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Clamp or weight for Technics Direct Drive?

I'm experimenting these days with a Technics SP-15 on the nice heavy Technics SH-15B2 plinth. Right now I'm running a Denon 103R in an Audio-Technica ATP-12T, and so far I like what I hear.

I'm wondering about using something to stabilize the records. I've generally used a clamp in the past, but the SP-15 has a very short spindle, and the collet on my Michell clamp doesn't reach down far enough to grab it. Is there an inexpensive clamp that would work? I could put a thinner mat on the platter, but the Technics OEM rubber mat is nice and does a great job of damping the alloy platter.

Would a record weight be preferable to a clamp? Seems like the Technics has at least some similarities to the heavier non-suspended tables that use a weight. Just not sure if the bearing in the SP-15 is stout enough to take the extra pressure.

If anyone is using a clamp or weight with their SP-10, 15, 25 or SL1200, I'd love to hear about your experience.

David
armstrod
armstrod OP
612 posts
 
Okay, so I think I should try a weight - seems like that will be a good match for the SP-15. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive one? Turntable Toys on eBay has 2 or 3 different models with slightly different weights, sizes, materials and prices. Has anybody used any of them? Where did you buy the one you have? I'm guessing the critical factors are whether the bottom is milled flat and the spindle hole is dead center. I'm not really concerned about cosmetics. It can be a maximum of about 1.5" high.

David
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Why don't you e-mail the guy I'm getting the clamp from? He could have more.
armstrod OP
612 posts
 
Psychicanimal,

I've done just that. I also wrote Kevin at KAB and he said he thought the Record Grip would work, but that a weight might be even better.

Was the Michell clamp you were using the Rega model for short spindles?
wwwrecords
172 posts
 
You could get one machined pretty cheaply. I have an audio friend who is a machinist and he made me one very similar to this one. Said it took about 20 minutes.

http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/puck.html
moon_by_simaudio
1 posts
 
The SP-15 and SP-25 are virtually identical tables mechanically, differing mainly in their electronic control and speed precision (and of course the 78RPM capability of the SP-15). Both tables have a very high-torque motor, and their bearing is of high quality, and very durable. I use the superb clamp available from Pro-Ject (Sumiko in the USA); it is VERY heavy, and doesn't "phase" the start-up time or rotational accuracy of my SP-25 at all. You may, if you want, desire to have the brake potentiometer re-calibrated to obtain the same stop-time, now that you have the extra weight of the clamp to deal with. Furthermore, it's not really a clamp, but rather just a heavy weight, as it does not clamp onto the spindle at all; it just sits on it. It is therefore extremely practical, easy and a pleasure to use on these tables (and for those lucky SP-10 owners as well). You should have no worry whatsoever about whether your SP-15/25 is durable enough for a heavy clamp. I have obtained superb results from it.

I hope this helps.
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