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Record weight/clamp- Yes or No?
- Thread starter Purplybob
- Start date
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I just read an article from a 70s or 80s british magazine (What HiFi or HiFi Answers, maybe) on accessories, which is available at Vinyl Engine. They test various things - mats, weights, clamps, antistatic guns and liquids. I was pleased by how sober and careful the testing was, and their very measured conclusions - no surprisingly, it all depends. They found most of the mats and weights had positive effects on some parts of the frequency range, and negative on others, and so only actual use in a system can really determine value. They did find that the clamp - a triangular plastic thing that looks like a little oil rig - was pretty uniformly beneficial. Having had one years ago, I agree - one of the few accessories that didn't seem to have any negative effects. Unfortunately a friend liked it so much that I sold it to him.
Not even waiting a week between the same question, please if you do a little looking at current topics you might get all the info needed. It's not like anyones opinion changed in three weeks or the membership. Normally I don't care if a question get asked again if it's hasn't been done for quite a while and things changed. But this is really lack of effort to look at current posted threads.
last tuesday.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/turntable-record-weight.797592/#post-11047344
Nov. 7th
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....weights-make-a-noticeable-improvement.795437/
last tuesday.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/turntable-record-weight.797592/#post-11047344
Nov. 7th
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....weights-make-a-noticeable-improvement.795437/
Todd Dodds
Super Member
I have both a weight and a clamp. I never use the weight. I like the clamp whenever I'm going to do a quick DiscWash before play.
With motor off, I can spin the record (and platter) with the clamp. Other than that, they're just more clutter sitting around.
With motor off, I can spin the record (and platter) with the clamp. Other than that, they're just more clutter sitting around.
Condorsat
Audio Enthusiast
Back in the day (70's) ... never used one ... none of my friends did either if memory serves me well.
When I got back into Vinyl (2000) ... 1st two TT's I bought did not have record clamps. They do make after market ones but never tried it.
Not really adverse to using one ... just never have.
When I got back into Vinyl (2000) ... 1st two TT's I bought did not have record clamps. They do make after market ones but never tried it.
Not really adverse to using one ... just never have.
Todd Dodds
Super Member
zenarrrow
Well-Known Member
4-2-7 's advice should be heeded. I guess it may depend on your tt. I don't really see the room on like a vintage pioneer or marantz for a clamp. But for a free spinning or high end table as 4-2-7 explained to me it pretty much makes the record part of the platter, making it the same weight and more solid. Where if it was not clamped it would be semi free from the platter and more prone to vibrations from the top or the bottom.
... but I would never own a record like this anyway, so it's a non starter w/ me.
johnebravo
I should be practicing
The turntable I bought about 15 years ago came with a clamp. I think I used it three times. I have about 45 years worth of practice at plucking LPs off of moving platters, and switching the turntable off and bringing the platter to a complete stop after every single side was going to be a major pain in the ass. Not to mention I don't believe that it actually sounds appreciably different with the clamp in place . . .
I guess it's possible that there may be the occasional warped record that can be made playable, but I've never actually seen one -- any warp near the edge is not going to be affected by the clamp.
However, it's probably the case that you should just try it for yourself and decide on the basis of your own personal experience.
I guess it's possible that there may be the occasional warped record that can be made playable, but I've never actually seen one -- any warp near the edge is not going to be affected by the clamp.
However, it's probably the case that you should just try it for yourself and decide on the basis of your own personal experience.
No a clamp weight isn't going to salvage a badly warped record, doubt there are few if any subjects re turntables etc that havn't been covered years ago on AK, please do an AK Google search before asking a question that has been asked every week with all the same answers every time. Looks like a clamp/weight is one step forward and one step backwards, nothing gained/nothing lost except money from your wallet.
It's alright.
Weights and clamps benefit a system but I feel clamps are better because the force can be applied as needed and where. It also functions better on dished records if you learn how to use them. Looking at your system it would probably not make any sonic change that you will hear unless it's a dished record you might be able to. But a clamp is also for a positive coupling of the record to the platter this helps kill any resonance that the cartridge can pick up.
A lot of records are not flat and gaps between the record and platter can cause SQ change. Bad warps and puckers can be devastating to the sound and tracking of the cartridge, a clamp definitely helps.
Different weight record can add sonic improvements, thats why they make them. Even one sided records can sound better because you eliminate the grooves on the other side that will cause resonance that the cartridge will pick up. A heavy platter is far better than a stamped steel plate or thin cast aluminum. It kills the resonance allowing the cartridge just to pickup the vibration in the groove. So with a platter weight of 15lbs and a clamp, all the records become 15lb records when coupled to the platter.
As said above a lot of records are not flat, and if warped or dished we start having sq issues and tracking errors.
Clamps
Washers
15lb platter and a dished record
As said above a lot of records are not flat, and if warped or dished we start having sq issues and tracking errors.
Clamps
Washers
15lb platter and a dished record
