Using a ring clamp is like any other skill, you get better with practice. I was terrified when I first started using the VPI ring clamp, but now it's like second nature, like driving a car. In truth, there is very little danger to the stylus when placing it on the record. It took me a lot of time to learn how to balance it so it is true rather than cocked. The likelihood of damaging a cartridge when lowering it is not much greater than if you cue it too close to the edge of an unringed record. For me, records sound a tad better with it in place, but I had a bigger jump in sound improvement from installing a Boston mat for 1/4 the price paid for the ring clamp.
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.
- ...
- 40 posts total
- 40 posts total