VPI table isolation

Semi called it. The mouse pad did the trick. I will look for an elegant long term solution, but the vibration is gone.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Bob

I have a VPI Scoutmaster sitting on a Ginko Cloud 11 but I also use Blu Tak under the motor. Works well.

There is so much B.S. talked about isolation that we seem to ignore common sense. All motors vibrate,the vibration is transmitted to what they sit on and in turn to what sits on that. Put 3 or 4 vibrapods under the motor,cost $20-$25.I GUARANTEE this will fix the problem.The mouse pad works really well too.
I bought a stethescope to help me figure out what really works on vibrations. While I do use some cones(mainly BDR)they do very little to stop the transmission of vibrations. What they tend to do is change the resonance of that vibration with small audble results (sometimes)
My experience using the stethescope has been that only pliant things such as rubber, air filled bags, springs, gells etc stop or reduce the tansmission of vibrations. This is born out in the really world also were thesetypes or materials are used on electron microscopes and pumps and motors etc. You don't see microscopes on Stillpoints

VPI at one point recommended putting a mouse pad under the motor, you can put softer rubber feet under the motor to reduce vibration being transmitted to the rack and back to your table. ideally you want to absorb all vibration from the motor and that will take more than one type of material, you can stack maple, rubber, aluminum, sand, etc to more effectively reduce vibration transfer.

Good move on the SDS. I'm sure you'll get the vibration resolved. Let us know.

Thanks alot guys. These are very helpful recommendations. I will play with positioning tonight and look at adding an isolation tweak.

I am debating an upgrade to my table, and have been hesitant because my system sounds quite good and I'm not convinced that I have my current setup optimised. Feeling that much vibration on the armtube while the motor is running was quite shocking. Eliminating that, and adding the sds I just ordered should give me a nice leap forward.

Thanks again.

Bob

What really took my rig up a notch was separating the motor assembly from the platter/plinth. I built a special rack that accepted the feet with a completely separate (to the floor)assembly holding the motor. The only problem I had was occasionally I would have to readjust the "system" in so that the motor was in the right position (I think it was from slowly nudging it while using the on/off switch). FWIW, I am amazed there isn't a commercially available rack for this situation. I own a custom furniture fabrication shop and have debated on offering one myself.

I put 4 Audio Points discs under the 4 VPI feet. They are $8.70 each. Cut down on vibration in my system. My Scoutmaster is sitting on a VPI TNT stand with a 3 " thick maple block from Michigan Maple block resting on Audio Points on top of the TNT stand. You can put things under the motor according to reports I have heard but I haven't had to. I am a dealer for these things but don't sell them on here, just stating what has helped me. Look at the Star Sound site for the discs, they don't cost much and they helped me.

You can buy or make a sand box, and if you cut the portion of the top out where the motor is positioned, and ensure that part is not touching any part of the lid or box, it will do away with any motor noinse being transferred to the table by the platform. Another thing you might check, which happened to me, is that I moved the motor too far, and the power cord was touching the support on the back side, where it was hard to see. Easy fix, that one, but can be hard to spot.

Best of luck,
Dan

Did you try experimenting with moving the motor? I get vibration in my tonearm if my motor is in a bad position with my Scoutmaster, even with isolation (Ginko Cloud 11). Moving the motor fixes it.

Not sure of the configuration of the Scout motor but I have the motor that came with my Aries 1 and have something called "The Shelf"- Black Diamond Racing Signature Series- that the motor sits on for isolation. I believe the the cost was $160.00. It seams to work with my set up. If you like to give this company a call their number is 414-747-8733. They might have one for your motor. I know there are many other way's for isolation but this seams pretty inexpensive.