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Post by antonio on Apr 21, 2022 3:51:41 GMT
What are members thoughts on record clamps, never tried one on any of my tt's and am very tempted. If any of you are using one I'd be interested to know which one, I've seen this and thought it seemed decent value www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175009115257 |
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Post by stevew on Apr 21, 2022 6:58:48 GMT
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Post by macca on Apr 21, 2022 8:44:36 GMT
There's a difference between a weight and a clamp. The one you linked to is a weight.
I tried a weight, didn't like what it did to the sound. Also was concerned about putting a stress on the motor which it wasn't designed for.
never tried a clamp but in principle a clamp makes more sense than a weight.
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dt79
Junior Member
Posts: 343
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Post by dt79 on Apr 21, 2022 9:23:13 GMT
I use a Michel clamp which is very light, Definitely seems preferable to using a weight.
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Post by robbiegong on Apr 21, 2022 9:23:38 GMT
As is the case with these things, you have to give them a try to find if you like what they do in your set up, to your ears.
I found clamps sucked the sound a bit, when I tried, (which was some years back, different set up to what I have now), and preferred a weight which is what I use. Some however, prefer a clamp.
As Macca has pointed out, a heavy weight wont be ideal for some decks, as a heavy weight can stress the bearing. I haven't found this a problem on the Technics SP10.
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Post by macca on Apr 21, 2022 9:43:13 GMT
It's the effect on the motor rather than the bearing that concerned me. I'd have thought a decent quality bearing would be fine with the extra weight.
Although if it isn't and it's slowly being damaged, how would you know until the damage reaches a point where it becomes audible?
Personally I suspect that weights are probably just another bandwagon that people jump on for no reason other than prima face it looks like a good idea. I'd like to see some comparative testing to show exactly what differences they make to wow, flutter, and rumble. Worse, better, or no change?
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Post by robbiegong on Apr 21, 2022 10:18:12 GMT
It's the effect on the motor rather than the bearing that concerned me. I'd have thought a decent quality bearing would be fine with the extra weight. Although if it isn't and it's slowly being damaged, how would you know until the damage reaches a point where it becomes audible? Personally I suspect that weights are probably just another bandwagon that people jump on for no reason other than prima face it looks like a good idea. I'd like to see some comparative testing to show exactly what differences they make to wow, flutter, and rumble. Worse, better, or no change? 1. Yep, effect on the motor, which isnt really a prob on the torquey Techies 2. Good point 3. Might be the case for some but I'd say that many, or at least for myself it's combined factors as to why one is used - ie: simply and quote 'a record weight adds extra mass to the disc, while a clamp adds additional force. The idea is to improve contact between the disc and the platter to prevent slipping, improve tracking performance, and help control resonance. How true, effective, significant that is, is a whole argument, discussion, can of worms in itself, of course. I, like many other audio folk, also like the look of a nice weight, as fickle as that might sound, so it's a combination of factors and typically, audio folk like the idea of even a knats, barely audible or even negligible 'improvement', it's the nature and behaviour of untold lovers of audio and music, accessing, trying out every little drop, it's what we do. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,399
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 21, 2022 11:00:01 GMT
Record weights and record clamps dont work the same. Clamps like the one pictured are usually screwed down over the spindle and weigh very little. Used on Michells/Regas etc. The idea being to increase the surface area of the LP that is actually in contact with the Platter, IIRC. Weights do the same thing but for TT's without the longer spindle of the Michell's and Regas. They are not for adding mass to a light weight plinth. Heavy weights are a sure fire way of stretching the belts on a belt drive, if you go too heavy. Motors like the P3, SP10, DP80 etc, you can put a Tenuto platter mat on and it shows absolutely no sign of issue after 3 years of daily use. I would suggest caution in using these things and to not go mad with the weight. If you think you have slippage or wow and flutter issues, a weight is not going to solve it. Do they make a difference to the sound? I think my super cheap £16 chinese one solidifies the bass a little, but i am as happy listening with it on, as i am with it off. They dont have to be expensive, so try a cheaper one and see how you get on. macca, in terms of devices that make no sense, wait until i reveal my latest area of interest lol.....It may just be the thing that convinces you all that i am completely bonkers. |
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Post by antonio on Apr 21, 2022 14:27:44 GMT
There's a difference between a weight and a clamp. The one you linked to is a weight. I tried a weight, didn't like what it did to the sound. Also was concerned about putting a stress on the motor which it wasn't designed for. never tried a clamp but in principle a clamp makes more sense than a weight. Thanks for all your views on this, I was thinking more along the lines of Macca post here. I've listened to a few albums over the last few days and have noticed that some, not really warped, but not all the area touches the platter and thought a clamp may help. The clamp I linked to is a copy of a Michell and I've just been sent a sellers offer, buy it now price of £17.50 so it's very tempting. |
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dt79
Junior Member
Posts: 343
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Post by dt79 on Apr 23, 2022 7:28:17 GMT
There's a difference between a weight and a clamp. The one you linked to is a weight. I tried a weight, didn't like what it did to the sound. Also was concerned about putting a stress on the motor which it wasn't designed for. never tried a clamp but in principle a clamp makes more sense than a weight. Thanks for all your views on this, I was thinking more along the lines of Macca post here. I've listened to a few albums over the last few days and have noticed that some, not really warped, but not all the area touches the platter and thought a clamp may help. The clamp I linked to is a copy of a Michell and I've just been sent a sellers offer, buy it now price of £17.50 so it's very tempting. Michel are a good bet. They do different versions of the same basic design. The main offering has a felt washer which you put over the spindle, under the record, and a clamp with a lip around the underside so that when the clamp pushes down it presses the record flat to the platter, which helps with dished records, where a regular weight or clamp would only be beneficial when playing the convex side. However you need enough spindle for this and not all TTs do. Frustratingly my Techies (1210mk2 back in the day and now my G) have too short a spindle, so I got the other version which uses no washer and a flat underside and can clamp to a much shorter spindle. It helps, but can’t flatten the concave side of a dished record or a big warp. |
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Post by antonio on Apr 23, 2022 13:06:12 GMT
Taken a chance on the clamp I linked to, will report back when I've had chance to use it.
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Post by pete on Apr 23, 2022 13:36:17 GMT
Taken a chance on the clamp I linked to, will report back when I've had chance to use it. Good move Dave, has to be worth a punt, look forward to hearing how you get on |
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Post by Pigmy Pony on May 1, 2022 10:50:48 GMT
My t/t came with a record weight and is meant to be used that way. But it is based around an SL1200 motor which will be more than equal to the job no doubt.
In fact it's so torquey I'm thinking of attaching a dynamo to the edge of the platter (like you used to get on your bicycle to run the lights), to see if it can power a little turntable lamp (I know it won't be enough to run the turntable, I'm not daft). I suppose someone will be along to spoil my plans by saying it will affect pitch stability or something.
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Post by antonio on May 1, 2022 13:28:12 GMT
Bear in mind I don't know much about you Steve, what's your tt?
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Post by Pigmy Pony on May 1, 2022 13:53:07 GMT
Current set up (and largely unchanged for some years now) is Inspire Monarch t/t with Inspire X200 arm and 2M Black cart., Pro-ject Tube Box phono stage, Musical Fidelity A5 integrated, Marantz CD6006 UK Edition, Zu Omen Def. speakers. A few more odds and ends knocking about, but this is what I'm currently playing Santana's 'Caravanserai' with right now. All my listening is via CD and vinyl, I know bugger all about computer audio  Though if I'm being really lazy I may ask Alexa to play something via an Amptastic Mini-1 and some Celestion 5s. I also have a half decent surround sound set up which is not in use because the av amp makes no sense to me. Why must they have so many buttons? |
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