VPI Ring Clamp

Jameswei,
The $1200 would involve a new bearing, platter, the ring itself and I'd have to have a PLC or SDS to get the speed right. Plus I might as well get the new center weight for another $150. I think I'll stick with my TNT platter although I think the whole idea of flattening out the outer edge of a record is brillant, just out of my reach.

There is one side benefit of the outer ring. It places less stress on your cartridge, as the record is completely flat so VTA is easier to adjust and your cartridge will last longer.

I have a TNT V and purchased a Universal Stabilizer Ring, rather than upgrading to the TNT 6. See http://www.xs4all.nl/~rabruil/ttring.html . It works quite well and for US$395, is a cheaper way to achieve what you want to accomplish.

I have found the ring clamp to be very good at allowing me to play previously almost unplayable discs - those warped on track one - especially a recent Johnny Cash issue.
I have had troubles with some German pressings of L.P.'s which are smaller in outside diameter and the ring just slips right over the disc and becomes a pain to get off.
Mark Knoffler's last 2 releases seem particularly affected, which is sad, as they have good material on them.

The VPI ring clamp has two large circular cross-section rubber bands circling its outer perimeter. These rubber bands rest in grooves in the outer surface and serve as decorative trim and, to a minor degree, soft bumpers when the ring clamp is placed on a surface edgewise.

One of the rubber bands broke this weekend. I found it lying on the plinth. Fortunately, I was able to glue it back together with super glue. Upon inspection, I could see a few other places where the rubber was starting to split, and I repaired these with super glue as well.

I mention this here because I think it would be worthwhile to inspect the rubber bands to anticipate any break. Although I didn't actually see the break occur, I can imagine the broken ends whipping around the platter and possibly wiping out a cartridge cantilever. (I was lucky.) Better to do a repair or replacement before this happens.