Thoughts On Turntable Clamps And Weights


I have a Pro-Ject X2B and am curious about turntable weights and clamps. I perused the web and discovered that, like so many audio related items, prices range from modest to stratospheric. What are your thoughts on clamps and weights? Do they provide a notable improvement in sound quality? Does price equal quality? What should be avoided?

 

Thanks,

 

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

jrcotner

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

The flywheel effect attained by a weighty clamp might be worth the price of admission by further stabilizing rotational speed.

The coolest record clamp I ever saw on Youtube was vacuum with a flexible seal on the perimeter which pulled the record completely flat without the use of weights.

Bergman Galder Vacuum Clamp

This leaves out a crucial part of what happens when one placing a floppy disc of vinyl on a surface. There will be a cavity below that shift from center to front of the disc when adding a clamp.

Tap the disc with your nail and you clearly hear the hollow space below. Thinking any cartridge will not "hear" and reproduce this cavity is denying the acoustics of that environment.

Me thinks, a vacuum is the only way to couple disc and platter into one acoustic unit. Tap that sandwich and you will only hear the sound of your nail striking the record, nothing more.

I would not consider any turntable, in any price range without a proper vacuum hold.

It is as basic an issue as firm speed stability and lack of bearing noise.

My VPI has a periphery clamp and weight.....works very well, but it was designed for its use.

I contacted Pro-Ject regarding clamps and weights but did not receive a response.