Arm board material choices?

[fiddlefye]

I will be needing to make up a couple of arm boards for the two-armed plinth for the DP-80 before long and I'm pondering material choices. Most of the arm boards I've used in past have been MDP, with or without veneer. I made up a couple of maple boards for the TD-125 long ago and I guess they were fine as well, but I'm thinking of using something different for the Denon installation. I'm wondering what materials folks have used and what their experience with them has been in terms of behaviour and performance?

 

[4-2-7]

SOTA uses a few types of boards

MDF= standard
Compost= Acrylic and Aluminum laminated together
Cosmos = Acrylic, Aluminum and Lead laminated together

 

[Chops54]

I've tried all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff over the years and gone back to either aluminium or acrylic depending on what turntable I'm working with. I find both are stable and as most arms are made from either metal or plastic they both fit the bill. Messing around with composites is just a flight of fancy and a stab in the dark as the result is always unpredictable but hey if you have the time to mess around and it makes you feel like you've achieved something then be my guest. I'm not critising or trying to spoil anyone's fun but if you want predictable results stick with ally or plastic.

 

[ICTWoody]

I used 3x 0.25” acrylic glued togeather for the arm board on my Denon DP-1250. Since I’m a designer I figured out the mounting point and the pattern and had them laser cut. A nice solution and it sounds good to me!

- Woody

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

The Micro-Seiki RX1500VG uses aluminum "boards". I've also got a couple of after market composition "boards" that also work well.

Everything else uses wood.

 

[Tedrick]

The VPI HW-19 Mk II thru Mk IV used 0.5" or 1" thick acrylic armboards. I also have a 1" thick maple armboard as a backup for my HW-19.

 

[fiddlefye]

So much variety! I can see where I have some thinking to do. Materials availability might come into the picture as well.

 

[mhardy6647]

Paperstone has fallen into favor with the locals here in northern New England (armboards and plinths).

 

[rewind67]

I’m planning an armboard replacement on my TD150 next month and decided to go the tonewood route. I got a nice piece of Pau Ferro (aka Bolivian Rosewood) for it, which seems to be highly regarded by luthiers. Beautiful piece of wood even in its unfinished state. I figure if it doesn’t make an audible difference to me, it’s at least going to look good...

 

[Audionut]

Can’t wait till I’m in this pase of my turntable voyage, I’ll likely pick up a scroll saw to make all the arm boards to my hearts desire! Maybe even make some for other fellow havenites.

 

[ICTWoody]

Paperstone has fallen into favor with the locals here in northern New England (armboards and plinths).

Paperstone is what I used for that top layer on my Empire. Seems like it is good for audio stuff. I like it.

- Woody

 

[fiddlefye]

I’m planning an armboard replacement on my TD150 next month and decided to go the tonewood route. I got a nice piece of Pau Ferro (aka Bolivian Rosewood) for it, which seems to be highly regarded by luthiers. Beautiful piece of wood even in its unfinished state. I figure if it doesn’t make an audible difference to me, it’s at least going to look good...

There is a shortage of suppliers of interesting woods around here and it is a bit frustrating as I like handling the stuff before I buy it. I like the idea of using tonewood of some sort and Marc Morin has suggested a few varieties, the idea being to draw the vibration from the arm away from the base.

 

[Thermionics]

I'm using 3mm anodized aluminum on my SP15 (Front Panel Express). I can't tell if another material would drastically change the sound, but it sounds pretty decent as-is...



-D

 

[rewind67]

There is a shortage of suppliers of interesting woods around here and it is a bit frustrating as I like handling the stuff before I buy it. I like the idea of using tonewood of some sort and Marc Morin has suggested a few varieties, the idea being to draw the vibration from the arm away from the base.[/QUOTE

 

[rewind67]

Gahhh—somehow posted that before I wrote anything. @fiddlefye I agree, it’s best to have a look at the wood before buying. I don’t know of a tonewood source here in the city; but by chance I came across this online: Bell Forest. Fretboard blanks, conveniently sized within a couple mm of the TD150 stock armboard; and long enough that i get one chance to screw up before getting it right. They have a really nice selection of exotic wood blanks of all kinds. My Thorens project is scheduled for mid-February; I’ll post a report afterward (assuming I don’t botch it completely.)

 

[fiddlefye]

Gahhh—somehow posted that before I wrote anything. @fiddlefye I agree, it’s best to have a look at the wood before buying. I don’t know of a tonewood source here in the city; but by chance I came across this online: Bell Forest. Fretboard blanks, conveniently sized within a couple mm of the TD150 stock armboard; and long enough that i get one chance to screw up before getting it right. They have a really nice selection of exotic wood blanks of all kinds. My Thorens project is scheduled for mid-February; I’ll post a report afterward (assuming I don’t botch it completely.)

The board I'm thinking of making for the No.1 spot in the DP-80 installation follows the usual shape Denon used in their own plinths and is rather large.

The board in the rear is considerably smaller and rectangular. The plinth itself is a real aircraft carrier of a thing.
DSCN1844 by fiddlefye, on Flickr
Given that matching the veneer on the plinth isn't likely I'm figuring something contrasting might look best.

 

[Chops54]

Colour wise the plinth matches the table nicely. Some of the floor shows the same grain pattern too. Your floor would be hardwood by any chance?

 

[fiddlefye]

Colour wise the plinth matches the table nicely. Some of the floor shows the same grain pattern too. Your floor would be hardwood by any chance?

Yes, all oak through the house, 106 year old floors (at last count). The location of the plinth when I took the pics was strictly so I could take photos. When it is all all done it will go upstairs in my study/listening room, first on a walnut dresser and then on audio shelves once I finally get those built.

 

[Chops54]

I was just thinking that some hardwood parquet might make a nice armboard.