TURNTABLE SETUP Questions thread - don't start a new thread, ASK YOUR QUESTION HERE!

[yeahx]

Oh ok, I tried to search the thread first but lots of other things came up that had nothing to do with it. Thanks!

 

[analogsurviver]

Sorry - I overlooked that photo a day or two ago; otherwise I would have replied sooner.
 
Have good time spinin' vynil !

 

[sojs]

Yes hard to search with lots of posting.

 

[penmarker]

Hey guys,

So about a year and half ago I sold off my DD table, a Marlux MX86 because of financial purposes. Last Monday I've gotten myself a Rega RP1 (yay!!) since I'm doing well now.

The table is good aside from the usual wobble on low end Rega tables. One thing I noticed is if I put my ear on the plinth, I can hear the motor running. It makes that humming/rumbling noise even if the belt isn't connected.

I'm still waiting for my phono stage to be delivered so I can't say if the sound will affect playback. Is the sound normal for a Rega RP1?

 

[analogsurviver]

Hey guys,

So about a year and half ago I sold off my DD table, a Marlux MX86 because of financial purposes. Last Monday I've gotten myself a Rega RP1 (yay!!) since I'm doing well now.

The table is good aside from the usual wobble on low end Rega tables. One thing I noticed is if I put my ear on the plinth, I can hear the motor running. It makes that humming/rumbling noise even if the belt isn't connected.

I'm still waiting for my phono stage to be delivered so I can't say if the sound will affect playback. Is the sound normal for a Rega RP1?

Glad to see you back and hearing you're doing well !
 
It is called - ahem - compromi$e ....
 
An equivalent in DD tables is - hum (both mechanical and ellectrical ...) in any DD table without the outboard power supply. That is to say - vast majority. Only few TOTL designs went to the trouble and expen$e in order to get rid of this form of distortion.
 
This slideshow about Kuzma Stabi S turntable will answer more questions than a wall of text :
 
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=rqt12ahpoi2hsjpvtkb66ibve5&action=gallery;area=slideshow;album=2199;start=21731

 

[penmarker]

Ah I see. And good to be back too analogsurviver!

I just got word that the TCC TC-750 was sent earlier today so I should receive it tomorrow. Looking forward to start my analogue journey again.

 

[yeahx]

Am I crazy to entertain the idea of using a clamp/weight on an a simple set up. Something in the $30-60 range would be my limit. To me it seems like it would be ideal for it to be more spread out over the label but does this matter? I just spend a little time poking around Amazon and Ebay to get a few ideas and some seemed reasonable. The clear audio plastic thing seems decent but Id rather spend a little more for a weight instead of getting a $30 piece of plastic. Is there such a thing as too heavy or not heavy enough? Before I could never see myself considering one of these but now Im starting to get more curious. Would also prefer one that could be used on both belt and direct driven if that is possible.

 

[analogsurviver]

  Am I crazy to entertain the idea of using a clamp/weight on an a simple set up. Something in the $30-60 range would be my limit. To me it seems like it would be ideal for it to be more spread out over the label but does this matter? I just spend a little time poking around Amazon and Ebay to get a few ideas and some seemed reasonable. The clear audio plastic thing seems decent but Id rather spend a little more for a weight instead of getting a $30 piece of plastic. Is there such a thing as too heavy or not heavy enough? Before I could never see myself considering one of these but now Im starting to get more curious. Would also prefer one that could be used on both belt and direct driven if that is possible.

Not at all crazy.
 
One of the most reasonable clamps around is this one : 
 
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Plattenklemme-von-TechneAudio-in-High-End-Qualitat-45-mm-hoch-mit-Randelknopf-/281698565404?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item41968afd1c
 
Just make sure you have AT LEAST some 3 mm of "flat, full diameter" spindle available protruding over the record label - or else this type of clamp has nothing to grab on.
 
In principle, one does not want a heavy clamp/weight - not on any sprung subchassis designs ( AR, Thorens, Linn and other ARLookAlikes ) in particular - and not too heavy to cause undue wear on the TT bearing in general.
 
The above clamp has one BIG advantage over most - it allows for the use of VanAlstine Longhorn AND clamping at the same time, something that is usually mutually exclusive. Together, they make for the reproduction more than anything else...
 
And yes, it is hard to disagree it is not an advantage to be able to read the label of the record under the clamp:
 

 

[riffer]

I use a Michell Engineering Record Clamp (Rega version) on my Father's Yamaha. I paid about $60 all-in from ebay. You might be able to find one used within your price range. Regardless, it is a very good quality clamp.

 

[yeahx]

I was looking at that Michel Record Clamp and it looks nice. That TechneAudio one would probably be good but it doesn't look like Im going to have much spindle exposed when my new mat arrives.

 

[Shaffer]

Not at all crazy.

[...]

What does the clamp do?

 

[analogsurviver]

What does the clamp do?

It is a classic clamp a la the one first seen in the Oracle turntable. It can be used with a washer underneath the record - in order to flatten the record across the entire surface, even if concavely dished. It works on non-threaded spindles of sufficient length - so that the clamp can grab onto enough of the spindle surface to perform properly.
 
Improvement over the Oracle's clamp are two:
 
1. Material. The clamp itself is plastic/acrylic - a MUCH more damped material than forever ringing aluminium used in Oracle. Plastic also "yields" to the record label (anything BUT flat...) surface better than the rigid aluminium. Being transparent, it also allows reading of the data on the label area while clamp is applied.
2. Profile of the clamp. It is the lowest height of any commercially available clamp I am aware of.
3. Diameter of the clamp "screw" is relatively small.
 
The 2. and 3. allow for the use of just slightly compromised Van Alstine Longhorn :  
http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258&Itemid=226
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=24666.20
 
In original design, the Longhorn stabilizer is being brought to as low position as possible (distance from the record is minimal ) - which does provide the best results. However, by just slightly compromising this, it is possible to use the clamp - by shifting the distance of the Longhorn higher - just enough to clear the height of the clamp. Its small diameter of the clamp screw also allows for even larger overall length of the Longhorn - which I no longer make from brass U profile of the original, but from carbon fibre tubing; it is both stronger, lighter and MUCH less prone to self-resonance than the U profile brass of the original. For weights at both ends, I use lead fishing weights - these are remarkably similar in weight, certainly to a better tolerance than possible with the original method of soldering the soldering wire at both ends.
 
It is not a particularly wise idea to perform a shootout between a "regular" cartridge without the Longhorn and turntable without decent clamping against a Longhorn stabilized cartridge (even if it is quite a few notches below in the hierarchy relative to the other "regular" cart ) and the properly clamped record...
 
Disclaimer : I am in no way affiliated with TechneAudio - nor am I using any of their products. I merely mentioned this reasonably priced commercially available clamp because it allows for 2. and 3. - and 1. is an advantage enough in itself. It is very similar to my DIY clamp, which I have been using for by now almost a decade.

 

[yeahx]

Watched a video of the other one and it works in a very similar way and comes with a washer to put under the record. Looks like very little spindle sticking out on my new mat for either of those but I would have to measure to be sure. I'm in no rush so I have time to check out different options but I like these 2 a lot better than a $30 plastic disc or an $80 weight.

 

[analogsurviver]

  Watched a video of the other one and it works in a very similar way and comes with a washer to put under the record. Looks like very little spindle sticking out on my new mat for either of those but I would have to measure to be sure. I'm in no rush so I have time to check out different options but I like these 2 a lot better than a $30 plastic disc or an $80 weight.

That "washer" is VERY debatable. You generally require at least two - one for normal and one for heavy pressings (180 g and up ) - because the "dish" you have to create is different. And if unlucky, it can mean this type of clamp will work with normal records - for the heavy ones, the spindle protruding above the record surface might just be a tad too short for the clamp to have to grab onto it securely. 
 
No prize for guessing whether this is a theoretical assertion or learning the hard way ...

 

[yeahx]

From the video I watched it said you would only use the washer for records with a bowl warp and aren't 180+ less likely to be warped than thinner ones? Or would you use the washer on everything?