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Record weight safe to use on my tables?

J

Jeff Archer

Member
I have been toying around with the idea of getting a record weight to see what benefits it may provide.

I am looking at a Viborg weight with a mass of 280 grams (just under 10 ounces). I am wondering though about the possibility of damaging my tables with the added weight. I have a Garrard SL-72B (suspended platter) and a Pioneer PL-S70 (non-suspended platter).

Does anyone have any experience with using record weights with these models?

Thanks for any replies.
 
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I own a 16 oz record weight that I've tried in multiple machines, though not on a sprung deck. I stopped using it because while it looked cool, it didn't do much to flatten records and I couldn't stop wondering whether it might impact the main bearing down the road. Most importantly I could never hear a discernable difference when using it, so now it sits in my hutch with other hobby detritus picked up along the way.
 
The only issue I’ve ever had using a weight is on a suspended table and even then made a few spring adjustment to address platter / arm height. I am a fan of clamps and weights.
 
DavidTT said:
I own a 16 oz record weight that I've tried in multiple machines, though not on a sprung deck. I stopped using it because while it looked cool, it didn't do much to flatten records and I couldn't stop wondering whether it might impact the main bearing down the road. Most importantly I could never hear a discernable difference when using it, so now it sits in my hutch with other hobby detritus picked up along the way.
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I would worry about the thrust washer that the entire platter sits on.

To OP, how about considering a record clamp. They weigh much less and use mechanisms of various designs to put pressure between it and the record to the platter.
 
Well, at least 100 grams per record and possibly up to 200 or so. I think you're good to go.
 
I run a 750 gram record weight on my Kenwood KD-5077. it doesn't overtly flatten out warped records or make a discernable sound improvement to my ears, but GREATLY helps with foot falls.
 
WaynerN said:
I would worry about the thrust washer that the entire platter sits on.

To OP, how about considering a record clamp. They weigh much less and use mechanisms of various designs to put pressure between it and the record to the platter.
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I used a weight for a short time. I do worry about the thrust washer and or bearings. I went with a clamp. It does a better job and doesn't weigh much. Plus it keeps my mind at ease worrying about drilling a hole through my deck. :D
 
My main table is a suspended model - a Harman Kardon T60. It came with a record weight (485g), so it was obviously designed to be used with one. The springs are designed to handle the weight. Installing the weight causes the platter/tonearm assembly to lower by 1/16", still leaving plenty of clearance (7/32") between the bottom of the patter and the top of the deck. I always use this weight when playing records on this table. It was designed as part of a system and I trust the wisdom of the engineers that designed the table.
 
I use a 14 to 16 ounce weight on a Denon and Thorens (TD 150) with no problems at all. The thorens compresses the springs some but no rubbing of the platter on anything. The springs are still stock, no adjustment since purchased new.

I don't think it will hurt anything.

Shelly_D
 
I'v tried both weights/clamps and to be honest never heard any improvement in the sound quality, I'm of the opinion for the most part they are audio eye candy and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
 
majick47 said:
I'v tried both weights/clamps and to be honest never heard any improvement in the sound quality, I'm of the opinion for the most part they are audio eye candy and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
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Agreed, for the most part. A lightweight clamp (such as the 280 gram one referred to) is not going to do much, if anything. A heavier one, maybe. I find a clamp like the Eon Tri-pod to be somewhat helpful for wraps but as for sound quality I can't tell.
 
I got mine from a guy named "Road Runner", brand is Acme and the model is Anvil. Sort of heavy though.

BillWojo
 
Jeff Archer said:
I have been toying around with the idea of getting a record weight to see what benefits it may provide.

I am looking at a Viborg weight with a mass of 280 grams (just under 10 ounces). I am wondering though about the possibility of damaging my tables with the added weight. I have a Garrard SL-72B (suspended platter) and a Pioneer PL-S70 (non-suspended platter).

Does anyone have any experience with using record weights with these models?

Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...


Read this thread

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ntable-you-should-have-a-record-clamp.816837/

Nashou
 
I use a weight on my TD160, just remember that when you adjust the spring height to do it with the weight in place.
 
WaynerN said:
Points made here at AK are not always just for the OP. Others may be considering such a device, and a weight is not always the best answer.
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Agreed. I never said it was.

However the weight in question was only equivalent to 2 average records. I doubt that it would be (a) harmful to just about any turntable, much less a changer, and (b) very effective at any sonic or record flattening improvement.
 
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