Clamp for rega rp3

[bbbiker800]

I found a good dozen of record's with playable warps and dishes etc. Would like to try a clamp - not weight - to see if a clamp could reduce the warps a bit.

Question is then, for Rega owners (short spindle) which one do you use for this sort of job ?

Ta!

[Cycleallday]

I use thisMichell clamp with success on my Rega.

http://www.analogueseduction.net/michell-engineering-upgrades-parts-accessories/michell-engineering-record-clamp-for-rega-turntables.html

Mel

[bbbiker800]

I use thisMichell clamp with success on my Rega.

http://www.analogueseduction.net/michell-engineering-upgrades-parts-accessories/michell-engineering-record-clamp-for-rega-turntables.html

Mel

Cheers Mel - I had seen that one but it's good to know it works for you on the short Rega spindle as fitting and effectiveness was my concern.

Certainly not 'sound' as a lot of users seem to claim. I've used clamps on other decks in the past and never heard any difference :)

regards
richard

[steve-z]

I use a Michell clamp on my 2016 P3 but I had to do an upgrade on the subplatter to use it as the spindle on the standard Delrin one was too short. Got it from a British firm called 33rpmengineering, beautifully made and very reasonable price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subplatter-upgrade-for-Rega-Planar-2-3-Rega-RP1-P1-P2-P3-Rega-P3-24-RP3/332620740160?hash=item4d71bdb640:g:tncAAOSwJWFafuz S


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[diviy]

Order a rubber hockey puck off ebay drill a centre hole 3/4 through it and you have a fantastic record clamp for pennies

[steve-z]

Order a rubber hockey puck off ebay drill a centre hole 3/4 through it and you have a fantastic record clamp for pennies

I have a drilled hockey puck, best to drill the hole slightly undersize so it grips the spindle, as good as anything for 3 or 4 quid.


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[bbbiker800]

... And that helps reduce the warps? OK I'll give it a go! Can't get cheaper than that lol! Thanks guys
😁

[Cycleallday]

I don’t use any clamp or weight on normal listening as I do not find any benefit. The Michell clamp is only to reduce warp on records I rip - if they are bent I don’t play them for normal listening. A weight won’t reduce warp based on my experience with a 500 grm item.

My previous Orbe with clamp was a different beast all together and would even remove warps from records if left clamped for a week or two. The Orbe has a spindle which is slightly raised and the clamp has an outer lip which in effect very slightly dishes the record down. This is one of the features which makes the Orbe a great deck.

Mel

[Minstrel SE]

Yes Ive still got the email from Michell about spindle length and the Rega version. It would seem I need the Rega version if I am to try this...I can always take it to a Rega eventually. Michell say 6.5mm clearance normally and 4.5mm for the Rega version

I have a Dual with a tapered spindle and I was just checking what clearance of the normal spindle thickness I would need.

Its probably a bit of a non starter on this Dual as I only have about 4 to 5mm of spindle before it starts tapering for about 1cm. I havent done the finest measurements yet and there may only be 4mm at best above the record to play with before it starts tapering away.

Any suggestions please for a tapered spindle top or is a clamp out of the question?....perhaps a weight is an option but I dont want to strain this type of bearing

[Phil Bishop]

I would not bother - have tried them in the past and they really make little audible difference IMO. Very few records lie totally flat. Likewise, very few records are so warped as to be unplayable.

All IMHO.

Phil

[walpurgis]

I would not bother - have tried them in the past and they really make little audible difference IMO. Very few records lie totally flat. Likewise, very few records are so warped as to be unplayable.

All IMHO.

Phil

I tend to agree. A puck, clamp or weight will damp record vibrations to a degree and help couple the record to the mat and platter, but will do little for warps.

[alphaGT]

I’ve been fairly lucky on warped Records. I’ve used a clamp for years, it seems to tighten the bass ever so slightly. But the few warped records I’ve got, the clamp doesn’t help at all, most records are warped worse at the outside edge.

But a trick that I’ve seen work, is to get two sheets of glass from a window shop, larger than the record, slightly. Place the record between the sheets of glass in the oven at 150 degrees F for just 15 seconds. Watch through the window, if possible, and the second the glass lays flat, take it out and let it cool slowly. Surprisingly it will not affect the music in the grooves, and no more jumping needles. I hesitated to try it, but I had one record that was nearly unplayable, so I figured I had nothing to loose? And it worked wonders.

Russell

[steve-z]

The Michell clamp only works well with a hard mat or platter ie acrylic. It should be used with the supplied felt washer to raise the record centre slightly. Here’s a guy showing you how it’s done.

https://youtu.be/cT_4oSL4VgQ

It doesn’t really work with the Rega because of the oversized hole in the glass platter plus the softness of the wool mat, it gives a little help to records that are dished upwards in the middle though.
The main reason I use one on my P3 is so I can easily spin up the platter before I flick on the power switch to save belt wear. Just as an aside for any other Rega owners I’ve just swapped my well used standard belt for an Edwards Audio Little Belter Blue belt and it has effectively corrected the previously slightly fast turntable speed (33.58RPM), it now registers exactly 33.33RPM when checked with the RPM iPhone app.

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[Minstrel SE]

The Michell clamp looks very nicely machined....It would be a shame not to try it :)

I hear what you are all saying though and a clamp probably would not deal with any bad warps. I've seen ski jump warps at the outer edge.

I have rubber mats with a centre indent about the size of the label. It would seem a good idea to weigh or clamp the record down but I have no idea of the physics behind it. I just like the idea of a nice looking clamp to show Im a hi fi buff :)

[steve-z]

I had a Townshend Rock turntable for almost 30 years (should never have sold it ☹️) and the record clamp was an integral part of the design, the spindle was internally threaded and there was also a raised washer over the spindle so the outer edge of the record was pressed into the platter, most unusual part of the design was the headshell outrigger and silicone damping trough, utterly brilliant [emoji22]


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[alphaGT]

My VPI is the same way, the clamp screws onto the threaded spindle. I bought my first record clamp in 1987, it was a Monster Cable brand, with a spring loaded collet in it, you press the big button on top and it would pull down on the record. Worked very well on standard spindles. I paid $35. I saw some a few years ago for $285! But have seen used ones on eBay randomly. Since my VPI can’t use it, I gave it to my son in law. You’d have thought I had given him a 10 carrot diamond!

Russell

[bbbiker800]

Thanks for the input guys.

I wasn't expecting to fix bad lp's just improve them a bit. But it looks like nothing will really work on a rega. So I think I'll experiment with GT's glass idea and see what happens on some I care little for.

Re Steve's use of the Edwards Audio Little Belter Blue belt I did post about this a while back about my RP3 running too fast. I ended up with that belt and it did the trick for me. At the time I failed to be convinced that the new rega psu (Neo) would be an improvement in sound quality AND fix my speed ISSUE.

[steve-z]

Thanks for the input guys.
Re Steve's use of the Edwards Audio Little Belter Blue belt I did post about this a while back about my RP3 running too fast. I ended up with that belt and it did the trick for me. At the time I failed to be convinced that the new rega psu (Neo) would be an improvement in sound quality AND fix my speed ISSUE.

When I bought my P3 (2nd hand) it came with the TTPSU, I auditioned both with and without it and concluded it made no difference to the SQ so I sold it on, I think it only really worthwhile for people who have lots of 45s, I only have 3 so it’s very little hardship to flip the belt when I want to play them.


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[YNWaN]

The only kind of clamps that really flatten warped records are those that come with matching turntables thathave threaded centre spindles (like SME for example), otherwise the amount of force required to flatten the record is too great. In addition, they need to be used with a hard mat - not felt for example. Finally, it is very questionable as to whether you even want to apply that amount of force to your records in the first place. It’s not uncommon for micro-cracking to appear around the record centre hole and many who own such decks subjectively prefer the sound with the clamp done up finger tight, rather than clamped down firmly.

As to whether the effect of clamps and weights is a subtle one very much depends on the system and it’s transparency to the front end. Certainly record mats and clamps can make an obvious and immediate difference - where for the better, or not, is a different matter.

[alphaGT]

My VPI ‘table has a screw down clamp on a threaded spindle, and it’s easy to screw it down very tight. But, most records are warped at the outside edge. Of the very few warped Records I have, the clamp does nothing to flatten the record.

If it is really warped enough to cause playback trouble, what have you got to loose? Do the flattening process, if it ruins the record so what? But it is very easy to have success flattening a record, it’s very easy in fact. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, place the record between two pieces of standard window glass. Heat it in the oven, or with a good hair dryer, as long as you stop as soon as the glass flattens out, let cool slowly. I’ve done this about 3 times and it worked great each time, no reason to have warped Records. And as a previous poster mentioned, trying to flatten a warped record while cold could crack it.

If a record is warped to the point that it interferes with playback, chances are you will avoid playing it, so what do you have to loose?

Russell

[bbbiker800]

After you mentioned it Russell I looked into it. Plenty of stuff on YouTube using your method. But two bits of glass is a lot cheaper than this contraption : http://www.vinylflat.com/

So yes I'll be trying this when the wife goes out.

[alphaGT]

After you mentioned it Russell I looked into it. Plenty of stuff on YouTube using your method. But two bits of glass is a lot cheaper than this contraption : http://www.vinylflat.com/

So yes I'll be trying this when the wife goes out.

So. What is that in the link? A hot plate for your record player? I’ve seen a machine they sell in the high end catalogs that’s about 4 times as much! But at least has a timer, put your record in and shut the lid, it will ding when it’s ready. But for that kind of money I can watch it myself. I’ve got a laser thermometer pistol thing, I paid about $14 for it and it could be very useful in monitoring the heating process. I like to point it at my Krell and see how hot it’s getting! In fact, I bet I could flatten Records on top of it?

Russell

[bbbiker800]

So. What is that in the link? A hot plate for your record player? I’ve seen a machine they sell in the high end catalogs that’s about 4 times as much! But at least has a timer, put your record in and shut the lid, it will ding when it’s ready. But for that kind of money I can watch it myself. I’ve got a laser thermometer pistol thing, I paid about $14 for it and it could be very useful in monitoring the heating process. I like to point it at my Krell and see how hot it’s getting! In fact, I bet I could flatten Records on top of it?

Russell

Re Contraption; its been well through thru and IF it was 50% of the price with free post to the UK then. I'd have one.

Can we have pics of your 2 sheets of glass on top of your Krell ? LOL !!

[DSJR]

Instead of a clamp or weight, may I offer a lateral method which might work for you and did for 'us' at the time? The Notts Analogue Spacemat used to work well with the glass platter and offers better support and 'termination' to a vinyl LP - tapping the record while playing usually ends with a very muted noise compared to the felt/wool mat Rega supply.

At higher price and even better at the time, the Ringmat really did work despite going against the then common thinking. It made me consider that record support nearer the centre may well be better than the traditional edge support.

Just a couple of thoughts. Hope they help a bit.

[bbbiker800]

thanks David I'll take a look at your suggestion.

[alphaGT]

Re Contraption; its been well through thru and IF it was 50% of the price with free post to the UK then. I'd have one.

Can we have pics of your 2 sheets of glass on top of your Krell ? LOL !!

How’s this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180430/c8d0017c7dec00627a494a24405a2c44.jpg


Introducing the new Krell record flattening machine. Only $3300! Don’t your warped Records deserve the very best?

Russell

[bbbiker800]

How’s this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180430/c8d0017c7dec00627a494a24405a2c44.jpg


Introducing the new Krell record flattening machine. Only $3300! Don’t your warped Records deserve the very best?

Russell

Thats hilarious Russell..... couple of things: did it work :) ? and I hope the Krell doesn't overheat !!

[alphaGT]

Thats hilarious Russell..... couple of things: did it work :) ? and I hope the Krell doesn't overheat !!

I was just kidding, but I may try it! I don’t think 5 minutes on top of the amp would cause it any harm? It runs warm to the touch, but is never so hot you can’t lay your hand on it.

Russell