VPI Ring Clamp

Alephman,

I think the ring clamp makes a favorable difference. Whether it's worth it is up to you and your wallet.

Flattening a warped record does tend to reduce wow and other kinds of distortion. However, another key benefit of the ring clamp is to press the record more securely to the platter, which I believe draws away certain kinds of undesireable vibration.

I am not sure what would be involved in a $1200 upgrade to your 19Mk4. Perhaps it would involve replacing the platter as well as buying the $500 ring clamp. Would this also entail replacing the bearing assembly? or replacing the suspension springs? If so, these are substantial changes that I think might have sonic effects that go well beyond just getting the ring clamp. I can't say if it would be worth the money for you. At some point, you might be better off just replacing the whole table. Perhaps an audition would be helpful.

Jameswei,
The $1200 would involve a new bearing, platter, the ring itself and I'd have to have a PLC or SDS to get the speed right. Plus I might as well get the new center weight for another $150. I think I'll stick with my TNT platter although I think the whole idea of flattening out the outer edge of a record is brillant, just out of my reach.

There is one side benefit of the outer ring. It places less stress on your cartridge, as the record is completely flat so VTA is easier to adjust and your cartridge will last longer.

I have a TNT V and purchased a Universal Stabilizer Ring, rather than upgrading to the TNT 6. See http://www.xs4all.nl/~rabruil/ttring.html . It works quite well and for US$395, is a cheaper way to achieve what you want to accomplish.

I have found the ring clamp to be very good at allowing me to play previously almost unplayable discs - those warped on track one - especially a recent Johnny Cash issue.
I have had troubles with some German pressings of L.P.'s which are smaller in outside diameter and the ring just slips right over the disc and becomes a pain to get off.
Mark Knoffler's last 2 releases seem particularly affected, which is sad, as they have good material on them.