Outer ring - who uses and what are your findings

Schenk,
I would like to read your paper.  Please send it.  Of course there is more to a periphery ring and clamp, or vacuum system as well, than just flattening out a warped record.  Records vibrate a bit as the stylus travels through the grooves, and these devices help to dampen the micro vibrations that develop in consequence.  How much affect this phenomenon has on the sound we hear coming out of our speakers is subject to a number of variables.  I look forward to learning your thoughts of all that might be involved.
Bill

melm233 posts07-13-2018 10:51amI also have a VPI with an older acrylic-lead platter that I wouldn’t change. So I opted for a 2.5 lb. 3rd party ring. It is a TTW ring; they’re out of business now, but there's still a reasonably priced vendor..
Would you name the aforementioned vendor please?

From what I've read on this post is that most users of clamps like
the effect .
I have an original Merrill Heirloom TT that had many firsts
in the TT design , the ring clamp being one of them .
I have done the with and without the ring clamp 
and I found it to have a positive effect on the sound  
and record flattening works wonders on  the worse of warping .
My clamp weighs  665 grams , I had tried one from Vinyl  Nirvana  
weighing about 325 grams  
( sounded great but didn't do well at flattening warped vinyl ) .
 One post brought up the weight  and the bearing and I agree putting 2.5 or 3 lbs. one a TT that wasn't designed
for one might not be a good idea .
Another post brought up the cost , agreed if you don't have one and your TT wasn't designed for one you might be better off buying a used table with one than buying one , except the one from Vinyl Nirvana
it's a bargain .

If I replace this table my next will either have a ring clamp of it will be vacuum clamped .
Rob

I have moved my document on the subject of an outer ring into dropbox. See attached link towards this doc. I will leave this in place for some time to come.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwjpjme720c11dl/MicroSeikiBL91deel3E.pdf?dl=0

I have a Merrill-Williams 101 (first edition) that I bought used a few years ago with the clamping system, which was an option at that time. I have found that as far as sound reproduction goes using the clamps has an effect somewhat similar to plugging the ports on ported loudspeakers, although not as drastic. Some what leaner more focused and tighter sound, and depending on your system and your personal taste you may find you like or dislike the change.
I have some records that are warped, and I can say without hesitation that if you take a record that on the spinning platter shows not only an edge warp, but viewed from a slightly elevated angle the playing surface will also look uneven or maybe wavy (like swells on the water). Now install the center and outer clamps and view the spinning record, the playing surface now looks flat.
I don't mind the little time it takes to use the clamps and find that for me its use is almost always an improvement.
Gary