Record clamps / pucks. Are they what they claim?

[Al ears]

Having recently upgraded to a modern turntable with an acrylic platter is there, in your opinion, a requirement to fit a record clamp or puck?

The best part of my LP collection is in excellent condition and mostly 180gm vinyl. In your opinion would a record clamp make any improvement sonically? The turntable did not come with one so assume Roksan do not deem them necessary. Would appreciate your experience / thoughs in this matter.

 

[chebby]

If the deck is designed for use with the manufacturer's own clamp then use it. (Such as Michell.)

If not don't.

Just use records that are stored correctly and not warped in the first place.

Unless the deck was designed for use with pucks/clamps, then you may be putting undue stress on the bearing.

 

[John Duncan]

Horses for courses.

Some would argue that clamping the record effectively increases its mass and stops it from vibrating either through mechanical interference from the deck itself or induced from the stylus - I tend to agree with this (more from a theoretical point of view than actually noticing any difference) and use the clamp supplied with my deck despite it being a bit of a faff, but that's vinyl for you.

Others still might say something like a ringmat is better at dissipating that excess energy - my friend swears by his on a gyro, despite it already coming with a clamp.

The rest might say "what a load of b-llocks".

 

[Andrew Everard]

Clamps shouldn't put any extra stress on the bearing unless they, like pucks, add considerable mass.

 

[Anonymous]

I have tried clamps on three turntables that I have owned: an Ariston RD40, an
Elite Rock [not the ultra-expensive original one], and a Linn LP12. The first two came with their own hard clamps, and I tried a soft clamp on the LP12.

In each case inferior rhythmic performance made the clamp useless, from my point of view. Not every listener will find every clamp on every turntable useless but I suggest being prepared for disappointment if you try one...

 

[floyd droid]

chebby:
If the deck is designed for use with the manufacturer's own clamp then use it. (Such as Michell.)

If not don't.

Just use records that are stored correctly and not warped in the first place.

Unless the deck was designed for use with pucks/clamps, then you may be putting undue stress on the bearing.

Blimey chebby,do you mean to tell me that you have not one warped record in your stash !.

 

[chebby]

floyd droid:Blimey chebby,do you mean to tell me that you have not one warped record in your stash !.

Thats' right.

If it was warped I wouldn't buy it. At my s/h record store they have a couple of turntables so I can see if they are warped or not. Those records I have bought unseen I have only bought from traders with impeccable feedback and I never buy anything less than ex/ex condition. I also buy brand new as well.

I don't just buy because I like the music. I also buy for condition. I leave 'collectables' to collectors. Given the choice of a pristine re-issue or a scabby 'original' then I go for the re-issue, and if all the vinyl choices are in bad nick i'll either get the CD or wait until a good condition LP comes along.

Fortunately I have only ever had to throw out a small number of LPs (maybe four or five) since I ever started buying albums. I can't even remember what the last one was or why.

As I have mentioned in other threads I also get any LP I have bought Keith Monks cleaned for £2 each before I play them (even the brand new ones) and then put them in a brand new anti-static inner sleeve.

 

[floyd droid]

I have to say that i dont have many warped ones. But the ones i do have were brand new (mail order) jobbies. Sent them back,got yet another warped one,bad batch i guess ( make that i know, due to the fact i was in the plastics game for years ) so gave up the ghost so to speak.

Second hand record store !!. I should be so lucky,oxfam, pdsa etc etc in my neck of the woods.

 

[chebby]

floyd droid:
Second hand record store !!. I should be so lucky,oxfam, pdsa etc etc in my neck of the woods.

This is my 'local' (10 minutes walk away) Note the twin platter Keiths Monks cleaning machine

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

I got very excited when I clicked on the link.

Long way from Wakefield though.

 

[floyd droid]

chebby:floyd droid:
Second hand record store !!. I should be so lucky,oxfam, pdsa etc etc in my neck of the woods.

This is my 'local' (10 minutes walk away) Note the twin platter Keiths Monks cleaning machine

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggghhh. Hey chebby ,fancy doing a holiday home swap one day ?.

Nice link and duly bookmarked

 

[Henley]

JohnDuncan:Horses for courses.

Some would argue that clamping the record effectively increases its mass and stops it from vibrating either through mechanical interference from the deck itself or induced from the stylus - I tend to agree with this (more from a theoretical point of view than actually noticing any difference) and use the clamp supplied with my deck despite it being a bit of a faff, but that's vinyl for you.

Others still might say something like a ringmat is better at dissipating that excess energy - my friend swears by his on a gyro, despite it already coming with a clamp.

The rest might say "what a load of b-llocks".

JD's just about nailed it. There are two very differing schools of thought, both with equally valid arguments as it also depends on platter/sub platter combinations. However, there is one very easy test to prove if a clamp is effective in your system. Try one, if you like the sound then it works. If there is no improvement or reduction in quality then a clamp is not suited to your deck. In fairness the same can be said for mats, all will have an effect and their worth is totally dependant on your enjoyment.