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Headshell Washers : Nylon or Stainless Steel?

Few things are unimportant which are so close to the most critical interface in hifi (stylus >> groove)....

I've been using Nylon washers for nearly 18 months now, mainly for their protectiveness of the headshell finish. The nylon also performs 2 other potentially useful jobs : insulation (breaks possible GND loops - although I've never suffered one before) and constrained layer damping.

There's no denying that setting up a cart accurately is much easier with stainless steel (they don't change shape under compression and end up skewing the cartridge) although, as you know, if stainless steel is used we must be certain that it's 100% non-magnetic.
Another minor source of worry with washer choice are tales of cartridge bolts which have secretly loosened due to inadequate torque. (Although I'm certain the owners would notice this straight away...)

My main question is do the nylon washers have any ill-effects or disadvantages that you can think of?
(e.g could they compromise the rigidity of the "closed loop" - bearing in mind we are using them on top of the headshell not underneath?)
So what is the source of any sonic differences - the damping ability, or something else?

Personally I can't see them having any effect on the closed loop as the cart body is in intimate contact with the headshell and there is plenty of friction there(?)
Please discuss....
moonglum
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I dont' know if it makes any real difference or not. However, I've been using brass screws and washers. If you are concerned about torque, Albert Porter is selling a tool that sets the torque. I don't know how it works exactly, but if Albert's selling it, it must be pretty good.

Regards,
Dan
blk25
31 posts
 
As long as you align your cart properly, I cant see them making a difference. Who better to judge this than you; why don't you just try both so you don't have to rely on someone else's opinion?
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Whether there's an audible difference will of course be system-dependent. FWIW, it's clearly audible in mine. Your system isn't listed so I couldn't guess whether it would be audible in yours.

As to which is preferable, that's a matter of taste.

In my system, compared to using no washers at all:

- nylon washers cause an audible slewing of rise times (slowed responsiveness) and a diminishment of amplitudes (reduced dynamics). IOW, they smooth and soften the sound. This is a typical effect of applying "constrained layer dampening" close to the signal path.

- brass washers have an effect similar to nylon, though somewhat less pronounced

- stainless steel washers have virtually no audible effects

Since my partner and I prefer the most faithful reproduction of the source that we can manage, I use SS washers. I torque the screws quite tight and have never had an issue with them loosening. (Note: whether this is safe varies with the design of the cartridge body, some can be deformed or damaged by over-tightening of the mounting screws.)
john_gordon
116 posts
 

If a true comparison is wanted, then you would need to use a torque driver, otherwise you won't know if any differences are due to the materials or the tightness of the screws.

As an aside, not only headshell screws, but other fasteners as well can affect the sound of an arm, even those which are not necessarily serving an obvious structural function, so lots of scope for those with a mind to experiment.

John
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dklk
38 posts
 

I always use nylon so they don't scratch the headshell
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