Thoughts On Turntable Clamps And Weights

@dwette Thank You for confirming your Weight Type.

It looks like a Composite Weight produced with the main proportion being SS, with a weight of approx' 1Kg has a few advocates.

My assumptions once more, are not as correct as I had suggested 😉.

First hand experience is always the best way to gather info to present a evaluation or report on an encounter.

@pindac Since the subject of composite 1 kg clamps interests you.

Previously I used a Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) ADH clamp. That one is 850 gr., made of stainless steel with a rubber composite base. In contrast to the Ultra Carbon TC-40 I use now, I felt that the HRS SDH deadened the midrange a bit and cast a bit of veil over midrange detail. The TC-40 is a bit more lively and open. The HRS ADH is now discontinued, and I wonder if that has something to do with it no longer being available. Maybe not.

I would like to try the Clearaudio Innovation clamp. It is 740 gr, made of stainless steel with an ebony base, but it is rather expensive (more than twice the Ultra Carbon). On the other hand, I have a Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable and use the Clearaudio outer ring, so maybe it has some synergy the 3rd party clamps are missing? IDK, just a thought. I might ask the Musical Surroundings rep to bring one along to try when he is in town to visit my dealer.

@dwette We are now having a cross over of our thoughts on this subject.

Firstly I can’t use a Rubber Material with Vinyl for extended periods, it is usually only in use for a demo’ purpose only.

I am a advocate of Densified Wood, of which one Brand of this material type is Panzerholz.

Clearaudio are quite involved in producing designs where Panzerholz is seen as a material of importance, I suspect there will be a Spindle Weight available with Panzerholz in place of Ebony at some point.

I have been demo’d a DIY Panzerholz Spindle Weight and have been impressed with it when used in comparison to other materials used for weights on a PTP Solid Nine TT.

The PTP was used as the TT, when a group of seven HiFi Group Members had a meeting where a Mat and Weight comparison was being demo’d, with differing materials being tried in conjunction with each other.

My next port of call, when the Vinyl Source is back in daily use, is to have my SS weight modified and produced as a SS composite with Densified Wood, I have enough of a good experience with both these materials to suspect the marriage will be a long lasting one.

@pindac As you can well imagine I am familiar with the Panzerholtz material. Both my Innovation Wood, and the Ovation I had before it have Panzerholtz plinths.

Clearaudio's Statement clamp has a Panzerholtz base, but as I recall it is now $1200 U.S. (the Innovation clamp is about $750). That's a lot of money for a record clamp.

I would still like to hear what a clamp with a wood base (be it Ebony or Panzerholtz) sounds like.