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Screw-down reflex clamps vs. record weights

Recently we have seen more and more 'record weights' on the market. These are normally lightweight(300-400gr)and simply sit on the record. They do not appear to give priority to bonding the record to the platter.
Two outstanding record weights of this type are the Kuzma Ebony Record Weight and the HiFi Tuning VRO ('vinyl resonance optimiser') - there is a review of this(for those who read German) at www.fairaudio.de.
It appears that these clamps, rather than channelling disc resonances away through the spindle and main bearing and/or optimising contact between the record and the platter surface, seek to absorb them directly (i.e. into the clamp itself).
The Kuzma Ebony is a particularly interesting case since it has been introduced by a company that supplies screw-down reflex clamps as standard on its high-end turntables.
My question is: has anybody had any experience of these clamps - probably 'vinyl resonance tuners' is a more appropriate term - on their turntables as replacements for screw-down reflex clamps? Clearly as a way of dealing with warped or dished records they will not be of much use, but it may be that they do a better job of damping the disc.
I would be particularly interested to hear of experiences involving SME turntables (whose platters incidentally are covered with a bonded layer of 'Isodamp' damping material).
Thanks,
Peter
pgtaylor

Showing 1 response by almarg

almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
I use a French-made Planax PX record clamp which I purchased during the 1980's. Rather than being a screw-down type of clamp, when installing it pressure is applied to a certain point on its circumference, which causes the diameter of the center hole to expand. It is then placed on the spindle, and pressure can be applied to the record in any desired amount. It is then released, causing the diameter of the center hole to contract, resulting in a firm grip on the spindle.

I don't know if anything comparable is being made today, and I haven't compared its sonic effects to those of anything else, but it seems to me to offer all of the advantages of both a weight and a screw-down clamp, and none of the disadvantages of either. I believe it is made of solid nylon, so that its weight is miniscule, yet it can exert any desired amount of pressure on the label area of the record, and it can be installed and removed in an instant.

Regards,
-- Al
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