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Record weights what type would be good for a Luxman PD171-A

I recently purchased a Luxman PD171-A TT and am really happy w/it. A big jump from my 1986 Linn which gave me many tears of enjoyment. But using a record weight on a Linn is not recommended. I'm not sure if a record weight is beneficial so I'd like some feed back. They come in a variety of weight's and prices so if I go for one I don't want to hurt the motor. I checked my owners Manuel and there was no mention of using a record weight at a specific weight. Prices vary too. The last one I saw was at the extreme the Acoustic Signature Silencer which was 1K and weighed 1.6 lbs. I'd like to try something at a sane price.
luxmancl38
luxmancl38 OP
580 posts
 
So would a clamp give me more of improvement over a weigh being it can flatten the record. Does the Stillpoint do this??
dgarretson
2,617 posts
 

If you’re looking for a weight that will flatten an LP against the platter, anything above 1 lb. (like the Stillpoints LPI) will do it. I have an LPI, but have found that, except for severely cupped records, the lighter and less expensive Starsound Platter Ground does as well at damping vibration. I’ve used both on a vintage Luxman PD444 direct drive TT.

The other potentially beneficial effect of a heavy record weight on a belt drive TT is increasing rotational mass to improve speed stability. On a belt drive TT like VPI TNT, I’ve used brass weights up to five lbs.. But without knowing more about the bearing in your Luxman, that might be a gamble.

slaw's avatar
slaw
23,477 posts
 
@luxmancl38,

You did not mention why you are interested in a weight? In my years of trying clamps and weights, I've had a few interesting happenings. I started off using clamps because at that time I assumed getting the lp to contact the platter was THE most important thing. After years of this, I did find some clamps sounded better than others but never felt I was going anywhere significant. Then it hit me to try several mats, first by themselves, then with weights. I have a (found) material I made into a mat that I love and I have a Funk Firm 5mm mat. I've found that either one on any of my tts sounds better without a weight than they did with just a clamp. Both mats together sound even better (a total of 6mm). 

Whenever I try a clamp now, the sound becomes hard or brittle. I feel the main reason is because I'm connecting the lp to the bearing. With a mat and or mat & weight, I'm decoupling from the bearing as well as giving the lp some damping for the cartridge to take advantage of. I currently use the Stillpoints LP-1.

I don't know if you're able to adjust VTA? With the free trials available, I'd try a Funk Firm 3mm mat alone to start with, then maybe the MoFi weight. It was designed in conjunction with HRS, a respected manufacturer.
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gpgr4blu
1,096 posts
 
Another vote for Stillpoints LP1. It  has weight to it but it is also designed to stop the vinyl from vibrating from stylus friction. The result is clearer sound with less distortion in the highs. It replaced the VPI record weight that came with the HRX.
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