Suspensions on turntable...really effective?

"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?  ;-)

"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

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?

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.)

Geoff, if I isolate the turntable itself, do I need to isolate the subwoofer? 

It would be a good idea to isolate both the subwoofer and the turntable and all components really. The attenuation of passive iso systems is around 6 dB per octave. But you’re right, the subwoofer’s lowest frequency will be almost entirely attenuated by the turntable’s iso system, assuming a 3 or 4 Hz iso system that’s 99% effective by the time you get up to 20 Hz. The most aggregious frequencies for the turntable are circa 10-12 Hz since they would excite the natural frequencies of the tonearm and cartridge.