TT upgrades

kevhed72

My budget is tight nowadays, but I have been considering these upgrades to my current turntable and wondering how much improvement each would yield before I put any more money into a very modest Yamaha TT:

1. Upgrading the stock power cord (which is the thinnest power cord I have ever seen) with a PS Audio cord, which I believe needs to have the reversible C-7 plug which goes to the TT(?)
2. Record clamp (not weight), which can be had off Music Direct for under 50.00
3. New turntable mat (I am skeptical on this one but thought I would ask)

Any advice is appreciated on 1 to 3 above...

SCompRacer

Try a Herbie's mat. 90-day no-risk trial. If not satisfied, simply return any Herbie's Audio Lab product within 90 days for a complete refund.

http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/ttmat.htm

Turntables with thin platters can ring, so I'd stay with a mat that decouples the LP from the platter. As Herbie's mentions in his Way Excellent II ad; Records are thoroughly decoupled from unwanted platter vibration.

A properly designed clamp will hold an LP very tightly against the mat and platter. I find this effective on damped platters or platters with mass, but not on thin platters. As usual, yours or others mileage may vary.


EDIT: Which Yamaha table do you have? I've got an old Yamaha YP-D10 in the basement rig.

hearingimpared

kevhed72 the best and most dramatic improvement will be realised with a record clamp, preferably a reflex clamp. Such as this;

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

They are back ordered at Acoustic Sounds but you can get it at Needledoctor or Audio Adviser.

The next best improvement will come with a good mat like the Herbies.

Upgrading the power cord on a TT will have the least effect on the SQ but a worthwhile improvement down the line as it will decrease motor noise.

Fongolio

I would reccomend Herbie's mat. I use it on my Pro-Ject 6.9 and on my Technics SL-BD27 which is a budget table with a very light platter I use for vinyl ripping. With Herbie's mat on it the light aluminum platter is dead silent.

I am in no way associated with Herbie's by the way.

The $50.00 clamp from Music Direct is a bargain and will really help bring out bass and detail. Combine that with the mat and you've got a huge upgrade. If you are on a really tight budget I'd go in this order:
1. Clamp
2. Mat
3. Power cord upgrade

phipiper10

I was a nonbeliever in the mat as well. Half my reason for getting Herbie's mat was to eliminate the dust issue on the felt mat. Just got mine the other day - it most definitely tightened things up.

No need for A/Bing etc. The difference was clear immediately. (pun intended)

ben62670

I want a herbie.

kevhed72

SCompRacer wrote: »

EDIT: Which Yamaha table do you have? I've got an old Yamaha YP-D10 in the basement rig.

I have a Yamaha 400, which I remember was on the lower end of TT's, which I bought around 18 yrs ago(?)

Thanks everyone for the input...I'll go with the clamp and mat first, and then maybe the power cord if I can scoop up a deal off Ebay.