Opus88, if your objective is to ensure excellent connnecton of LP to platter and flattening of the LP on the platter, a screw-on clamp is not the only solution. My Walker Audio Proscenium turntable uses a smooth spindle and yet has among the most effective record clamping of any turntable out there. The secret is in the design of the clamp, not whether the spindle is threaded or smooth. Picture Picture2 . |
For those who've asked for some further details, the Walker Audio clamp uses an internal Delrin bushing. (I've not seen the Basis design, which may be similar.) The bushing fits inside the clamp via threads on the outside of the bushing, but it is smooth on the inside and slides over the smooth unthreaded spindle. As one tightens the clamp, the bushing is pulled up into the clamp forcing it to compress around the smooth spindle. As the bushing tightens onto the spindle, the clamp's outer circumference is pulled down onto the surface of the LP, flattening the LP against the platter. With this configuration, as much pressure can be applied against the outer circumference of the record label as any threaded spindle clamping arrangement. As with any clamp, some judgement is required for how tight to pull everything together. The clamp is as rapid to apply and remove and it works as a single integrated unit. The clamp also is quite heavy, being a massive unit of machined brass. Edle, you raise a good theoretical objection to clamps that attach to the spindle. In my listening with VPI, SME, Walker Audio and other turntables that use this approach, I can't say that I've ever actually heard the downside you postulate. Regards, |
