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What would I get out of damping fluid?

I've got an Audioquest PT6 arm on my Sota with an Audiotechnica OC9 cartridge. The arm has a cup for damping fluid that I've never used (and I understand the AQ fluid is no longer available). I am curious what sonic benefit I might get out of using the fluid? Is there any particular area of the spectrum that would benefit in particular? I'm not unhappy with the sound of my system, but always looking for tweeks.
grimace

Showing 2 responses by markd51

markd51
763 posts
 
Turntablebasics.com is one source for Styringes of Tonearm Damping Fluids, of a few different viscosities.

Tough to say what benefits you might reap? The AQ Arm is not a bad Arm, I have two, and at first thought I was going to need Danmping Fluids to control a new ZYX Airy 3X. But with some break in time, and further fine adjustments to the Airy 3, it seems to be behaving quite nicely lately.

Are they worth a try? Sure, but you may find the differences very subtle, and might actually be more of a detriment, than an improvement. Mark
markd51
763 posts
 
The Damping is worth trying. One good thing is, if you don't like the results, they are easily reversible, and you're only out the cost of the Damping Fluids.

Probably the best tweaks for the AQ PT Arms, will be a better quality Tonearm Cable, a high quality Arc Protractor like the Mintlp from Yip in Hong Kong, and another upgrade, which is no longer available, and some have liked, is a Counterweight Upgrade, like the Expressimo Heavyweight. Downside is with the Heavyweight if you could find one, is they are a PITA adjusting, with loosening an Allen Set Screw, then trying to make minor VTF Adjustments.

A buddy here, Wayne Fiala noted this, and sold his Heavyweight, and dam stupid of me not to buy it from him when I had the chance, as now I have two AQ Arms, the PT-8, and PT-9. Mark
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