Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: VPI Industries Stainless Steel & Delrin Record Clamp Accessory by Paul Tobin

Model:	Stainless Steel & Delrin Record Clamp
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$150.00
Description:	Upgrade for clamp that comes standard with VPI Scout. Desinged exclusively for use with VPI 'tables.
Manufacturer URL:	VPI Industries
Model Picture:	View

Review by Paul Tobin on November 06, 2003 at 03:58:26
IP Address: 144.139.35.187

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for the Stainless Steel & Delrin Record Clamp

(pic linked from the Elusive Disc website, where i picked up my clamp on special for $130)
For the past few days I've been comparing my original VPI one piece acrylic clamp (circa 1990) to VPI's newer stainless steel and Delrin model. My turntable is a Mk-1 TNT with the original acrylic/lead platter, though the main bearing has been upgraded to the (pre-inverted) Mk-5 version.
As far as ergonomics go the SS/Delrin (which is dramatically heavier with SS threads) spins on more smoothly and is easier to tighten down.
Sonically, these clamps are very different from each other - in fact it's puzzling that two devices (not directly in the signal chain and similar in mechanical action) should sound so different.
The acrylic clamp initially sounded more impressive: guitars had more attack, cymbals more sizzle, saxes and vocals had more apparent sibilant detail. Further listening however, showed that the SS clamp's presentation was just as detailed but less edgy. It uncovered more ambient detail and layering of depth perspective with a had the more solid focused sound.
The SS clamp is significantly smoother and richer sounding. Art Peppers sax on 'Meets the Rhythm Section' is markedly different with the SS clamp. It's like the difference between a standard OJC pressing and an AP reissue. The SS clamp gives Peppers sax as a richer, denser (but still detailed) sound, while the acrylic clamp presents the sax as reedier, leaner and slightly less refined (but equally engaging). I liked both sax presentations but the SS separated out the bass/drums/piano better in the right channel.
Sparsely recorded percussion was particularly revealing. With the SS clamp things like triangles and cymbals rang with a cleaner more authentic tone and had more surrounding space and duration of decay.
With the â€˜a Capellaâ€™ recording â€œThe Bobsâ€, voices sounded truer and were placed and layered more precisely with increased ambiance apparent.
With supplementary comparisons I found the acrylic clamp's presentation less and less appealing. It began to sound hyped and distinctly less authentic. I can understand how some may prefer the sound of the old clamp, but the obscuring of ambient detail and lighter (brighter/edgier) tonal balance doesn't sound right to me anymore.
I think the SS is definitely the superior clamp, and I recommend it with the proviso that it may not suit all tastes or systems.
Postscript:
The improved ambiance retrieval, depth layering and quieter backgrounds associated with the SS clamp, are improvements that I also noted with the addition of a sand filled isolation platform. To me they are indicators of the positive control of deleterious vibrations, and a move in the right direction.
Itâ€™s interesting that I can achieve a somewhat similar tonal balance by loading down the cartridge from 47Kohms to, say, 470ohms. Doing this in my system results in a closed-in, deader sound with less ambiance â€“ and the music becomes less involving.
This is definitely not the case with the SS clamp, at least in my system .

Product Weakness: Doesn't come in a gold finish to match my Graham arm. Damn!
Product Strengths: Richer (less edge and smear), more authentic tonal balance. Better depth layering. Better ambiance retreival and sense of space.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Plinius 8200P
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Plinius M14 phono/CDLAD
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI TNT series 1
Speakers:	Proac Response 2
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz Mi2, CVH DIY silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz/rock/classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	6m x 3.9m x 3.45m
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY bass traps, room lenses, panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	API powerwedge
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Doesn't come in a gold finish to match my Graham arm. Damn!
Product Strengths:	Richer (less edge and smear), more authentic tonal balance. Better depth layering. Better ambiance retreival and sense of space.