Turntable Isolation

I assume everyone believes in isolating their turntable from vibrations be they of the structural, airborne or self generated variety.

What's everyone using out there? Vibraplanes, different types of isolation bases, cones, pucks, combos, etc. What's been your experience with your turntable with these different isolation products?

Myles, try the A10-U8s under your turntable.
 
That Ikea butcher's block is probably the best value in hifi! I have so many that I've lost count. One thing you may like to try is to use just 3 pucks - one directly under the motor, one near the front, and the other on the side under the arm. Just an idea - because asymmetric loading will throw out more resonances. If the pucks make a triangle, try to make the three sides of the triangle different lengths.

Hi Gary! I'll try out the 3-puck approach as you suggested and see if I can hear a difference. This may sound like a stupid question, but what differences should I be looking for?
 
I don't know that turntable you have - it looks like it has some form of two-layer suspension system. You are adding a third with the butcher's block. If it works, and I'm not 100% sure that it will, the first thing you might perceive might be LESS bass - on more extended listening, you may find that the bass is more extended and less boomy. When the bass is better controlled, you'll have a more stable and better imaging, and even better shimmer in the high frequencies.

Or.... nothing will happen and you save the cost of one hockey puck and two felt pads :)
 
Are these worthy considerations ? Kinetic Systems active vibration isolation systems ? I kind of like this table top model. Are they expensive ? No pricing available on the website.

ser_2900_blue_web


http://www.kineticsystems.com/page532.html

upon further research, they do cost a bit. Looks like a great solution
 
Last edited:
Gingko

i have had amazing luck with Gingko audio under all of my equipment. Simple but effective isolation.
 
I have used Kinetics and other isolation systems, in an engineering R&D lab, but they seem like overkill for a TT. However, I am sure folk will jump on them... I built an isolation system out of old mattress springs that cured the "skips" on my old system caused when G'mother walked upstairs and stomped in to tell me to turn it down. :)
 
I had a 1 1/4" slab of granite cut to 22x18 inches and added speaker spikes for a isolation platform for my turntable. I expoxied the speaker cone disc to the top of my rack to prevent sliding. It works pretty good.
plat2..jpgplat1..jpg
 
my turntable rests on a (passive) vibraplane 2210, which rests on a panzerholz+stainless steel (d.i.y.) rack.
 
My VPI Scout sits on HRX Mini Feet, on top of my Adona rack. The Adona rack is very good and transformed the sound of the Scout. Previously, the Scout was atop a two inch thick piece of maple cutting board. Unfortunately, my stereo room is on the second floor and like most modern housing, the upper floors give a little, so a light foot was needed when walking by the playing turntable. Fortunately, for me I recently relocated my rack to the side of the listening room and moved my albums to the adjacent bedroom. I say fortunately, because an unexpected benefit was that the weight of all those albums must have stressed the floor cross members that the Adona rack stands on and now the floor doesn't seem to give at all and I don't have to walk lightly when the Scout is playing, anymore.
 
Are these worthy considerations ? Kinetic Systems active vibration isolation systems ? I kind of like this table top model. Are they expensive ? No pricing available on the website.

ser_2900_blue_web


http://www.kineticsystems.com/page532.html

upon further research, they do cost a bit. Looks like a great solution


Hi Rockitman,

Active vibration isolation systems tend to cost more than standard vibration isolation solutions for turntable equipment, but they justify the cost due to the extensive technology embedded within the table. I have seen sorbathane used effectively as well as less expensive "air" isolation tables. Working for a company that sells active vibration isolation systems (Herzan), they tend to be 'overkill' for what you are trying to achieve.

With regards to the table you are referencing, you will want to pay attention to whether they state active-air isolation tables or active-isolation tables. Sadly, this is a simple play on words some companies use for people to think they are receiving active vibration isolation, when in reality they are receiving passive vibration isolation. The active portion of the table is the leveling for load adjustment. There is a substantial difference in the cost and level of vibration isolation support you will receive from the two tables.

Active-air isolation tables typically utilize 'pucks' that float in air allowing for the table receive verticle vibration isolation. The 'active' portion is from the leveling mechanism within the table that stabilizes the level of the top plate due to any adjustment in load.

Active-isolation tables typically utilize piezo-electric sensors that are capable of sensing vibration charactertistics of an environment and actively dampen them out by providing an inverse force.

Working in the business of vibration isolation, you get to understand the various methods and how people represent their products. If you have questions about these techniques, I will gladly share what I know if it helps expand the quality of your audible device.

Best,

Reid Whitney
 
Are these worthy considerations ? Kinetic Systems active vibration isolation systems ? I kind of like this table top model. Are they expensive ? No pricing available on the website.

ser_2900_blue_web


http://www.kineticsystems.com/page532.html

upon further research, they do cost a bit. Looks like a great solution

I installed a Kinetic Systems 2210 under my Micro Seiki RX5000 TT a couple of days ago..all I can say is WOW!

It replaced a borrowed SRA platform. I was expecting a marginal improvement but not the 3X that I got :)
 
I installed a Kinetic Systems 2210 under my Micro Seiki RX5000 TT a couple of days ago..all I can say is WOW!

It replaced a borrowed SRA platform. I was expecting a marginal improvement but not the 3X that I got :)

What were the differences between the SRA and WK? What did the WK run?
 
Too bad you had the lights turned off. That would be +105dB and not -105dB when referencing your playback level.
 
Hi Myles, Soundstage increased front to back, side to side and top to bottom. Clarity, sense of ease in flow, less strident when playing the Avantgardes. Check this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP3dBigOVWM&feature=youtube_gdata_player


I bought a used Vibraplane 2210 off a AGon member. I believe Steve at SOS has increased his recommended price to $2350.


Incredible sound quality coming from your player. Although I do not believe I have an articulated ear to capture the noticeable difference, the music quality was very nice.
 
Incredible sound quality coming from your player. Although I do not believe I have an articulated ear to capture the noticeable difference, the music quality was very nice.

Thanks!

After installing this record, I was playing this record quite loud to check whether the needle would skip. It did not :D
 

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