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

I'm running a Rega Planar 10.  They recommend no weight or clamp.  Of course the Rega strategy is about the lack of mass.  I have an HRS center weight with which I might try a listing test.  It's currently holding down my Eight Switch which tends to move with all the ethernet cables pulling in it.  An expensive paper weight.

It’s impossible to generalize about clamps and weights for turntables. It depends on the turntable. Some are designed to use them. Some will end up with destroyed bearings if you do where the weight is too much. Some motors will struggle with the added weight. Suspended tables might be thrown out of adjustment with them. Some turntables otherwise might work but not necessarily sound better. It depends.

I use a 1 kg weight and a 1.5 kg outer ring, but my TT is specifically designed for that use, and it sounds better that way.

Did I mention?...it depends.

There are now a few posts from different members, where the members are making it known a 1Kg as the added Spindle Weight is their selected choice. Seemingly the additional weight at this capacity, creates the presentation that is noticeably being an improvement for the produced sonic. 

If a individual has a means to trial a weight of approx' 1Kg and feels confident a temporary usage of such a weight will not impact on their TT Set Up.

It is a weight well worth considering, as in my own situation, my TT's presentation when becoming sound, gathers and is much more of a attraction when the 1Kg is in use as a comparison to 'no weight' and the selection of 'other weights' I have at hand.

As stated before my 1Kg Weight is a composite, it is a DIY assembly (main proportion of weight is Stainless Steel) and I assume others reporting on a 1Kg Spindle weight are a single type material, metal, wood, stone?