SPIN DOCTOR
Stewart Wennen tries the Rudolph Bruil Record Stabilising
Ring, a go-faster goody.

Serious vinyl collectors will be aware of the difficulty associated with the replay of warped records; I have quite a few that are almost impossible to play! This simple device solves the problem in one fell swoop and addresses a host of other difficulties that turntables present.

The Record Stabilizing Ring is constructed from a sandwich of materials. The top ring is fashioned from stainless steel and is machined to fit all but the most obscure recordings (this is due to poor quality control in the pressing plant) whilst the middle ring is made from an acrylic substance which is sandwiched between the top and bottom rings. The bottom ring is again manufactured from stainless steel. I must say I am very impressed with the aesthetic quality of the product.

Inside the wooden packing crate (that’s right the crate is made from timber!) there is an extremely extensive instruction manual, the centering disc and the RSR. Although a little DIY is called for in the shape of attaching the timber knob to the centering disc. This is so simple to achieve as it involves a little glue and waiting overnight for the glue to harden. Once this has been done we are ready to listen.

I used all of the turntables that are featured in the group turntable test. They all accepted the RSR and the clamp with one exception; this was the Roksan Xerxes. This was due to the design of the centre spindle, as the top of the spindle has been designed to be removed, the clamp did not grip correctly.

Rudolph Bruil's RSR is simple to place on the record, first we place a record on the platter, then we clean the record with a brush, next place the centering disc on top of the record, and finally place the RSR over the centering disc. We now remove the Plexiglas centering disc and place the weight or clamp over the spindle. It took me a while to become adept with this procedure but after a while the skill base was installed in my remaining neurones!

WHAT DOES IT DO?

The RSR is intended to reduce resonance in the vinyl surface. 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!

First impressions were of a reduction in surface noise, which was dramatically presented with silence on the run in grooves and also on the run out. I think this is due to the record being clamped to the platter. After a while the differences with the RSR in comparison to running the Bastin/Garrard 401 without the RSR were obvious. Stereo imaging with the RSR was much larger in all dimensions. Speed stability was measurably superior, this was 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 was improved a great deal, as was the overall reproduction of the vinyl. Bass instruments were almost unbelievable in their clarity and weight. Details in the recordings just hinted at without the RSR were displayed with subtlety. Music I have not listened to for years was played and along with warped records was enjoyed. Treble presentation was delivered into my living room 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 I was listening to the performance rather than the equipment.
N.B the clamp in the photos is manufactured by Acoustic Solid, although I tried the Mitchell clamp as well with very good results.
(...)

In concept this clamping arrangement is so simple it is almost laughable. As my journeyman said “simple engineering is elegant engineering.” The Rudolph Bruil Record Stabilizing Ring is an extremely worthwhile investment and gets a thoroughly deserved recommendation.

Hi-Fi World. April, 2005

The design and names 'Universal Record Stabilizing Ring'
and 'The Universal RSR' are
Copyright 2003-2007 by Rudolf A. Bruil.

E-mail: rabruil@online.nl

Website: Hi-Fi World

Although we are still investigating the possibility of
a better production method so more rings can be manufactured,
we still have not found a method yet as it asks for a large investment.
However we do make a few rings for the die hard audiophile.

These pages/reviews can also be visited:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttringpics.html
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue20/ursrclamp.htm