Technics 1200G - clamp record weight or no record weight?


It seems as though 95% of the time the 1200G sounds better without a clamp or weight.  I use a Boston audio mat and it seems when I add a clamp or weight, it may sound pleasing in some ways for some records but most of the time records seem to sound better without anything...  maybe its just the mat does not like the clamp.  not sure...  How are your experiences?  So far I have used the Project puck, Stillpoints LPI, Orsonic 200 gram clamp.  The Stillpoints may sound the best in some circumstances but it seems that the lighter Orsonic works pretty good. 
tzh21y
I noticed in Youtube videos that technics themselves are using the project puck which is pretty heavy.  are they using the rubber mat or something else?
Gunmetal mat user (Tenuto) on TT-101 here.  I prefer the sound without weight so don't use one.  I have tried and have a couple but unless warped badly, I leave them sit.

Most records pretty darned flt in my experience. 

I recommend the Technics 1200/1210 extra thick mat sold by KAB USA. It sounds the best on the previous generation Techie 1200 /1210 up to the Mk7 model. I personally own a M5G and use the extra thick OEM mat and a 3/4 pound (approx 360 gram) pound spindle weight. My spindle has the upgraded KAB wax material under the spindle bearing housing, coupling it to the base plate. This directs platter and other acoustic noise down the spingle to the base not so much up the cart and tonearm.

With the wax "spacer" mod, additional weight of the spindle bearing and housing is better supported when coupled to the baseplate. I oil my spindle bearing using KAB's recommended oil  approx every 100 hours of play time. In the decade plus of ownership, I've had no issues with my spindle bearing getting noisy or wearing out.

Using a clamp would worry me as noted above it pulls the spindle upward where there is minimal support, logically chance of damage exists if excessive force is used. Platter mat and spindle weight use is system and listener and system subjective, perceived audio benefits change with different LP's being played. Obviously, anything that flattens excess warpage, better coupling a warped LP to the platter is preferrable.

Keeping the tonearm playing with minimal horizontal and vertical runout allows the cartridge and styli to better trace the grooves, resulting in a more positive listening experience no matter what combination of turntable or upgrades being used. This minimises cartridge/cantilever suspension wear and/or suspension damage, resulting in decreased cartridge wear and higher play hours on the cart itself.

Periphery rings are also subjective, having their time and place for use. I've yet to see a ring being sold which correctly the Technics 1200/1210 due to their design and layout.  An LP with excessive vertical runout will benefit from ring and weight use when it comes to playback quality. A flat record may or may not benefit from added spindle weight or periphery ring, the same as it may or may not benefit from thicker or different platter mat composition.

A thicker mat decreases VTA and changes VTF slightly as the arm is raised. This is often perceived as a sonic improvement, and may be not from the mat construction itself but a change of VTA VTF or SRA  by raising or lowering arm height. A minimal change in SRA/VTF/VTA can often place the stylus in that optimal operating corridor and stylus angle, resulting in superior sonics overall.

Ideally adjustable VTA 'on the fly' allows the listener to make incremental adjustments to SRA when using  thicker/thinner LP's and platter mat changes in height. The perceived positive change is not so much from the mat material/ weight or album thickness itself. Obviously, those changes are a more complicated subject for a different thread. Remember, the sum total of the turntable components and its adjustments within the system itself are typically more important than just any one component or change.

This can be complicated subject, frustrating many because they don't understand the supposed dark arts of turntable setup No matter what the overall component combination is made of everyone makes mistakes along the way. Keep learning from them and your experiences until you get it right. Once you do, you will have repeatable success that no matter what cart, arm, mat, table combination you choose, the audible results will be overwhelmingly positive.

"It seems as though 95% of the time the 1200G sounds better without a clamp or weight. "

Try cleaver clamp sold by ClearAudio , only $35.00 and weights less than an 1 oz yet it works better than the original 3/4 lb. weight that came with my TT ( not a Technics ) .


Although I don't have a Tehnics I use a Herbie's Excellent mat on my Dual table. I don't use a clamp with it because it's squishy.  I feel using a clamp would just squash the mat and maybe defeat the purpose.  The stock mat is pretty firm and a weight or clamp can be used without squashing the mat.