Bren1 Record Clamp ~ Flash Sale

BREN1 RECORD CLAMP/WEIGHT ASSESSMENT: Adds positive musical dimension employing a simple, well designed, finely engineered, and attractive weight device. Customer service and shipping turnaround phenomenal. SOUND: Enhances presence, texture and ambience. Phrases characterizing my listening experience with clamp installed: Musical body, fullness, clarity, definition, tightness, accuracy, robustness, envelopment, warmth, vibrancy, focus. BOTTOM LINE: A welcome addition to my enjoyment of 3,000 LPs spanning 1956 through 2012. BIGGEST IMPACT: Transformed Beatles Hey Jude/Again from thin, brassy, strained sound to a genuinely pleasurable and robust listening experience. MY TEST RECORDINGS: Original first press LPs in EX+ to NM- condition: Queen II; Beatles Hey Jude/Again; Doors Waiting for the Sun; Snow Patrol A Hundred Million Suns; Horrors Skying; Dire Straits Making Movies; Alan Parsons Project Gaudi; Super Furry Animals Dark Days/Light Years; Buffalo Springfield Again (mono); Rolling Stones Satanic Majesties Request (mono). MY EQUIPMENT (Speakers set up to accommodate "golden triangle" listening position): System 1: Technics SL-1210MK5 SE with audiophile 17 oz top platter rubber mat; customized KAB Groovemaster 2 AE phono cartridge, i.e. Stanton Groovemaster II cartridge body and nuded New/old stock D88S Stereohedron stylus assembly [VTP@1.5g]; Technics SA-GX650 amplifier/receiver; Lancer speakers (2) front with Yamaha NS-A636 speakers (2) rear. System 2: Audio Technica AT-LP240-USB turntable with rubber mat overlay on AT felt mat; New/old stock AT 52e integrated [bayonet] cartridge & stylus [VTP@1.5g]; Yamaha RX-V995 amplifier/receiver; Martin Logan Motion 12 tower (2) speakers; Formula BIC F-12 powered subwoofer. Headphones (Over the ear): Sennheiser 448s.

Clamp works well but it can't be used with the cover down with my REGA turntable (it sits too high). That is a bummer since the ad claims that it can be used with all REGAs.

Well I've used the Bren 1 for about a month plus by now and while I can't say it's a bad product I won't say it's the second coming or the best product for vinyl enthusiasts I've ever seen. I confess to being more the cynical type and don't easily go into hyperbole if I don't legitimately see, feel, or hear proof of claims laid out by a manufacturer. I gave it 4 stars so as to not drag down the Bren 1 with my review. As far as aesthetics go, it's a 5 plus. It's precision made and adds a great look to my turntable. My problem in giving it a 5 for performance is in playing about 75 to 100 LPs in the past month with and without; I can't honestly say I hear the difference. I'll preface this by admitting as you can probably gather by my handle that I'm not one of the youngest audiophiles interested in the hobby and with that said, my hearing may not be as keen as it used to be but by the same token I've been involved with enough good and high end equipment in my day to know and be able to hear the difference between a basic stereo and a well engineered and put together component system. I'll equate it to the age old audiophile argument that those ultra high cost "magic speaker cables" that cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars greatly increase the efficiency and therefore the quality of sound you get from your audio system over good quality 12 gauge speaker wire. That argument has and always will rage on in audio circles and forums from now until we don't use speaker cables at all. This is where I place the Bren 1. Someone with the measuring equipment will probably be able to show me the difference between using it and not using it but the bottom line is in all honesty I can't hear the difference. This in no way is an indictment against the Bren 1 or a declaration that you're wasting your money buying the Bren 1 or any other instrument used for the same purpose. Just be honest if you buy one and don't like some people let the cost of an upgrade or pressure from other "experts" tell you you hear the difference if you really don't. Like I mentioned with the audio speaker cables; if someone replaces his good 12 gauge speaker wire and goes out and spends $500 to $1000 for esoteric cables, you'll be hard pressed to get him to admit he doesn't hear an improvement for his investment. When we want to feel good about an upgrade, many times our psyche plays tricks on our senses and we profess to hear sonic improvements simply because we want to. So with all that said am I satisfied and will I continue to use the Bren 1? A resounding yes I'll say. But only because I think it adds a certain touch of elegance to my turntable and I can't disprove without a doubt that claims by its manufacturer are false. And when it comes to my favorite hobby, pastime, and enjoyment of my music, I usually don't spare much expense in my audio systems within reason (I still don't buy into "magic" speaker wire however). If you like the look of the Bren 1 and if you believe it will add to your listening pleasure I won't say you'll be disappointed and you may hear the improvement playing your vinyl. And after all, that's all we're looking for is to add to our listening pleasure.

First off, this is a record weight, not a clamp - it works solely by gravity. That being said, the build quality of the weight is excellent - very nicely machined, with a beveled hole to help in placing it on the spindle. The knurled top is very handy, and is a necessity in my mind - the last thing you want is to have one of these slip out of your hands over your table/vinyl! The satin finish matches perfectly with my vintage Pioneer PL-630. I will be totally honest and say I can't tell much difference sonically using the weight. However, it is very helpful when playing records with a slight warp, as the weight helps flatten out the album and greatly decreases the amount of "bouncing" on the arm and cartridge. The one "caution" I would raise is with the height of the weight. I have five turntables in use in my house (it is a sickness of mine!), and there is only one on which I can use the weight with the dustcover in the down position. This was totally my fault; the seller clearly states the height of the weight. Many people play albums with their dustcovers off, and for those persons I recommend this without reservation. Overall, this product (made in the USA to boot!) is highly recommended.