A $300-$400 turntable tweak

On your direct drive you might want to consider the impact of added weights and peripheral clamps as it may be negatively impacting the servos which have been designed for the original mass of the original platter.
On my Final Audio Parthenon it uses a 1.2kg gunmetal weight which has a proud rim around the bottom. The copper mat has an indent for the record label.
A washer sits under the record and the weight goes on top of the record. What I have found useful is that I have made several washers of varying thickness to optimise the flattening of the record. Obviously a peripheral ring might be better.

Ct0507

With a centre weight you get rid of the lifting record edges by optimising the thickness of the washer under the record. When you get the right thickness of the washer you can get the records flat around the perimeter.

J Carr

Hi Jonathan, interested in your feedback on centre clamps. My main concern on the gunmetal Final Audio clamp is that the spindle hole has no sleeve so it has metal to metal contact and it is not snug. I have often thought it would be an advantage to mill out the centre and put a teflon or other polymer sleeve in, but this is a one way trip. Do you have any recommendations on heavy clamps.
The other query is that on the Final the record edge is ever so slightly proud of the platter/mat, therefore I assume peripheral clamps may not be ideal on this turntable - thoughts ?
Might as well ask a third - graphite mats - a friend had an unfortunate experience where his cartridge ended up gummed up with grey scale off the graphite - comments ?

The mat was the Millenium, which has a smooth and rough side. I assume its off the rough side, but I dont know if the gentleman is using it correctly. Hence the question.

J Carr - thanks for the info - very thought provoking. The clamp discussion certainly has me thinking. The FAR clamp has a proud rim on the bottom so the force is applied to the out edge of the label. My FAR is up to speed in half a turn - so not sure on your set up - I'm using oscilator preamp with PS Audio power amp & MIT cable in the supply & Silk thread belt. I can only think maybe I'm tensioning the belt a bit more than you. I dont think mine has a polymer thrust pad. I'm using Motul V300 Power Racing oil which is a synthetic using double esters which is very slippery and has very high unctiousness- ie in a motor it will hold a film in the head even if the motor is not used for some time. My racing mate managed to boil his porsche engine, melt brazed oil lines and still the motor kept running with no damage. I love the Ikeda cartridge, though it can be difficult - be great to see this cartridge concept continued after Ikeda goes.