Ok guys

If the table has a hinged dustcover, it should be down. Look, it's your table...do what you want! I am sure that the reason that manufacturers included a hinged dustcover was so that it could be closed while in use.  

+1 to @audioman58 for asking what turntable the OP is using.

If the OP’s system description is up to date he is using a ProJect Debut Carbon DC, which is a non-suspended belt drive table weighing about 12 pounds and costing ca. $400 including an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. Certainly a very different animal than the SOTA tables which are the only ones to which my earlier comments pertain.

Regards,
-- Al

For my part, I apologize if my last post was a bit rough on Mijo. Everyone should always do what sounds best to that individual. I guess I made my dust cover decision years ago and am now too old to change.

If the table has a hinged dustcover, it should be down. Look, it's your table...do what you want! I am sure that the reason that manufacturers included a hinged dustcover was so that it could be closed while in use.

Or so that it could be opened to actually place an album on the platter and then play it open or closed and see which they prefer.
Very few absolute black and white ( open and shut) cases where audio is concerned.

But the only true test is to try both ways in your own system as it could give an entirely different result in another persons system depending on a whole slew of factors outside the table and dustcover.

Obviously, YMMV....🤔