Dear @mijostyn : "
If a cartridge is properly matched to the tonearm damping is not required. "
I don't know what you are talking about or what mean with properly matched. If you refered to the cartridge/tonearm frequency range resonance in between then you really don't know what you are talking about.
Do you already compared in the same system the Thownshend Excalibur tonearm against other top contemporary tonearm with matched top LOMC cartridge?
" features a tonearm damping trough filled with silicon fluid which dampens tonearm movement at the headshell. "
https://audiotraveler.wordpress.com/tag/townshend/
Differences for the better are not smaller but makes a paramount differences for the best quality performance of any tonearm you listened in your audio life.
Any tonearm develops every kind of distortions during play. Distortions/resonances that comes from the cartridge it self, the tonearm bearing, the tonearm mount support, the TT, the tonearm wand it self, feedback, etc, etc. and we need that any tonearm be very well damped to avoid/put those resonances at minimum to enhance our play MUSIC experiences and be nearer to the recording.
Any don't damped resonances in the tonearm it self will degrade the precious cartridge signal.
I owned and own non-damped tonearm like the FR and tonearms as the SME V and the great MAX 282 where you have the choice to listen engaged silicon damping or not and I owned both tonearms at the same time and I listened to both arms for many time with out that silicon damping because for me the sound was more " alive " when the damping in some ways " dull " a little the listen experiences.
That happened till I understand what I was listened with out damping and what with silicon damping and what I was listening with out damping was only higher distortion levels from here came that " alive " false enjoyment.
I have to say that both arms with out damping are more or less well damped designs because the build materials used into.
With all my respect to any gentleman: it's stupid to listen a silicon damped tonearm with out damping but human beens like to make stupid things.
Tonearm damping is a necessity like it or not, the point is not what you like or what like your friend the important issue is MUSIC. I left my stupidity to many years ago, every one learn but there are people never learn.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
I don't know what you are talking about or what mean with properly matched. If you refered to the cartridge/tonearm frequency range resonance in between then you really don't know what you are talking about.
Do you already compared in the same system the Thownshend Excalibur tonearm against other top contemporary tonearm with matched top LOMC cartridge?
" features a tonearm damping trough filled with silicon fluid which dampens tonearm movement at the headshell. "
https://audiotraveler.wordpress.com/tag/townshend/
Differences for the better are not smaller but makes a paramount differences for the best quality performance of any tonearm you listened in your audio life.
Any tonearm develops every kind of distortions during play. Distortions/resonances that comes from the cartridge it self, the tonearm bearing, the tonearm mount support, the TT, the tonearm wand it self, feedback, etc, etc. and we need that any tonearm be very well damped to avoid/put those resonances at minimum to enhance our play MUSIC experiences and be nearer to the recording.
Any don't damped resonances in the tonearm it self will degrade the precious cartridge signal.
I owned and own non-damped tonearm like the FR and tonearms as the SME V and the great MAX 282 where you have the choice to listen engaged silicon damping or not and I owned both tonearms at the same time and I listened to both arms for many time with out that silicon damping because for me the sound was more " alive " when the damping in some ways " dull " a little the listen experiences.
That happened till I understand what I was listened with out damping and what with silicon damping and what I was listening with out damping was only higher distortion levels from here came that " alive " false enjoyment.
I have to say that both arms with out damping are more or less well damped designs because the build materials used into.
With all my respect to any gentleman: it's stupid to listen a silicon damped tonearm with out damping but human beens like to make stupid things.
Tonearm damping is a necessity like it or not, the point is not what you like or what like your friend the important issue is MUSIC. I left my stupidity to many years ago, every one learn but there are people never learn.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.