ClearAudio Pallet concept
Clearaudio Concept Record Weight
A vinyl record resting freely on the platter never makes complete contact with it: a slight bulge in the centre, a pressing that is not quite flat, and the record retains a little freedom of movement that the cartridge eventually picks up. This 215 g aluminium record weight sits over the spindle and presses the label area against the platter. Clearaudio pairs it with its Concept turntable, but it fits the vast majority of turntables.
Why press the record against the platter
The stylus reads the groove by vibrating, and some of this mechanical energy travels through the record itself. If the vinyl floats slightly above the platter, it vibrates more freely, and these unwanted resonances mingle with the signal the cartridge sends to the amplifier. By pressing the centre of the record against the platter, the weight brings the two together into a more cohesive unit: the platter absorbs some of the vibrations rather than allowing the vinyl to sustain them. In listening, this firmer coupling often results in better-controlled bass and a more stable stereo image, with the extent of the effect depending on the turntable and the record.
For Clearaudio, this issue arises with POM platters (polyoxymethylene, a dense, rigid engineering plastic) on which the record rests directly, which explains why the brand offers its record weights as natural complements to its turntables. The principle has its limits: a record weight acts mainly around the label and reduces minor flatness defects at the centre, without correcting a record that is warped at its edges.
Anodised aluminium and a PTFE insert
The Concept’s body is machined from aluminium, anodised black and finished with a silver trim around its edge. Its rounded shape is easy to grip between thumb and forefinger, an appreciated detail when placing and removing it for each side. With a diameter of 75 mm, it stays within the label of a 33 rpm record, while its 20 mm height keeps it unobtrusive beneath the tonearm and dust cover.
Underneath the weight, a PTFE insert (the material known as Teflon) fits over the turntable spindle. This material slides without catching, so the weight moves down and up without force, centres itself and does not scratch the metal spindle. Only this part touches the spindle, with the rest of the weight bearing solely on the label.
A weight that sits in place, without screwing on
The Concept works simply by gravity: no thread is needed on the spindle, making it compatible with turntables with a smooth spindle, which means most of them. Its 215 g is a moderate mass, enough to press the centre of the record down without placing a heavy load on the platter bearing or motor.
Within the Clearaudio range, this record weight occupies an intermediate position. The Clever Clamp, very light at 20 g, grips the spindle using a spring mechanism. The Twister screws on by turning a knob that pulls the weight downwards. The stainless steel Quadro relies on a significantly greater mass. The Concept remains the simplest of the weighted models to use: place it on, start playback.
On the Concept and on other turntables
On the Clearaudio Concept turntable, the weight completes a visually cohesive setup with its black aluminium and silver trim. On a turntable from another brand, it fits in the same way as long as the spindle has a standard diameter and the length of spindle protruding above the record remains compatible with the insert. Turntables with a suspended sub-chassis require a little care: the added weight at the centre of the platter slightly changes the balance of the suspension, and checking that the platter is level with the weight in place remains a good habit.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
- Diameter: 75 mm
- Height: 20 mm
- Weight: 215 g
Materials
- Aluminum
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
Usage
- Stabilizer puck for CONCEPT series
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to remove the felt mat or turntable mat to use the record weight?
No, the record weight is used on top of a mat or felt mat. However, a thick, very soft mat dampens some of the desired coupling: the record sinks slightly instead of resting on a firm surface. A thin, rigid mat, or a bare platter when designed for this purpose, as on Clearaudio turntables, allows the record weight to work to its full potential.
Is the record weight compatible with a record changer turntable?
No. Automatic record changers use a long spindle on which several records are stacked, preventing the use of a record weight. Single-record automatic turntables, which simply lower and lift the tonearm, can accommodate a record weight without difficulty, provided their spindle is of standard length.
Can the record weight be used on a 45 rpm record with a large center hole?
These records first require a centring adapter fitted onto the spindle. The puck can then be placed on top if the adapter leaves enough of the spindle exposed to engage the insert; with a thick adapter, it is better to play the 45 rpm record without the puck. On 17 cm records with a small hole, the puck can be placed as usual, keeping in mind that the label is smaller.
Can the puck damage the record label?
Contact is made across the entire underside, with the weight evenly distributed, so it does not mark a dry label. Caution is needed with freshly washed records: a label that is still damp may retain an imprint or stick slightly to the puck. It is best to wait until it is completely dry before playback.
Does the additional weight wear out the bearing or the motor?
At 215 g, the added load remains low compared to the mass of a turntable platter. On most devices, it has no measurable effect on rotational speed. On a turntable with a low-powered motor, the platter may take a fraction of a second longer to reach its speed, with no impact once playback has started.
How do I care for the puck?
A dry microfibre cloth is enough to remove dust and fingerprints from the anodised aluminium. Solvents and abrasive products should be avoided, as they can dull the anodised finish and silver trim. The PTFE insert requires no lubrication: its low friction is a property of the material.
Is a record weight useful on an entry-level turntable?
It works, but its contribution depends on the quality of the platter and bearing. On a lightweight platter made of thin metal or plastic, coupling the record mainly improves the seating of slightly warped records. On a turntable with a well-made platter and bearing, the effect on bass and soundstage stability is generally more noticeable.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: AC122 CONCEPT CLAMP
