I had a VPI HW19 MK IV. The only other VPI was the TNT. The 19 still came with an armboard. The JMW Memorial was still an option and it was not road tested. So as I’m waiting for my Mark 4 upgrade, it was about a year since Jonathan’s death and they shut down. I bought a SAMA motor during this time. When I got my upgrade they gave me a TNT platter. I used various clamps as the spindle was threaded. Fiinally Black Diamiond Racing said for $500 they’d make me a custom carbon fiber one piece record clamp with brass threads. I had a Graham 2.2 uni-pivot and for uni-pivots to work, the record has to be flat on the platter or it just moves back and forth because no record is flat enough that it doesn’t need to be clamped, weighted, vacuumed, something. Because a stylus can’t track a record groove that’s all over the place. So get used to using that ring clamp and the center weight. Records start as doughnut sized piece of vinyl. The hot stamper presses down and in a jiffy, it’s over. And they never cool flat. I don’t care if it’s 200 gram virgin vinyl or double 45’ that cost a fortune. Otherwise sell your gear and buy a DAC.
Ring Clamps. What do you think?
First let me say that I have not had the opportunity to hear a ring clamp. At a $1000 list price it is not a top priority. It would seem to me that the whole concept would be detrimental to good sound. Like an acoustic guitar, a record needs to breathe. Weight and air play a vital role. I do use a record clamp, wouldn't be caught dead without it, but a heavy metal ring laying on top of my album holding it down doesn't appeal to me. I could be wrong.