turntable isolation?

[Linas]

I just moved into my new apartment, and now every time i listen to LP's and decide to walk past my player, it skips. This was never a problem ive experienced, and i imagine it has to do with the floors transferring the vibrations more. What is a cheap and effective way that i can isolate my turntable. I saw online a bunch of audiophile mumbojumbo options but i am a college student and i need to do this on the cheap.

[Stumbo]

Fuzzy part of velcro in each corner.
Rubber pad. Typewriter pad.
Cut some small rubber balls in half and place (flat side down) under each corner of turn table.
Cut some sponges to size and place under corners.

You get the idea.

[Arranger]

Put it on a pillow.

Or float it in a pan of water tethered on all corners with rubber bands.

[Pilgrim]

You are only discovering what those of us with grey in our hair have known for decades.

Turntables don't like vibration.

I remember when the REAL test of a turntable was whether it would play the cut 'Birthday" on the White Album without skipping! The bass notes would make any cheap tone arm skip.

[Brick Top]

I have tried many different methods( mostly cause of cheap turntables)...but the most effective is: mass > absorb > mass > turntable.

In other words...get a patio stone or two(large enough to fit under your turntable. Place one on the shelf the TT sits on. Put a bunch of tennis balls( don't cut then in half) on top of the patio stone, and corral them if you can...or just put the other patio stone on top of them. The weight of the stone will keep them in place.

Set your TT on top of new isolation platform you have just built. Ensure everything is level when you are done.

A better option is to buy( or build) a rack that bolts to the wall. I used to use a wall rack cause my floors shake really bad....but since I bought a Sota turntable...all isolation problems are gone.

Good luck, and let us know what method you went with.

Cheers,
BT

[Arranger]

The worst problem I ever had with a turntable was while recording some albums to tape. I decided to play some bass while listening to the recording. Guess what? You got it. Every note I played came through loud and clear on the final recording!

Rinse, repeat....
Had to start the entire track again - cue up, hold platter, start recording, release platter, fade in, .... fade out, stop recording, lift cartridge, stop platter.... the trial and tribulations of an album recording are too painful to forget easily.

[elgecko]

Weigh down the tone arm with a few quarters or nickels

[Arranger]

Originally Posted by elgecko

Weigh down the tone arm with a few quarters or nickels

Woa! Don't excavate those grooves!

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Linas

I just moved into my new apartment, and now every time i listen to LP's and decide to walk past my player, it skips. This was never a problem ive experienced, and i imagine it has to do with the floors transferring the vibrations more. What is a cheap and effective way that i can isolate my turntable. I saw online a bunch of audiophile mumbojumbo options but i am a college student and i need to do this on the cheap.

the cheapest solution i've seen was a cake pan(s) full of sand under a cloth with the feet on the sand

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by elgecko

Weigh down the tone arm with a few quarters or nickels

Under NO circumstances! This will damage the vinyl. Ever heard of a lathe?

If you have to weight the tone arm, it's out of adjustment or too cheap to function properly. I've done this and I still have the damaged albums to prove it.

I like the above ideas...

1) Add mass underneath the turntable - that will stop a lot of vibration;
2) Add a shock-reducing medium under the TT legs. I've cut up 1/4" neoprene mouse pads for this purpose.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

You are only discovering what those of us with grey in our hair have known for decades.

Turntables don't like vibration.

I remember when the REAL test of a turntable was whether it would play the cut 'Birthday" on the White Album without skipping! The bass notes would make any cheap tone arm skip.

i remember those old thorens tables that had tone arms taking flight if a kitten walked past the house

[Arranger]

Coincidentally, I just dusted of my old Thorens and bought a new belt for it today. It's time to hear some high quality recordings again. It's also amazing what those vintage turntables are fetching over on the 'bay.

[unclejam]

tnt audio is your friend

[Brick Top]

Originally Posted by unclejam

tnt audio is your friend

Fo Sho

[RWP]

That problem is why I was so pleased when they invented the Compact Disk Player. They never skip, you should look into one.

[Otter]

Have you considered something like this;

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Isolation-Feet

Otter.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by Otter

Have you considered something like this;

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Isolation-Feet

Otter.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Harmonix...=2&category=88

Do they throw in a $35.00 2A fuse for free??

[fdeck]

I have isolated sensitive optical instruments with a sheet of plywood on top of a partially inflated kids bike inner tube. I can jump up and down on the floor and see no effect.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

http://www.needledoctor.com/Harmonix...=2&category=88

Do they throw in a $35.00 2A fuse for free??

Ouch! That is ridiculous, (and I get the $35.00 2A fuse reference). The simple machined aluminum ones work well for the price.

Otter.

[Brick Top]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I have isolated sensitive optical instruments with a sheet of plywood on top of a partially inflated kids bike inner tube. I can jump up and down on the floor and see no effect.

This will work as well...but another popular one is wheelbarrow tire innertubes.

Cheers,
BT