Record clamp vs Record weight which is better?

gudnoyez

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps


http://www.elusivedisc.com/CLEARAUDIO-QUADRO-RECORD-WEIGHT/productinfo/CLEAQCLAMP/



To hold slightly warped albums in place on the platter. Which does the better job one that clamps on to the spindle, or one that holds them in place by weight? The quadro weighs less than a lb so no worries on wear on the bearings just wondering if anyone has a preference between a clamp on or a weighted one? I'm only choosing between these two not interested in the Bren1 or the Michell clamp on.

gudnoyez

xcapri79 wrote: »

I have the Clearaudio twister clamp. It works pretty well.

So basically you just clamp it to the spindle by turning it until it's snug, how does it do on albums with slight warps? Do you use it during all your vinyl listening, if so is it a burden to tighten it all the time during each time you change an album?

gudnoyez

Well found the clearaudio twister on ebay the seller is out of Germany andI found it for $40 dollars cheaper than all the sellers from the states. Thanks for sharing X, it should be here by the end of the month.

Nightfall

I believe a clamp is better than a weight, especially if you have a direct drive table as it puts extra wear on the bearings and such. I could be wrong though.

Emlyn

Clamp on the spindle. It flattens the whole LP a bit. A weight on the label just puts weight on the label.

george daniel

Clamp

Toolfan66

CLAMP

gce

I use the Clearaudio Clever Clamp. It does a great job for only $30.

msg

You guys with the clamps - are you using a spacer on the spindle beneath the record before putting the clamp on?

vmaxer

I use Joe's The Clamp, with the spacers.

But don't currently have the TT set up.

thsmith

I have the CA twister and use the delron spacers that Joe (?) sent me.

miner

I use a spacer with my VPI clamp that came with my Aries 3 table. Weights do not require spacers.

msg

Good info guys, thanks. I was having a hard time understanding how a clamp could be any better than a weight without the use of spacers to all for a gap for downward corrective force of the outer rim of the clamp.

Do you guys use spacers and clamp even good records, or just for warps?

What is the largest warp you've successfully made workable with this type of a system?

Check this one out. It's one of the worst I have. Or had. This album went back. I never did get a good copy of it. It played great with the convex side up with the weight on it. I imagine it could have been even better with a clamp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DagpX92df3Q

thsmith

I use clamp and spacers/washers for all records.

voltz

I use to use a Record weight but my newest TT came with a screw down clamp.

gudnoyez

gce wrote: »

I use the Clearaudio Clever Clamp. It does a great job for only $30.

I got a Clearaudio Clever Clamp which I use on normal records or slightly warped record's on another table, but the Clear audio twister will be used for those that are a little more than slightly warped and to use on my new table.

It seems that I have had more issues with the newer 180 and 200 gram vinyl as far as warpage goes some bad enough to return, but nothing as bad as that video above that's crazy, but from what I've been reading and mostly what everyone is saying on this thread clamping is better than using a weight.

gce

Who are you buying from. I buy a lot of new from Amazon, Music Direct and haven't had a warpage problem that I can think of. The only place I've had a problem was with POPmarket and I tried to return but they wanted pictures and pretty much put me through the ringer just for a return. Needless to say I don't buy from them anymore.

gudnoyez

Best Buy, or locally , amazon, and I have not had any problems exchanging them, but have received replacements that were also warped and had to exchange them a second time.

gce

Give Music Direct a try, they have good prices and good quality.

Dawgfish

It's been my experience that an outer periphery ring along with a center weight works best. However if you don't have or can't run an outer periphery ring (as is the case with the Technics 1200 without modifying the power switch), a clamp with shims is the next best option.

msg

Yes, I saw that modification mentioned in some reading some time ago. The real issue, however, seems to be the lack of a source for generic periphery rings. Do you know of anyone still making them? Seems like three places I found info for have closed shop?

Which spindle clamps offer shims as part of their kit/system?

Dawgfish

I'm not aware of any current manufacturers of outer periphery rings. I use two different ones (different weights depending on which table I'm using) made by TTWeights which unfortunately went out of business. I think your only current option is to wait for one to show up on the used market. If you've serious about vinyl, they are worth the wait and ever penny! I know the J.A. Michell clamp comes with felt shims. Not sure about the others. They are easy to make though out of felt, rubber, plastic, etc.

I run an outer periphery ring and center weight on most of my tables except for my Technics 1200 and Pioneer PL-L1000 (linear tracking arm prevents use of periphery ring). On those I use a Delrin center clamp that is virtually identical to the famous Joe's clamp that I bought off of Audiogon several years ago. I use felt washers or shims between the record and record mat, than use the clamp. It does a pretty good job of flattening slight to moderately warped records, though it does not work as well as the outer rings. I think you have a lot of options on a good clamp. You can find the J.A Michell clamps on EBay for around $60 shipped. Btw, anyone not sure how a record clamp with shims works to flatten mild to moderate warps should watch this:
https://youtu.be/cT_4oSL4VgQ

vmaxer

That is how "The Clamp" works also, except the shims aren't felt.

polkfarmboy

I use a hipsters greasy man bun weight for my records.

DaveHo

I have the Michell. It works as advertised, but I find it a bit of a pain to use. You need to push down with a rather large amount of force to get the record flat. If you don't then there will be an upward slope toward the center, even though the edge is tight to the platter. Also, I find I have to tighten the knob a ridiculous amount to keep it from popping up during play. Enough so that it becomes a paint to remove when done. I don't use mine unless the record is significantly warped. Too much trouble.

george daniel

The Clamp and spacer

vmaxer

george daniel wrote: »

The Clamp and spacer

You have one too huh?

nooshinjohn

I need a periphery ring badly....

jdjohn

Clamps and weights aren't just for leveling warped records. They help keep even a flat record secure on the platter to reduce resonance or vibration that might sneak through.