New Maplenoll Ariadne owner needing advice

Oilmanmojo: Just a tad too busy with non-audio stuff. Great pic's and information.

Crem1
Thanks for the kudos and speedy recovery. You will be in our prayers. I will have some pics of the oil dampening system in this new configuration soon. Still experimenting with different viscosity of oil and tapered pins to optimize the dampening. I found out pretty quickly, too much dampening is not a good thing. You lose the delicate details pretty easy.

Threaders: Just a mention ... HarborFreight.com is advertizing a Air Filter / Regulator # 1118 for $20 in store , $27 online. I use one with my Maplenoll and feel it has contributed to my satisfaction with the Air Control System. You can go to the web site and examine the detailed instructions. Don't purchase unless you feel it shall improve your current set-up. Just remember the all the pipe threads must be sealed to be really impressive. Any air leaks totally delay the results until sealed.

I have finished the oil dampening system modifications for the new arm designed. In the spirit of using the existing equipment, i mounted the swing out dampening trough under the airbearing spindle. I then mounted a tapered pin on the armwand clamp and it protrudes into the trough. I have filled the trough with a highly viscous oil (heavier than motor oil) that my lubes plant produces. The degree of dampening is set by the depth of the fluid in the trough. I can adjust this by a displacer which goes into the trough. I will get some pics of the finished design.
As far as performance, the dampening system works well in that i can adjust the level of dampening very easily and while the record is playing. I found that too much dampening will mute the delicate highs but since it is easy to adjust, i can fine tune it easily. I usually have just the tip of the pin in the fluid unless i have a wavy record or have a record that is difficult to track due to intensity. The design is very similar to the oil dampening system on the walker table but alas it is not nearly as refined.
I now feel i have a table that can deliver everything that is in the grooves. I recently upgraded the cartridge to the universe and feel the system can handle this great cartridge. I am still fine tuning the vtf and vta but I have been tremedously please with the results of the table, arm and now top flight cartridge. I still need to upgrade my phono stage (maybe santa will be good to me:~) I have found myself listening to records finding details that just were not there a few months ago. Some of the delicate bells on Ricky Lee Jones debut album, the presence and sound stage listening to Karajan (1812 overture), the absolute silence required in the system before the flutes start playing the intro into Bolero(never could understand why the record was so hard to listen to until I got this system optimized, and I could go on about the quality of the sound. I truly think the stiffness of the carbon fiber arm clamped to the air bearing spindle was one of the keys to getting the system performance up. Also, the upgrade to silver tonearm wires made a tremedous difference. The vta adjustment is nice, but i do not think it had as significant impact as the stiffness of the armwand system. I also really like the dampening system since it now longer swings above the record. That is a small issue but now i do not have to worry about it as i am changing LPs.
Thanks for all of the input and ideas from various members of the forum especially Crem1 and Piedpiper (2 other maplenuts!). I have really enjoyed listening to how others have improved this line of table.

you've inspired me to rethink my arm as well. I'm thinking of reversing the direction of the arm and make it very short ala the rare Maplenoll Apollo but mounting it on a separate plinth with a VTA adjustment dial on the back end in the form of the third cone support. the only vulnerability of this design is that warped records change VTA because of the short arm but rigidity is greatly enhanced. I'll draw a picture and post a picture.