TONEARM DAMPING : DAMPED OR NOT ? ? USELESS ? ? WELCOMED ? ?


Dear friends: This tonearm critical subject sometimes can be controversial for say the least. Some audiophiles swear for non damped tonearms as the FR designs or SAEC or even the SME 3012 that is not very well damped in stock original status.

Some other audiophiles likes good damped tonearms.


In other thread a gentleman posted:


"  If a cartridge is properly matched to the tonearm damping is not required. " and even explained all what we know about the ideal resonance frequency range between tonearm and cartridge ( 8hz to 12hz. ). He refered to this when said: " properly matched to the tonearm ".


In that same thread that a Triplanar tonearm owner posted:


" This is the one thing about the Triplanar that I don't like. I never use the damping trough...... I imagine someone might have a use for it; I removed the troughs on my Triplanars; its nice to imagine that it sounds better for doing so. "


At the other side here it's a very well damped tonearm:


https://audiotraveler.wordpress.com/tag/townshend/


Now, after the LP is in the spining TT platter ( everything the same, including well matched cartridge/tonearm.  ) the must critical issue is what happens once the cartridge stylus tip hits/track the LP grooves modulations.

The ideal is that those groove modulations can pass to the cartridge motor with out any additional kind of developed resonances/vibrations and that the transducer makes its job mantaining the delicated and sensible signal integrity that comes in those recorded groove modulations.

 That is the ideal and could be utopic because all over the process/trip of the cartridge signal between the stylus tip ride and the output at the tonearm cable the signal suffers degradation (  resonances/vibrations/feedback ) mainly developed through all that " long trip " .


So, DAMPING IS NEED IT AT THE TONEARM/HEADSHELL SIDE OR NOT?


I'm trying to find out the " true " about and not looking if what we like it or not like it is rigth or not but what should be about and why of that " should be ".


I invite all of you analog lovers audiophiles to share your points of view in this critical analog audio subject. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT?


Thank's in advance.



Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.






Ag insider logo xs@2xrauliruegas

Dear @audiomark1234  : Things are that for several years I owned the first the 4 and latter on the DP-6 that's almost an unipivot design ( has 2 bearing points. ) and with not good microscopic stability for the stylus tip ridding.

That's why came or comes with silicon oil damping for the horizontal plane and independent for the vertical movements and in this we can choose the " quantity " of damping we need or not but this fact depends more that what the designer says but  the cartridges we own and our sound reproduction preferences.

With out vertical damping we coulkd think is more open/cryztaline the sound but that could be the added non damped distortion levels.

R.

'could be' ?, 'might be' ?

" You need facts or to make your own measures "

 

Following a very enjoyable day visiting the Designer of the Tonearm referred to in the earlier Post and once more discussing the subject of a Trough > Paddle > Damping Fluid. 

There is no change in the thought about damping troughs being used.

The Wow and Flutter that can be detected during a LP's replay is to be witnessed as a substantial improvement through improving Speed Control, as a result of optimising certain mechanical interfaces both mechanical and geometrical.

Optimisation is achievable through removing a common cause of eccentric rotation, being the non-true rotation of the axis of the Platter Bearings Spindle.

Keeping on top of a LP's eccentricity is more difficult as the cause is typically the off set of the Groove to the LP's Hole / Spindle Centre, not the usually misunderstood dimension incorrectly suspected as being the LP's Hole / Spindle Centre to the LP's perimeter. If the hole centre perimeter dimension was the only concern there would be tools available to substantially improve on the condition.

Optimisation can be taken further when addressing the interface created between the Styli and Groove, which is the next to be considered.

There are set up Geometries where the selection of the null points are capable of producing differing forces which will be exerted within the Groove, at certain positions during the replay, these are a cause of friction and drag, each capable of impacting on Wow and Flutter.

There are things that can be addressed within the Cartridge, especially the accuracy of the alignment of the Styli on the Cantilever, the alignment of the Cantilever to the Coils and the Azimuth when the Styli is within the Groove.  

The cleanliness of the Vinyl and Quality of the finished polish to the Styli will also assist with overcoming the presence of Wow and Flutter

When the mechanical and geometrical interface is addressed, the use of a dedicated Speed Controller will assist with a improved control over the electronics influence on the speed. 

These critical conditions when not optimised, are able to influence detrimentally on a replay. Their presence when non-optimised are not going to be resolved by the use of a Paddle in oil, and it is most unlikely the use of a Paddle and Oil, be it a Silicone, Spirit Mineral or a Blend of either, is going to be an adequate method for removing the 'entirety' of the impact of energies being created as a result of the presence of any of the above conditions not being optimal.

Even if the conditions are at their optimal, the Trough, Oil, Paddle is not going to offer much as a means to remove what remains as a unwanted energy transfer. 

Energies being generated, resulting with a proportion of unwanted produced energy, able to be transferred through a Tonearm, will have an amount of produced energy, able to be a bounce back energy, even with a Trough in place, where the result will be unwanted energy being able to return to source, ultimately to encounter and be an influence on the the Styli. 

 

@lewm  : 55 554390 0518, please say me Hi down there. Could you?  Appreciated.

 

R.

Re the original question. Simple correct answer. Tonearm should not vibrate or flex. If it's not "perfect" - damping is appropriate. Of course there are many 'cabalistic' factors  :)  (Made you go for the dictionary :)  Naturally this thread 'could' go on forever :)  We've got endless 'retired' guys, plus bored sales 'people' or should that be 'persons?' with nothing better to do--  gotta love this 'forum' ...........