Thoughts On Turntable Clamps And Weights

Not all weights and clamps are created equal. The contact surface with the record also matters.

As the stylus moves in the groove, it causes the record to vibrate slightly. This is enough to cause detectable distortion. Therefore this vibration should be sunk into the platter and the weight. Unfortunately, all materials reflect that vibration to some extent.

The factor that determines reflection or absorption of vibration is the speed of sound in mating materials. If the SoS is close, transmission is high, if dissimilar then transmission is low. Two materials which are very close to, or within, the range of SoS of vinyl records, are graphite and Delrin. So an interface of these is best.

I use one of each.

I should also note that an intimate contact of iron (steel) and graphite or Delrin renders the pair dead to vibration. Other metals, I don't know..

We know, but weights and clamps typically contact only the label. What they otherwise do is push the LP into closer contact with the platter or the mat, and that’s where ideally you want delrin or graphite.

True, but under the label is vinyl. That too is important, or so I suspect.