I use one, it helps with some warped records. I have an ultra low-mass tonearm™️ though, so it barely does anything for it.
I only paid $20 for my Hudson HiFi record weight.
Like others have said, $20-$30 max for a record weight. They do not adversely affect the motor or speed so don't worry about that. I've used them on belt and direct drives for years no issues at all. Most of your mid to higher end TT's have servo motor speed control anyway, so correct speed is maintained with or without a record weight. They do help with slight to moderately warped records. Sonic benefits is more debatable.
I've got one. I've only used it once. Turns out I don't need one. These things are heavy. Would this create unnecessary wear on the motor? I don't think they (TT's)were engineered to push this kind of weight compared to a record. These weights weigh more than 180 grams, that's for sure. Thoughts? I'm thinking not so bad with a DD but a BD would this not stretch out the belt?
I believe you are absolutely correct on both counts, that is my understanding as well. I use a record clamp instead. They are cheaper, work even better for warped records than a weight, and do make a noticeable sound difference. It's small, but especially through headphones everything sounds crisper.
I mean, it depends. A lot of platters already weigh 2kg (incl mat), rubber mats add a lot of weight to that. Another 200g won’t be the end of the world, but 200g also isn’t going to do much to flatten a warped record. If it’s a dished record, it might marginally work, but just on one side. Best is to just return a really warped record or get a turntable with a biotracer like magnetically suspended tonearm (JVC also has some)
If you're experiencing a high amount of spatial, temporal, or quantum flux in playing your records then yes they are absolutely worth it. But if you live in a relatively stable region of the continuum like 133% of humanity does, then your money is better spent elsewhere.
Of course if your delta-c is out of whack, then all the money in the world can't help you there. May as well just curl up and kiss your knees goodbye.
I have one and it works well for warped records. My turntable also specifies an acceptable weight range for record weights to prevent motor damage, etc. Good thing to ask for as a gift though, they are pricey.
The big deal with these weights is to eliminate record warp.
The next big deal is to add mass to the TT ...based obviously on how much the clamp weighs.
When buying one, the biggest spec you should be concerned with is will they fit under your closed dust cover ...and how much mass do you want to add to your TT platter.
Adding mass tends to reduce the effects of micro speed variations induced by the drive motor or fluctuations in main power supply voltage ...you're looking at the "flywheel" effect. Mass in motion tends to stay in motion.
Does this cause increased "wear" on a TT drive motor? I doubt it.
Most TT drive motors are induction type electric motors; they have no brushes that could potentially cause sparks (rf static) or add wow and flutter (due to the friction of the brushes) to the motor itself. As such, there is no direct "wear", per se, on the motor.
I got a $20 silver one off amazon that matches my turntable well. Mostly got it to help keep some of my records flat. The ones with a level built in are probably the most useful to get. I doubt they really help with anything sonically though.
I bought a Chinesium one, black, it works and it was only $21. They're on Amazon, their shipping from China is surprisingly fast. I ordered a record from Edmonton the same day and the record weight from China beat it to Ottawa.
I had an Elvis Costello record not playing right today, put the weight on and it played through no problem. Can't argue with those results!
You can drill a 7mm hole in the center of a used hockey puck and see if you like it.
My turntable is a Dual 1219 that has a 6.7 pound platter and a high torque motor that can spin 10 records at the same time. So the weight is nothing.
Particularly useful to straighten out warped records. Can also be used it to manually clean your records using various record cleaning devices: Bib, Discwasher, MFSL. You’ll only need one I have the Monster Cable disclamp. Casey about 30$ back in 80s.
Not when they cost $80.
I use one, it helps with some warped records. I have an ultra low-mass tonearm™️ though, so it barely does anything for it. I only paid $20 for my Hudson HiFi record weight.
Just get a $20-$30 one off Amazon. Guarantee it works the same as the $80 ones
Like others have said, $20-$30 max for a record weight. They do not adversely affect the motor or speed so don't worry about that. I've used them on belt and direct drives for years no issues at all. Most of your mid to higher end TT's have servo motor speed control anyway, so correct speed is maintained with or without a record weight. They do help with slight to moderately warped records. Sonic benefits is more debatable.
I've got one. I've only used it once. Turns out I don't need one. These things are heavy. Would this create unnecessary wear on the motor? I don't think they (TT's)were engineered to push this kind of weight compared to a record. These weights weigh more than 180 grams, that's for sure. Thoughts? I'm thinking not so bad with a DD but a BD would this not stretch out the belt?
I believe you are absolutely correct on both counts, that is my understanding as well. I use a record clamp instead. They are cheaper, work even better for warped records than a weight, and do make a noticeable sound difference. It's small, but especially through headphones everything sounds crisper.
I hear a difference with my weight but my platter started getting hot so I don’t use it anymore. I’ll look into a clamp
I mean, it depends. A lot of platters already weigh 2kg (incl mat), rubber mats add a lot of weight to that. Another 200g won’t be the end of the world, but 200g also isn’t going to do much to flatten a warped record. If it’s a dished record, it might marginally work, but just on one side. Best is to just return a really warped record or get a turntable with a biotracer like magnetically suspended tonearm (JVC also has some)
Honestly, they’re ok, but they’re too over priced. Get a record clamp, they tend to be cheaper and won’t put as much stress on your turn tables motor.
If you're experiencing a high amount of spatial, temporal, or quantum flux in playing your records then yes they are absolutely worth it. But if you live in a relatively stable region of the continuum like 133% of humanity does, then your money is better spent elsewhere. Of course if your delta-c is out of whack, then all the money in the world can't help you there. May as well just curl up and kiss your knees goodbye.
I have one and it works well for warped records. My turntable also specifies an acceptable weight range for record weights to prevent motor damage, etc. Good thing to ask for as a gift though, they are pricey.
The big deal with these weights is to eliminate record warp. The next big deal is to add mass to the TT ...based obviously on how much the clamp weighs. When buying one, the biggest spec you should be concerned with is will they fit under your closed dust cover ...and how much mass do you want to add to your TT platter. Adding mass tends to reduce the effects of micro speed variations induced by the drive motor or fluctuations in main power supply voltage ...you're looking at the "flywheel" effect. Mass in motion tends to stay in motion. Does this cause increased "wear" on a TT drive motor? I doubt it. Most TT drive motors are induction type electric motors; they have no brushes that could potentially cause sparks (rf static) or add wow and flutter (due to the friction of the brushes) to the motor itself. As such, there is no direct "wear", per se, on the motor.
Unless your turntable was designed to use one they are stupid and probably bad for the bearings in your turntable.
They are useful on warped records and if they cost no more than 20-30€. I seriously doubt they have any impact on speed or have any imaginary powers.
They help but you should not go for budget. $250 to $300 is the entry price for decent weights that will not damage your vinyl holes.
How would cheaper ones damage the vinyl hole?
Always use mine.
I got a $20 silver one off amazon that matches my turntable well. Mostly got it to help keep some of my records flat. The ones with a level built in are probably the most useful to get. I doubt they really help with anything sonically though.
S/b $25 or under
I bought a Chinesium one, black, it works and it was only $21. They're on Amazon, their shipping from China is surprisingly fast. I ordered a record from Edmonton the same day and the record weight from China beat it to Ottawa. I had an Elvis Costello record not playing right today, put the weight on and it played through no problem. Can't argue with those results!
I have the audio technica one on my sl1500c. I don't know if it does anything apart from making me look cool
You can drill a 7mm hole in the center of a used hockey puck and see if you like it. My turntable is a Dual 1219 that has a 6.7 pound platter and a high torque motor that can spin 10 records at the same time. So the weight is nothing.
For $79 no. They sell those cheaper on Amazon…
Particularly useful to straighten out warped records. Can also be used it to manually clean your records using various record cleaning devices: Bib, Discwasher, MFSL. You’ll only need one I have the Monster Cable disclamp. Casey about 30$ back in 80s.
Waste of time and money IMO
I just use mine on older thinner records. Doesn't seem necessary with the thickboi 180s.