Turntable stands

Mikes:

Your best bet is a simple DIY rack/stand (assuming that you do not intend spending more for the rack/stand than you have for the source gear).

Copy and link to the following A'Gon thread in regard to the "Lack Rack".

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1001889380&read&keyw&zzikea+lack

If you like what a slightly modified Lack table does for the sound of your system/source then a logical upgrade down the line would be to then check out the the Neuance shelves manufactured by Greater Ranges/Neuance (Ken Lyons, the owner, is the one who "gave" us the DIY Lack Rack design).

Though I use Neuance shelves myself I have also experimented with a single Lack table as a TT stand and highly recommend doing so to those on a tight budget, based on my experience. We are talking less than $30 (including spikes) for a TT shelf or perhaps even under $20 if you use common/inexpensive items for the spikes.

The Lack side tables can be ordered online if you do not have a store in your area (think online prices are $9.99-$14.99/per table depending on the finish).

Sayas:

CPdunn makes a good point (wall mount shelf) if floor vibrations/footfalls are a problem.

I have always had better luck/sound with my sprung TT's when either locating them near a support wall (sometimes in a "centrally" located closet in older Spanish/Victorian buildings in which @ least 2 of the closet walls are support structures) or when placing them on lite/rigid stands.

Heavy massive stands can sound quite good when placed on solid slab floors, but otherwise I really do not care for the sound of them.

You won't know for sure until you try both and judge the sound yourself.

Airborne vibrations are a pet peeve of mine which is why I have rarely ever installed a TT in my listening room (prefer to have them located in either a closed closet or if this is not possible then in an adjoining room). Been doing this since the early 70's long before people were generally concerned with racks/shelves, etc., and I usually placed the TT's directly on a wood floor.

I was w/o a TT for approx. 15 years and this time around I am using racks/shelves. I did try placing my TT on a very heavy cabinet in the living room @ one point, but the sound kind of sucked. I have wood/plaster floors which do have some spring to them as the plaster is cracked in many, many places (more cracked than solid:-).