Yo Dan!

I will say that I was very intrigued by this product after reading your post.  A couple years ago, I researched and eventually purchased a record weight/clamp, but had never heard of an outer periphery ring, until now.  

So, I went to the Wayne's Audio website www.waynesaudio.com to see what it is you were so excited about.  Well, it turns out that Wayne is located in Pomona which is only about 30 miles from me.  I reached out to him to see if I could come over for a demo and he obliged.  I must say, Wayne is an incredibly nice guy!  And, he has some pretty killer gear.....  The MBL Radiostrahler's sounded pretty special!


Long story short, I purchased his SS-2 and brought it home.  After three hours of album listening, with and without the outer ring, I decided this thing is a keeper and I will no longer play an album without it in place.  As Dan mentioned, the improvement is distinct.  The bass is certainly improved and going back and forth made it clear to me that across the spectrum, the overall dynamics are much improved with the ring in place.  I don't have any grossly warped records, but just purchased the newly released Anthony Wilson "Songs and Photographs" album (which won the Arya Award for best audiophile recoding of the year from the LA & OC Audio Society).  It, like many great and news manufactured albums had a very slight "non-flatness" to it.  I would not consider it a warped record but enough where you can see movement of the cartridge.  Anyway, with the ring in place, perfectly flat record with no cartridge movement at all.  So, you get a very consistent VTA which is not the case when there is any up and down movement of the stylus on the record during playback.  The ring is heavy at 3.8 lbs and not only makes the record flat, it does a wonderful job coupling the record to the platter, which is obviously having a possible influence on the SQ.  

While it is not cheap (on sale at the moment for $550, it is cheaper than competitors products by a large margin), it was an upgrade to my TT rig that was worth every penny.  Thanks for the recommendation Dan!

$550, I'm catering to the wrong customers.

Archie,
Sorry but no. All of our machines are dedicated to fairly specific parts.
We talked about these parts at lunch today. We are figuring around $225 to $260 to make these. But you stick a couple middle men in the mix and $550 is a deal I guess.
What would the ring need to look like?
Do you have a local machine shop? I'd talk to them and feel them out about pricing.

The Technics 1200 TTs have a tapered side to the platter so the ring would need a 45 degree bevel cut on the inside bottom.  Sadly, no machine shops anywhere close to me.

That's true.  I'd have to calculate the weight.  I see that my LPs overhang the platter.  A ring would sit on the LP unsupported by the platter.  Are other TT platters similar?  A couple of pounds distributed around the LP might not be enough weight to worry about though.

I noticed on the site linked to above, there is a picture of a 1200Mk5 with one of his ring clamps on it.  Not sure which version it is.  I sent him an email.

Weight is important but so is geometry.  

I'd love an affordable option.

Hey Dan!
Yeah, loving this outer ring!  Great find amigo!  And it was a really cool coincidence to have him local.  

I would not worry about having the weight ride on the edge of the record that happens to over hang.  Vinyl is pretty rigid, but I would make certain to use a clamp or weight on the spindle to ensure the coupling is at the edge AND center of the record.  

It also looks pretty bad ass on my turntable so an added bonus!  :o

I’d ask Wayne if the ring is returnable. That way if there any problems you wouldn’t be out so much. I prefer to set my needle by hand just in case it lands too close to the ring. Infrequently, I can tell that I’ve placed my ring slightly off and if the stylus were to run into it there would certainly be chaos.  Also, I have the SS1 ring, which is close to 2 1/2 pounds. It still works like a charm.

I think you have done the right thing Archie... If your experiences are anything like mine and Jeff's, you will be rewarded.  I was looking back on my comment about the ring being placed slightly off center.  I've studied how I am placing my ring and have found that (especially in contemporary pressings) the actual grooves in the vinyl are pressed into the record off center.  Sometimes grossly.  It just takes more time and study of where the grooves are in the actual record and if the ring has been laid accurately enough on the record.  For my money, it's not enough to deter me from using the ring every time I start another listen.  It is not that "complex" if you will, but just another step that is worth every single moment.  ;)  I am happy you decided to get the ring.  Please share your impressions!

Yes, I do use the jug supplied with the ring.  It is very close to being 100% dialed in, but there is a tiny amount of discrepancy.  I have to really study to see and correct it.  After a couple time mounting the ring, if you are studying its usage, it becomes easy to use.

Archie,
The rectangular jig you described is the same one I received with my ring.  I think that is the latest design he is now using with all of the outer rings.  It works great, centers it to the spindle and is easy to use.  I have not used it much but has done well in getting the ring properly positioned on the recored with little fuss.  

I would not sweat the lighter weight.  I would take 2 pounds over no pounds.   My guess is, it will do a nice job coupling your record to the TT on your 1200.

Hi Archie,

I've never had any slipping with my ring.  There is quite a lot of surface contact on the outer edge of the record and this seems to do a great job, both with ring itself and platter/record contact as well.

Personally, I'd be worried to apply something to the ring.  I wonder if it could leave a residue on the record and or be a dust attractor.  I don't know.  I surely wouldn't alter it if there are no clearance issues.  

As far as the jig is concerned, I also received the rectangular, 4 pegged jig and I am not having any issues with it.  It works great.  

Please keep us informed when you get your ring and post impressions of it

Dan

Well, I got the ring and it is nicely made and all but it rubs against the back of the Technics 1200 dust cover.  This makes it unusable since the dust cover is very important and while removable, is an integral part of the 1200 TT.  I'm not even going to bother trying it since I won't run my TT sans dust cover.  This would likely work for 1200 users who don't use the dust cover but it doesn't actually fit the 1200 TT.

Big disappointment.

Dan, We all have things in our audio setups that give us certain limitations.  The location of my TT makes removing and reinstalling my DC a major PITA.  I also live in a very dry and dust climate.  And with a woodstove a few feet away, the problem becomes extreme.  I've tried playing with DC on/off, up/down and with a beanbag on top for vibration control and I don't hear any difference.  I've read pages and pages of Forum discussions about DC on/off with the 1200.  

I'm really pissed with Wayne at this point.  He sells a ring for a TT that it only fits with a major feature change but didn't bother mentioning it.  Plus, I spent several hours modifying a $170 accessory part just for this ring.  I only thank god I didn't modify the TT itself.  If I cut on the DC I could make it all fit but to me that'd be like carving on one of Steve's amps.  Also, if I ruin the DC, they are hard to get and cost $200.  I also have a bad feeling that Wayne won't take responsibility and I'll be stuck with return shipping, if not both ways!  He hasn't responded to my email. Prior to the sale he was very communicative.

I've already incorporated a few tweaks that I suspect make the ring effect not as important as it otherwise might be.  At this point I'm staying with simple.  I play all vinyl and it's important that I keep the process reasonably streamlined.

I still like the idea of a ring clamp and one would work with the 1200 TT but a little more thought would need to go into the design.

Well at least you know.  I'm sorry it didn't work out for you Archie but at least you tried.  Were you able to talk about a return policy with Wayne if it did not work out?  I hope you were.  On a lighter note, it seems like you have a very satisfying vinyl situation as it was and that's a plus.  Best of luck Sir.

Yeah, that cartoon is a classic.  I wish I knew how to post pictures but here's a link to another funny cartoon....

https://geezerguff.com/round-thing-on-a-spinning-plate-cartoon/

Keep on spinning my friend

Determined to get a ring for my 1200G TT I decided to make one out of brass using my woodworking tools.  I bought a plate of 26000 brass 1/2" thick ($300!).  I contact cemented it to a piece of melamine surfaced particle board backed up with 1 1/2" thick maple and cut the whole thing into a circle on my bandsaw using my circle cutting jig.  I then used that jig on my router table to surface the outer edge and cut the inner profile.  The last thing was to cut the ring free from the rest of the brass.  This is where the ring cemented to the board was crucial.  I used a carbide end mill bit and a carbide tipped router bit for the cuts.  I got some good advice from Donnie on speeds and technique.  

It actually worked!  My ring weighs 3.22 lbs.  I made my own setting jig similar to what Wayne uses but made out of wood.

After this experience, I can't see how Wayne sells his rings so cheap.  I have a 10 1/2" D brass disc if anyone has a project and would like to buy it from me.  

Wow, the finish came out real good!

Archie,

Although i'm still unsure of the benefit vs cost the work you did is beautiful. Please keep us updated. I'm always intrigued with you guys and your upgrades, so cool.

JD

Wayne's Audio here also. This is the SS-T version. https://www.waynesaudio.com/product-page/universal-turntable-periphery-outer-rin...

The site says it works with most Technics models also.

Okay I see..... Yeah I have never used a dust cover on any of the TT’s I have ever owned in over 30 years. At least not while playing anyway.


Charlie

Charles,

Looking at your room pics on the other thread, it looks like you may be using a 1200 TT.  Is this the case?  If so, why don't you use the DC?

I looked up the AT 1240 (if that's the right model) and it sure looks like Wayne's SS-T ring would fit.  The 1240 looks so much like the 1200.  I think he lists it as a compatible model.  Although my experience would make me verify that.

Nice!  Wayne's ring is definitely high quality.  Your arm looks like the 1200 too.  Have you ever considered KAB's fluid damping?  He thinks it's a much bigger upgrade than a peripheral clamp.  If you do use one though, the mount would have to be modified to clear Wayne's ring.  A little tricky but doable.