Thoughts On Turntable Clamps And Weights

@dwette Thank You for confirming your Weight Type.

It looks like a Composite Weight produced with the main proportion being SS, with a weight of approx' 1Kg has a few advocates.

My assumptions once more, are not as correct as I had suggested 😉.

First hand experience is always the best way to gather info to present a evaluation or report on an encounter.

@pindac Since the subject of composite 1 kg clamps interests you.

Previously I used a Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) ADH clamp. That one is 850 gr., made of stainless steel with a rubber composite base. In contrast to the Ultra Carbon TC-40 I use now, I felt that the HRS SDH deadened the midrange a bit and cast a bit of veil over midrange detail. The TC-40 is a bit more lively and open. The HRS ADH is now discontinued, and I wonder if that has something to do with it no longer being available. Maybe not.

I would like to try the Clearaudio Innovation clamp. It is 740 gr, made of stainless steel with an ebony base, but it is rather expensive (more than twice the Ultra Carbon). On the other hand, I have a Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable and use the Clearaudio outer ring, so maybe it has some synergy the 3rd party clamps are missing? IDK, just a thought. I might ask the Musical Surroundings rep to bring one along to try when he is in town to visit my dealer.

@dwette We are now having a cross over of our thoughts on this subject.

Firstly I can’t use a Rubber Material with Vinyl for extended periods, it is usually only in use for a demo’ purpose only.

I am a advocate of Densified Wood, of which one Brand of this material type is Panzerholz.

Clearaudio are quite involved in producing designs where Panzerholz is seen as a material of importance, I suspect there will be a Spindle Weight available with Panzerholz in place of Ebony at some point.

I have been demo’d a DIY Panzerholz Spindle Weight and have been impressed with it when used in comparison to other materials used for weights on a PTP Solid Nine TT.

The PTP was used as the TT, when a group of seven HiFi Group Members had a meeting where a Mat and Weight comparison was being demo’d, with differing materials being tried in conjunction with each other.

My next port of call, when the Vinyl Source is back in daily use, is to have my SS weight modified and produced as a SS composite with Densified Wood, I have enough of a good experience with both these materials to suspect the marriage will be a long lasting one.

@pindac As you can well imagine I am familiar with the Panzerholtz material. Both my Innovation Wood, and the Ovation I had before it have Panzerholtz plinths.

Clearaudio's Statement clamp has a Panzerholtz base, but as I recall it is now $1200 U.S. (the Innovation clamp is about $750). That's a lot of money for a record clamp.

I would still like to hear what a clamp with a wood base (be it Ebony or Panzerholtz) sounds like.

@dwette I have worked with Plinth Materials for a long time(since the 90's).

I have evolved from Mass, leaving behind Granite Monolith type structures for a lighter material. 

This endeavour has enabled myself to try out different materials as well as meet with others and receive demo's of their versions of a Plinth.

As a result I have been able to experience in use different Stone Types (inclusive of resin formed composites), Wood Based Types and in Two experiences where a Lead Composite and Solid Aluminium Metal is the Plinth. 

On my preferred TT Model using the same Tonearm > Headshell > Cartridge > Mounting Rack > Audio System, the following has taken place.

I have been comparison demo'd a variety of Plinths produced from what was my most preferred material for many years, ( a highly compressed polyurethane foam @ 700Kg per m3) > (Birch Plywood @ 700Kg per m3) > ( MU 25 Beech Plywood - Non Resin Impregnated Compressed Board @ 900Kg m3) > (Panzerholz B25 - Phenolic Resin Impregnated Beech Plywood @ 1400Kg m3)

Each material in use is able to create a variant to the sonic being produced.

I own the MU25 and this was the first in use, it was not showing too much to be considered as a detraction.

The Birch Plywood followed and was instantly and noticeably unattractive in comparison to the MU25. It was easily deselected for further use, the owner of the Birch Plywood Plinth was quite astonished at how he was feeling sure the Plywood Plinth was a good material choice.

The Compressed Foam in comparison to the MU25 proved to be similarly voiced, , I was of the the view, the Foam was the more attractive material.

The owner of the Panzerholz Plinth was very familiar with MU25 as a Plinth Material as well, due to their past usage of the material.

Once having experienced the Panzerholz there was no further wanting to return to comparing any of the other materials.

The two non-P'holz Plinth Owners at this demo', of which I was one, are now owners of P'holz Plinths. The impact the material has had, has resulted, that it cost myself and the other individual £1000 to get a Board of P'holz into our possession to have a our Plinths Produced and have other options.

As a side: Linn's latest announcement for a TT, is making it known they are now to be using a Resin Impregnated Densified Wood.