Turntable Isolation platform DIY

[simo8989]

Agree with Metal Beat  @mloutfie is correct.  Compression springs are the only things mentioned that actually isolate.   

 

I use the same compression springs 7 of them under my Clearaudio Champion Level 2 with the damping platform made up of eurpean birch ply and EVA foam mat in total the springs are isolating close to 40kgs.

[andyr]

31 minutes ago, simo8989 said:

Compression springs are the only things mentioned that actually isolate.

 

Base on my experiments, I would beg to differ.  Air is also an isolator - that is ... air enclosed in an inner tube / bladder / squash balls.

 

When I had my LP12 just resting on the benchtop, if I hit the benchtop with a hammer ... the stylus jumped a groove.  When I had my LP12 resting on a slab of slate which had squash balls between it and the benchtop ... I could bang the benchtop with a hammer and the stylus didn't jump at all.

 

Andy

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by andyr

[Teksiis]

Hmmm judging from what I am reading I would be well served to do some work to my current set up,  Betty is sitting on a wooden cupboard that has thick marble layed into the top of it, so I would presume adding some springs and another level be it bamboo or something else would improve my situation?

 

Apologies for what might seem like a silly question turntables and in particular isolation of them are still relatively new to me.

[aussievintage]

You know, springs were used way back in the early days under most turntables (all those consumer Garrards for example), as well as some more modern stuff like an AR I had.  I remember well having to tip toe around them on wooden floors as they would bounce very easily.   It often seemed the springs can make it much worse. Removing the springs has helped in many cases.  Probably they get overwhelmed by large low freq disturbance.  I note also that an attempt to alleviate this was to add foam or rubber to the suspension to dampen the oscillation (I suspect).  I have a 3 point suspension Yamaha table that achieved this quite well.

 

I have had much more success DIY-wise in this area with plinth mass, constrained layers, and rubber (like vibrapods) and rubber matting.  This also managed a problem with low frequency feedback at high playing volumes.   

 

Note: I have now avoided using the word isolation, just talking about what worked for me. 

[mloutfie]

@andyr mught be wrong but I think technically you're improving the Linn compressed spring with the squash ball/tube. The main isolator is still the spring

[MuBh]

After reading this thread, I put together a marble isolation platform with ISO pucks for base. Took some readings (see attached pictures). The names are pretty indicative.

All up cost - $40 for marble (500x500x20mm) and ISO Pucks ($150)

[Peter_F]

21 minutes ago, MukeshB said:

After reading this thread, I put together a marble isolation platform with ISO pucks for base. Took some readings (see attached pictures). The names are pretty indicative.

All up cost - $40 for marble (500x500x20mm) and ISO Pucks ($150)

Have you tried putting the turntable directly on the ISO pucks without the marble slab?  

[MuBh]

I had my RP3 directly on the pucks but the RP10 has its own nifty feet. Frankly I want to leave this baby untouched.

[Peter_F]

6 minutes ago, MukeshB said:

I had my RP3 directly on the pucks but the RP10 has its own nifty feet. Frankly I want to leave this baby untouched.

What happened when the RP3 was positioned directly on the pucks?  

[MuBh]

What happened when the RP3 was positioned directly on the pucks?  

I found the TT had a better bass and detailed soundstage, as if someone had pulled the clutter off it.

Check this video out -

[Bilbo]

2 hours ago, MukeshB said:

After reading this thread, I put together a marble isolation platform with ISO pucks for base. Took some readings (see attached pictures). The names are pretty indicative.

All up cost - $40 for marble (500x500x20mm) and ISO Pucks ($150)

Sorry for my ignorance, but which plot refers to which setup?

Also, what is the app you are using for this?

And what am I supposed to be checking out in the video?

Edited July 8, 2018 by Bilbo

[MuBh]

Sorry for my ignorance, but which plot refers to which setup?
Also, what is the app you are using for this?
And what am I supposed to be checking out in the video?

Sorry should have explained.


The plot is measuring the vibrations on top and bottom of the vib platform.

The video is of the RP3 played with Iso puk vs stock feet.

The app is VibSensor.

[PicoWattson]

Lot's of interesting ideas here and a pretty convincing demo by @Wimbo on his Sota. I  resprung my friends Sota last year and applied a similar technique but not quite as enthusiastically. 

My SGR rack uses compression springs under the top plinth (Harley Softail Inlet valve by the look of them) and I have also added the air springs (squish balls) topside. When it comes to helical coil springs would there be any benefit of compression (LP12) over suspension (Sota) I wonder.

[karlsartori]

puy real sorbothane under all turntable feet and voila all your problems will dissapear.(50x50x20 millimeters thick.

[Candyflip]

30 minutes ago, karlsartori said:

puy real sorbothane under all turntable feet and voila all your problems will dissapear.(50x50x20 millimeters thick.

Based on what science?

What ‘real’ sorbothane are you referring to?

[Bass13]

I'm no expert, but this looks pretty impressive on what it can do, will it work under the TT as well don't know...but if its not too expensive then maybe worth a try..

 

 

[aussievintage]

I went to Clarke rubber and asked about sorbothane one day.  They didn't have a clue what it was

[mloutfie]

You can buy sorbothane sheets off eBay. Some seller even pre cut it to be used under spike feet or pads

Edited December 14, 2018 by mloutfie

[mloutfie]

From my experience sorbothane are good when used under a spring based turntable ie thorens td150 I've used. But for other turntable spring isolation feet is better. And I've also tried combining them I found it sounds the same with just the feet. A precut sorbothane are not cheap so better buy a sheet and cut it yourself. If I have time I plan to make a sorbothane mat. I heard it's a great materials for turntable mat also

[andyr]

8 hours ago, mloutfie said:

If I have time I plan to make a sorbothane mat. I heard it's a great materials for turntable mat also.

 

I'd be delighted if you did this experiment, Mahdie!    I guess you'd need 3mm Sorbothane (does it come in such a thin-ness! )?

 

A Sorbothane mat sounds like a good idea - but somewhere, a long time ago, I read that "Sorbothane sucks the life out of the music" - which is why I've never made a mat out of it.  Or used it to isolate a TT.

 

Andy

 

[mloutfie]

@andyr yes it comes in 3mm thickness. But the one I'm looking for is 1/4" or slightly above 6mm since it's for sp10 MK2 I need thicker Matt. I've been going back and forth on this basically not sure I can do a clean circular cut with a perfect centre spindle hole

[andyr]

1 hour ago, mloutfie said:

@andyr yes it comes in 3mm thickness. But the one I'm looking for is 1/4" or slightly above 6mm since it's for sp10 MK2 I need thicker Matt. I've been going back and forth on this basically not sure I can do a clean circular cut with a perfect centre spindle hole

 

Use a dinner plate as the circle that you cut.  It doesn't matter if the diam is a bit less than 30cm.  Use a sharp Stanley knife - or a scalpel - for the cutting.

 

Then measure the mid point "north/south" and "east/west" - that will give you the midpoint that you punch out - or drill - a 7mm hole.

 

Andy

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by andyr