We have to be careful with out generalizations here. Vibration in a tonearm or headshell or cartridge should be damped. If you allow it to vibrate, it will eliminate part of your pickup capabilities, and impart unwanted resonant sounds. No load path can remove this vibration fast enough.
In general regarding components, damping and controlled vibrational paths can be used depending on the circumstance. I use hard cones under my TT, but I damp my headshell and cartridge. Understanding the nature of the vibrations, and their effect on the particular item, will determine whether load paths or damping should be used. There is no "catch-all" method.
In general regarding components, damping and controlled vibrational paths can be used depending on the circumstance. I use hard cones under my TT, but I damp my headshell and cartridge. Understanding the nature of the vibrations, and their effect on the particular item, will determine whether load paths or damping should be used. There is no "catch-all" method.