The SoundFoundations Universal Record Stabilizing Ring (USRS)-MK2 version 775gms

The RSR is intended to reduce resonance in the vinyl surface and to couple the record firmly to the platter. This is achieved by the use of a clamp in the centre of the record as well as the RSR at the periphery of the record. Use of the RSR without a suitable clamp will result in very noisy reproduction along with a strange stereo image presentation

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How it works
The outer ring will provide dramatic improvements to the records imaging and sound staging. The absolute peak performance will be gained when there is no free play or movement from the vinyl itself. The Outer ring and clamp essentially locate the vinyl directly to the mat, significantly reducing distortion even with worn record grooves. The 980 Gram Alloy Outer Ring (USSR MK3 ) will reduce and remove the warp in most records except for the most extreme. If the record is more than 3/8 of an inch warp the ring will flatten most of the warp but they may still be unplayable. Caution is advised. Our newer Signature and VPI monster TT rings take things further with their 1.8 kgs weight Our centering tool accompanies the disc when shipped.

Ring works by reducing high frequency noise caused by microscopic vibration that causes the stylus to “hear” sounds that are not there, this causes listening fatigue. The true high frequencies can be extracted from the vinyl essentially cleaning up the distortion caused by a vibrating the record groove. Play only what is there in the groove. The Soundfoundations Ring provides smooth and accurate sound across the listening spectrum. The quiet passages are beautiful, less background noise, less tracking and VTA errors create awesome dynamics.

There is a marked reduction in surface noise, which is dramatically presented with silence on the run in grooves and also on the run out. This is due to the record being clamped to the platter. Stereo imaging with the RSR is much larger in all dimensions. Speed stability is measurably superior; this is evidenced by playing solo piano, solo voice and flamenco guitar. This is due again to the record being clamped to the platter and the extra centrifugal force as the platter with the RSR has a greater diameter along with a larger mass.

Transient recovery is improved a great deal, as is the overall reproduction of the vinyl. Bass instruments are almost unbelievable in their clarity and weight.. Treble presentation is delivered with consummate ease with no hint of “glassy” extension. Although the RSR seems rather unwieldy, the advantages of this accessory are truly tremendous almost to the point of being so natural that you will listen to the performance rather than the equipment.

Benefits

  1. Optimum Coupling of Record to Turntable Platter / Mat as no other device can achieve
  2. Lowers Noise Floor Significantly
  3. Will make old worn vinyl sound 100% better and reduces pops and clicks
  4. Eliminates Resonances and Lowers Distortion and End-Of-Side Distortion
  5. Provides Pure Signal Retrieval
  6. Improves cartridge tracking and stabilizes the VTA of the Stylus
  7. Improves Stereo Image and Focusing
  8. Superb instrument separation with wider and cleaner soundstage due to more accurate record tracking
  9. Will flatten most warped records
  10. Gives Improved Signal when Burning Quality CDs from LPs

Material and Engineering Summary:

The Outer Ring is CNC machined from a solid proprietary non magnetic alloy that is resistant to tarnish and staining.
Its then hand polished to a bright and beautiful silver finish.
Our signature TT and some of our VPI rings have additional inserts carefully engineering within the ring along its periphery
The ring finish is such that no harm will come to the cartridge if you lower the stylus on to the ring.
The top surface of the ring is less than 0.5mm higher than the LP surface providing excellent clearance for the Stylus on the entry groove of the record with manual and automatic turntables.

Specifications and Types of Rings Manufactured by us
In general we manufacture 3 main types depending on turntable used and performance required

  • The original USSR MK3 series, and the Slr series
  • The VPI series

USSR MK3:
Material : Grade 316 SS non magnetic Alloy
Weight : 980 Grams – the MK3 version
Dimensions: 340 mm Diameter x 7.0mm thick.
Inner counter bored diameter 11.900 x .175 deep, the record is inset.

VPI Scout classic – Alpha VPI version :
Material : Proprietary non magnetic Alloy 316L SS
Weight : 1.8 Kilo Grams
Dimensions: 343 mm Diameter x 16 mm thick.
Inner counter bored diameter 11.900” x .175” inch deep, the record is inset.

Read more here about the URSR LP clamp
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue20/ursrclamp.htm
and here https://soundfoundations.in/support/
and http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/19484-universal-record-stabilising-ring.html

CHECKLIST for using a turntable ring clamp
1. Rule no, 1 –
The outer ring diameter is 343mm which is approximately 40mm more than diameter of a record
which means it is 20mm ( 3/4 inch ) lager in radius ( all sides )
This means that all parts of the TT ( tone arm, belt motor, switches etc. ) should be at least 25mm (1 inch )away from the platter edge to use the ring comfortably.
In other words one can imagine loading a record which is 2.0 inches more in diameter ( or 1.0 inch more in radii )
If such an imaginary record can be loaded on your TT without the imaginary edge hitting or fouling with any part of the TT, then you can use the ring.

2. Rule 2
The MK3 Ring is 7.0 mm thick which means it will overhang from the record edge downward by 7.2 mm
This means 2 things
First that you platter (at least the top loading face) must be smaller than your record by at least 2mm on each side ( in radii)
( i.e platter diameter must be smaller than record diameter by at least 3.0mm)
Second, because the ring overhangs by 7mm ,the platter diameter must be smaller than record diameter at least for a height of 8.0 mm

Now the MK32 ring is 7.0 mm thick hence above rules apply
Our SoundFoundations signature and VPI TT rings are 16 – 18 mm thick
Hence above rule needs to be looked at accordingly

In other words

  • Maximum platter diameter should not be greater than 300 mm.(at least the topmost face where record loads )
  • The distance from the spindle to the arm base should be at least 170 mm.
  • With belt-drive turntables, there should be at least 10mm between the top of the platter and the belt to use the MK3 ring and should be 1.0 inch if using our heavier rings

tt-ring

Now if the above conditions are not satisfied you would need to buy a TT mat which is thick enough to satisfy above conditions. Since TT mats are always smaller than record diameter by a couple millimeters

Note : We are sorry to say our Outer Rings will not fit the older pioneer DJ turntables

Selecting the Right Turntable Clamp and or Weight System

Note : the counterbore is machined at 302.5 mm – ( most records have a diameter between 300 mm and 302 mm and hence we are grooved at 302.5 mm – However we have noticed that some records have diameters of more than 303 mm – These records WILL NOT FIT – there is not much we can do about them – If we make the grove larger to fit all records it will introduce too much play – more than what we are comfortable with in most general records For the same reason please understand that every record cannot have a snug fit and will have some “play” depending on the difference between the record diameter and our machined diameter. This “play” from our experience has no effect on the functioning of the record ring , however it is useful to make note of this. In 2017-2018 we did have 2 customers who reported warp on the rin.

Hence we now send a test video of the exact ring that we ship with the serial number so each client sees exactly what he gets. The test is done on our TT which currently has no eccentricity and is as close to level as possible. Buyers are requested to study the test video so there are no misunderstandings about the product. A “flutter” of 0.3mm is within our tolerances. This flutter is acceptable by our personal standards. However please do study your respective test video. Do check your TT for any flutter or warp which may already exist on it because this will be magnified when you load the ring.

Lastly one should understand that the ring is a tool that minimizes record warpage by adding weight BUT that does not mean it will fully flatten a record (NOTHING can do that ).-it will only reduce the warp and hence minimize stylus jump NOT completely eradicate it What