The XL mat is some kind of rubberized textile that is bonded to the top of
the platter. As far as what's best, screw-down clamp or weight, I don't
know- certainly, as I indicated above, Kuzma himself doesn't insist on a
screw down clamp for his own product (although sells the ebony weight as
an alternative).
FWIW, the Stillpoints has these little moveable plates on the bottom , facing
the record label, with some sort of resonance absorbing properties, which
are its raison d'etre.
There is a definite sonic difference between the Stillpoints and the factory
clamp- if I had to choose straight up, without adjusting the system as
described in an earlier post, I would probably choose the factory screw
down clamp. If I compensate for the sonic differences as I have by
changing the x-over and woofer gain, as well as overall system gain, and
note the exact settings for repeatability, that would probably be a fairer
'test.'
the platter. As far as what's best, screw-down clamp or weight, I don't
know- certainly, as I indicated above, Kuzma himself doesn't insist on a
screw down clamp for his own product (although sells the ebony weight as
an alternative).
FWIW, the Stillpoints has these little moveable plates on the bottom , facing
the record label, with some sort of resonance absorbing properties, which
are its raison d'etre.
There is a definite sonic difference between the Stillpoints and the factory
clamp- if I had to choose straight up, without adjusting the system as
described in an earlier post, I would probably choose the factory screw
down clamp. If I compensate for the sonic differences as I have by
changing the x-over and woofer gain, as well as overall system gain, and
note the exact settings for repeatability, that would probably be a fairer
'test.'