Record clamps and weights

[bigrod]

I think there is a lot of foo regarding record / disc clamps / stabilisers
A record weight that doesn’t clamp onto the spindle I get to a point , but they rarely address the problem of warped records unless the record is really thin .. on older quality thicker discs you will never be able to flatten a warp towards the edge of the disc as it would take several kgs of pressure from the centre to reach the edge
You can apply more pressure with a clamp that clamps to the spindle .. but why would you want to clamp the record disc to the spindle bearing.
My basis signature came with the basis clamp but I very rarely use it . Mainly because my collection consists of early vinyl which is a lot stiffer by modern day standards .

Do you use one regularly and what are your thoughts

 

[rdale]

I use a Soundeck Damping Puck DPS with a Soundeck PM black mat on a Technics SL1210 GR and I’m very pleased with the sound improvement of the combination. I’m haven’t done any experiments with warped records yet.

I have an Orbe platter and clamp on my Gyrodec and that certainly flattens records, but you can’t really use the turntable without the clamp as records don’t sit flat.

I have a Thorens stabilizer I bought for my Thorens TD1500, but I haven’t tried that on the Thorens deck yet. I prefer the feel of the Soundeck puck as it’s got a sort of handle you can lift it with, whereas the Thorens is slightly more awkward to pick up.

 

[Craig_]

Never used one but recently I have been considering giving this a try..

https://www.originlive.com/shop/origin-live-record-weight.html

I use their record mat & cartridge enabler on my P10 with good results so I don’t believe their products to be Foo.

 

[lostwin]

I use one on my Gyrodec, but not the standard Michell clamp. My DIY effort is a weight that fits over the spindle. It helps on some warped records but mainly I use it as I like the sq benefits. I find that it adds extra depth of tone and helps with separation in the upper mid-range especially.

 

[bigfish786]

The Marantz came with a “souther clever clamp” it’s really quick and simple to use. Barely weighs anything but Does a good job. I use this all the time.

 

[Drummerman]

Anything that fits/clamps directly on the spindle and touches it probably transmits vibration from the motor/bearing/sub platter no? It may be the lesser of two evils if the record is not flat but I cant see much advantage otherwise but perhaps I am wrong.

I remember one TT manufacturer enabling the spindle top to be removed once the record was seated. That, in my small mind (!) kind of makes sense.

Having said all that, after just having received 2 new records, both warped, the idea of a clamp suddenly seemed sweeter but I just bin anything warped.

 

[Beobloke]

It probably won’t come as much surprise to anyone that I've mucked around with more pucks and weights than I care to remember over the years and have basically found that there are no hard and fast rules. Generally I've found that light designs like the original Revolver Pig really don't do a great deal, and it's the chunky weights that are more likely to have an effect.

Equally, they don't seem to really do anything to idler decks like Garrard 301s and 401s, but I reviewed both MoFi Ultradeck and Studiodeck turntables a few years back and both were supplied with the MoFi Super Heavyweight Record Clamp by the distributor. In both cases, the difference was truly astonishing with the clamp making a big improvement, so much so that I said in both reviews not to even consider buying either deck without the weight and I stand by this! Ultimately, if the deck in question is intended to use one, then I use one (such as my own Gyro SE and both Nakamichis). In addition, I sometimes use a big Slatedeck weight on my Garrard 301 purely because I like the look of it...

One other interesting thing that has struck me is that screw-down clamps that normally work well can adversely affect sound quality if you leave them too loose or graunch them up too tightly. The best solution I ever saw to this was on the Claro Clarity Dual where the clamp was a two-part item and the spindle was reverse-threaded. You held the grip part of the weight and screwed it onto the spindle and, when the requisite level of tightening torque was reached, if you kept on twisting then the top of the clamp would simply start to unscrew from the lower, meaning you couldn't tighten it any further unless you deliberately grabbed the lower part of the clamp. It was a brilliant solution and I'm surprised no-one else has come up with it.

Outer periphery clamps are another interesting one, as I've had one tucked away in a cupboard for years that was supposed to be a review item for Hi-Fi World. However, they forgot about it for a couple of years and, when I dug it out of the store and contacted the company about still reviewing it, they informed me that it was discontinued and replaced by a newer and better model. I asked if they would send me one of those for review instead and I'd return the original, but they never replied and subsequently ceased trading so the original ring spent a few more years in my cupboard with me swearing to try it out one day! Naturally, I never did...

Then enter the VPI Avenger Direct, which was shipped to me with VPI's outer periphery clamp and I found, again, that it made a subtle but worthy improvement, especially on warped records. I'm definitely digging that old periphery clamp out for another play but the downside is that it won't work on the few turntables that I use most often, due to their platter sizes or physical layout. Still, I'm sure I have others...

 

[MVJ]

I use a weight with a bubble for level checking on my Technics 1200G & a small clamp on my Sony Biotracer PS-X600....which is operated by pressing the centre down & placing over the spindle & releasing it's perfect for one handed operation

 

[Mr Kandid]

I don’t think Clamp or weights ever had anything to do with warps etc they were entirely meant for anti resonant fixing to reduce any slop movement in the Lp hole and vibration.
A warped LP is just that and useless.
The clamp for that is a fudge fix and usually only flattens down one side.
Weights and clamps are just anti resonance gimmicks.
Something else to induce wear then repair.

 

[MVJ]

I don’t think Clamp or weights ever had anything to do with warps etc they were entirely meant for anti resonant fixing to reduce any slop movement in the Lp hole and vibration.
A warped LP is just that and useless.
The clamp for that is a fudge fix and usually only flattens down one side.
Weights and clamps are just anti resonance gimmicks.
Something else to induce wear then repair.

I have never bought a warped record new or 2nd hand am I just lucky?

 

[Minicoupeman]

I have a Michell ‘Clamp’ and an Origin Live ‘puck’. The later is far and away the best. The Clamp is only used for badly warped records. The Puck can be put on or removed while the record is playing. There is a very obvious difference to the SQ.

 

[DT79]

I have never bought a warped record new or 2nd hand am I just lucky?

Yes

 

[MVJ]

Yes

Good that makes a change

 

[Mr Kandid]

I have never bought a warped record new or 2nd hand am I just lucky?

Extremely lucky.
Having said that all the super warped ones I’ve had are really in the resurgence years when they pack them warm and heatshrink the sleeves “ kiss of death “ vinyl is a real gamble these days unless your in the shop and ask to see it go round.
I always used to ask this in the shops that knew me.
If you want to PM me your lottery numbers.

 

[MVJ]

Extremely lucky.
Having said that all the super warped ones I’ve had are really in the resurgence years when they pack them warm and heatshrink the sleeves “ kiss of death “ vinyl is a real gamble these days unless your in the shop and ask to see it go round.
I always used to ask this in the shops that knew me.
If you want to PM me your lottery numbers.

Never done it sorry always keep my dosh in my pocket

 

[Mr Kandid]

Never done it sorry always keep my dosh in my pocket

They say us Scot’s are tight.

 

[MVJ]

They say us Scot’s are tight.

You are

Never gambled in my life unless you include taking a punt on 2nd hand HiFi

 

[DT79]

I used a weight for a while but switched to a Michell (lightweight) clamp as it didn’t seem like a great thing to be stressing everything (especially thinking about bearing wear) with adding additional weight to the platter.

However the comment about coupling the vinyl to the spindle via the clamp has got me thinking and I might take the time to do some comparisons with using the weight again.

One thing that does genuinely help with warped/dished records with either a weight or a clamp is the Oyaide BR-12 mat, which has a 1deg inward slope, enabling the weight/clamp to flatten the record to the platter/mat. It eliminates mild dishing or warps and makes moderate ones less severe. Although the 1200G is pretty tolerant anyway, especially with KAB damper.

 

[Mr Kandid]

You are

Never gambled in my life unless you include taking a punt on 2nd hand HiFi

Too risky for me.

 

[MVJ]

Too risky for me.

Not been bitten yet & had some serious bargains here in the wam classifieds