Shun Mook Audio LP Clamp - legendary record weight - The Best of the Best

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,221
edited December 2021 in 2 Channel Audio
$5600?? Do you really think anyone has forked over the money for this? I have purchased things, and later on found myself telling myself that was not money well spent, but $5600 on a record clamp is just plain stupid IMO!! Maybe if it was a piece of material from Mars I might be impressed but I still wouldn’t buy it. If you have purchased one sorry not sorry.. LOL!!

A legendary Shun Mook product now being made in very, very limited numbers. This record clamp is made from extremely rare pieces of dried ebony briar. The extra heavy century old ebony root which were immersed in the swamps of Africa has a unique power that no other wood possesses. The vibration generated by the diamond stylus in the vinyl groove besides inducing an electroflux through the phono-cartridge also excites the ebony molecules, causing it to resonate. This in turn is feed back through the stylus and is reproduced as expanded sound staging, enhanced separation, sharpened focus and enriched tonal balance of the music.

I will give it a cool factor in a cool little box but that’s it..

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-shun-mook-audio-lp-clamp-legendary-record-weight-the-best-of-the-best-2016-12-12-analog-92307-apple-valley-ca

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Comments

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited December 2021
    The design reminded me of the Triangle Art record weight, which costs a whole lot less: https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649793114-triangleart-ta-1-turntable-record-clamp-weight-lp-stabilizer/
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Joe's, "The Clamp" does the same damned thing and I only paid about 2 bills for it. I even have me a back up just in case. Made of Delrin and brass. Both sets even came with sets of shims for even better effectiveness.

    There is high fidelity gear and there is snake oil. I believe this to be mostly the latter.

    Now, the clamp part of this is not snake oil, that works and works wonders. Nothing but praise there. The snake oil is where the "exotic" swamp root that has "unique power that no other wood possesses" and price offered to the public comes in. Sorry but I'm catchin' a big ol' whiff of some rather fragrant BS over here.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,477
    The import/export of real ebony may be problematic these days. Maybe the high cost is so the sales guy can afford to meet bail when needed.

    :)

    I think the Triangle Art one looks better but I'm happy with Joe's Clamp. It's always possible the Shun Mook product is made from real ebony but it's also just as possible that they found black paint.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,766
    Emlyn wrote: »
    ...It's always possible the Shun Mook product is made from real ebony but it's also just as possible that they found black paint.


    2rxlwsy3pcxo.png
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,492
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    ........ very, very limited numbers.

    The daydream is imagining having the kind of income where you could fork over $5600 for one and have no regrets.....lol
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
  • What's next, the rhino horn clamp? I hear it has magical powers too.
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    That made a world of difference on my Crosley record player. It took the sound from crap,to mere garbage.
    See my profile for list of gear.
  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    If you have a $130,000 turntable, a $5600 clamp is nothing. Our perspective is on the south side of those aspirations. LOL.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    edited December 2021
    I'd be okay with an TechDas Air Force One or Premium (retail 100K to 140K) if my wallet was okay with it. I would NOT be okay with blowing an additional $5,600 on snake oil when something that is significantly less would do the same (or better).
    "Exotic" swamp root that has "unique power that no other wood possesses"

    Really? Dumb and smart people alike can agree that this is a rather fragrant, strong smelling whiff of (fill in the blank here). But hey, if they want to spend that kind of money? More power to them. Just because one is well off financially does not necessarily mean that one is smart.

    It's like this. In order to achieve snake oil, one must pick a wood that for the common man, would be unobtainable. Then make the claim that the wood is somehow "exotic" and then blow peoples minds with the claim that it holds "special powers" and simply place a price tag that makes it seem like its perceived value is actually worth it. Uh-huh.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    5600 buys a really sweet streaming rig
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,495
    excites the ebony molecules, causing it to resonate. This in turn is feed back through the stylus
    Exactly the opposite of what a record clamp should do.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,573
    $5600 + $400 would buy your Focal speakers, which I would likely do in a heartbeat if I could.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    F1nut wrote: »
    excites the ebony molecules, causing it to resonate. This in turn is feed back through the stylus
    Exactly the opposite of what a record clamp should do.

    I didn't make it past the "unique power that no other wood possesses" when reading the OP. With that said, you are 100% correct. That is the exact opposite of what a record clamp should do. I'm surprised they actually put that in their FS ad. Had I made it that far and actually bought into the "magical powers" that was advertised, just that one statement would prevent me from buying it, even if it was only $20.00. That is a definite detriment to the sound, not an attribute.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    VR3 wrote: »
    5600 buys a really sweet streaming rig

    Damn, times have changed.....LOL

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,994
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    I have purchased things, and later on found myself telling myself that was not money well spent
    This made me laugh :D
    Been there before, will be again!
    I disabled signatures.
  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
    The only way to improve this clamp is to wrap it in cross-braided, teflon ICs. Then it could command five-figures.
    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

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    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

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    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

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    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

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  • I heard the Shun Mook in a high end system. Before and after placing it on a table using the latest DS Audio cartridge and power, with $175K Wilson speakers and McIntosh 600 watt amps. Well, the analog sound became clearer/better resolution and had better body. My friends and I would NEVER purchase a piece of wood, regardless how rare, for $5600 to achieve that improvement. So what, the sound overall drove us away after 15 to 20 minutes of listening intently. We listened for about an hour to six or seven LPs. Too micro detailed sound and lack of engagement. Overwhelming and underelaxing. All types from classical to rock to jazz. Just too much. I have a slightly less VPI TNT VI/heavy platter/reg power/highly modified SME IV/Dynavector 20X2 L/Zesto Allesso SUT, etc. I have had Benz Ruby 3, etc. Used the VPI heavy weight clamp-took the life out of the music. I also tried various peripheral rings, VPI worst, full weighted copper best but similar results. Ring and weight only used on warped LPs (significant warp).
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Hmmm, I just thought of something. Now that I have a Triangle Art TT with the record clamp, I can do a comparison between TA's RC and Joe's "The Clamp".

    Welcome to the forum, @SeagoatLeo.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    treitz3 wrote: »
    VR3 wrote: »
    5600 buys a really sweet streaming rig

    Damn, times have changed.....LOL

    Tom

    You can still buy a sweet streaming rig for 5600
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,392
    edited August 2023
    B) My wood possesses unique powers as well… or so I’ve been told.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,495
    SeagoatLeo wrote: »
    I heard the Shun Mook in a high end system. Before and after placing it on a table using the latest DS Audio cartridge and power, with $175K Wilson speakers and McIntosh 600 watt amps. Well, the analog sound became clearer/better resolution and had better body. My friends and I would NEVER purchase a piece of wood, regardless how rare, for $5600 to achieve that improvement. So what, the sound overall drove us away after 15 to 20 minutes of listening intently. We listened for about an hour to six or seven LPs. Too micro detailed sound and lack of engagement. Overwhelming and underelaxing. All types from classical to rock to jazz. Just too much. I have a slightly less VPI TNT VI/heavy platter/reg power/highly modified SME IV/Dynavector 20X2 L/Zesto Allesso SUT, etc. I have had Benz Ruby 3, etc. Used the VPI heavy weight clamp-took the life out of the music. I also tried various peripheral rings, VPI worst, full weighted copper best but similar results. Ring and weight only used on warped LPs (significant warp).

    Your post makes zero sense.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,876
    Thought it was just me.

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,891
    It's Not as Good as the German Gonculator, so how could it be the
    best of the best.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5rnfkYqD4o
    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,994
    @ChrisD06, what do you think? Any experience here?
    I disabled signatures.