Is the KAB Fluid Damper worth it if...

07-09-08: Radioheadokplayer
The bottom of the heavyfeet is only a small point so not the last word of stability

Yeah, but that's the point of spikes or cones--terminating in a small point. Spikes and cones are everywhere and it's not like components and speakers are tipping over and falling over throughout the audio world.

The weight of the component is concentrated on those 4 small points. In the case of an SL12x0 turntable plus the Heavyfeet, you have 30 lbs. concentrated on the area of four points. That means the pressure from above is highly concentrated, and it's why components don't usually wobble when set on cones.

Has anyone tried using the threaded Megafoot instead of the Heavyfoot? Is it worth the additional cost?

Think three legged bar stool. Think camera tri-pod. They work, although it's tough to argue they are more stable than four legged versions. However, three supports are easier to stabilize than four.

I just got the KAB Fluid Damper 2 days ago. I am using the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge which is not particularly finicky, nor is it a naturally great tracker.

In my case, the fluid damping is a major, major improvement in performance. Spitty sibilants have been all but eliminated, and hard-to-track vocals no longer seem to present a challenge to the cart.

I have a thread in which I've posted before and after needle-drops. I'm posting the fluid-damped samples as I type this. You can download them here.

I just received a MintLP Best Tractor and set up my cartridge.

I can say without question that this protractor has resulted in the best sound I have heard from my Technics SL1200 MK2.

If you haven't set up your cart correctly (and mine wasn't despite spending considerable time working on it), then you haven't yet heard what your table is capable of. Excellent instructions. Excellent precision device.

It's my new #1 recommended upgrade to the SL12xx tables (or any table).