High or low-mass record weights/clamps: which is best?

[Clive]

I've had a quick play with these 2 weights on my 301.



The effects are really rather obvious. This is only a subjective test on one record deck so I wouldn't want to generalise too much from what I've heard.

1) The heavier weight - RHS in the pic - this gives a stronger bass which times better, definitely more foot tapping. Vocals are better focused dead centre, this aids intelligibility.

2) The Grippa - LHS in the photo - this is tightened down onto the record. Bass is a same as 1) above but the vocals don't quite have the focus of 1).

3) The Grippa not tightened down, this has least vocal focus of all and bass weight/timing is though there's no weight in use. There's surface noise too, which wasn't at all noticeable with 1) and 2).

I don't have suitable scales to weigh the weights but the interesting thing is that Grippa is not that much lighter than the heavier weight yet when used simply as a weight the results are not good.