No more record weight for my Rega.
I woke up about 3am sitting in my listening chair and the turntable was still turning. I was glad to see the tonearm was not in the groove with the stylus grinding away. The apartment was very quiet with little ambient noise. When I turned off the table the noise level dropped further. I began to wonder when my table began to have an increase level of noise when spinning.
I first thought maybe the bearing well needs more oil. Next was the idea to try the stainless or ruby bearing instead of the ceramic bearing. I wanted to lower the noise floor of my table. Well this morning waking suddenly at 6am the thought hit me, is the record weight causing the increase in noise. If the weight is causing an increase in noise is it also increasing wear? Well this morning I have been running the table without the weight and that increase in noise is gone.
I am listening to music now instead of just the turntable spinning and the music sounds better. A little more focused and clearer. I think that drop in noise is a greater help than what the weight contributed.
Weights and clamps for tables of greater mass and designed for them are an improvement. A lighter record weight might be a better choice for my table but for now I will forget about weights and clamps. Be cautious adding weight to your bearings you may add noise.