What’s Wally Tools? Always beneficial?

[caesar]

Gentlemen, what’s Wally tools? People seem to be bringing it up more and more.

What cases does it apply to? And what does it apply to?

Is it always beneficial?

Thanks in advance

 

[mtemur]

I haven’t use any of them but I very well know how they work and what they’re capable of. People who use those tools are usually saying they are very satisfied with the performance.

 

[djsina2]

I’ve used most of the protractors out there. I think the Wally is the best, not only for ease of use and accuracy but the incredible support. I had a random question recently on the weekend and had an email response back within an hour!

 

[Balle Clorin]

I use the Azimuth Fulcrum tool. Make sure to get long enough bolts with it.
Very useful and works, although you can achieve the same with a strip of plastic, but with more fuzz..

 

[Brian Walsh]

Many wind up feeling obligated to buy most of the WTs, to the tune of many hundreds of dollars, and then you have to learn and use them. The skater works but I don't think can be used with unipivot arms. And how do you optimize azimuth, which is one of the most important aspects? The Fozgometer is not optimal.

 

[J007B]

I have a complete set up of Wally Tools, including a Wally Tools V2 Scope. I found them highly accurate and easy to use. I use the WT protractor all the time as my tonearm is on a separate base and I move it for cleaning and or changing out cables. If you have a very expensive cart, or plan on having multiple carts IMHO WT's would be a must have.

 

[AnonymousAudiophile]

J.R. Boisclair of WallyTools is a genius of audio. I don't have an analog setup but can attest to his personal modesty and deep knowledge of analog setup and acoustics.

 

[MRubey]

I have a good friend who sends all of his carts there when he first buys them. They make sure the cantilever and stylus are in correct alignment and provide shims for azimuth if needed. He is very happy with that service.
Believe it or not quality control in cartridge manufacture is not always what one would wish.

 

[J.R. Boisclair]

Many wind up feeling obligated to buy most of the WTs, to the tune of many hundreds of dollars, and then you have to learn and use them. The skater works but I don't think can be used with unipivot arms. And how do you optimize azimuth, which is one of the most important aspects? The Fozgometer is not optimal.

Hi Brian. You can definitely use the WallySkater with a unipivot. I even did a video about it:

 

[tony22]

I have virtually every TT and cart set up tool known to man, some going back 40 years. Today’s tools are way better, and Wally Tools are among them. Plus J.R. is a heck of a nice guy to work with. The important thing is what Brian Walsh said - you have to learn how to use them, just like all the other tools. Once learned, I think they are remarkably effective. I know I’m not the only one who’s, for example, checked the results of Wally Skater with Analog Magik. I’ve found excellent correlation between the WT method and what is shown on AM indicating good anti-skate setting.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I a not criticising WT , but The AM antiskating tracks ar so low in level ( the highest level is 5db below 50 um and only very little anti skate is needed if any ,. In Fact turning AS off or on does very little to the AM results I get on 2TT and 4 different cartridges:

So my point is that the AM record is maybe not a good benchmark for antiskate. I easily see and can set AS with the Ortofon record, where incorrect AS leads to uneven distortion in L or R, correct AS makes distortion and buzz equal. I chose not to set AS to track 100um since level is silly high, I rather set it for equal distortion at 80um , to better fit with music

 

[tony22]

In Fact turning AS off or on does very little to the AM results I get on 2TT and 4 different cartridges:

Hmm, that doesn’t happen with my TT setup. Very small AS changes show themselves with varying values on AM. When you use the 80um track on the Ortofon record, do you use AM to measure the distortion?

 

[Balle Clorin]

What changes do you see in %.
I posted all my values in the AM thread here,, AM software on Ortofon record will have to wait
Right now I am too busy studying my own online measurements..not bad ,but staying overnight.

 

[J007B]

What changes do you see in %.
I posted all my values in the AM thread here,, AM software on Ortofon record will have to wait
Right now I am too busy studying my own online measurements..not bad ,but staying overnight.
View attachment 144775

Hoping everything is ok?

 

[tony22]

@Balle Clorin, I hope you’re okay! All this can wait until you get better! I’m sorry I don’t have the recorded changes for my own tests. All I remember is that when I varied the azimuth so that WallyTractor showed, say, a .5% difference from a previous setting, and then I checked it on AM, it also showed a change to what it had indicated previously. I wish I remembered more.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Thanks guys, I am OK , home tomorrow is the plan, Troponine levels are OK , so it was false alarm. Maybe angina pain, not a heart attack this time.

 

[Balle Clorin]

@Balle Clorin, I hope you’re okay! All this can wait until you get better! I’m sorry I don’t have the recorded changes for my own tests. All I remember is that when I varied the azimuth so that WallyTeactor showed, say, a 1/2% difference from a previous setting, and then I checked it on AM, it also showed a changed to what it had indicated previously. I wish I remembered more.

Azimuth and VTA adjustment has an effect on my AM measurements, but no effect seen for antiskate, VTF changes crosstalk, but nothing else.

Posting here is a distraction that is good just now..

By the way I use Wallys Fulcrum, makes my azimuth perfect.

 

[MRubey]

Thanks guys, I am OK , home tomorrow is the plan, Troponine levels are OK , so it was false alarm. Maybe angina pain, not a heart attack this time.

I’m a retired nurse. I had five bypasses on 05/01/2014 prior to any MI.
I then had a minor nonstemi at work in 2018 resulting in a stint on the posterior side of my heart. Im doing okay. I feel you brother. Keep on keepin on!

 

[Kingrex]

I have Zenith error and I think its effective length. The disc with sweep lines and length marks.