Have decided to dispense w the ring. It's practicality has always been borderline w my LT arm, always the fear I might snag my stylus esp on cuing up first track. But it's SQ effects have kept me utilising it.
However today, after an extensive AB session using v not using it, has become apparent it's not the boon I thought it was. Tbh, the fear factor of totalling a stylus is good to eliminate.