conclusions. One of them is: you aren't measuring what you THINK you are measuring!

 

[J.R. Boisclair]

I have almost all the test records ever made, and yes there’s no way they’re all “the same”. I’m coming around to your (and Wally’s, RIP) way of thinking, that if it can be accurately assessed in physical terms, without a record, and it can be corrected using physical methods, do it that way first.

By the way - and as a reminder - as a WallyTools owner, you have pretty much 7 days a week access to my support as well. Reach out to me if you have any analog issue. I certainly am not an expert on ALL vinyl playback matters, but I'll let you know when you've hit my limit of comfort in any given area.

 

[tima]

We've done several hundred hours of multivariate testing (think: test record) in 2023 and have come several conclusions. One of them is: you aren't measuring what you THINK you are measuring!

Interesting. Can you expand on that with some simple examples? Tia

 

[J.R. Boisclair]

Interesting. Can you expand on that with some simple examples? Tia

I will be doing a video on this in the near future. This "mistaken measurement" issue is true to greater or lesser degrees with all setup parameters and is why relying upon a test record for all setup parameters makes it such an iterative approach where improvements can certainly be made but optimization is not knowable.

Measuring torque force by test record is the biggest offender since the test is measuring changes to stylus, coil and cantilever orientation as a result of out of control torque forces in the tonearm. You can very easily get lowest distortion figures with the arm under sub-optimal torque forces (from bearing friction, too much anti-skate or not enough anti-skate) by aligning the stylus properly yet still have the damper VERY asymmetrically compressed. We have found no evidence whatsoever that an asymmetrically compressed damper throws off a characteristic waveform behavior, yet the audibility of a relaxed damper is dead obvious to anyone who will take the time to do a proper trial with a WallySkater.

It is a shame that it is not measurable, but then so much of what we can easily empirically experience in our hobby is not known to be measurable - YET. What is the electrical characteristic of increased "resolution"? We all have experienced it for ourselves, but what does it look like on test gear? I'd say the person who may be closest to an answer may be Garth Powell, but how can we know that, say, "resolution" isn't just a second or third order function of whatever is being measured?

So many questions...

 

[Zeotrope]

Yes, before I bought the Wally Tools and in particular the Wally Scope, I also tried in vain with a Dinolite USB Microscope and then importing the photo into standard image software to draw the lines and determine the VTA and SRA angles by hand.

I recall someone in this thread asking about a Wally Scope. Saw a brand new in box one for $1000 off at the link below. It’s not my listing, just wanted to pass it along:

Wally Scope NIB Never Used (SAVE $1000!)

This is a must have for any turntable owner. Absolutely legendary and hard to find in stock.Brand new, never used!Can upgrade to v2 with a kit directly from Wally for $190.Wally price for v2 is $1500 USD + shipping (USD 85 to Toronto) + HST = ~$2500.And there is usually a wait of a few months.

www.canuckaudiomart.com

 

[J.R. Boisclair]

I recall someone in this thread asking about a Wally Scope. Saw a brand new in box one for $1000 off at the link below. It’s not my listing, just wanted to pass it along:

Wally Scope NIB Never Used (SAVE $1000!)

This is a must have for any turntable owner. Absolutely legendary and hard to find in stock.Brand new, never used!Can upgrade to v2 with a kit directly from Wally for $190.Wally price for v2 is $1500 USD + shipping (USD 85 to Toronto) + HST = ~$2500.And there is usually a wait of a few months.

www.canuckaudiomart.com

For what it's worth, the claim in the advertisement that there is a long wait for WallyScopes is not at all true. The longest anyone has waited for ANY "standard issue" WallyTool is about 10 days - and I can count those events on a single hand. I keep everything in stock at all times, usually shipping next day following payment.