Do Turntable Accessories Improve the Sound of Records?
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- This video includes tips and tests to help you determine if turntable mats, record weights and isolation platforms are necessary for your record playback system.
Just saw your video. I use ISO Acoustics Oreas under all my stereo equipment…… fantastic!! I haven’t touched a thing in almost 2 years!
Interesting experiments. It confirms much of what I thought about isolation platforms, specifically that they don’t really work. I’ve only ever used felt mats on my Rega and Linn turntables and I’ve never experienced the static issues you mention and the records have never slipped. Perhaps the lower start up speeds have helped.
On clamps, I would not recommend using a friction fit for clamps as it puts a significant additional load on the bearing whilst fitting it. Weights and clamps which use gravity will cause accelerated friction wear on the bearings of turntables that do not use mass loading as the damping philosophy. Finally, turntables with a suspended sub-chassis will need to be adjusted to cater for the significant additional mass. Those which can’t be adjusted should not use them.
On your VPI, the additional mass is factored into the design. Other manufacturers use a light weight clamp which is fitted using a thread on the spindle, avoiding the bearing issues I mention whilst still connecting the record firmly to the platter.
Manufacturers of audiophile turntables choose one of three systems to combat vibrations. Mass loading, mass reduction or suspension. I think it’s important to understand which system your turntable manufacturer has chosen in order to plan your possible “upgrades”.
For inexpensive turntables with one piece cast alloy platters, checking if the platter sounds resonant with the standard platter mat in place, by flicking it with your fingernail, will give you a good indication of whether an alternative mat will make a difference. Even then, your experiment with your Rega and its glass platter shows it’s no guarantee. Beyond that, I’d leave well alone and keep your money ready for the inevitable upgrade down the line.
I disagree with your assessments on several points. On my Rega P1 with felt mat and mdf platter, static attraction between felt mat and vinyl is a regular issue. Environmental conditions, particularly humidity may be a factor.
I use a Michel record clamp with my Clearaudio Concept TT. Records with minor warps are coupled flat to the platter. I can't attest to noticeable improvement in sound quality as a result but I find this a desirable benefit. Since the clamp tightens onto the spindle using a collett, activated by twisting the 2 parts of the clamp in opposing directions I fail to grasp how this "friction" puts any strain on the bearing while attaching.
I use Isoacoustic Gaia III isolation feet, replacing the 3 tiny
rubber stock feet. I also use a ButcherBlock Acoustics 4" platform beneath the TT. These significantly reduce vibrations from the room and floor being transferred to the cartridge.
@@haroldm4600 on your experience with static, I have no experience. I wet clean my records and never brush them, so static is not an issue.
On your clamp, I agree and say in my comment that any kind of device using a thread avoids the issue of bearing wear caused by mass or friction fit.
On the isolation, the Gaia are reputed to be good but also not inexpensive. The do have the advantage that they are transferable to other turntables if you choose.
If they work then happy days, I’m not say people shouldn’t tweak, just that they should work with the design by understanding the philosophy.
I would say turntable accessories are similar to a placebo. If you believe it works, it works. I have a couple accessories that I use and like very much. To each his own.
Just hit 65 and bought a Sony PS-LX310BT to play my old vinyl and had new woofers put in my old huge speakers. Problem: A very small room and I love it LOUD. 11 o'clock on my receiver and I get a huge roaring feedback. Suggestions? Most of the platforms cost more than the turntable so I can't go there.
Probably rockin' the floor so much the needle is picking up room vibrations. Try Styrofoam base or mount turntable on wall.
I bought a case of Official Game Puck Sponge hockey pucks. They are under the stand feet, and under every component. I have zero vibration on the Turntable speakers and every piece of equipment.
Back when I sort of got into hifi, forty years ago, a closed turntable cover or lid was the way to go as it helped isolate the stylus, cartridge and tone-arm from the loudspeakers etc, so I'm always surprised to see very expensive record decks being demonstrated open to the room and vibration.
Supposedly covers were bad because they would pick up room vibrations n pass to platform. Who to believe? Maybe they were too cheap to include a cover or spoil it's looks. I use a swiffer.
@@AudioTnT Who to believe indeed. Maybe I need "lid treatment". One of the the things about the coming of CDs was all that went 'out of the window' along with blowing fluff off the stylus. I want an automated TT that has got that feature. ps I had to look up 'swiffer" - I get the combination: swifter than the wife?
@@SubTroppo www.amazon.ca/Swiffer-Dusters-Refills-count-handle/dp/B07DJNKG5J/ref=asc_df_B07DJNKG5J/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292953969496&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14240467638661637229&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000934&hvtargid=pla-570062224971&psc=1&mcid=31d10da8ff143d9b980b46f824e66e3e
@@AudioTnT My cleaners referred me to their board of ethics when they saw "amazon" in the link.
@@SubTroppo please elaborate..?
Rega say use a felt mat and don’t use a weight or clamp
Nice video, high mass turntables will benefit with the addition of mass. Low mass, 12lb pizza box turntables will not see any improvement in performance. There is nothing there to support improvement. It's all gimmicks until you get a, let's say 30lb+ turntable.
@raymiehershey1430 my VPI TT weighs over 70 lb. You may be correct that light TT like Rega won't benefit from isolation devices. That said lightweight TT can sound very good.