Perimeter Ring Clamps: Yay?, Nay?, Sources??

+1 @lewm . I'd also add, the plain inconvenience of it. Vinyl is enough work as it is. Plus I am skeptical of the changes being better. The biggest is the stylus danger IMO. Might be alright with a MM which has a replaceable stylus. But a high $$$ LOMC is going to cost $4-500 to retip. And I hear it changes the sound. Some say the Zyx can't be replaced. I'm going to try it anyway when the time comes

To add a highly specific experience of my own, I have a Kenwood L07D. Kenwood made an accessory outer ring for the L07D, the DS20, which goes to show how old the idea is. When you install the DS20, you are also supposed to activate a switch on the outboard PS which allows the servo to compensate for the added mass; I have not weighed the ring, but it cannot weigh more than a pound or two or three. Because of my own fear of damaging a cartridge, I generally mount the ring on the platter so it sits UNDER the lip of the LP, not acting as a clamp. I have consistently found that I actually prefer the sound of the L07D without the ring. Just an anecdote and not proof of any general principle, except do be thoughtful about the effect of a heavy ring on speed regulation of a DD turntable. Because Kenwood was.

Scroll down for the post that concerns the ring.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/wayne-s-audio-problems?highlight=wayne

If one plays used LP's it makes sense if your setup can handle it AND you don't mind additional hassle. 

Have you tried the O ring and clamp to dish the LP? It's the least expensive and effective way to get most LP's reasonably flat.

twoleftears

you just put bleach on my itch for a ring, thanks, it's a no go for me after reading that.

everyone,

I wasn't thinking about warps, more about holding ALL LP's more solidly, get more juice into the Stylus. 

I wasn't considering keeping it perfectly centered, forget that, forget it.

thanks, I knew I'd get answers to help me decide

NAY!!!!!!