Sirspeedy I would never have known about the critical nature of the damping fluid without your comments and I thank you. And Doug your comments, especially those dated 2-15-05 are very helpful. I now have my pre-owned Graham 2.2 on the table with the Airy 2x on the arm. Setup was confidence inspiring. Grahams method of setting cartridge alignment and overhang, as well as pivot to spindle distance are so well thought out and user friendly. I now have no doubts that Ive got it right. However azimuth is a mystery to me, and I dont want to play a record until this is adjusted. Having never owned a unipivot, I have no idea how to know when this adjustment is right. If its only a visual check then Im in trouble since I will never be able to see if the stylus is vertical. I just bought a test record and will read the instructions looking for an azimuth test. Regarding unipivot arms, I had been told they were wobbly and that I might not like that characteristic. I dont but am not sure if mine is ok since its pre-owned. If I knew mine was acting normal Id feel better.
Now about the damping fluid, how do you manage to get a pinhead amount into or out of the well? This stuff is so thick getting such a small amount to come out of syringe is close to impossible. I put in what I think is a little less than the manual calls for (0.75 cc) but when I check the fluid level with the cap it looks like there might be too much. However the manuals description doesnt quite jive with what I see. It says check the fluid level on the small post with the triangular piece on it. The fluid should completely cover this triangular part, but not go much higher up. My post does not have a triangular piece; it has a square post that comes out of the cap and at the end of that is a round post about 4 mm long with a point on the end. Right now the fluid covers the 4 mm of round post and goes up onto the square part for about 2 mm. I think there might be too much fluid in the well for a starting level. I realize the level will be adjusted by ear but it seems this process would be aided by starting at some predetermined level. Sirspeedy may have covered that and Ill review his writings in a minute.
I just went up to check the fluid level as to be sure my memory of where it is on the post was accurate. While doing so it occurred to me one way to remove small amounts of fluid is to take the cap off and let the small drips that come off the post fall into another container, not back into the bearing well.
Im certainly anxious to try my new arm and cartridge but the azimuth adjustment leaves me a little uncertain. Im off to check out the test record.
