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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
hwsworkshop
36 posts
 
We now have 3200 3D arms made and shipped with a twisting rate of roughly 1% (almost all in the first year) so Mr. dgarretson you have no clue what you are talking about.

When you deal with new technology, in areas never used before, you will always have a learning curve but the quality of the customer care is what separates a poor company from a good one.  We stand behind everything we make and routinely repair and replace parts on tables 35 years old.

Let's try to keep the BS down to a low roar and the back biting to your partners.  VPI is one of the few companies still around and still supporting its customers.  BTW, in the next business crash we will still be here supporting our customers.

If you need longer screws tell Marc to send you some!!!!!

HW
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
HW, sorry if I over-reached.  Assuming that there have been continuous improvements that eliminate the problem, I would think owners would want more information on the range of serial numbers affected. Also, heat, cold, and sun can be "normal conditions" during shipping and sometimes even in listening rooms during winter or summer.  If I owned one from an older production run that is at risk, I would be looking for a pre-emptive replacement.   
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I will say that the new jmw 9 is a fantastic arm.  Sounds and tracks extremely well.  I am very impressed with it.  Much better than the original with more effective mass.  I am very impressed with this arm.  Not to change the subject or anything like that.
jollytinker
213 posts
 
I guess I'm one of the 1%!  I had a VPI 3D tonearm that warped at the headshell.  I sent it back to VPI and they replaced it immediately, no hassle. I have found in a short time of dealing with VPI that their customer support is more than fair, so if you're interested in a 3D tonearm I wouldn't let the "Takata twist" get in the way.  


gbanderhoos
20 posts
 
HW-

Thanks for weighing in and clarifying the situation. I’m a Prime owner (w/3D arm) and have a few questions:

Quote: "We now have 3200 3D arms made and shipped with a twisting rate of roughly 1% (almost all in the first year)".

This would seem to imply that it is a manufacturing defect rather than a design problem. If it is a defect, then can you tell us at which serial number and/or date of mfr you made the correction? Also, what was the cause of the defect and how was it cured?

If it is not a manufacturing defect, then wouldn’t all of the tone arms potentially have this problem? Maybe the rate is higher than 1%, they just haven’t been discovered as of yet (mine does not have this problem, but I also haven’t exposed it to direct sunlight or heat).

Are the tone arms made by VPI or by WM Manufacturing like your other components?

Any follow up would be greatly appreciated.
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