Turntable Isolation platform DIY

[Hendoferson]

Hello Audio Enthusiasts

 

I have recently acquired a project essential 2 digital.  My current setup has my turntable on the same shelving unit as my speakers. 

 

Wanting to dampen any unwanted vibration Im going to make myself an isolation platform.

 

Wondering if any other forum members have put one together and if so what materials they had used?

 

Thanks in advance 

Hendoferson

Edited January 26, 2018 by Naish Rambiritch

[mloutfie]

I use IKEA bamboo chopping block and some isolation spring

[eman]

1 minute ago, mloutfie said:

I use IKEA bamboo chopping block and some isolation spring

Yep this and some isolation under the speakers. 

[mloutfie]

Just as reference but mind you I'm using quite solid stereo rack I find spring don't work well on a non solid shelf

[PorkBun69s]

Use a custom 2x 1inch thick plexiglass sheets, sandwiched with a rubber vibration mat from bunnings.  The bottom sheet of the plexiglass, is suspended by 4 vibrapods.   

[aussievintage]

I would suggest you read up on constrained layer damping as a starting point.   

 

Materials I have experimented with include rubber isolation mats (used under air conditioners and washing machines),  marble, polystyrene foam, layered wood of varying densities (ply wood can be used for some layers, and MDF - doesn't have to be expensive).

 

As someone else mentioned, don't forget to put  isolation under the sources of vibration, i.e. the speakers.

[metal beat]

@mloutfie is correct.  Compression springs are the only things mentioned that actually isolate.   

 

The rest just change the resonant frequency.  Pick your coloration.

 

cheers

[aussievintage]

3 minutes ago, metal beat said:

@mloutfie is correct.  Compression springs are the only things mentioned that actually isolate.   

 

The rest just change the resonant frequency.  Pick your coloration.

 

cheers

What about rubber?  It has some of the 'spring' characteristics.  What about constrained layer damping, it causes the vibrations to be absorbed in the layers - isn't that isolation?

Edited January 25, 2018 by aussievintage

[metal beat]

9 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

What about rubber?  It has some of the 'spring' characteristics.  What about constrained layer damping, it causes the vibrations to be absorbed in the layers - isn't that isolation?

 

all rubber does is attenuate or bounce depending on the hardness.   Constrained layer at best drains some energy - does not isolate.  

  However, if these sound better to someone, they are as you are liking that resonant frequency better.

 

Compression Springs will have similar resonant frequency issues if you don't get the load close to the max load, but it will be isolating.

 

I have a $1000 + Symposium Ultra constrained layer platform that my $40 compression springs kill for sound quality.   The Symposium Ultra does have a nice sounding resonant frequency thou which is pleasant to listen to..

I even took the manufacturer to task stating that his platforms do not isolate.  he agreed and had to take those BS claims off his web site.

 

cheers

Edited January 25, 2018 by metal beat

[aussievintage]

2 minutes ago, metal beat said:

 

   Constrained layer at best drains some energy - does not isolate.  

 

OK, it's a definition thing then.  If some of the energy is prevented from reaching the component, to me, that is isolation, at least in part.

[andyr]

50 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

OK, it's a definition thing then.  If some of the energy is prevented from reaching the component, to me, that is isolation, at least in part.

 

So you believe there actually is a state of being "half pregnant"?

 

Andy

 

[aussievintage]

2 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

So you believe there actually is a state of being "half pregnant"?

 

Andy

 

 

No.  But the vibration, as opposed to pregnancy, is an analogue thing, and thus can be reduced in value.  It is not an all or nothing thing. You can dampen the vibrations, achieve partial isolation etc.

[Hendoferson]

@mloutfie  thanks mate for the suggestion and pic.  I think this would be a great solution to try.  Looks like the spring isolation feet are available on eBay unless you have a reccomendation for another source.  Muchos Gracias

[Hendoferson]

Thanks for the suggestions all, if anyone else has alternative solutions that works for them feel free to post! ?

Edited January 26, 2018 by Naish Rambiritch

[eltech]

Bamboo chopping board with open cell foam underneath works well enough for me.

[Get off My lawn]

A cheap and simple solution might be a paver sitting on bicycle inner tube.

 

I found it worked very well for my Clearaudio TT when it was sitting on a wooden sideboard. 

[Peter_F]

Isolation is isolation.  Either its isolated or isn't.  

 

I use the following method:

• Lovan racks with the legs and rails filled with sand to eliminate ringing;
• 20mm granite platform bonded to 32mm MDF to reduce the granite ringing, and positioned on the rack with metal spikes;
• Rubber balls to decouple the TT from the platform;
• The plinth is made of 20mm thick granite plinth bonded to 36mm corian.

The rubber balls are supporting over 35kg.  The compressed walls of the balls acts as springs to suspend the TT as if it was floating effortlessly. 

[mloutfie]

4 hours ago, Naish Rambiritch said:

@mloutfie  thanks mate for the suggestion and pic.  I think this would be a great solution to try.  Looks like the spring isolation feet are available on eBay unless you have a reccomendation for another source.  Muchos Gracias

Yes it is the eBay ones isoprop or something like that quite cheap like $30-40 bucks

[half baked]

I use an Auralex Gramma Amp platform $89 from  Store dj  with my Wilson benesch,  I’ve tried various DIY and bamboo blocks & none have worked as well,  they also make one for turntables at double the price but it seems to be made the same with the same materials, isolates extremely well

[andyr]

5 hours ago, eltech said:

Bamboo chopping board with open cell foam underneath works well enough for me.

 

You mean:

• it was cheap.
• it works well enough"
• and you couldn't be arsed to try for anything better!  :-)

 

4 hours ago, pine weasel said:

A cheap and simple solution might be a paver sitting on bicycle inner tube.

 

I found it worked very well for my Clearaudio TT when it was sitting on a wooden sideboard. 

 

A heavy slab on an inner tube or (in my case) squash balls works very well.  :-)

 

3 hours ago, Peter_F said:

Isolation is isolation.  Either its isolated or isn't.  

 

Absolutely! 

 

3 hours ago, Peter_F said:

 

I use the following method:

• Lovan racks with the legs and rails filled with sand to eliminate ringing;
• 20mm granite platform bonded to 32mm MDF to reduce the granite ringing, and positioned on the rack with metal spikes;
• Rubber balls to decouple the TT from the platform;
• The plinth is made of 20mm thick granite plinth bonded to 36mm corian.

The rubber balls are supporting over 35kg.  The compressed walls of the balls acts as springs to suspend the TT as if it was floating effortlessly. 

 

 

Here's a test to see how well yours isolates; as it consists of a heavy slab on some balls ... I would think very well!  Although better if the balls were squash balls - with air inside - not solid rubber (if the blue ones shown are solid rubber) ).

 

At one stage I had my LP12 on a slab of slate which rested on some squash balls.  I was able to prove to myself that this isolated my TT from the benchtop it was previously sitting on, as follows:

• I have an Ortofon vibrating stylus cleaner.
• you rest this on the platter, press down the 'On' switch and put the stylus on the vibrating pad.
• you hear a buzz.
• when my LP12 was on the benchtop ... I could hear the buzz modulate when I rapped my knuckles on the benchtop.  (So the LP12's sprung suspension was not good enough to take this (extremely LF) impact out!)
• when the LP12 was on the slate/squash ball platform ... I could bang the benchtop with a hammer and the stylus cleaner's buzz didn't change!  THAT's isolation, in my view!  :-)

Unfortunately, as you're in Perth, it will be difficult to lend you my Ortofon vibrating stylus cleaner, for you to do this test.  :-(

 

 

Andy

 

[Peter_F]

2 hours ago, andyr said:

Here's a test to see how well yours isolates; as it consists of a heavy slab on some balls ... I would think very well!  Although better if the balls were squash balls - with air inside - not solid rubber (if the blue ones shown are solid rubber) ).

The blue balls have air inside, just like squash balls, which prevent vibration coming up from the platform.  

 

My TT weighs over 35kg making squash balls useless for my situation.  A LP12 is a lightweight TT so they may work in that situation.     

 

Edited January 26, 2018 by Peter_F

[eltech]

2 hours ago, andyr said:

 

You mean:

Literally.. What I said.

Works well enough for me.

Do you need further clarification?

Read the above again, and if you still can't understand, read again until you do. If still can't understand, let it go. Do something else. Read a book. Taka a walk.... Off a ....

 

[andyr]

43 minutes ago, Peter_F said:

The blue balls have air inside, just like squash balls, which prevent vibration coming up from the platform.  

 

Excellent - air is the key (not rubber) so, yes, the blue balls work just as well. 

 

43 minutes ago, Peter_F said:

 

A LP12 is a lightweight TT so they may work in that situation.     

 

 

Sure, an LP12 is, say, 6 or 7kg.  But the slate slab that was resting on the squash balls was another 8 or 10kgs - so we're up to half your weight.

 

45 minutes ago, Peter_F said:

 

My TT weighs over 35kg making squash balls useless for my situation.

 

 

You need a certain weight per ball to 'tension' the squash balls for optimal isolation.  All that means is for 35kgs rather than half that ... you need, say, 3 or 4 balls at each corner ... not the 2 that I used.

 

As I mentioned, can you hit your shelf with a hammer whilst you're playing a record and have this not affect playback?  (If so ... you are isolated! )

 

Andy

 

[tezz]

You can always verify results with Apps , search for Vibration Meters, Vibrometer etc.. Also very handy fine tuning balance on drone motors.

[Wimbo]

Ahh, the Sota.