Dust covers

Theoretically, a relatively inert (softer polymer) dustcover absorbs airborne sound waves--when closed, attenuating them before they reach the air around the tonearm, cartridge, stylus, plinth, and turntable base. That said, I use a Linn LP12 with the original dustcover; and I can’t discern a difference in SQ between listening with the cover off and listening with it closed. So I follow my dealer’s recommendation to listen with the cover closed.

Then again, my tin ears” can’t tell what color the walls in my listening room are painted either.

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT:

:Linn Akito III Tonarm

Linn Kandid MC Cartridge

Anthem STR Preamp (using integrated MC phono preamp)

Black Ice F35 (valve) Amp

Martin Logan EM ESL (electrostatic) Speakers

Martin Logan Dynamo 800X Sub

Audio Magic Interconnects

Off-white Listening Room.😉

Whoever wrote “listen for yourself “, +1.

However, I store dust covers in my basement. I don’t want one on the TT, let alone over an LP that is in play. But I wouldn’t use a spring suspended belt drive either.

Yeah, designed to play with dust cover on and closed...I trust Luxman did their homework...

This question (dust cover or no dust cover) comes up every 6 months or so. It is quite likely that, if SQ is the sole determinant of what to do, each person must listen and decide for his or her self.  Because first of all there are differences in how different turntables mount the dust cover, which has an effect on resonance and energy dissipation, and two, each of us is limited to one pair of ears, one brain, and one set of biases.

I cover the platter when my TTs are not in use, sometimes with a piece of cloth, taking a cue from the Kenwood L07D, which came with a lucite cover in the shape of an LP; it has a hole in the center for the spindle, over which hole is a convenient metal handle. They made no attempt to design a conventional "dust cover" that would cover the platter and tonearm during play.  With all the millions of accessories that various companies try to sell us, I am rather surprised that no one makes such a "platter cover" for the aftermarket.