A $300-$400 turntable tweak

Wow - this is quite the thread!!!

I have no doubt that what Halcro (a valued poster) heard was true for his system.

However, as user of both a ring and clamp, I have found differently.

Here is an anecdote. On my current table (Raven 1), which came with a Millenium clamp and mat, I found I didn't like the sound of the mat, which seems in opposition to many people with the same table.

But, I don't run my Phantom arm with damping, though most people do.

I just feel like there are no absolutes, especially with analog.

I also run a strain gauge cartridge, which is different than most.

I appreciate Halcro's findings, and since the system here is about to change radically with the addition of the TAD speakers and new TTweights Momentus Duo drive table (I'm a new dealer for both - hear them both at the Axpona NYC show) that I will have to reevaluate the use the use of the clamp and super heavy ring the table comes with.

I will also be reevaluating the use of damping fluid in the arm, as it changes to the new Phantom version with a 12" arm. Lot's of changes, lots of testing, lots of listening, but no universal truths I'm afraid.

On another note, the new table will allow for either rim or belt drive. That's another controversy I am soon hoping to hear how it plays out.

Hi Emailists,
Thanks for the kind words.
Perhaps the differences we are hearing on both our Ravens with the peripheral clamp, are due to the fact that you don't use the Millenium mat and I do?
Interesting......I have to try it.
Cheers
Henry

J Carr:
The A.R.T. graphite mat that I have bonded to the TT-1000...

Jonathan, have you experimented with the A.R.T graphite record clamp? It has awkward dimensions making it impossible for certain cartridges to clear the final few grooves of an LP. I have a feeling though that you are not using Koetsus :-).

The above problem not withstanding, the combination of the A.R.T graphite mat and clamp is very rewarding on my Clearaudio Master Reference with magnetic bearing.

On a related note, can you suggest a place that I can have that A.R.T graphite clamp 'shaved' so that it is compatible with all cartridges?

A long thread. Took me time to read it. I just want to make a note that I have a few outer rings. I have the Kenwood outer ring which weighs about 1.3 kg and a RSR outer ring which if I remember right weighs 330 gms. What I have discovered is that is that an outer ring can be and mostly is benificial sonically (mind you I barely use it due to the PITA it presents)but that is in relation to the RSR ring. The Kenwood more often than not sucks the life out of LPs. That is why I purchased the RSR. I do use the Kenwood on severely dished LPs as the RSR is too light to flatten them. For a record clamp I use the Harmonix, my mat is a Mystic Mat and the TT is a Black Night for reference. Is is suspended very effectively.

What the RSR does is give you a touch more detail and dynamic agility.

I always wanted to design my own outer ring that would have weights that can be inserted along the perimeter to establish what weight is best sonically.

As for record clamps, I find a very slight sonic difference between using the Harmonix and not. But I do use it all the time. Otherwise the LP is not as well coupled to the platter and on startup the LP will spin on the mat.

On to mats, the Mystic Mat sounds very similar to the copper platter direct. What it does do is make the sound a hair more natural. Just a hair and blind testing if you adjust VTA I doubt most would hear it. Almost identical. I tried a Boston Audio mat and found it truncated the leading edge of instruments and made them sound flat. That is in my system. For others it might be different. As a result I am not a fan of graphite mats / platters.

As such we honestly need to look at the entire system to determine what is beneficial or not. I could see a turntable being designed where an outer ring would be beneficial provided the platter can transmit the energy stored between the LP and interface away from the stylus.

Halcro, thanks for starting this thread. Very ear-opening. It never occurred to me to try my VPI HRX without the periphery clamp as it came with the turntable. Based on one weekend of listening the table seems to sound better without it -- slightly bigger sound stage, more open and lively. This was with the Airtight PC-1 cart and 2 drops of damping fluid in the JMW 21.7 arm Tnx again!

P.S. - When comparing having the ring on or off I found it required a 0.04 Hz frequency change on the SDS to get speed to match. YMMV.