@lewm while I’m the OP, this particular application was reported by @nationalbar. I have no experience with his setup to offer an opinion. Please review my post of a private message that includes his findings. He’s happy with the resolution to his concerns.
Foil damping tape as a tonearm tube wrap?
There has been a couple sporadic posts recently about using a product called 3M foil damping tape to wrap tonearm tubes. The tape is normally used in applications to reduce unwanted vibrations in the product to which the tape is attached. In the particular tonearm wrap applications, users claim a noticeable improvement in sonic qualities of vinyl playback. I created this thread to catalog impressions of others who have used this material, their particular tonearm wrap applications and their take away stories. Who has used this product for tonearm wraps? Thoughts?
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Unless the turntable is properly isolated the cartridge, tonearm, platter etc. is subject to very low frequency seismic vibration. The tonearm, like the cartridge and platter, is susceptible to seismic vibration in the 10-12 Hz region, which is its design resonant frequency Fr. That is the physics involved. Even if heroic vibration isolation is employed, isolation is not perfect so it might be worthwhile to damp the tonearm, e.g., tape or oil bath, using oil of the correct viscosity, even if isolated. It’s not rocket science. Well, maybe it is. |
An alternative to using tape that I use is the Herbies Damping ring. I use it on my FR-64S with nice results. Lightweight and easily installs. I would say it takes the arm up a notch closer to the level of a FR-66S in terms of a more neutral and relaxed presentation. I guess I could add more if I wanted to experiment but one is fine. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/jr.htm#jr |
The rational for constrained layer damping is that the product absorbs vibration and converts it to heat---not reflecting the mechanical energy back to it’s source, but instead dissipating it. That’s the theory, anyway. I really doubt damping tape can prevent an arm tube from vibrating! It CAN absorb vibration though, and is in fact designed and intended to do just that. EAR damping products are widely used in commercial applications, to reduce the level of noise produced by large machines in manufacturing plants. In music systems, constrained layer damping (used in some of the world’s best loudspeakers, and in some isolation platforms, such as those made by Symposium Acoustics) can be used not only on tone arms, but also the metal chassis’ of electronics, many of which ring like a bell. That doesn’t necessarily mean the sound of those electronics will be improved, but it’s cheap to give it a try and find out. |
Dear @lewm @celander : A tonearm muyst be an inert device but no single tonearm out there is inert. Designers try to design tonearms well damped many with out success and other choosed for no damping at all, these ones are the worst no matter what. What is happening with OP cartridge is not only for the Decca London but any cartridge signal will receives dramatic benefits that only a deaf man can't listen. When Sumiko puts in the market an arm pipe device was because they made it several tests but my first hand experiences with over 15+ tonearms and dozens of cartridges told me and tells me that Sumiko was rigth. Lewm, you always think on theories or just imagination on subjects as this one. Do it a personal self favor and test it and you will see that always makes a difference for the better. Test with the 3M 434 that will mantain almost the same inertia moment/EM. @celander , the headshell you bougth is not well damped and that's a problem not only for your cartridge but for any one. The arm pipe of your tonearm is made for a well self damped magnesium material, try with these magnesium ( that match the toneam magnesium material. ) very well damped headshells and you will confirm what I said about: https://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-HEAD-SHELL-AT-MG-10-from-JAPAN-Japan-new/183366770516?epid=2... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-LS12-headshell-with-adjustable-azimuth/302816656736?hash=... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-MS9-Headshell-adjustable-azimuth/113137039830?hash=item1a... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-MS10-Headshell/223092162897?hash=item33f1544151%3Ag%3ABhE... https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGH-QUALITY-AUDIO-TECHNICA-DISCONTINUED-MAGNESIUM-LT12-PHONO-HEADSHELL/263... R. |
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