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Orosonic/Monster Cable Reflex Record Clamp

So when I bought my Brinkmann Bardo it came with an HRS record weight. I used it, seemed to be decent enough. Now I have never been a fan of record weights, I don't see the process they work through as being very efficient. 

On my other tables I use a Sota Reflex clamp, and the other one the Sota 1-Clamp. I like both well enough, and the reflex clamp to me is an excellent product. 

Now in my box of stuff, I did get a Monster Cable Reflex style clamp, branded as a Monster Cable one, which is the same as the Orosonic. It does a nice job pulling down onto the spindle when the center cylinder is released. 

Anyone ever heard much about these clamps and have an opinion? From what I hear there are not significant differences. To be honest, I am not even sure if they are necessary, but I feel better with on there as the Reflex clamp does a good job coupling the record and platter. Not as good as the Reflex clamp and vacuum platter of my Cosmos, but pretty good for a single device. 

Anyone use any of these series Orosonic or rebranded Monster Cable clamps? I think they may have been sold under other brand names also. 
neonknight
cardani
160 posts
 
I do have the the orsonic monster is good, light weight 250 gr.  I like better the Basis Reflex clamp that is 300 gr. the clamp mechanism feels better and sounds better in my Technics sp10mk2,  I also have the Thorens  450 gr. record weight which i hardly use. My favorite is the basis.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Orsonic is a nice clamp for turntables with low torque and lightweight platter (when you can’t use heavy record weight). Here is my NOS sample, i tried it on my turntables, it was OK, but i prefer traditional record weight, they are normally heavier (400-1000g) and much more effective.

Micro Seiki ST-10 is better.

American manufacturers often ordered cartridges and accessories from Japan, in fact Orsonic made the clamp for Monster Cable and Nakatsuka-San made Monster Cable LOMC cartridges for American market.

Micro Seiki also made stuff for others, this is a very interesting Disc Stabilizer they made for Audio Union, here is my sample.

However, Micro Seiki disc satabilizers are very heavy (about 1kg).

I love the rare Noritake Ceramic stabilizers, they are about 350g and very very nice. This is what i use most of the time on all my turntables nowadays.

I remember my first record weight, it was very cheap and nice one (made in Germany), it was about 40 euro or so.

Finally i managed to find a NOS Micro Seiki ST-20 which is extremely rare gunmetal stabilizer, it work like a clamp because two parts screwed together with chuck-lock around the spindle. This one is not as heavy as the ST-10, the ST-20 is 750g. I love it. Probably my best find so far!

neonknight OP
387 posts
 
I have always found the issue with record clamps to be is that they cannot apply pressure across the record evenly. They clamp the inside of the record just fine, but do very little for coupling the edges. Record weights have the same problem, and just accomplish their job by brute force. And I don’t see them being good for a turntable bearing.

That is why I prefer the vacuum option on the SOTA as it applies the coupling pressure evenly across the record. Even this system requires a Reflex clamp to work properly and maintain a good seal. But it does work well, and does not harm vinyl, so I do like it.

But my other tables do not use it, so some type of clamping system is necessary. I am going to experiment a bit with the SOTA Reflex clamp and see if it gives better results than the Orsonic. I could see where the Orsonic would be useful on suspended tables such as a AR, Dual, or something ese along those lines.
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