I posted this on AK and it has brought up some interesting discussion. I decided to post my initial post verbatim over here because I know there are some very knowledgeable folks on here and I would like your input. If you follow the links you can see some of my build thread on the custom aluminum sub armboards that will hold the interchangeable armboards that I’m machining. This subject seems to have a lot of differing opinions, I’d like to hear from the folks on here so I can learn.Thank you BillWojo---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Something I’ve been thinking a lot about over the past several weeks as I design and build new arm boards for a two arm Victor (JVC) constrained layer plinth. You can see the thread on my build progress on page 11 of this post.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/jvc-ql-owners-thread.909550/ There was this thread that made it clear as to how important it really is.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/jelco-easy-vta.916431/ Here is a quote from that:
"I use one and couldn’t be happier.
For me, the improvement in the arms sound quality alone was worth the price of admission.
Being able to adjust VTA "on the fly" is just an added bonus."
Seems the Jelco VTA attachment really helped with the rigidity of the mounting.
When I was searching for post on armboard material I found all kinds of opinions as to what sounds better as well. That’s what really made me think about what was happening.
The tonearm has to move very freely in two axis of motion all the while being fed a steady stream of vibrations. Any looseness in the tonearm bearings or the mounting will degrade the sound. Thin armboards are vibrating with the tonearm and are "coloring" the sound. Even if the bearings are adjusted properly the tonearm may be vibrating in the support collar, especially if it’s the type that is only locked into place with a single screw of some type.
My thinking is that the tonearm should have good bearings, properly adjusted and the tonearm post should be held very rigidly to the plinth. The tonearm tube should have either internal or external damping as well to quell the vibrations.
Has anyone here experimented with this idea? I need to make an armboard insert for the back position of my Victor and I think I will do away with the stock mounting collar. Instead I will make a clamp that will support the tonearm post and it will be rigidly secured to the armboard. It will fill the entire area of the armboard cutout and be secured by 3 or 4 screws per side for maximum rigidity. Material will be aluminum. The tonearm will be a Audio Technica ATP-12T using a Denon DL-103 cart. That cart should feed a lot of energy into the tonearm.
I appreciate any and all thoughts on this.
Thank you"
