High Fidelity Turntable User

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Turntable lid

Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: High Fidelity Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5316
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 4:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Turntable lid

Posted By: lfc jon
Subject: Turntable lid
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2021 at 6:51pm

I was reading a post which said they were playing records with the lid down on their turntable and they said I know people will say you shouldn't do this as it adds distortion (I know this was not his words) I have always been told you should take the lid off but I have compromised and play with the lid on but open. I did try playing with the lid on and then off but didn't hear any difference. Me being in my 50s may well have something to do with this!!

I can't play a record with the lid on and closed as the tonearm weight hits the lid so I can't say if that would make any difference.

I'm just interested in hearing others opinion on this subject.

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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.

Replies:

Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2021 at 9:47pm

Of course the reasoning is there will be more acoustic feedback due to the lid being vibrated by the sound of the speakers and this transferring to the platter and am I am not convinced it is significant. My practical approach is to carefully touch the lid whilst playing a record and see if I feel any vibrations. Going further to carefully tap the lip with a pencil and listen to the amplified sound. Even on my SL-7 with the tonearm hung from the lid I heard some of the tapping but no boom and no feedback even at high volume. That said I clean my LP's and want to keep the dust off them so it is a compromise for me.

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Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.

Posted By: TheScorpionsTale
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2021 at 10:27pm

Also lid on but open, I've never noticed anything unwanted.

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Graham

SL1200 II with SME M2-9R and various carts / Revelation M with PSU-1 / Cyrus amp, CD and streamer / Kralk Audio BC30-3 Floorstanders / Bitzie and Lautus USB

Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2021 at 9:55pm

I'd say do whatever works for you. I've never liked playing records with the lid down personally. That said, I'm sure there are some situations that call for it, or turntables designed to work fine with the lid down while LPs are playing.

My current turntable uses a set-on style dust cover without hinges, so the cover is always removed completely when playing records.

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SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM610 MONO, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.

Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2021 at 12:01pm

On my mate's turntable I did hear a difference for the bad with the lid on and closed, This may have been because his is wooden. He made it himself as the lid was an optional extra and he was not prepared to pay what the manufacture wanted, the bass was better but at the cost of the treble. He said he could hear as he described as an echo but I didn't. The track we played was treble heavy and with the lid on it made a good track vary poor sounding.

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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.

Posted By: Blade
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2021 at 10:29am

I prefer lid off or lid up (never down).

It depends how long I am listening for as to whether it comes off or not. Or if I am drunk !!

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L*nn Sondek LP12, AT VM750SH MM, Graham Slee Reflex M with PSU1 , Musical Fidelity M5SI, Dynaudio Special 40