Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => DIY => Tweaks => Topic started by: OCCD on November 22, 2009, 07:58:07 PM
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http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps
I'm gonna get one very soon. I will report my findings.
Thank you for the link,Carl.
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I just had one built for myself at a local machine shop. It's pure sex.
Mine is the weight type though, not spindle clamping.
I'm also working on having an outer-ring made 8)
I'll be sure to let everyone know how that works out.
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Here's a photo of my custom turntable weight. You can really tell the difference when the weight is used. As soon as you put the weight on, you can see the record physically flatten out, which helps the consitency of sound across the album dramatically.
This is especially true for older or slightly warped records.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4131950143_2726c972ec_b.jpg)
Tom, I guaruntee that you will love the clamp when you get it.
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That thing is badass. How much did the machine shop charge?
What type of material is it?
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It's T-6060 Aluminum, machine polish.
I'm in good with the machine shop (personal friends) so they made it for me as a gift. If I had to guess, I doubt it cost him toooo much to make, less than $100 for sure.
They also made me a stainless steel outer ring that I designed, but my math was fuzzy so it didn't work as I'd hoped. I'll probably end up paying them for fixing that mistake.
I got the concept from a company called TTweights, they've got a website (ttweights.com i think). They make some REALLY nice looking stuff, but it's pricy.
If you want, I can ask the guy I know how much he wants for a few more if there's interest inside the group. I don't want to go too far with this though because I feel bad about reengineering TTweights' idea. I didn't steal their design by any means (I had to figure out the sizing and the visual style and all myself), but I definately got the idea to do it from them.
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Very nice.. Makes want to buy another turntable and try it out..
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Very nice.. Makes want to buy another turntable and try it out..
I think you're right falcon. That Technics Turntable that Tom has at the shop with the Mahogany Cabinet is downright beautiful and in no doubt, do the trick.-----BILL
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Actually I was thinking that the Pioneer PL-518 he's got with the wood base looks sexy.
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That Pioneer PL-518 was mine, I did the veneer job. It is a very nice table. But that Technics is beautiful..
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No Freaking way!
I've been seriously considering veneering my PL-516. Tell me was it terribly difficult?
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Not to hard at all, I used iron on veneer from Lowes. I think the brand name was Band It. Easy to work with, if you mess up, you just heat it back up and remove to reposition. Some of the other types you can not reposition..
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Wow thats awesome.
Did you sand off the factory vinyl finish first or did you just lay the veneer over top?
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You can peel that vinyl off.. If you are lucky it comes off in big pieces. Also if it does not peel, you can heat it with a heat gun, then it will melt the glue and peel off.
The older it is the easier the vinyl should peel. I had no problem peeling it off of the 518.
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I'll have to go check out this veneer. Maybe I'll do this sooner rather than later. Thanks for the great advice. Your help means a lot to me.
Do you have any suggestions for replacement feet by chance? The rubber feet on my table are all cracked and dry-rotted. They can't be doing anything for me.
Thanks.
BTW Tom,
I appologize for COMPLETELY jacking this thread from you. Please steal it back whenever you want it.
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The clamp is here and in use. :D :D :D :D Very nice!!! Thanks for the info Carl.
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Sweeeeeet!
How does it sound? Any apparent difference?
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I have not been in the sweet spot all night. Unable to tell yet. I will give it a good run Thursday evening.
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Ok...here's my 1'st( of many yet to come) stupid question...How much weight does this add, and do you have to compensate with speed control or wait until it figures itself out???
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Ok...here's my 1'st( of many yet to come) stupid question...How much weight does this add, and do you have to compensate with speed control or wait until it figures itself out???
Many are weights and do not have clamping capability. Some have both. Many belt drive tables... you may need to speed up to compensate for weight. Many are listed with a gram weight. The one Carl recommended to me is very light but can be clamped to the spindle. I have no clue what the weight would be when I am trying to flatten down a warp.
Since Hal snagged my M3 table, I have not connected up the Dual CS-5000 yet.
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Why would you have to increase the speed?
Compensate for belt slip?
Let me say first I don't know anything abut this so I could be full of shit.
The weight to me would actually help with regulating the speed,
Although it may take longer to achieve the operating speed.
In addition, to reduce strain on the drive system you probably want to start at the lowest speed and step up to the desired speed instead of setting the speed dial and then spinning up. Making fine speed adjustments while running would need to be done gradually to allow for the resistance due to the added weight.
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What I noticed with my "THE Clamp" was a dramatic change in bass, sound stage presentation and overall clarity. Even though is adds additional weight to the platter, I noticed absolutely no difference in speed other than it takes a little longer [split seconds here] to get up to speed.
This in conjunction with steam cleaning the LP's yields a fantastic end result.
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With my version (weight only, no clamp) it adds a good bit of bass response to the recording, and the stage get a bit wider. The weight I use is rather heavy (It's appx. 3.5" dia x 2" tall aluminum). I did notice that on some tables you have to adjust the speed up a bit. I don't think it has to do with belt slippage. I actually think it's more to do with the motor having the torque to overcome the weight.
One of the biggest benefits of using the weight and outer ring combo is that it makes otherwise unusable records perfectly flat.... so you can keep your stylus tracking weight set lower and not have to worry about bumps and warps in the record causing a broken record. I'm still perfecting my outside ring design though. More review to follow once it's completed.
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I believe you have to increase the speed to overcome friction
resistance that is increased due to the added weight.
If there is no friction, the added weight really should not matter once the platter is up to speed.
The motor should not see very much more load while spinning; the added weight
actually helps maintain the speed. Spinup will definitely be more stressful.
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That's why they invented KY.
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Turntable weights do work. However clamps the grip the spindle can create a downward force that your won't get with a weight unless you use 20 lbs or more. The downward forces created by a clamp can far exceed the practical size for a weight. And clamps only weigh a few ounces. The Clearaudio that Tom has is probably close to "The Clamp" made famous by Polk Forum member Hearingimpared. The goal of the clamp or weight is to couple the record to the platter. Sound improvements in bass depth, slam, soundstage and dynamics are common. Usually, the changes are more than subtle.
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My turntable ring is finished!
To go along with the clamp, my friends at the machine shop made me a turntable outer ring.
Here's a photo:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4207776982_6c4db23133_b.jpg)
You can see the ring around the outer edge of the record. The purpose of the ring is to couple the outer portion of the record to the platter. This thing does a nice job, especially when your record has a little bubble or warp in it. I've been able to decrease my tracking force by almost .25g and still not get bumps or broken records on albums that were always broke in the past.
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Did you have to adjust your VTA?
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My turntable ring is finished!
To go along with the clamp, my friends at the machine shop made me a turntable outer ring.
Here's a photo:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4207776982_6c4db23133_b.jpg)
You can see the ring around the outer edge of the record. The purpose of the ring is to couple the outer portion of the record to the platter. This thing does a nice job, especially when your record has a little bubble or warp in it. I've been able to decrease my tracking force by almost .25g and still not get bumps or broken records on albums that were always broke in the past.
Very nice!
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Did you have to adjust your VTA?
Adjusting VTA is a major PITA. I haven't gotten to it yet since adding the clamp and ring. I've got new stand-off feet on the way, so I'll be adjusting my VTA when I take the table out to install the new feet.
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My next question would be how much of a pain it is on the Pioneer... I guess a big one.
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I just tore my turntable to pieces (literally) looking for VTA adjustment set screws and found none. Soooooi it looks like the shim-the-cartridge method is the only option i have. I'll have to get some new washers at home depot before I go any farther.
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Jesus Matt ! Man it sure sounds like you've got hands full there. I sure hope it turns out the way you want.
Beautiful looking setup by the way Matt.-------BILL
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Its all in good fun Bill. What better do I have to do on a day off right?
I've got the table back together now... though I left the feet off since the new ones are in the mail. Right now the table is sitting on a TV tray with two bricks as feet :o
Not sure what the wife is going to say about that one, but we'll find out!!