Sota Reflex Clamp Loses Contact with Record

It could also be that the record is pulled down when the vacuum takes hold. since this is done after you lock the clamp a small gap results.

When I used the lock on the clamp, I would just press down slightly while locking the clamp. This resulted in no gap.

With the latest Cosmos, I took SirSpeedy's recommendation and simply use the clamp as a weight. This works well and is easier to use.

**The clamp is adjusted so it just lightly grips the spindle when applied. In fact, you just slip the clamp over the spindle without opening or closing the latch.

All good suggestions.

While we're at it, anyone have any problems with their cartridges bouncing off the clamp in the dead-wax? I have an AT OC-9 that hits the clamp on 90% of my vinyl. Its the body, not the stylus, but still, its a pain.

I have the Origin Live Illustrious coupled with a Shelter 90x and it does not exhibit any such problems.

I have a new NOVA. I've owned two Star Sapphires. It has not been my experience that with the vacuum the lp falls away from the Reflex Clamp because I have always clamped the Clamp down. Although weighty and given the great vacuum suction the clamp likely does positively impact matters if it is simply at rest atop the disc, it is a simple matter to clamp it down as it is designed to do.

The need for simply placing an object beneath the center of the table for eliminating stress on the suspension springs seems a minor matter given the high quality-for-the-money SOTA tables.

Heck, on A'Gon I wouldn't be too surprised to find someone selling an expensive wooden block for the purpose.

I have used the SOTA clamp with a number of different tts, starting with a SOTA Star Sapphire. A few years ago, I noticed the very same problem to which you refer. As others mentioned, I found that by applying some downward pressure while activating the clamp mechanism, the device SEEMS to be making good contact with the LP label. It still bothers me a bit, because the thing is useless if it is suspended in air over the LP. As a result, I very often just place the clamp over the spindle without clamping it down, particularly with my idler-drive tt, where clamping to the spindle could have a down side (transmission of vibration directly to the LP).