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Help in isolating a TT with spring suspension.

Hello,

I recently got an old Pioneer PL-10 TT at an estate sale. After cleaning it up and getting a new headshell and belt for it, it looks and sounds to be in NM condition.

It sounds great as long as you just sit there, but as soon as you start walking around, even softly with no shoes, etc., it causes the tonearm to skip around a bit. I replaced the rubber feet the springs rested on and leveled it, but it still vibrates when you walk.

Are these types of TT's normally this sensitive? I find this unacceptable. I'd like to keep this TT if I can eliminate this problem. It's original rubber feet are pretty hard and chintzy. Would getting some kind of cone feet help? It is resting on a vertical rack which isn't exactly audiophile quality, but isn't light weight junk either.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but please make them somewhat reasonable (no $900 Harmonix feet)!
128x128chris_383

Showing 4 responses by chris_383

chris_383's avatar
chris_383 OP
15 posts
 
It's not about what you put under it, but about what you put it on ;-) And even if your "rack" is reasonably sturdy, the floor structure under the rack is probably what's bouncing (it's not a concrete slab is it!)
Yes, I have an old house and my floors are not that good, but I've had other TT's that were not nearly this bad.

A wall mounted rack would be nice but it wouldn't work with the way my room is set up, and I really don't have the room for it. Speaking of concrete slabs, would putting a heavy flat piece of slate or stone of some kind help?

Thanks for the info.
chris_383's avatar
chris_383 OP
15 posts
 
It's not about what you put under it, but about what you put it on ;-) And even if your "rack" is reasonably sturdy, the floor structure under the rack is probably what's bouncing (it's not a concrete slab is it!)
Yes, I have an old house and my floors are not that good, but I've had other TT's that were not nearly this bad.

A wall mounted rack would be nice but I don't think it would work with the way my room is set up. Speaking of concrete slabs, would putting a heavy flat piece of slate or stone of some kind help?

Thanks for the info.
chris_383's avatar
chris_383 OP
15 posts
 
Have you verified (with a gauge)that the stylus is at the correct tracking force? If your table uses a "spring" anti-skating system, has its proper functioning been checked?
The cartridge on the TT was professionally installed. It tracks light at 1.5 grams so increasing it a little might help slightly but the whole plinth jiggles and shakes when walking in the room so the problem is bigger than that.
chris_383's avatar
chris_383 OP
15 posts
 
Chris,
I understand your frustration. I've been there.
I believe that you have 2 choices.
First, use a different turntable. Secondly,
look at the problem from a different perspective ( somehow make it work in the room)
and find a way to utilize one of Nsgarch's suggestions.
Thanks for the help. I will use this TT temporarily until I can get the one I want (that I know wont shake like this one). I only paid $50 total for it including belt, headshell, etc.

I can understand why many TT manufacturers don't utilize this design. It only works if you have perfect floors, and it's difficult to fix and level when it gets old.
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