Walker Vortex Vacuum Wand for VPI


Hello all,
From a thread over on the Asylum, I noted Walker has introduced an Arm Wand for VPI RCMs.
After reading it's description at Elusive Disc, I can't help but think that this Delrin Wand, with no protective strips, coming in contact with the vinyl, no matter how one adjusts the Wand Tower, will be "kind" to the vinyl?

The other item included with the Wand, is two little O-rings, placed on Spindle, said to keep the record from touching the Mat. Wouldn't a rubber washer serve the same purpose?

Perhaps too new to hear other's opinions? I like the idea of never needing to worry about velvet strips going bad, less chance of cross-contamination, etc, but just cannot seem to get past the idea of the Delrin contacting Vinyl? Mark
markd51
You've got that right Doug! My feelings exactly .Good meeting you at the reception!
So before I subjected my LP collection to a new device such as this, I'd really like to see some electron microscopy on a new LP, and after various numbers of cleaning cycles with the Vortex to determine if the landings or top edge of the groove walls were at all distorted.

Since the stylus normally touches halfway down the groove, what is happening at the surface of the record should not be of much consequence.
I've decided for now that I'm not going to trust this thing either. For one thing, I'm not sure how much advantage it offers and Intuitively it sounds risky. Based on the lack of buzz on the subject I'm wondering if others have decided the same.