Topic: Record Stabilizer...anyone use one?

[nickgregory]

just curious...typical of anything in audio you can find reviews that the results were breathtaking and some that feel their money would have been better spent on beer...curious if anyone has any practical experience...

[Tony B]

I use the one that came with my Pro-Ject table every now and again, but haven't every really noticed a "jaw dropping" difference.

Now, that anti-static spray kicks some serious ass, imo....

[carlbeck]

I use one on my Thorens but it isn't the weight kind since my table is sprung. Honestly I don't hear a difference but it has to help on slightly warped records.

[guysonic]

Record weight benefit is mainly a function of the design of your record mat. 

Some flat foam types are anything but neutral/damped sounding producing frequency dependent coloration through 'spring-back' vibrations from stylus acoustic and nearby speaker energies. Some hard surface mats are sculptured to 'float' large sections of the disc in air that may help keep the disc's backside cleaner, but allows the disc surface to wobble like a sounding board.

With these above types using a record weight will have audible benefit.   

Best mats are flat and made of Sorbothane, vinyl formulations, or similar very heavy dampening materials that contacts the entire record surface.  However, I found difficult finding really well damped mats so for me record weights have benefit for the majority of turntable/mat combinations.

Audible benefits of using a record weight are are increased clarity, consistent natural sounding playback (regardless of disc thicknesses), and reduced bass feedback from loud subs.

Made about a hundred of these out of aluminum weighing 2 lbs in my Father's machine shop in the 70's, gave them to friends, and sold a few to local audio shops.  Still have a few around!

So what's on YOUR turntable?

[nickgregory]

but it has to help on slightly warped records.

that is what I would think as I have a couple that may benefit...

Made about a hundred of these out of aluminum weighing 2 lbs in my Father's machine shop in the 70's, gave them to friends, and sold a few to local audio shops.  Still have a few around!

good info, thanks!  I use a felt mat with a glass platter so I am guessing that there would be some benefit...but I am not in the market to spend the $$$ that some cost...may need to look into the homemade route...

[carlbeck]

If you are using an unsuspended table a heavy weight will work. If your table is suspended then you must use a screw on clamp or press clamp like this

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMICCLAMPB

I use the Pickering from England that I really like for my Thorens

http://www.pickeringuk.com/cfb.html

[nickgregory]

I am actually using the Rega P1 (glass platter/felt mat), so the heavy weight should work...will take a look at the musicdirect option...

Thanks!  +Ts all around

[bkirby]

I did some research on some of the record mats and even though they are expesnsive, the difference was stunning to a lot of people. My MMF-5 has suspension, a record clamp, and a glass platter, but came with a felt mat. I decided to get a cork mat ($11.99 at Elusive Disc) for my cleaning machine (the machine I was building) and tried it over the felt mat with much better results. I have since purchased another cork mat (for the cleaner) and have been using the cork on the MMF-5 ever since. It seemed I was able to get the record flatter using this method since the felt would become compressed around the record clamp.
Hope this helps...

[nickgregory]

thanks all...in reading it doesnt appear that rega recommends use of a clamp due to their design...cant find a straight answer though...need to find a way to contact them directly...

[cshepherd]

thanks all...in reading it doesnt appear that rega recommends use of a clamp due to their design...cant find a straight answer though...need to find a way to contact them directly...

Nick, I'll ask Rega what their issue with record clamps are and get back with you, probably later today but not later than tomorrow.

Chris

[nickgregory]

thanks all...in reading it doesnt appear that rega recommends use of a clamp due to their design...cant find a straight answer though...need to find a way to contact them directly...

Nick, I'll ask Rega what their issue with record clamps are and get back with you, probably later today but not later than tomorrow.

Chris

cool, thanks Chris...specifically looking at the J.A. Mitchell clamp towards the bottom of this page:

http://www.artech-electronics.com/canada/products/michell/mich_upg.html

appears to have been made for lower spindle type turntables like Rega...but there is some internet jabber on other message boards that Rega at one time recommended against using clamps, as their turntable design wouldnt benefit...would be curious to hear it straight from them..

[guysonic]

The weight puts additional stress on the precision turntable bearing that all manufacturers advise against. 

However, no accounts of bearing damage reported with careful use that avoids repeated hammering the device down hard on the spindle than can happen if applied off-center. 

Clamps made of plastic that grip the spindle avoid placing additional force on the bearing, but most have less -rigid construction and do not provide consistant or good enough stabilization. 

A few turntable manufacturers have designed their spindle with mechanism to grip a custom made (just for their turntable) clamp to work better than most after-market clamping devices.

[cshepherd]

Looking around online, there is a load of people advising against using record clamps on Rega tables.  Guysonic pretty much covered the issues (thanks alot Q-guy!) and I wouldn't recommend going against the common opinion regarding using clamps and Rega tables.   I haven't spoke with our distributor yet, but I don't think he's going to recommend using one.  Personally, I don't think its worth the risk. 

Chris

[nickgregory]

Looking around online, there is a load of people advising against using record clamps on Rega tables.  Guysonic pretty much covered the issues (thanks alot Q-guy!) and I wouldn't recommend going against the common opinion regarding using clamps and Rega tables.   I haven't spoke with our distributor yet, but I don't think he's going to recommend using one.  Personally, I don't think its worth the risk. 

Chris

thanks Chris...I will be interested to hear the distributors input, but I have basically come to the same conclusion as well...

[Sloan Simpson]

OK, I'm a n00b on this, but I'm assuming my Denon DP-755 (jeez, I think that's the model, I'm not at home) is -not- suspended, 'cause the bearing/platter is not "springy" in the plinth?  And if I'm correct in that, and I have a hard-rubber type mat (can't remember the name of it either, something from the early 80's that isn't made anymore I don't think, and was on my table when I bought), I would benefit from a weight?