2. analog
  3. 161137-245

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

Showing 4 responses by tyray

tyray
562 posts
 
@bukanona
Company which built their reputation on tracking is Shure with V15 series If you’ll check Shure Ultra 500 which is the best in the line you’ll find that it has brush at the front. It’s not intended as anti-static brush, it’s part of suspension keeps it more steady.
The brush is intended to be used as an anti-static device. Shure refers to it as a ’Destatizer Brush’. What's confusing is the ’Destatizer Brush’ is also part of the suspension as it is attached to the ’Dynamic Stabilizer’ which is part of the suspension mechanism.

The anti-static brush is also VERY good with warped vinyl to help the cartridge from bouncing up and then down damaging the stylus. Trust me on this. I USED to play my Shure V15xMR cartridge with the suspension mechanism raised up until I unsuspectedly played a ’used’ new warped album and watched the stylus snap off right before my eyes. I was crestfallen...

@rauliruegas

My friend, never do or say this here - or anywhere else again.
Very uncool.
Japanese people are not a true reference as true audiophiles, they likes high distortions and unfortunatelly they don’t know that what they are hearing has those higher distortions. I don’tcare about those gentlemans, I only took them as an example

tyray
562 posts
 

@rauliruegas

I really, really didn’t think you meant exactly what you wrote. Sometimes others who only speak one language don’t understand how hard it is to speak and write in others language. I respect that you don’t even use a translator too!

Believe me, I’ve insulted many a spanish and portuguese native speaking people in my life time and it definitely was not my intent!☺
tyray
562 posts
 
@bukanona

tyray, in my opinion antistatic effect is very small and it’s more advertising gimmick. I am a little bit confused why none of MC cartridges uses brush. Maybe there is some interference. For high compliant ones it should be very OK...
Now that you mention it, I do remember before the market had ’standard’ stylus cleaning brushes, cleaning fluids and dust covers, folks just used to wipe the vinyl with a cotton cloth and blew on the ’needle’ or just used nothing at all, which I do remember caused a lot of static and not to mention dust accumulation on the needle.

I’m thinking we both are right though, the antistatic brush also could be thought of an antidust brush too. It must have been a ’revolution’ at the time it came out as it took some years before for the practice and use of ’record cleaning’ became an audiophile practiced standard.

I think the Shure brush patent was such a Shure engineering statement it became synonymous with the Shure brand. Stanton MM carts also uses brushes. Maybe it was just a MM Thing?




tyray
562 posts
 
@rauliruegas,

Turn on your (english) spell check function. It will greatly help us and your learning english and writing experiences. I am a little confused as (english) spell check is already embedded in Audiogon discussion forum or on your laptop/desktop? Try using your desktop or laptop and not your cell phone, if you do and that will help.

That's one way I can tell your not using a translator because your mistyping and misspelling of words and the translator won't let you do that.
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