Ok guys

So in the spirit of being open minded I tried on my tt-71 this morning with dustcover which is hinged to the plinth both up and down on same tracks.
Now bear in mind this is only on my second system which is not as resolving as the main but still.

Best way I can describe it is that with cover open it sounds more dynamic and open,more air and definition.
With cover down it was not bad by any means but seemed like a veil was lifted when I again opened the cover up.

I cannot perform same test in main system as the cover is a big square that sits over the 401 platter and tonearm and cartridge.

But I would say to my ears in my system it's clearly sounding better open on my Tt-71 which is a cover hinged to the plinth.

Draw whatever conclusions you like.

Playing records with dust cover down is like using a CD player, i hate it. 


I want to see the record when i'm using turntables, no dust covers, never.
If a turntable comes with a dust cover i will remove it, completely. 

I have only one turntable with a dust cover, because the original plinth comes with a dust cover, it's my Denon DP-80, i can't even imagine using this turntable with a dust cover up or down. It's so bizarre. 

One of the greatest thing about turntables is that we can actually see a record spinning on the platter with a needle on it. 

Dust cover is for protection when user is away, but since i don't have animals i don't care, no one will touch by turntables when i'm away. 

And please do not tell me about dust, nobody leave vinyl on the platter longer than one side, often just for a few songs and then it's back to the sleeve on the shelf. So WTF we need dust covers for ? 

  

And please do not tell me about dust, nobody leave vinyl on the platter longer than one side, often just for a few songs and then it’s back to the sleeve on the shelf. So WTF we need dust covers for ?

The concern, IMO, is that static charges on the record could pull dust particles that are on the platter into the groove of the side of the record that is not being played. And when the record is turned over so that the side which had been in contact with the platter is then played, sonics, tics and pops, and record wear may all be adversely affected as a result.

...nobody leave vinyl on the platter longer than one side, often just for a few songs

As one who listens primarily to classical music, when I listen to a record I usually listen to both sides in their entirety.

Again, though, I do not doubt that removing a dustcover is sonically beneficial with many and probably most turntables. My earlier comments pertained exclusively to the SOTAs.

Regards,
-- Al

@chakster
I always appreciate your enthusiasm for Technics tables and vinyl playback. I keep the transparent hinged dust cover on a KAB mod’d SL1210M5G down and have no problem seeing the record currently playing. Even with nothing on the platter, leaving the cover in place limits dust reaching the mechanicals of the turntable and should keep the mat cleaner too. FWIW - in addition to changing the stock feet to threaded spikes resting on a heavy wood platform with layered isolating materials under each corner, I also use small gel "bumpers" on the plinth where the dust cover will rest when lowered. Finally, a weight is placed on the top of the closed cover during playback.

As Mapman has already said in response to the OP’s question...up or down? Try it both ways and let your own ears decide.

Alright then
Yes you can tell I am not at work this week as have time to try various experiments but I do think this one maybe useful to some.
Or at minimum another point to discuss?
Re static build up on the record surface while playing.

So we measure static on a fairly regular basis on the films we produce during manufacturing and to this end we use various makes of fieldmeters like the one in this link.
https://www.simco-ion.co.uk/our-products/static-measuring/electrostatic-fieldmeter-type-fmx-004

Well I dragged mine out and checked the charge on the record surface while just spinning with no stylus contact and then during and after the full side of an album had played.
Now maybe my meter is not accurate enough to monitor very low level change ( tbh I have no idea what levels we are talking about for the "build up" on a record surface?) but I could measure NO difference in my system in my house with my meter.