[Phono-L] Orthophonic Reproducer Gaskets question...

[Steven Medved]

Ron,



I think the ideal gasket would be one of soft natural rubber but they begin to
harden.  I spoke with a man that developed a gel gasket and it really
improved the bass, unfortunately they did not last.  The hard rubber we
use today is a compromise, you sacrifice sound quality for gasket
longevity.  Ron D told me this is why Edison
went to cork in 1924 because the soft natural rubber began to harden in as little as six months.



Today we have the soft rubber white tubing that works well for the Victor
sound boxes.  I remember when all we had was the hard stuff that barely
improved sound.  



Here is where Andrew or Tom would do well to explain but in my limited
understanding the softer the gasket the more it allows the diaphragm to move in
response to the grooves.  More response equals better sound.  Is that
what compliance is?  That is why in this case just tightening the
compression ring when the reproducer is air tight would work best.  



Different sound boxes are affected in different ways.  The Exhibition No 2
and 4 are affected so much more by stiff gaskets than the Edison
reproducers.  Just changing gaskets alone is a waste of time on Edison reproducers.  I recently worked on a diamond
A reproducer that had new gaskets and sounded horrible.  Why? The stylus
was broken, the stylus bar did not move freely and the hinge block was also
frozen but some hero had installed new gaskets.



Back in 1985 I was one of these heroes.  I changed all my gaskets and
wondered why this did not help the sound on my Edisons. 
Then I wrote to EJ Goodall and learned you had to tune the reproducer as
well.  He also taught me the importance of soft gaskets.  He worked
on disc reproducers including the EMG where gaskets are important.  
Now I restore movement on Edisons and adjust needle bar tension on Victors after the reproducer is back together.  Victor said to have the bar barely touch the mica, I have gotten best results when the bar is perhaps .003 away from the mica.



Steve 




> 
> In theory, they only make an air seal, rather than playing a part in
> compliance/flexibility, right?
> 
> Ron L
> 
>