I always found, with this arm, it depended on the armboard material. If the armboard was metal, I used the gasket. If the armboard was wood or acrylic, I didn't use the gasket. Just a personal preference, but it sounded better this way.
Technics EPA-500 users
I just received a second EPA-500/501H tonearm.I noticed this one has a hard rubber gasket on the base,that was not on the first one I purchased.I am wondering if the gasket affects the sound,I have been useing my first arm without the gasket with good results.I thought that rubber between the arm base and armboard would not be a good thing.Any opinions?Anyone try it with and without the rubber gasket?