Thread: record weights/clamps

what do you guys use, looking for something nice for my burmester, thoughts

Rega suggests not to use either on their TTs but I have always been curious if they do much.

what is your spindle like ? threaded ? is your platter matted ? if so what does the manufacture recommend ? I believe some mats are not intended to be 'clamped upon' ?

FWIW, I have a VPI AriesIII with a the super platter and utilize a BDR clamp.

SME provided a machined masterpiece w/table -- SME HQ suggested the following & may apply to other clamps -- don't tighten the clamp to the record. Instead, just snug it to the LP & back it off 1/2 turn.

Best to all,

Bob

Originally Posted by Vintage_Tube

SME provided a machined masterpiece w/table -- SME HQ suggested the following & may apply to other clamps -- don't tighten the clamp to the record. Instead, just snug it to the LP & back it off 1/2 turn.

Best to all,

Bob

Bob, this seems confusing, for if one 'snugs' (not tightens) and then backs off a half turn you are in effect clamping nothing ? Besides, depending on the threads(fine or course) there would be a big difference in a half turn. That's why I asked Porsche for more info on his platter / spindle

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Rega suggests not to use either on their TTs but I have always been curious if they do much.

it also becomes a speed issue with greater weight on Rega designs which have a minimalist philosophy in their approach. many turntables view high mass as an asset, Rega sees things differently. their platters are lighter, maybe their motors are more effected by extra weight? so adding an unknown weight to a Rega platter is not going to help the speed performance. i have no personal experience with record weights on a Rega, but that might be one part of why they say that.

personally i do use record weights on all my three turntables. i have a half dozen record weights that i use.

for my CS Port i have a 6 pound stainless steel record weight designed for it. i use it every time.

i have a Durand record weight i use for my Wave Kinetics NVS tt. i also have the screw down record weight that the NVS came with, but the Durand is better. both are better than no weight. i also have a Blue Light Audio leather wrapped record weight that is very good, but it's a bit wide for the labels, and can interact with the cartridge on the run out groove occasionally, so i don't use it. i also have a HiFi Stay record weight i don't use at all; actually i have three of them.

i was using a Thorens record weight on my Esoteric T1 which worked well, but i just got a Massif Lignum record weight that is better there, and it's equal or maybe a little better than the Durand on the NVS too.

i've found that record weights sound better than naked pretty much always. YMMV

my system is very dynamic and so air borne resonance is an issue that i think record weights help with. but record weights can over dampen the sound too, so it's not a one size fits all answer. you have to listen and see how it goes.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Yeah, the same question occured to me, too, Dave. I think what Bob meant with respect to SME's guidance was: snug it down firmly, and then back off the force on the clamping knob half a turn. That's just a guess as best as I can figure from Bob's post.

That's correct PC -- excellent interpretation & explanation of what I was trying to say.

Best to all,

Bob