Some manufacturers do not want you using a clamp (Linn, for example). You did answer your question with the theory of making the record and the platter be one unit (Basis adheres to that, and has a clamp that will tighten around the spindle), but some manufacturers do not agree with that theory and design their turntables accordingly. Personally, when I tried the then-merely expensive (as opposed to now hideously expensive) Shun Mook clamp for one side of a record years ago (it was so wide that the cartridge would bump into it before the end of the lead-out groove), I could not hear any appreciable difference from my Basis clamp, but it was just one record and I'm generally not that attuned to the differences others hear in these things.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE the user of a record clamp
I'm going to open a new can of worms that will make you sure, I just can't hear. Please give me good reasons to use a record clamp. I have seen them advertised for thousands of dollars. The best reason I've heard so far is that a certain type will drain any electo-static energy from your LP.
My records are not warped, except for an occasional waver on some when looking at record level at the outer most portion of the it, and those are far and few between. Even then, the clamp has no affect,on flattening out the record. I can see where they may be very useful, when playing a warped LP, but other than that, I see no reason for it's use. I can see where it makes a good solid connection to the platter. I don't have any slip, when the record is playing. Maybe I have it, but just can't see it. Are they like seat belts on a car? Better to use them than not? Are they like a properly mounted speaker. It needs to be very solid? I can understand that. The record more or less becomes part of the platter. They become as one. Be sure to read this last part, because as I'm writing this, I can see where it can actually makes the platter solidly attached to the record. I think I just answered my own question. But thousands of dollars for a clamp? I have talked to several people, trying to explain how tweeks, not matter how small, add them all together an wow.
My records are not warped, except for an occasional waver on some when looking at record level at the outer most portion of the it, and those are far and few between. Even then, the clamp has no affect,on flattening out the record. I can see where they may be very useful, when playing a warped LP, but other than that, I see no reason for it's use. I can see where it makes a good solid connection to the platter. I don't have any slip, when the record is playing. Maybe I have it, but just can't see it. Are they like seat belts on a car? Better to use them than not? Are they like a properly mounted speaker. It needs to be very solid? I can understand that. The record more or less becomes part of the platter. They become as one. Be sure to read this last part, because as I'm writing this, I can see where it can actually makes the platter solidly attached to the record. I think I just answered my own question. But thousands of dollars for a clamp? I have talked to several people, trying to explain how tweeks, not matter how small, add them all together an wow.
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A record clamp and a record weight are two different animals! https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/record-clamps-and-weights/ |
Like they say, it depends on the table. I have an old Sota Star Saphire that came with a clamp and a platter vacuum system. So, this table was designed for those. I tried the Sota clamp on my TW-Acustic Raven and no, it did not help. The soundstage collapsed inwards. However, that $$$$ Shun Mook clamp on Raven tables is getting praise by some who have used the combination. Kenny |
I've used both a weight with an integral clamp and clamp-only. The weight/clamp works well on my vintage Pioneer PL 15D II. I think because the platter is very light and the weight provides extra mass and stabilization. For the clamps, I've used a couple and the one that I get the best results with is a SOTA Reflex clamp. It adds almost no mass, but the eccentric cam action firmly couples the LP to the platter. I thought they were a bit pricey new ($250 or so), but was patient and picked up one used for about $40. Spending thousands? Not from my wallet, but you'll find a lot of folks here that will disagree. For antistatic, Zerostat is the way to go. Follow the package directions and you'll be set. Good luck & happy listening! |
- 26 posts total