Where to find LP clamps?


Twenty years ago I remember there were clamps you could put over the spindle to secure/level a LP. I'm considering putting my turntable back into my system and I'm wondering where I can find these clamps if they're still available.

Anyone know where I might find these clamps and/or know if they really make a difference?

Thanks!
jurry
Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor has a pretty good selection of record clamps at various prices. Take a look there and see if you can find something that will work for you. Sean
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Of course they can make a big difference. Certain clamps work with certain spindles (threaded, unthreaded) & different clamps sound different on various rigs. You have to experiment (or perhaps query the experiences of others). Many analog vendors such as Acoustic Sounds, Music Direct, VPI, offer record clamps for various applications. The most expensive clamp won't necessarily work best; you must try them out yourself. The very heavy weighted clamps have been known to cause spindle/bearing wear on some turntables.
A good-quality, inexpensive clamp which can be used with just about any standard, non-threaded spindle is made by England's J.A. Michell. The black-colored version is a lightweight design made of non-resonant Delrin with a knurled-aluminum-knobbed collet mechanism for secure fit, and you should be able to get it from Michell dealers for around $45-$50. It made a definite sonic improvement on my 'table, most notably in image focus and transient articulation, and of course they help with less-than-perfectly-flat records. However, before clamping your records, make sure you're using a mostly flat-surfaced mat which effectively damps the platter and doesn't reflect energy back to the stylus/groove interface.
I used to use the VPI Derlin clamp with the TNT I used to have. Upon getting back into analog with a MMF-7, I have been told that a "Ring-mat" without the clamp is the way to go. I would have to agree and haven't gone back to the clamp yet. I had intentions of using the clamp prior to buying another table to. Listen and enjoy the music :-)