Damping fluid

del44
del44 Posts: 686
edited August 2011 in Electronics
Does anyone use it for their tonearms? If so, is there much if any, sonic improvment. The reason I'm asking. I don't have any in my tonearm, but I was wondering if it's worth getting some.
Post edited by del44 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited August 2011
    I have a Mission 774 original tone arm with a trough and paddle type fluid damping system. It allows cartridges of all compliances to work with this very lightweight arm. It does seem to mellow out very brittle highs a tiny amount and seems to make for tighter bass response. The fluid damping helps to control the arm better on warped records or extremely dynamic music. If your arm has a fluid damping option, I'd use it. My .02.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,064
    edited August 2011
    Since you haven't specified your tonearm nor your cartridge, its hard to say if you will get any benefit or not. From your photo gallery, it looks like you have almost the same setup as me, VPI HW-19 and a Sumiko FT-3/4 arm, is that right? If so, then it really depends on your cartridge. That is a medium weight arm that does pretty well with a wide range of cartridges, but with low compliance carts, the fluid will definitely help. There is some discussion in the manual for that arm. If you don't have it, you can find an electronic copy over at Vinyl Engine.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited August 2011
    Thanks guys. Yes it's a PT-3. I have the book but the part that explains using the damping fluid is somewhat vague. It talks about a trough but all I see is a hole in the top of the tonearm assembly. This is where the fluid is dispensed. The knob turns to increase or decrease the damping. My cart is a AT OC-9.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,064
    edited August 2011
    Del,
    I had the OC-9 on mine for a while. Great combination if you ask me. Medium compliance cartridge, medium weight arm. I didn't need to use the dampening fluid. It tracked perfectly.

    Usually, the fluid is needed when you have more of a mismatch (light arm, low compliance cartridge, etc).

    I wouldn't worry about using it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited August 2011
    Yes Bill, The OC-9 does track really well. I've got a Grado Gold that I was using before I got the OC-9. Man that thing tracked aweful. Maybe if I decide to use the Grado again I'll try the fluid.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter