Beware of Wayne's audio - Poor product quality & worst business ethics


I wanted to get a periphery outer ring for my VPI Scout Master. The VPI ring was around 1200 bucks and I couldn’t convince myself to spend that much for something that wouldn’t make a significant night and day difference in sound quality. So I decided to look for other cheaper alternatives and came across Wayne’s Audio. These rings are advertised as “universal rings” and seemed significantly cheaper (almost 1/2 price). I asked around on the VPI forum if anyone used these and someone replied saying he wasn’t happy with the quality. Considering its mostly a “VPI only” forum, I took his comment with a grain of salt and decided to reach out to Wayne audio regarding the “quality concern” and Wayne replied saying his products were top notch and I could return them if I wasn’t happy for any reason. I was convinced and bought the ring. The ring arrived and here are my findings:The ring was much bigger than the VPI Platter. A “centering plate” came with the ring. This plate should be used to center the ring while placing the ring on the platter and then you remove the plate. After placement, when you turn on the tt, the circular motion of platter creates a centrifugal force and since the ring ( which is not exactly the same size of the platter) is being pushed around and hits the sides of the records. Centrifugal force is the same force that makes you feel like you are being thrown out when you sit on a merry go round. If you directly look at the record while its spinning, you could see the ring moving around. I am fairly new to turntables but I assume, vibration control is very important in turntables which is why people buy expensive platforms, better feet, heavy platters and outboard motors. This subtle movement of the ring (being thrown around by the circular motion of the platter) creates micro vibrations by hitting the record. You can clearly see this while the record is spinning. Though the spinning ring looks really cool, it defeats the purpose of anti-vibration and in my humble opinion creates more issues than providing any benefit. To add to this, there was also a small dent on the inside of the ring.My 2 cents - If you are looking for a ring, spend the extra money and find the perfectly sized ring for your platter, probably the one that your tt manufacturer makes. Universal rings sound like a great idea, but in my experience they worsen your sound instead of improving them.When I was in the market to buy a ring, I couldn’t find much reviews on Wayne’s ring, all I saw was cool YouTube videos. I was misled by those videos and ended up buying one. In my humble opinion, you are better off with no ring, than a ring that’s not the same size as your platter.

I reached out to Wayne's audio for a refund. This is where things got a little complicated. I reached out to him with pics and videos explaining why this will not work for my tt explaining the reasons above. I was thinking he'd charge me for 15% restocking fee but he never said anything about a restocking fee and reluctantly agreed for the ring to be sent back. He also emailed me the address the ring should be sent to. I packaged the ring and sent it back to him through USPS. The tracking said the ring was delivered to him but I didnt hear back from him. When I reached out, he said he didnt receive the ring. Although I sent him proof that the ring was sent to the right address and was delivered he said it was probably stolen from his front porch and would not refund the money. After a lot of back and forth emails and phone calls I was able to get 50% of my money back. So in the end, I paid 50% of the cost for a product that I don't even have with me lol. However I learned 2 valuable lessons from this whole experience:

1. Never send anything without "signature reqd" option.
2. When a reputable company sells a product for a higher price, there is probably a good reason behind it. Don't discount that and go for a cheaper alternative as you may at loss in the end. Now I believe a company like VPI would have never done this to me.
Ag insider logo xs@2xaudiofool1982
He's definitely mistaken. VPI made it well known their ring worked only with certain, specific platters of theirs.
VPI made several platers 11.5 inch for the scout and 12 inch for the rest of their line, even then their ring, I believe, only worked with the platters with the grove, which I do not think the Waynes piece accommodates like the VPI does. A friend just purchase his series 2 here on Audiogon a few weeks ago and it rides higher on his VPI Scoutmaster forcing him to run a cart that isn't as wide and full bodied as his AT33.
The VPI ring will only work with their 12 inch platters as it uses the platter's side wall to center the ring. Universal rings require a centering tool to ensure that the ring's inner perimeter is equal distant from the spindle so that it engages the record's end.  Universal rings do not rely on the platter's side wall for centering, therefore, they can be used on any sized platter. 
audiofool1982
  ... After a lot of back and forth emails and phone calls I was able to get 50% of my money back. So in the end, I paid 50% of the cost for a product that I don't even have with me  ...
You've accepted an agreement so it's probably too late now, but you could almost certainly have had these charges reversed by your bank's credit card servicing arm. I've done this on a few occasions (not involving audio) and it's very effective.
audiofool1982

"I was misled by those videos and ended up buying one. In my humble opinion, you are better off with no ring, than a ring that’s not the same size as your platter."


So easily done. I’m sorry for your troubles but yeah, it’s all too easy to fall for this kind of stuff. I bet many of us have had similar disappointments. Unlucky with the return.

I hope Wayne’s Audio can chip in with a reply. Frankly their advert (and attitude) is far from convincing.

Was this the offending article? For $479.

https://www.waynesaudio.com/product-page/turntable-outer-ring-for-vpi-clearaudio-basis-kronos-hanss-...

I always feel wary whenever I see advertisements/reviews (often the same thing) for improved mats for turntables such as the Technics, Rega, Linn etc.

Such stuff is a great slap in the face to the manufacturers. I mean, maybe, just maybe just on the cheapest budget deck, but on a fully kitted LP12? Or 1200G? Rega 10?

Or any Rega/Technics/Linn etc for that matter??

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience, it may save others from being left with a sour taste in their mouth.