TT Weights VPI 1/4 20 Screw Down Clamp with a VPI Aries

[amdan]

Can anybody tell me if the TT Weights VPI - 1/4 20 Screw Down Clamp works with the VPI Aries 3. I did ask TT Weights but they provided the tech spec of the product. I would like to know if they do actually match. Also, what were the benefits?

Thanks.

[Tedrick]

IIRC, all VPI's use the 1/4 20 threaded spindle. I have 3 TTWeights clamps, one on my Classic, one for an HW-19 Mk-IV, and one for my HW-16.5. The spindle on my HW-19 Mk IV is a tad long, so I had to use some Dynamat on the bottom of the clamp that I use on it so the clamp would thread all the way down and flatten the records. Other than that, they all work great.

[amdan]

Hi Tedrick. Thanks for letting me know. Do they make much of a difference to the sound?

[Tedrick]

I think using a clamp with a VPI 'table is essential to couple the record to the platter. Good coupling ensures you will get the cleanest sound, with deep taught bass and clean extended highs. A good clamp can also flatten out all but the worst dishing and/or edge warps. Be aware that you'll need to use the small rubber/elastomer washer on the spindle that VPI provides with their 'tables to go between the platter and record.

[amdan]

Is the TT Weights clamp better than the one supplied by VPI?

[Tedrick]

I personally like the TTWeights clamps better than VPI's, if for no other reasons than they look great and the extra rotational mass should help to stabilize the platter speed even more. Plus, the TTWeights clamps are extremely well made and look so elegant. I've used 3 of VPI's clamps, including the old style HW-19 plate/knurled knob, delrin, and HRX clamps. The HRX weight is not threaded, so it relies solely on its mass to couple the record to the platter. Once I got the TTWeights clamp, I sold the HRX weight and haven't missed it at all. It works great in combination with VPI's periphery ring clamp. I recently added a second heavy TTWeights threaded clamp and will be selling my delrin VPI model soon.

[amdan]

Thanks Tedrick

[satanfriendly]

Plus, the TTWeights clamps are extremely well made and look so elegant.

Totally agree. There are simply no other clamps on the market made to the same standard of engineering and beauty. And they work wonderfully.

[brf]

TTweights makes a screw down clamp specifically designed for VPI tables. It is designed to be used with the VPI washer and is very well machined and has a concave undersized. I can’t hear any difference between the SS/Delrin VPI clamp and the TTweights clamp, but I prefer the looks of the TTweight, therefore, that is what I use. BTW, the TTweights clamp adds 2.3 pounds of added mass to your platter, therefore, it may aid is speed stability if you are using a lighter platter.