VPI arm damping

Hi Mike,

Well I guess it all depends on your cartridge/phono stage/amps/speakers. I know when I left the bowl low, the sound became thin and two dimensional. In my system, when the oil is applied as described, the soundstage opens up and becomes more realistic, especially in the midrange.

To each their own, but do keep experimenting by all means, and do report back on your findings...... it should be interesting.

Cheers,

John

In my experience with the VPI JMW-10, the optimal level of damping fluid has been very cartridge dependent. The cartridge I ran during most of the time period that I owned my JMW-10 was the van den Hul Frog. It sounded best with very little damping fluid in the well. Too much and the sound was dull, lifeless and very contrained - just as Stltrains described.

i just put a tom evens groove+ in my system, and john you are correct, different equiptment affects every thing, with the groove+ i had to add oil, increese tracking force, the groove+ is like no other phono stage i ever had the plesure to hear, it all adds up to, if you can, audition equiptment in your system before you buy, this could be the best thing you can do for your musical enjoyment, mike

I suggest you contact the cartridge manufacturer/importer. They know the best answer..it depends on the mass of the cartridge, arm, the damping of the cantilever, etc. Try a little damping and listen - if you don't like it, you can always go back.

Hi mike
Isnt it amazing that as your equipment gets more HIGH END the small changes can make such BIG differences.
Its no surprise that the groove+ responds to damping as it is designed using a townsend rock turntable.
Makes you wonder how the JMW would sound with a front damping
trough ala townsend?
PS
That new beatles album i told you about is now out on vinyl
all the best
Terry