*One purpose of a weight or clamp is to close gaps between records and mat, but also importantly it prevents the record from slipping maintaining firm continuous contact with the platter. Particularly during passages containing a lot of bass the drag of the cartridge on the record can cause slight slipping on the platter and the vinyl should be held firmly against the platter to reproduce sound correctly.

Design

The Cu-Core “M” record weight is built around a solid pure copper core; made of 6061-T6 aircraft grade Aluminum alloy, combination of Silicon-Copper-Magnesium and other metals with Aluminum and pure Copper made in Germany. It has identical shape of the Octagrip, but due to the solid copper insert weighs double than that, 840 gram. The pre-treated copper core is thermo-dilated after insertion exerting permanent high pressure and seamless transition between the two different metals with the technology usually dropped by other makers due to its high expenses. Copper seems to be the best solo performing material for record weights being better than stainless steel, gunmetal, brass, and graphite or even bronze due to its low resonance and high weight in a compact size, but combined in a Constrained Component, Bimetallic or Phase-Interference Damping Structure with aluminum alloy having different characteristics results in a non-resonant rock solid record stabilizer.

The 8 finger tip grips and the circular groove prevent accidental and painful drops, and as horizontal and vertical curves combined damp vibrations themselves too.

Bottom is concave (dished) to create circular, single line record contact at the highest diameter of the record weight. The 88mm diameter is maximized to load the record as close as possible to the rim of the label recess to avoid over-bending of records, elevated off the platter mat**. Between record and weight no felt or foam etc. padding is applied as beyond unwanted vibration they non-selectively absorb music too, not stabilizing the record as efficiently. Copper core works as an excellent ground to eliminate statics on the record. Due to its higher weight the Cu-Core is recommended to be used on heavier platters with more robust main bearing and drive mechanism.

Sonic improvements

• Improves the sound by dampening your LP for increased resolution.
• Achieves better contact between the record and the platter mat.
• Flattens mild record warps and trackability of less than perfectly flat records is greatly improved.
• Promotes a stable sound image, tightens bass and provides better instrument focus.
• Better transient response and less distortion.
• Deeper soundstage.

Manufacturing quality

is state of the art.

Precision machined in a CNC facility where drilling heads for leading geological companies are manufactured, mirror polished (hence the “M”) for brilliant look and then coated with thin protective silicone layer still maintaining a metallic touch and luster. As such the record weigh has a lustrous metallic surface looking way superior to any polymer/composite coating, and copper surface to shine needs to be polished periodically ***.

***BlueMagic, Simichrome, Autosol work excellently. The record weight is not polymer coated to avoid the eventual breakdown of solvents under lacquer where copper can tarnish after months or years, or can be scratched easily and then to remove oxidization coating has to be stripped.

Specifications

Weight: 840 gram (27.00 oz t / 29.63 oz / 1.852 lbs)

Maximum diameter: 88 mm (3.465 in)

Bore diameter: 7.28 mm (0.287 in)

Depth of bore: 30 mm (1.181 in)

Height: 40 mm (1.575 in)

**Please note! With no automatic tonearm pick-up mechanism wide bodied cartridges may reach the record weight in the innermost groove in rare cases. So please check the clearance of your cartridge in the innermost groove before buying the Octagrip Cu-Core. (Headshells 12mm (1/2”) above the record have enough clearance due to the circular groove of the record weight.) With automatic and adjustable tonearm pick-up systems the Cu-Core works flawlessly.

Included

The record weight comes with a thick velvet pouch for safe storage.

Nothing else can be seen in the pictures is included.

You can see further pictures in my other listing running parallel with this one.