Benefits of a record ring

Stingree
Is yours a VPI or a ring needing to be centered?Like I said "ask the man that owns one" but this was some bits I picked up here and other forums.One thing I didn't mention was they are absurdly priced for what material and milling goes into them.But hey I might do the super and then get one.
Chazz

"08-18-09: Nilthepill
Pluses: straighten really warped records while in play, help heavy platter in maintaining speed, looks cool. Sound- increased focus, tight bass, enhanced details
Minuses: changes perfect analog sound to digital like sound by increasing focus, enhancing detail, tightening bass. If you drop it chances of serious damage to arm, cart, platter is great, looks tacky". Agree with Nils' pluses, but for me, increased detail and tighter bass isn't digital-like. In my rig, for best sound, it's a must.
My TNT6 ring weighs plenty, and could do damage if dropped on arm, etc., but that hasn't happened to me, nor anyone I know.
The benefit with warped LPs can't be overstated. Many used LPs which were unplayable on my old tt(Nottingham Spacedeck/arm), are no trouble with my ringclamp and center weight on the VPI. Cheers,
Spencer

I should add that my description is digital like is probabbly overstated and relative to with the ring off. In my system I just happen to find sound more musical (7 on scale of 1 to 10: 1 being extremly analytical and 10 being extremely warm) With ring on it changes to, in my system and IMO, to may be 5. I use it however for overly warped and warm recordings.

I am convinced that fundamental performance change happens when the ring is being used, either transferring resonances to the ring and or interact with record and platter interaction characteristics. However,someone in the know may prove me wrong ;-)

I for one really like what the VPI clamp & ring do for my turntable. (in fact I built my turntable around it)

The ring & clamp increase the record to platter contact, flatten warps, provide more stable speed, and most importantly - all of these things together make the stylus track the groove correctly.

When the original was cut on the lathe, it was at a steady speed, on a level surface without undulations (warps) of any kind.

You can look at a turntable with the VPI ring and clamp on it playing a good pressing and you will usually see zero movement..(this to me is the single most desirable thing that a turntable can do - it means it is tracking like it was cut.)

The combination of the VPI ring and clamp brings the sound to life on my rig. (much better than without it)

Your mileage may vary..
Enjoy the music.

Joe

I sold my Clearaudio ring a long time ago for reasons which Nil so aptly has described above, was however curious to try the TTweights ring which is made of copper not stainless steel and chose Larry's heaviest version for on my Goldmund Reference I with excellent results. All the advantages and none of the drawbacks Nil has described and which I had experienced before with the Clearaudio at more than double the cost. Don't ask me why this is so. Probably lucky in hitting on a good synergy between ring and TT. Never thought the sound of the Goldmund, which I had already heavily modified, could be improved that much. But there you are.