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Suspensions on turntable...really effective?

Been wondering about this, so did some research, but was surprised I couldn't find any that categorically says that turntable suspensions really isolate/substantially reduce outside vibrations, resonances, etc.

Any reference out there you can point out?

Cheers
diamondears
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
"Every low level signal phono cartridge consists of key components: the stylus, cantilever, MAGNETS, coils and body. What are we going to now GK......you better go tell every cartridge maker about this."

Uh, it’s the size/strength of the magnetic field the mag lev systems produce that’s the issue. And the cartridge is in close proximity to the Verdier magnets, that’s the problem. Hel-loo! I’m not concerned about the Earth’s magnetic field any more than the cartridge magnetic field for that reason. Why do we have demagnetizers for LPs but not for the mag lev magnets?  ;-)
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
"Is there any TURNTABLE out there where I wouldn’t be able to hear the unintended taps, touches and bumps on the rack and sound/vibrations from my subwoofer?

Cheapest you can recommend please?"

For suspended turntables the reason vibrations like footfalls and other vibrations are audible is because the turntable’s suspension’s resonant frequency is not low enough to block or attenuate them. If the turntable is unsuspended it should be placed on an isolation stand of good design. For suspended turntables with issues remove the suspension and place the turntable on an isolation system of appropriate design. For turntables like Verdier and VPI and Raven and other big heavy turntables one need look no further than my new Super Stiff Springs, which are designed to isolate and support just about any heavy object under the sun. Just the ticket for subwoofers, heavy turntables and heavy amps; minimum weight 75-100 lb. For things like CD players, headphone amps, preamps and other moderate weight components I have a different softer spring, the Cryo Baby Promethean Mini Isolator, cryogenically treated high carbon steel compression springs.

Geoff Kait
Machina Dynamica
diamondears OP
16 posts
 
GeoffKait, could you please explain how the Super Stiff Springs can effectively prevent taps, bumps and vibrations from subwoofer?

Its resinant frequency is low enough, 0.5hz?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
  • The subwoofer puts out what maybe 20Hz if you’re lucky. So the iso system doesn’t actually have to be too heroic for subwoofers. The resonant frequency of the iso system for the sub would only have to be what about 8 or 10 Hz to be effective at 20Hz and above? The idea of course is to prevent subwoofer cabinet resonance to feed back to the rest of the system via the floor. The Super Stiff Springs will provide between 2 and 4 Hz resonant frequency for the isolating system depending on total mass on springs. So, let’s say your subwoofer weighs 100 lbs. For the lowest resonant frequency of the system you would use three Super Stiff Springs but since the subwoofer’s lowest frequencies aren’t really an issue - as they are for components when seismic vibrations are involved - four springs are recommended under the subwoofer for stability. You still have to isolate the rest of the components from seismic, subways, footfall and tap, i.e., all sources of structureborne vibration. But by isolating the sub you eliminate one big contributor to structural vibration in the room. 
lewm
12,985 posts
 
Dear Ct0517, To answer your question, I have two systems.  In both cases, the drivers are based on electro-static principle.  In one case, yes, the ESLs are driven by OTL amplifiers that do generate a lot of heat, but never enough to raise the room temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit (about 5.5 degrees C).  And no, I have never perceived that the heating of the room, such as does occur, has any effect whatever on the sound. (The other system is based on Beveridge speakers which are driven by Beveridge direct-drive amplifiers built into the base of each speaker.  Thus no audio step-up transformer in the signal path. Those amps use a solid-state input stage and tube outputs [4 per chassis] that have no measurable or perceptible effect on room temp at all.)

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