Turntable isolation plateforms?

[cstmar01]

So I realized after using a TT why its important to have this thing isolated. I had mine sitting on a shelf and because of the way my place is set up (apartment) the vibrations can easily be transfered into my table and cause it to jump and skip even if someone is walking around by the table too hard. So I've started looking at isolation products.

So far from what I found is something like this
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstwek&1277144032&/Cloud-10-gingko

150.00 I don't think is too bad but was wondering if anyone else has any other ideas of something I could do or if these are any good to use. I would like to get something but not something that is going to break the bank. Also this would be used with a VTI rack so not sure if that will make a difference or not.

[SCompRacer]

My turntable sits on a lead filled VTI rack on a suspended hardwood floor; not the best combination for a turntable. I had the same problem, skips with foot falls near the rack. I use a Gingko Cloud 11 under my Nottingham. While playing a record, I can pound on the top shelf with my fist and no skips, no jumps, or thump through the speakers. Don't let anyone tell you the Gingko's will suck the life out of the music either. It hasn't happened here, and that's a fact.;)

I bought my Cloud used too.

http://www.polkaudio.com/images/showcase/218_91_big.jpg?rand=508997253

[nooshinjohn]

I use a Dodd Levitator on mine... and it works wonders.

[comfortablycurt]

I use a Dodd Levitator on mine... and it works wonders.


Ahh, so you were the lucky recipient of the Levitator? Very cool.

That's an awesome piece! Definitely very unique.

[cstmar01]

I couldn't find any DODD stuff but the Clouds seem to pop up on audiogon with prices all over the place.

hmm
any other ideas? I'm just trying to get a feel for whats out there. 200 or so would fit my bill for now, but I also want to make sure its going to work for sure and not just be a money suck.

[unc2701]

This is simple, but effective:
Take a thick piece of MDF, cut to sit under your TT and 3 BB's.
Dent the MDF or drill small holes (too small for the BB's), two at the front corners, one in the middle of the back. The idea is for the MDF to sit on the BB's with out rolling around.

Not a lot of energy can transfer through those BB's- the heavier the piece of MDF, the better. Butcher block works well, too. I've got a spiked sandbox that works on the same principle (with the added dampening of the sand).

Finally:
Mount it to the wall. This is the easily the best bang-for-buck in TT isolation.

[cstmar01]

This is simple, but effective:
Take a thick piece of MDF, cut to sit under your TT and 3 BB's.
Dent the MDF or drill small holes (too small for the BB's), two at the front corners, one in the middle of the back. The idea is for the MDF to sit on the BB's with out rolling around.

Not a lot of energy can transfer through those BB's- the heavier the piece of MDF, the better. Butcher block works well, too. I've got a spiked sandbox that works on the same principle (with the added dampening of the sand).

Finally:
Mount it to the wall. This is the easiely the best bang-for-buck in TT isolation.

Can't really mount to the wall as my place as "rules" to how many holes I can make and lets just say I've already made too many hehehe. :o

[unc2701]

Can't really mount to the wall as my place as "rules" to how many holes I can make and lets just say I've already made too many hehehe. :o

I know that story. Anyhow, I don't see your TT in your sig- does it have a suspension? TT isolation is kinda hit or miss... some things that work for some tables will suck the life out of others. Your best bet with a low budget is to DIY until you find something that seems to work well, then buy a system that works on the same principles.

[cstmar01]

I know that story. Anyhow, I don't see your TT in your sig- does it have a suspension? TT isolation is kinda hit or miss... some things that work for some tables will suck the life out of others. Your best bet with a low budget is to DIY until you find something that seems to work well, then buy a system that works on the same principles.

its an intro level table. Technics 1630 I think is the model # but can't remember off the top of my head. I'm just starting to get into vinyl but its a really annoying problem as the other day my girlfriend jumped up and the whole thing skiped and just blah. That and my neighbor below me slammed a door in their place and caused it to skip so I just need something to fix the problem.

(they have slammed their door so hard once it caused a CD player to skip!)

[cstmar01]

I acutally found a pair of the Ginko cloud balls that say they can hold from 10-20lbs and 3 of them for 50 bucks on agon. So I'm going to see about doing something with those as well. I was thinking about taking the heavy piece of timber like a nice piece of oak or something have set that on the top of the rack and then the balls on that with the TT on top of that to see if that would help.

If anything it doesn't work I can always resell the balls or use them for the CD player.

[SCompRacer]

Or just try some ordinary handballs and cut some divots in the base to keep them from rolling around.

[bigaltx24]

I saw a DIY Cloud type system once. The guy had taken 2 marble chopping boards that were about 1/2'' thick and big enough for his Thorens to sit on. He used a small bicycle inner tube as a spring/isolator between the two chopping boards. The bottom board had a piece of sheet of Sorbethane glued on it's bottom side and 3/4 square by 1-1/2'' high hard plastic post glued to each corner on it's top side to limit tipping of the top board. The inner tube would be filled with air (the lower the air pressure the better) until there was a slight gap between the posts and the top board. It did seem to isolate the turntable very well, it was sitting on a fairly substantial cabinet, but even fairly hard knocks on the cabinet couldn't be heard through the speakers, even a very high volume.

[apphd]

If this thread is still getting some looks I wonder what others think of this idea a buddy and I had back in the 70's while slightly over the limit.

We thought of taking 4 pieces of threaded rod, mounted to the ceiling, with 4 turnbuckles at some point in the length of rod (for leveling) to a shelf/table the TT would sit on. Never gave it a try but still wonder how effective it would be. Of course in an apartment setting with neighbors upstairs this probably would not be so good.:p

Anyone ever see anything like this?

[unc2701]

Anyone ever see anything like this?

Did that in my first house- suspended the entire entertainment center: 50" DLP, amps, TT, everything.

1)Worked great for isolation from the floor it was on, but it was on the first floor, so things going on upstairs were then a problem. Specifically, it was directly under my roommate's bed. This story goes exactly how you'd expect.
2)The rods have to be very long to get the TT to the right height, so while they offer great support in a vertical direction, they're very easy to torque- so you could bump into it and the whole thing would swing- made me a little nervous.
3)Occasionally, I'd get resonance & feedback. I never quite figured this out, but I think it goes back to #2 and airborne isolation (and lack thereof). I think the soundwaves would start rocking the whole thing.
4)The rods going up would kinda get in the way of changing discs, cueing, etc. It's like having your TT on something other than the top shelf on a rack. Not a dealbreaker, but annoying.

All told, I think wall mounting would probably be better, but I gotta say that it looked really freaking sweet. Got full asking price for the house in 5 days when I sold it, and that room had a lot to do with it.

[apphd]

Thanks for the feedback unc, you pointed out some draw backs we never thought of, but also have renewed my interest in playing with this a little down the road. Too many other things going on, other priorities with my gear for now. And sorry to the OP for the thread jack.

[hearingimpared]

The best isolation I've ever used and it is highly impractible in most homes or apartments was to stack cinder blocks, interlocking them up to a manageable level i.e. where it is high enough to mount a record comfortably. Then I placed a "Lead Balloon," a product which is not longer available but was great in it's time, on top and then mounted with aluminum tip toes place the TT on top. A bomb could go off in the next room and not get a hic cup to the tonearm.

Now I use a VTI loaded with lead shot spiked through the carpet to my concreate slab under floor with Black Diamond Racking Cones mounts at the corners of the turntable then place on top of Isol-Pads from Quest for Sound. Works great but not advisable for second floor suspended wood floors.

Rich (SCompRacer) has the right idea for those cases.

[joeparaski]

Back in the 70's when I used to the the mobile disc jockey thing, I made a table with cutouts and suspended my turntables on big elastic bands.

Joe

[hearingimpared]

Back in the 70's when I used to the the mobile disc jockey thing, I made a table with cutouts and suspended my turntables on big elastic bands.

Joe

Are we all kooks or what!:D

[Polkersince85]

If you can get a fork truck into your room, a Starrett 6' x 6' x 12" Surface plate will do the trick.


.

[dorokusai]

www.brightstaraudio.com

[pearsall001]

Are we all kooks or what!:D

Man I'll say!!! I appreciate my CD's more & more after reading threads like this one!!! :D;):)

[hearingimpared]

Man I'll say!!! I appreciate my CD's more & more after reading threads like this one!!! :D;):)

"hey rabbit, shed ep" :D:D:p

[cstmar01]

ok not sure if its doing this because of the volume or what.
Just got Pearl Jam 10 tonight and I am getting the worst noise from this on the TT, just terrible. Looked at the turntable and it looks like there is a "hump" when playing. Other records it also has this hump but doesn't seem to affect the sound. anything I can do, or is it more just due to possibly the balance of the table? I took out a level and its level so I'm confused.

[DaveHo]

Is the platter not flat or the record? Perhaps a record weight/clamp is in order.

-Dave

[cstmar01]

Is the platter not flat or the record? Perhaps a record weight/clamp is in order.

-Dave

its the platter I think. Every record has this "hump" is the only way I can describe it. If you look at it like a cross ways you will see one area is higher then the rest and its like its going over a bump. On this record it will cause noise, all the other's I have there is a bit but nothing as bad. The record is brand spankin' new and is flater than flat.

[unc2701]

its the platter I think. Every record has this "hump" is the only way I can describe it. If you look at it like a cross ways you will see one area is higher then the rest and its like its going over a bump. On this record it will cause noise, all the other's I have there is a bit but nothing as bad. The record is brand spankin' new and is flater than flat.

Sounds like a problem with your platter. There's not an isolation platform in the world that is going to fix that... and a clamp might actually make it worse since the vinyl might be floating over this now, but a clamp will warp your vinyl over it.

Save your money, get a better TT, then start thinking about isolation.

[cstmar01]

Sounds like a problem with your platter. There's not an isolation platform in the world that is going to fix that... and a clamp might actually make it worse since the vinyl might be floating over this now, but a clamp will warp your vinyl over it.

Save your money, get a better TT, then start thinking about isolation.

yeah I know nothing of isoluation will fix this, I just didn't start a whole new thread about it but yeah.....

grrr
I guess there is an old Pioneer TT on craigslist for sale near me that I might ahve to check out

[hearingimpared]

Like I said via PM, maybe the shaft of bearing is off kilter i.e. not perpendicular to the platter and is setting cockeyed in the bearing well. I just sent you a PM with a bunch of questions and things to check out. Post up that movie of it and maybe we can get a better idea of what is going on. Call me tonight Chris, anytime, I'll be here.

[unc2701]

its the platter I think. Every record has this "hump" is the only way I can describe it. If you look at it like a cross ways you will see one area is higher then the rest and its like its going over a bump. On this record it will cause noise, all the other's I have there is a bit but nothing as bad. The record is brand spankin' new and is flater than flat.

Quick question- can you follow the "hump" as it circles or is it more that when the platter hits a certain point in the rotation it pops off kilter, then goes back?

[Polkersince85]

I looked on vinylengine for the table but only found the 1650 model which has an automatic record changer on it. If your model is the same, could it be trying to change the record at the hump? Check the switch.

[hearingimpared]

I looked on vinylengine for the table but only found the 1650 model which has an automatic record changer on it. If your model is the same, could it be trying to change the record at the hump? Check the switch.

Good Lord Chris, please don't tell me we are trying to trouble shoot a record changer!?!:eek::D

[Polkersince85]

a record changer!?!

[cstmar01]

there is not "record changer" there is an auto start and stop but no changer as far as I know or was told.

also took a video but hard to see it. I'm going to try and retake it tomorrow when I have some better lighting. You will see the cartridge moving big time when it hits the hump, the video does show it but not as clear as I would like it to.

[Keiko]

So glad I bought a Technics. Thing is built like a Panzer, sits atop my MDF rack and never had a problem with vibration. Ever! Just bought a decent cart for her & tweaked it a little, use a Herbie's, Way Excellent TT mat and Joe's clamp. Voila! No bumps, no hits, no errors. Go ahead and laugh. :p

[hearingimpared]

Chris, is this it?

http://www.thevintageknob.org/TECHNICS/SL1650/SL1650.html

[cstmar01]

That is it. The spindle is totally different though and not made for two, just for one record. its like super short. Also I had no idea what the memo gram thing was, just figured it was something on there that I didn't know about.

Dude I feel so lame and embarrased. blah!

CD's I'm coming back to ya! JK

I'll see if I can switch the knob tonight and if it will make a difference, thought it was set on 0 but don't know.

[hearingimpared]

That is it. The spindle is totally different though and not made for two, just for one record. its like super short. Also I had no idea what the memo gram thing was, just figured it was something on there that I didn't know about.

Dude I feel so lame and embarrased. blah!

CD's I'm coming back to ya! JK

I'll see if I can switch the knob tonight and if it will make a difference, thought it was set on 0 but don't know.

Don't Chris! How else are we to learn?:) Call me tonight after 6:00 PM EDT.

[unc2701]

Well, I think the bottom line is, you could probably pick up a technics 1200 MK2 for $200 and it'll sound better than that thing with the best isolation in the world. Which isn't to say that you couldn't do better (or that the 1200 wouldn't benefit from some tweaks), but with that approximate budget, I think you'll get more mileage from your investment there.

Keep an eye on CL...

[cstmar01]

well so far I found this.
http://wausau.craigslist.org/ele/1709665585.html

didn't really find anything on the net about it and he still has it. asking 40 bucks and is about 45 mins away from me.

otherwise there is a technics with a whole system for sale like 2 speakers, tv, ect for 300 bucks but they guy won't sell the TT seperate and won't tell me the model number. I will have to wait like a month before they will sell apart from the whole set.

[hearingimpared]

well so far I found this.
http://wausau.craigslist.org/ele/1709665585.html

didn't really find anything on the net about it and he still has it. asking 40 bucks and is about 45 mins away from me.

otherwise there is a technics with a whole system for sale like 2 speakers, tv, ect for 300 bucks but they guy won't sell the TT seperate and won't tell me the model number. I will have to wait like a month before they will sell apart from the whole set.

IMHO Chris save the $40 & be patient and wait on a good TT to turn up in your price range. They always do and you can keep coming to us for our opinions on whatever it is you are interested in.

As far as I'm concerned that Pioneer is going to be more trouble than it is worth and will keep you wondering about how vinyl really sounds. Plus it looks like it been through the mill and I don't like the fact that the seller said 'NEW NEEDLE." :eek: Again just my humble opinion.

The Technics 1200 MK2 is a good start as there are still upgrades available for it and as you can see several folks here own it and are very happy with it. There are also plenty of viable options for a used table for $200 from Rega, Music Hall, Pro-ject etc and they are all upgradable.

[unc2701]

Agree with HI- with technics, don't bother with anything other than the 1200. There are a few decent pioneer models, but that's not one of them. Like he says, be patient, see if you can ducttape yours in the meantime, but wait & see what pops up used.

$200 plus whatever you sell the current one for will get you to a much higher level than trying to tweak your current table.

[cstmar01]

would this be any good?
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=emporium&action=display&thread=10617

I don't know anything about Rega or if this would be a decent price. I know the table new is like 395.00

[Face]

I don't know what that cartridge is worth, but I payed $200 plus shipping for a used(in good condition) P1.

[unc2701]

Music direct carries Rega, watch their demo list- usually stuff in the $400 range ends up around $320 ish. I got my x-canv8 from them off demo and it was perfect & came in what appeared to be a sealed box.

heh. watch the budget creep.

[rcrook317]

Well, I think the bottom line is, you could probably pick up a technics 1200 MK2 for $200 and it'll sound better than that thing with the best isolation in the world. Which isn't to say that you couldn't do better (or that the 1200 wouldn't benefit from some tweaks), but with that approximate budget, I think you'll get more mileage from your investment there.

Keep an eye on CL...


wheres a technics 1200 mk2 for 200 bucks???
id love to know........


never seen one even come close to that price

[unc2701]

Got a pair with a stack of vinyl and a crossfader for $300. The stylus light was burnt out on one, but everything else was fine.

[hearingimpared]

would this be any good?
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=emporium&action=display&thread=10617

I don't know anything about Rega or if this would be a decent price. I know the table new is like 395.00

Chris the P1 is a good start compared to what you have but the price that fella is asking IMHO is to high. If you can't get one for say the low to mid $200s I would say go for it as Rega has mucho upgrade possibilities that down the line would satisfy any upgraditis as well as bring you up to fantastick vinyl sound with them. Also most Rega dealers will give you a good trade in value for it should you want to go up their chain in the future. They also have been know to give good upgrades on cartridges too.

[cstmar01]

ok so this is what I got in White.
http://www.questforsound.com/analog/analog_musicHallMMF22LE.htm

got some cables too, I'm thinking I'll be happy!

[dorokusai]

Nice.

[Huck344]

ok so this is what I got in White.
http://www.questforsound.com/analog/analog_musicHallMMF22LE.htm

got some cables too, I'm thinking I'll be happy!

Nice TT. I almost bought this a while back. Would appreciate a review when you get it. The reviews I've read on the Music Hall are all over the board from Awesome to POS. Would be nice to get a real review.

[hearingimpared]

ok so this is what I got in White.
http://www.questforsound.com/analog/analog_musicHallMMF22LE.htm

got some cables too, I'm thinking I'll be happy!

Chris, I'm soooooo glad he took care of you.;) He'll also get you started on some record cleaning accessories for a good price too. Don't forget to PM Keiko (Mike) about the manual method we spoke of last night.

Great Stuff Bro!:)

[cstmar01]

Chris, I'm soooooo glad he took care of you.;) He'll also get you started on some record cleaning accessories for a good price too. Don't forget to PM Keiko (Mike) about the manual method we spoke of last night.

Great Stuff Bro!:)

oh yea! forgot about that too! I'll get on that ASAP as well.

[Polkersince85]

Nice table. See you on the other side.

[hearingimpared]

Nice table. See you on the other side.

Hehehe.:)

[cstmar01]

well not a day too soon in ordering a new player. Somehow tonight I think my player is now possessed. I was in the kitchen making a sandwich and all of a sudden my table was speeding up and then it slowed back down so it sounded like it was fast forwarding through the track. I get to the room and it stopped and I turn my back and it starts doing it again!..

looks like CDs for the week.

[SCompRacer]

Good Lord Chris, please don't tell me we are trying to trouble shoot a record changer!?!:eek::D

Wouldn't that drive you mad Joe? A stack of LP's on the spindle, one crashing down on the other for another 1/2 hour of play. VTA and other forces changing as the stack grows. Then flip the stack over to play the B sides.... No need to wipe the Cheetos or pizza roll sauce off the fingers, just slip the records back in the original paper sleeves.... or better yet, leave them out for another day.:eek::D

[Keiko]

Wouldn't that drive you mad Joe? A stack of LP's on the spindle, one crashing down on the other for another 1/2 hour of play. VTA and other forces changing as the stack grows. Then flip the stack over to play the B sides.... No need to wipe the Cheetos or pizza roll sauce off the fingers, just slip the records back in the original paper sleeves.... or better yet, leave them out for another day.:eek::D

I'm going to have nightmares for a week now. :eek:

[hearingimpared]

Wouldn't that drive you mad Joe? A stack of LP's on the spindle, one crashing down on the other for another 1/2 hour of play. VTA and other forces changing as the stack grows. Then flip the stack over to play the B sides.... No need to wipe the Cheetos or pizza roll sauce off the fingers, just slip the records back in the original paper sleeves.... or better yet, leave them out for another day.:eek::D

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

. . . nontheless I designed my clamp to work on those too! LOL!!! I figured some kook might want to use it on a record changer thus the hole from the botton though the top of the collet. Mad scientist! WAAAAAAAA!!!!:eek::D

[Huck344]

wheres a technics 1200 mk2 for 200 bucks???
id love to know........


never seen one even come close to that price

Was scanning craigslist today and remembered your post. Not exactly $200, but close. . .
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/1724363805.html

No affiliation