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recommendation for turntable vibration damping

hi!
i recently moved into a new home and just completed a project to install insulation under the floor (in the crawlspace). this was done to save on heating costs, but i figured it would also help to dampen vibration from the floor. the floors themselves are fairly cheap with thin carpet over them. (we are likely to install hardwood floors in about a year or so.)

anyway, after the insulation project was complete, i noticed that if i tapped my foot (as in moderate footstep), i could see my turntable shake. i'm wondering what steps i could take to reduce this vibration.

here are some relevant details:
>> VPI Aries on a Bright Star Air Mass 19, sitting atop a...
>> Finite Elemente "Spider" rack built up about 24" with a preamplifier, CD player, and VPI SDS also on it/weighing it down.

the rack is modular (which has served me well during a few moves) and is lightweight.

i'm wondering what my options are for reducing vibration -- i don't think i can afford a big/heavy rack right now.

is something like a bright star 'big rock' advisable? i would imagine loading it down with sand would really weigh down the rack and, presumably, dampen vibration. (they're not cheap, though...especially for the size i need for an original aries. i don't have an outboard flywheel, but i may get one one day.)

i'm open to any thoughts.

thank you in advance.
ebalog
surfgod
229 posts
 
I did it with an old Michael Green AV clamp rack. What I did is discard the middle shelf. In between the top & botton shelf I placed two large hand selected cinderblocks,
some cut 2X4 wood planks under & above the bricks. Using spikes & floor protectors the entire rack was tightened & leveled. You can play a record, jump up & down right next to the table and your TT will not miss a beat. Thats what I called vibration damping
ebalog OP
31 posts
 
Installed the wall-mounted shelf today and it made a huuuuuge difference!

The impact it has was not at all subtle.

I need to preface this next statement by saying that I often do not hear the effect of some "upgrades" that folks rave about. (I'm not saying the improvement isn't there, but many times I just don't experience it.) I'm not a detail/soundstage freak, but did hear a couple things on records on familiar records that I'd never heard before.

This got me more of an improvement than I had hoped. I think I still need to address some of the floor issues (particularly bracing from below), but it's not as serious a concern with the rest of my system as it was with the source.

I was listening to a live recording of Spanish guitar and could hear some "hand slaps" against the body of the guitar that I'd not noticed before. I think previously they were muddled and lost in the vibration of the source.

Thanks for the advice. As mentioned above, I will still plan to sue it as I make improvments. I'm just glad the main issue is taken care of. Having the TT on a compliant floor really sucked all the life out of the system.
dewald_visser
176 posts
 
Glad you got your TT sorted. I feel for you guys with wooden floors! I used to live in a house with nasty wooden floors - what a nightmare. Luckly I now live in a house tha is as solid as a rock - with concrete floors with wood covering.

A solid support is absolutely vital for a turntable. I have exprienced that these brick-walls of my house also reverbrate at some extent and this worries me - if a supposed solid wall reverbrates - then what is good for your turntable?

Kind regards,
Dewald
ebalog OP
31 posts
 
D_v:
I purchased a finite elemente Pagode Signature wall shelf. They are pricey (not as pricey as the next higher model in the line-up), but it was so worth it.

To your point, any wall-mounted shelf will provide a solid connection with the wall...but what if the wall vibrates? Well, this seies of shelves take measures to reduce the vibration transmitted to the shelf from the wall. Further, there is really a shelf that sits atop the "frame" (which then connects to the wall. The shelf is further isolated from the frame.

The next level up takes this even further. It's double the cost and I'm sure it's better...but the "Signature" model is pretty stellar.

Just something worth investing. Also, finite elemente include a mortar kit to shore up mounts into brick and concrete walls. Wow.
ebalog OP
31 posts
 
Thanks again, all, for your replies.

Even though the TT is now on the wall, I realized that I should still support the floor from underneath.

I like the automotive scissor jack route, atop a concrete block (and potentially below a 2'x2" or 4'x4").

The area I'm trying to support is 13'W x 10'D, with joists running from front to back and spaced 16" apart.

I'm thinking that instead of just supporting the equipment/rack and area under the 2 speakers, maybe I should just brace the whole floor.

Any thoughts on how many jacks I should use in that space?

How much is enough to barely get by (I'm guessing area under the rack + 2 speakers)? How much is enough to "do it right"?

Also, if I go the 2'x2" (or 4'x4") route, would you recommend 2 (or 4) jacks supporting each board?

Thanks so much for your thoughts.
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