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Turntable Clamps Are They Really Worth It?

I use a weighted clamp, weighs close to a pound. My table, however, is not a suspended design. The clamp was noticeable immediately upon use, insofar as tighter bass. Other little details improved as well, but the bass thing was dramatic enough to impress my feeble hearing from the get-go.
 
I use a Sota clamp.
Before that I used a custom made weight machined from Delrin.
I still have the weight, but I prefer the Sota clamp.

Al. Wise
 
I have a couple of clamps, a TT weights one and an Orsonic clamp. I really like the Orsonic clamp, it is push button spring loaded so it is real easy to put on and take off. I honestly don't use them very often, really only when critically listening and when friends are over and I want to look fancy, hahahaha.


 
My Pro-Ject RM5.1 SE comes with a screw down clamp. It makes even the smallest warp worse, so it goes on most lp's very loosely. On my 1200 MKII and other tables I use a small piece of fuel line.
 
Some of RCA ultra thin vinyl records almost demand a clamp. Others to a lesser degree . Used in conjunction with an exterior ring the clamps can make a warped record previously un playable enjoyable. Though the idea of a TT with suction to hold the lp tight against the platter is intriguing, execution is very costly, and where do you put the noisy vacuum pump? So the weights are a good compromise.
 
I have and use

1. binder clip
2. hockey puck
3. plastic cap from a Pringles can
4. Bren1

All work well depending on the TT -- however most of the time I cannot hear a difference with them on or off

I use the Bren1 on my SL1200 all of the time tho
 
Clamps are a good idea if the turntable mat and platter are designed for them.
For example on something like the Michell TTs which slightly raise the record in the centre then use the clamp to force the record down flat onto the hard platter.
Or dished platters which allow the same effect. These systems have the amity to press the thin vinyl flat onto the platter and can deal with mild warping.

On a felt or soft mat they are mostly a retrograde step since the idea is for the millions of mat fibres to support the record evenly. Forcing the vinyl down onto such mats means they don't work as intended. You will also dish the vinyl, since the greatest force is at the centre. This also means if you're the type to obsess over cartridge alignment, you just wrecked it ;)

On a rubber mat they do nothing at all IME.

They are largely a hi-fi fashion accessory unless designed as part of the platter support system.
 
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expensive clamp

pdm4606 said:
I use this for a clamp to slightly dish some records that would be a problem playing due to a warp. I have 6 cork buttons on the outside of the turntable supporting the LP underneath.

Paul
Click to expand...

No expense is spared to be cheap around here.

Paul
 
"Turntable Clamps Are They Really Worth It?"

Ya, sure, you betcha. Just don't spend more than necessary. :thmbsp:
 
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