Record Clamp for Entry-Level Music Hall TT


I have a Music Hall MMF2.2. Stock setup except that I have a Herbie Audio mat. I'm interested in getting a record clamp. I've heard they help the sound and I have quite a few slightly warped records that I'd like to have sit more securely on the table.

Any recommendations? I know that my turntable is not threaded. Is there a weight restriction?

Thanks,
David
dmloring
Hi, David, a clamp applies pressure to the record by 1) pressing down on the clamp as you lock it onto a smooth spindle or, 2) by screwing the clamp down onto a threaded spindle. A weight applies pressure on the record by weighing it down. And some clamps are heavy and some weights can be clamped.

I wouldn't use a weight with the mmf-2.2. It doesn't have the most durable platter bearing and a weight might add enough pressure to risk premature wear. I'd go with a lightweight clamp.

The Michell Reflex clamp suggested by Vinyladdict would be a good match. I just took my Reflex clamp and tried it on my mmf-2.1 turntable and it works well. The clamp isn't cheap, retails for $59 at MusicDirect.com (you'd want the regular model), but it's well made and lightweight. It's twice the price of some less expensive clamps but I think you'd be getting more than twice the quality and function with the Michell clamp.

If you don't care so much about aesthetics and don't want to spend that much money, I used a paper clamp as a record clamp with my old Dual 502 and my mmf-2.1. It's the boxy black paper clamp with chrome "wings" to open the clamp. I just put pressure on the record label and then attached the paper clamp onto the spindle. The large size paper clamp has plenty of gripping power and weighs next to nothing.

Tom
PS: The regular Michell Reflex clamp worked with the mmf-2.1 using a Herbie's mat and a heavyweight LP. I even tried it with the Herbie's mat plus the felt mat so you shouldn't have any problems.
Great. Thank you everyone for your help/suggestions. I will look into the Michell Reflex clamp.
PPS: Hi, Armstrod (David), your reply must have been posted just before mine. I would have given you credit and edited the redundancy of my reply had I seen your answer before posting. :-)

Tom
I have the thinest herbie mat, so I presume that the regular michell (not the one made for the rega), is appropriate. I wouldn't say that there is that much spindle left above the record, but I really have no measure of what constitutes a lot or a little spindle showing.