The turntable platter is one of the most important components of a turntable system. It is the platter that spins the record, and its weight and construction have a significant impact on the sound quality of the turntable.
Why is a heavy platter important?
A heavy platter is important for a few reasons. First, it helps to reduce vibration. Vibration can cause the stylus to skip the record grooves, which can lead to distortion and poor sound quality. A heavy platter helps to dampen vibration and keep the stylus in the grooves.
Second, a heavy platter helps to maintain a constant speed. When the record is spinning, the platter needs to maintain a constant speed in order to produce accurate playback. A heavy platter has more inertia, which helps it to maintain a constant speed even if there are fluctuations in the power supply.
Third, a heavy platter helps to improve bass response. The bass frequencies in a record groove have more energy than the treble frequencies. A heavy platter can help to absorb this energy and prevent it from being transferred to the turntable chassis, which can cause distortion.
How heavy should a turntable platter be?
The ideal weight for a turntable platter depends on a number of factors, including the type of turntable, the tonearm, and the cartridge. However, a good rule of thumb is that the platter should be at least 2 kg (4.4 lbs). Heavier platters can be even better, but they can also be more expensive.
Materials used in turntable platters
Turntable platters are typically made of metal, such as aluminum or steel. Some high-end turntables also use platters made of composite materials, such as carbon fiber or acrylic.
Metal platters are durable and can provide excellent performance. However, they can also be expensive. Composite platters are often more affordable, but they may not perform as well as metal platters.
The weight of a turntable platter is an important factor to consider when choosing a turntable. A heavy platter can help to improve sound quality by reducing vibration, maintaining a constant speed, and improving bass response.
If you are serious about sound quality, you should invest in a turntable with a heavy platter. However, even if you are on a budget, there are still affordable turntables available with platters that are heavy enough to provide good performance.
