Author Topic: Turntable clamp  (Read 23888 times)

Offline paden501

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 294
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Nobody Home
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #15 on: December 01, 2009, 10:36:12 PM »
Sweeeeeet!

How does it sound?  Any apparent difference?
~Matt
--- My System ---
Front L/R: Polk Audio SDA-1C w/ Modified xovers
Amp: Carver TFM-24
CD: Jolida JD100a
HTR/Pre: B&K Reference 20
Turntable:Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As

Offline OCCD

  • Woof
  • Ready For Intervention!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1741
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • glub glub glub
    • Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #16 on: December 01, 2009, 11:08:49 PM »
I have not been in the sweet spot all night. Unable to tell yet. I will give it a good run Thursday evening.
Do you want ants? Because THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS!

Offline Kingman

  • Southern Commander
  • *****
  • Posts: 3127
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • OCCD...I GOT IT BADD!!!!!!!!!
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #17 on: December 07, 2009, 07:18:42 PM »
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???
IN REALITY IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO YOU!!!!!

Offline OCCD

  • Woof
  • Ready For Intervention!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1741
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • glub glub glub
    • Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2009, 07:33:09 PM »
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.
Do you want ants? Because THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS!

Offline MasterBlaster

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1100
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #19 on: December 07, 2009, 08:37:45 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2009, 10:16:44 PM by Master Blaster »
HT: Audiocontrol Maestro M3, Sunfire 5*200,  Tannoy Mercury MX , SVS PB-12 Sub

Head-Fi: FUBAR IV Plus DAC, Grado SR225

Living Room: Dynaco ST-70 (R&R work done by NATOE), Dynaco PAS Preamp, Jamo C607 towers, MCS 6710 Turntable

Offline treitz3

  • Double Secret Probation!
  • **
  • Posts: 68
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #20 on: December 07, 2009, 09:51:41 PM »
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.
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference.

Offline paden501

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 294
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Nobody Home
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #21 on: December 08, 2009, 11:10:04 AM »
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.

~Matt
--- My System ---
Front L/R: Polk Audio SDA-1C w/ Modified xovers
Amp: Carver TFM-24
CD: Jolida JD100a
HTR/Pre: B&K Reference 20
Turntable:Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As

Offline MasterBlaster

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1100
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #22 on: December 08, 2009, 12:06:39 PM »
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.

« Last Edit: December 08, 2009, 11:23:55 PM by Master Blaster »
HT: Audiocontrol Maestro M3, Sunfire 5*200,  Tannoy Mercury MX , SVS PB-12 Sub

Head-Fi: FUBAR IV Plus DAC, Grado SR225

Living Room: Dynaco ST-70 (R&R work done by NATOE), Dynaco PAS Preamp, Jamo C607 towers, MCS 6710 Turntable

Offline treitz3

  • Double Secret Probation!
  • **
  • Posts: 68
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #23 on: December 17, 2009, 12:09:48 AM »
That's why they invented KY.
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference.

Offline schwarcw

  • Ready For Intervention!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1625
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • No one here gets out alive!
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #24 on: December 19, 2009, 03:34:53 PM »
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.
Carl

Offline paden501

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 294
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Nobody Home
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #25 on: December 22, 2009, 08:45:33 PM »
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:


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.

~Matt
--- My System ---
Front L/R: Polk Audio SDA-1C w/ Modified xovers
Amp: Carver TFM-24
CD: Jolida JD100a
HTR/Pre: B&K Reference 20
Turntable:Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As

Offline Slim-Shaddy

  • CARVER KILLER!!!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1555
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Tubes are for boobs
    • This is Bullshit
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #26 on: December 22, 2009, 09:25:52 PM »
Did you have to adjust your VTA?
I am confident that an SL-1200 is capable of outperforming turntables of much higher expense with minor modification.

Offline schwarcw

  • Ready For Intervention!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1625
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • No one here gets out alive!
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #27 on: December 22, 2009, 11:59:37 PM »
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:


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!
Carl

Offline paden501

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 294
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Nobody Home
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #28 on: December 23, 2009, 09:34:14 AM »
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.

~Matt
--- My System ---
Front L/R: Polk Audio SDA-1C w/ Modified xovers
Amp: Carver TFM-24
CD: Jolida JD100a
HTR/Pre: B&K Reference 20
Turntable:Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As

Offline Slim-Shaddy

  • CARVER KILLER!!!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1555
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Tubes are for boobs
    • This is Bullshit
Re: Turntable clamp
« Reply #29 on: December 23, 2009, 09:37:09 AM »
My next question would be how much of a pain it is on the Pioneer... I guess a big one.
I am confident that an SL-1200 is capable of outperforming turntables of much higher expense with minor modification.