Heliopad LunaCore+ Brass-Aluminum 850g turntable record weight stabilizer

The Heliopad LunaCore+ is a constrained solid Brass-Aluminum non-resonant and antistatic record weight for heavier audiophile turntables. Improves coupling between record and platter mat and reduces unwanted vibration. Soundstage becomes deeper, bass gets tighter, fine details more revealed, dynamics increased, distortion reduced*.

*One purpose of a weight or clamp is to close gaps between records and mat creating a tight contact, 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 LunaCore+ record weight is built around a solid brass core. Made of 6061-T6 aircraft grade Aluminum alloy, combination of Silicon-Copper-Magnesium and other metals with Aluminum and pure Brass made in Germany. It has identical shape of the Luna+, but due to the solid brass insert weighs more than double than that, 850 gram. The pre-treated brass 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 higher expenses. Although 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, brass 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 finger tip friendly circular groove prevents accidental and painful drops.

Bottom is concave (dished) to create circular, single line record contact at the highest diameter of the record weight. The 88 mm 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. Brass core through the spindle works as an excellent ground to eliminate statics on the record. Due to its higher weight the LunaCore+ 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 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 surface of the brass core to shine needs to be polished once in a while***.

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

Specifications

Weight: 850 gram (30 oz)

Maximum diameter: 88 mm (3.46 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 LunaCore+. (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 LunaCore+ 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.

Please note: to keep shipping cost flat $24 to all buyers worldwide and to avoid custom charges in the EU this item is shipped from the EU with International Priority Mail, Signature Requested.