[chadbang]

I used to own one of these, but frankly I forget if I thought I was effective. I think mine was a simple discwasher model, a steel puck with a rubber base. Does anyone still use one of these with their turntable? Do they think it makes an improvement? Just curious.

 

[Hirsch]

I've got a Keith Monks record weight that I used to use, but it's been a long time. Basically a lead weight with a felt bottom. I use it for adding mass to the top of cdps these days, particularly after the suspension of the table I was using it on bottomed out.

 

[Budgie]

I found a cool one that actually clamps to the spindle when it is placed on the table. I can't use it on my AR table. The suspension is too soft and it bottoms out. (Okay I forgot what my point was.)
Oh Ya- You want me to send it to you?

 

[Wilson M.]

The theory for clamps/weights is to help flatten out the record. Some feel that it also helps with resonance control.

British manufacturers generally frown upon using record clamps and weights. Avid is the notable exception and they have a gorgeous clamp for their Acutus table. However, most British companies condone the use of mats (felt, rubber, Sorbothane, etc). They feel that it controls resonances the best as well as keep the record safe from contact with the platter. Of course, most of them use metal platters so I can see why you wouldn't want to put a record down on a hard metal surface.

Most of the companies that condone clamps/weights use smooth acrylic platters so record placed directly on smooth acrylic is not so alarming.

A lot of newer tables come with some kind of clamping system. Clearaudio uses a weight. VPI uses a threaded clamp which you screw down to press the record down.

Both companies have outer ring record weights. You put your record down then you put down this ring on the outer edge of the record which weighs the record down in an attempt to control warp since warp is usually most prominent at the edge of the record.