Benefits of a record ring

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.

I use both the VPI and TTweights ones. [not at the same time]. The TTW is actually easier to use for me as the VPI often appears to be correctly placed but isn't. I also have both the top VPI weight and the 3 pound one from TTW. [my ring is the lighter one]. I recommend all these, I used vacuum tables at one time and these give the advantages without embedding dust as the vacuum did. The sound is definitely different, better for me , for you ? I have heard from Raven users that they don't like either, they have their own set of upgrades. I recommend them but try before you buy if you can. A dealer should let you try something this expensive out if you have one locally, at least I will. Don't ask me about which ring set or combination sounds better, I haven't used them nearly enough to know.

I recently purchased the TTWeights 1150 gram ring. I have a VPI TNT Jr. with an 11.5 inch platter. There was a vast improvement in sonics across the entire audible frequency range. Everything had a much fuller character. Background noise diminished significantly. This is the case for warped or flat records. The improvement was so dramatic that I would not consider listening to my LPs without it. Periodically, TTW has sales on their products which makes them a very good value.