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advice for decent affordable record clamps

C

centaurus3200

Well-Known Member
hi all,

looking for an affordable record clamp for my modded Technics SL-1600MK2. it must be a real clamp, not the weighted type. i don't want to screw up the suspension geometry with a weighted "clamp".

they are so expensive! those used ADC and michell gyrodec ones go for like $70!

thanks,
Robby
 
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I use a SOTA I-clamp, on my Ariston RD-11S, and I really like it. IIRC, I got it on sale, from SOTA, for a little less than the $70 you mentioned. I think it is well worth the money.
 
I have and love the SOTA clamp as well. When you have one in hand you will see that the price justified by the fine machinework in the collet type clamping mechanism.



Carl
 
You can make one yourself if you are so inclined. Just drill a hole of slightly smaller diameter than the spindle into a hockey puck. Just make sure to get it centered. Total cost: $1

Incidentally, I use a weight type clamp on a suspended table (Pioneer PL-630) and have used it on the past on the same Technics as yours without any problems. The suspension is stiff enough not to be affected, at least from my experience. Although I the one I use is an AT-618 "disc stabilizer" I have thought that making one out of a glass telephone pole insulator would probably work, too.
 
The Sota I clamp is about the best bang for the buck out there, IMHO. :thmbsp: If you really want to get serious, the Sota reflex clamp is even better, but at several times the price. The Thorens stabilizer is excellent also, but you need a very solid suspension to use this puppy (but it ain't cheap).
 
The drawback to the SOTA Reflex is that it can become airborne, upon release, if the user is not paying attention, which can then cause fatal damage to a piece from one's fine vinyl collection.

This didn't happen to me, but I did witness it, to my horror. I like the I-clamp.
 
the pickering red button clamp is quite fiddly to use but works well on a suspended deck due to its relatively low weight and firm tripod clamping action..
it will seriously try your patience for casual record listening though...:scratch2:
...but for archiving slightly warped or very thin pressings it can ( and on my deck often does..) make a worthwhile improvement in the recorded sound...price isn't too bad too...and that rotating tripod kinda looks cool imho :D
or..
how about a pencil eraser with a hole slightly smaller in diameter than your spindle drilled out the middle...?
 
I'll second Hakka's recommendation for the drilled hockey puck as a basic starter clamp.

I use a weight on several suspended TTs with no problems; I just adjusted the suspension to account for the weight.
 
hakaplan said:
...I have thought that making one out of a glass telephone pole insulator would probably work, too.
Click to expand...
That is a completely cool idea there, Howard... :scratch2:
 
luvvinvinyl said:
The drawback to the SOTA Reflex is that it can become airborne, upon release, if the user is not paying attention, which can then cause fatal damage to a piece from one's fine vinyl collection.

This didn't happen to me, but I did witness it, to my horror. I like the I-clamp.
Click to expand...
Hmmm.... That almost of sounds like some sort of game. I wonder how high a person can launch one of those? :scratch2: :lmao:
 
They still make the ClearAudio CleverClamp, and sell it for $29.99. It has no weight, uses pressure only.

On the other hand, Jeff from Highwater showed me a nice ebony doodad at the Stereophile show that sells for $1800. Amaze your friends, astound your enemies!
 
The rubber reel retainers that were used on reel to reel recorders work fairly well -- they don't clamp on really tight, so they aren't much use for flattening records, but they damp the record perfectly well.
 
I've used the "J.A. Michell Record Clamp" I bought off ebay for about $45 del'd for a while now, I like it. I had a good experience with the Hong Kong seller as well, smooth, like it outta be.

Pete
 
Can someone please explain why using a clamp is better than not using a clamp? Are there some kind of truly audible improvements in sound or something? Tracking is better?? :scratch2:
 
BroonsBane said:
Can someone please explain why using a clamp is better than not using a clamp? Are there some kind of truly audible improvements in sound or something? Tracking is better?? :scratch2:
Click to expand...

The basic idea is to damp vibrations in a record. The stylus is trying to convert physical information as small as a millionth of an inch into an electrical signal. A record that is tightly clamped to a heavy platter will not vibrate as much, so the stylus will be responding only to the actual motions in the groove - not the motion of the whole record.
 
vinyl1 said:
The basic idea is to damp vibrations in a record. The stylus is trying to convert physical information as small as a millionth of an inch into an electrical signal. A record that is tightly clamped to a heavy platter will not vibrate as much, so the stylus will be responding only to the actual motions in the groove - not the motion of the whole record.
Click to expand...

Ok, that makes sense but does it actually make audible sonic improvements? Decrease record/stylus wear?
 
BroonsBane said:
Ok, that makes sense but does it actually make audible sonic improvements? Decrease record/stylus wear?
Click to expand...

I don't guess it will shake your world but there's no problem in hearing improved sound. I've never heard of it for decreasing stylus/record wear but the difference in sound is quite enough reason to use one.
 
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