Tonearm microphonics

I submit that tapping tests are inconclusive or misleading. We know that cartridges (and tonearms) are designed to have resonant frequencies around 10-12 Hz. That’s so acoustic waves won’t excite their natural frequencies (since they the acoustic waves don’t go that low). So it’s the very low structureborne frequencies we should worry about, not acoustic waves or tapping. Isolation, not damping, is the answer. If you don’t like the way tapping sounds don’t tap it. Tapping is not necessarily an indication of anything since most likely nothing natural will have the same impact or amplitude.

Ok but I'm curious: if an arm which is tapped is quite dead, is this an indicator of a superior arm thus allowing to hear more of a cartridges characteristic...? 

Cartridge and Microphone do the same thing!
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/site/b0d226992d31e25d/
If you use a Stethoscope you will hear tapping on any arm you use!
http://bestreviews.com/best-stethoscopes

If you use a Stethoscope you will hear tapping on any arm you use!

Yes & if I set fire to my system it won't work. 

Fascinating thread...

Infection wants an arm that won't "tap". It's his sole criterion — he could list twenty different strength and weaknesses of his tonearm, but he doesn't — it "taps", that's it, so needs a new one. His new one will tap too but we'll save that for the sequel.

Meanwhile, Clearthink disagrees angrily with everything Raul says, as quickly as he can type it and post it.

Keep it coming guys, it's entertaining...