Thoughts On Turntable Clamps And Weights

@lewm  The Engineer I use, is an individual renowned for their knowledge and their unique modification works carried out on the SP10 MkII, my own SP10 MkII is modified by this person.

I can assure you that others, that are renowned in their own Countries (yes even the US)  for their works done on Japanese Vintage TT's, have picked my engineer friends brain at some point.  

I have had many a discussion about the ideas behind the engineers practices and how the practices of others are said to impact on the SP10 MkII.

I don't believe there is much that can be done to my own TT, that will improve on it electronically, or for speed control.

The next frontier is the attempts to improve the mechanical interface for the seating of the drive gear and the Platter Spindle Bearing being a complete overhaul and not the already put in place upgrade for the assembly on  the one I have in use.

As stated previously, I am keen to learn, if the rethink for the Platter Spindle Bearing, can be one that is able to be transferred onto other Brands models, if the Stator Bowls are remade using a CNC to accommodate the new bearing housing design. 

The CNC owner has access to substantial thicknesses of Thermoplastics, and has the programming skills which can produce items to low microns as a tolerance.

Alternatively for the individual like myself, the Bowl replacement can be a simple affair to, where there is a Top Flange plate fastened to a thick walled cylinder of the ideal ID/OD, that has a base fastened to the side wall as well.    

The world of modifying these vintage turntables is such a tiny one, I can only wonder why you cannot include the name(s) of these "renowned" engineers so others might benefit.  And the engineer might also benefit in terms of increased earnings. In any case, the Krebs modification is worthwhile based on my listening to the Mk3 before vs after, if that interests anyone.  Richard Krebs resides in New Zealand.  I have never met him. He is lately known for the K3 turntable which is his build, now sold by Oswald Mills Audio for huge bucks.

I'm running a Rega Planar 10.  They recommend no weight or clamp.  Of course the Rega strategy is about the lack of mass.  I have an HRS center weight with which I might try a listing test.  It's currently holding down my Eight Switch which tends to move with all the ethernet cables pulling in it.  An expensive paper weight.

Short answer to the OP: No.

It’s impossible to generalize about clamps and weights for turntables. It depends on the turntable. Some are designed to use them. Some will end up with destroyed bearings if you do where the weight is too much. Some motors will struggle with the added weight. Suspended tables might be thrown out of adjustment with them. Some turntables otherwise might work but not necessarily sound better. It depends.

I use a 1 kg weight and a 1.5 kg outer ring, but my TT is specifically designed for that use, and it sounds better that way.

Did I mention?...it depends.