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 @lohanimal  : "  I have a Townshend Rock Elite with  a Helius Omega. Sounds very good without the trough - sounds significantly better with the trough. For the uninitiated Townshend Rock turntables use a silicone damping trough at the headshell end. I have used other arms too and the step change is consistent regardless of arm

Would you have a car with spring suspension alone, or damping too?.  "

Your great tonearm comes in the OP due that's the " extreme " on overall damping thread subject.

Yes, damping benefits almost all tonearms/cartridges combinations and I said " almost " because I don't listened yet all tonearms down there.


"  I agree that cartridges do have some in-built damping but it is actually quite crude (it's a piece of rubber). The problem with a rubber spring is the opposite and equal reaction back - ie it's like puncing a ball against a wall. That's why car suspension uses damping whether through air or oil leaving the spring to do its part.

placing the damping at the front where the cartridge is creates a significant mechanical advantage and prevents spurious resonances going down the arm in the first place.  "

Quite correct and precise and that "  spurious resonances going down the arm in the first place "  is what happens with the Townshend but with a different tonearm the silicon fluid and the tape around the tonearm wand makes a really good job about. 

The @big_greg first hand experiences with his Technics 1200 is evidence that confirms with out doubt your posts.

"  The CST/Wt was partially arrived at to stop it dripping - he says a thinner oil works and to try and use the thinnest weight that carries out the resonance control whilst also allowing the treble transients to shine through. I hasten to add that I personally don't think that the silicone weight commonly used robs treble energy - it simply cleans up splash.  "

  Exactly: "  it simply cleans up splash. " !  .


Btw, great contribution for the thread and for all of us and any audiophile.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.


Raul, I should add that I have also upgraded the feet on the Technics and have the KAB RCA jack plate which allows me to use higher quality interconnects.
FYI I have asked Max Townshend for a copy of the White Paper from professor Jack Dinsdale about the damping on the Townshend Turntable. With luck he may stick it on his website. 
Due to an oafish error on my part i damaged the cable on my Helius Omega, so I am going to try out the FR64s on the Townshend once I drill a new arm-board. I haven't used it having set it aside for my JVC QL10 that i am having bits done to. I am very curious how the trough works with this arm. I know that Jcarr ain't a big fan nor @rauliruegas there again @syntax is a big fan of the arm for its energy transference.

I will report back my findings.
Dear @lohanimal : Those white papers are essential to read it for any one in the analog alternative as us.

I tested my 64S using the arm wand tape ( and as always setting VTF through/using the counterweigth. Recomended. ) and improved so you can make both things: use the around tape arm wand and listen after this the silicon oil damping and listen it and even after those you can try only with the silicon oil damping.

I wish I have your alternatives to test it about or any other tonearm.
Yes I know that I need to buy the Townshend and for me is a real temptation.

I will wait for your experiences about.

R.
Hi @rauliruegas 
i think I will try some silicone o-rings first that’s unless I can get sorbothane o-rings - I think the use of tape is just a bit clumsy. I have various frequency sweeps and methods to measure arm/cartridge resonance - though I’m not sure how I will apply this - happy for suggestions. Using my ear alone is always going to be subjective.