Thanks for the comments, Speedy.
In reply to Downunder's question, I lived with my Merrill Periphery Clamp for 9 years - beginning when in my mid-30's. More recently, I evaluated one made by Sound Engineering. Bob B. was very interested in becoming an OEM supplier for me.
The danger is real, and I would not put my stamp of approval on either of these products. When I speak of paying attention to cantilever health, I am referring to what I call "boundary conditions".
When you are wide awake and functioning at your best, you typically don't have accidents.
I would hope however that everyone reading this has had those magical listening experiences - late at night when you fall off into a trance.
It's when we are in those elusive states of consciousness that we should not have to shift back into 100% real-world consciousness in order to play the other side.
To my way of thinking, this hobby is all about space and time travel - to a magical place where the recording was made.
Shifting your mental state has the same (or worse) effect on the musical experience as does poor fidelity.
The last thing I want on my conscience is for someone to trash a Koetsu or ZYX because of a periphery clamp.
None of this is intended to discourage those who see no problem with its use. It does, however add another step to the act of playing a record. As I mentioned earlier, what one person calls ritual, another calls drudgery. This is an individual determination.
Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier
In reply to Downunder's question, I lived with my Merrill Periphery Clamp for 9 years - beginning when in my mid-30's. More recently, I evaluated one made by Sound Engineering. Bob B. was very interested in becoming an OEM supplier for me.
The danger is real, and I would not put my stamp of approval on either of these products. When I speak of paying attention to cantilever health, I am referring to what I call "boundary conditions".
When you are wide awake and functioning at your best, you typically don't have accidents.
I would hope however that everyone reading this has had those magical listening experiences - late at night when you fall off into a trance.
It's when we are in those elusive states of consciousness that we should not have to shift back into 100% real-world consciousness in order to play the other side.
To my way of thinking, this hobby is all about space and time travel - to a magical place where the recording was made.
Shifting your mental state has the same (or worse) effect on the musical experience as does poor fidelity.
The last thing I want on my conscience is for someone to trash a Koetsu or ZYX because of a periphery clamp.
None of this is intended to discourage those who see no problem with its use. It does, however add another step to the act of playing a record. As I mentioned earlier, what one person calls ritual, another calls drudgery. This is an individual determination.
Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier