What are the best solutions to reduce Stylus Microphonics

[caesar]

What are the best implementations that reduce the effects of the stylus acting as a microphone and picking all kinds of sounds (especially the speakers!) during analog playback?

 

[JackD201]

Given an already good table, using a dust cover. Unfortunately when you have a large table like I do, it is very, VERY cumbersome. Generally not worth the effort for me, by the time I get back to my chair quite a few bars have played already. Of course the ultimate is to have your table in another room then get some track shoes and tartan track tiles for your flooring LOL.

 

[XV-1]

Can't say I have ever noticed the effect at ANY volume.

I do have a concrete slab floor and tables that have good isolation.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Put the table in another room and have your manservant change records? Digital?

Tim

 

[Bruce B]

The easiest way to see if your TT\cart. is picking up any microphonics is to put an album on, place the needle in a groove, with the platter stationary. Then play some digital or whatever source you have, preferably with some good bass, and then record the output from your phono pre. I don't care how good your isolation is, I can pretty much guarantee "something" will show up in the recording. On a poorly isolated rig,you may be able to use the files as a digital source!!

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Once the music plays all I hear is the music.

 

[Bruce B]

Once the music plays all I hear is the music.

Just imagine how much better it could be with a lower noise floor!

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Just imagine how much better it could be with a lower noise floor!

I'm sure it would be, and no doubt my system could use better isolation. However, I can't afford to spend more than what I already have for now, so I make due and focus on the positives it provides.

 

[mbskeam]

The easiest way to see if your TT\cart. is picking up any microphonics is to put an album on, place the needle in a groove, with the platter stationary. Then play some digital or whatever source you have, preferably with some good bass, and then record the output from your phono pre. I don't care how good your isolation is, I can pretty much guarantee "something" will show up in the recording. On a poorly isolated rig,you may be able to use the files as a digital source!!

would an O-scope work?

 

[Bruce B]

would an O-scope work?

Yes, but the ultimate way would be able to listen to the file and see if you could hear music. I'm sure with the O-scope you would see spikes on the bass beats.

 

[sombunya]

I asked the same question here after noticing it during a quiet passage while wearing headphones.

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?8525-Audio-feedback-and-Turntables

 

[Peter Breuninger]

I have the Kronos LTD. and there is zero feedback, zero microphonics due to the counter rotating platters. Terry and I can dance right next to the table with no audible effect (we have suspended floors).

Having a Kronos is like having your table in another house.

 

[Bruce B]

I have the Kronos LTD. and there is zero feedback, zero microphonics due to the counter rotating platters. Terry and I can dance right next to the table with no audible effect (we have suspended floors).

Having a Kronos is like having your table in another house.

Record the output with the stylus on the stationary platter while something is playing then. You can't say that there is "zero" feedback/microphonics because it doesn't exist. Otherwise, the Kronos would be the only TT anyone would need because the laws of physics don't apply!

 

[Brf]

Most acoustic feedback that excites the stylus is caused by low level energy from the speaker just outside the audible range. Try installing a rumble/subsonic filter to eliminate said energy.

 

[sombunya]

Again, I was wearing headphones while digitizing a record. Elys 2 MM cart. Through the silent groove between tracks I could hear my voice. Normal speaking tone. I'm sure a nearby speaker would be more intrusive.

 

[JackD201]

If we're talking microphonics we're not just talking about the tables but also the arms and the carts themselves being exposed to external airborne vibration/pressure fronts. Hence my recommendations for a cover or placement in another room. In practical terms however I do find these too much work for too little gain.

 

[Atmasphere]

This is a case of mechanical feedback. For this to happen several variables are poorly controlled. First, the platter pad can absorb resonance in the vinyl- sounds like this is not happening.

But more importantly, the turntable is not dealing with mechanical vibration from the speakers very well. Actually most turntables have some issues with this- and for this reason an anti-vibration damping platform beneath the turntable can be quite helpful. In my system I also have a custom-built Sound Anchors stand that is built to accommodate the turntable on such a platform. In turn it rests on three Aurios Pro Bearings. I can jump up and down right next to the turntable (I have hardwood floors in a 100-year old house) and the woofers don't react. I can play at any volume and not only do I not get feedback of any sort, I can't tell that the sound even changes. Before I had the platform and stand that certainly was not the case- as you turned it up the sound degraded.

I've seen people on a budget put a thick towel under the 'table with some luck. I'd try this first and if you hear a difference you know that the turntable is the mechanism of the feedback.

 

[sbo6]

Switch the preamp selector to "CD", "tuner", "tape", media server", "_enter your favorite minimally affected source".

 

[Bobvin]

Are you saying the stylus itself is vibrating due to sound waves, or are you saying the stylus is picking up vibrations from the table/stand/tonearm vibrating? I can't imagine the stylus itself being impacted by external sound waves due to its dimunitive size and the fact it is already being much more profoundly impacted by its travel through the groove. Remember if the needle were blown up to the size of a human, the record would be cruizing beneath at six hundred mph. I don't think the stylus is microphinic but certainly vibrations to the table can make it to the stylus.

 

[JackD201]

In this case it is probably a combination of vibrations through the vinyl surface and vibrations in the cartridge body/headshell/arm. I can yell at my cart until I'm blue in the face and get zip. Then again it has a solid titanium egg shaped body, the headshell has elastomer damping and the arm itself is a unipivot that's also damped. It might happen with a nude or plastic bodied cart on a table that transmits vibrations. I can tap on a record while it's playing and not get any sound out of the speakers so I guess that part is dealt with sufficiently enough. So as I said, in my case too much work for too little gain.