Weight, Clamp or stabilizer?


I have a vintage Pioneer PL-560 Direct-Drive Automatic Turntable purchased around 1980. 
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-560.shtml
I'm trying to get it to produce the best sound its capable of.  I plan to order a set of SVS subwoofer feet to replace the worn feet (I have an SVS subwoofer and removed its feet and temporarily placed them on the TT base with good results).  I read an article about TT tweaks.  A few things they suggested were an upgraded mat, clamp and isolation feet.  Thing is since the TT is a direct drive I don't know how much extra weight it can take (if any), and the spindle is about 7/8 inches tall so I don't know if that's enough for a clamp.  The original rubber mat it came with is in great shape. Do I need to replace it, too? I'm willing to invest in tweaks to improve this turntable, but not interested in replacing it.
mewsickbuff

Showing 1 response by slimpikins5

I installed 4 SVS ISOfeet under my VPI Ares3 with the super platter option (the TT weighs in around 70 pounds).  I did not simply machine screw the feet to the base of the turntable as the feet have a metal cup around the medium durometer rubber.  I wanted to isolate the metal cup from the base completely.  I drilled out the center hole to approximately 1/2 inch diameter, then installed a rubber grommet in the hole and installed the 1/4x20 machine screw in the center of the grommet.  I cut neoprene foam circles out of a mouse pad and used those as a gasket between the metal cup and the underside base of the TT.  After screwing the feet into place, the ISOfeet are completely isolated by rubber from the TT base and there is now about 2 inches of the ISOfeet isolating the TT from the shelf.  I have virtually zero vibration feeding into the TT under very heavy dynamic music with a lot  of bass.   I even put the same feet under my Whest Phono stage and the outboard power supply unit.  You would be amazed at how the soundstage and imaging opened up.  Vibration plays a major role in muddying up things.

A set of 4 of the feet are only $50.  I used 4 under the TT and 3 each under the phono chassis and power supply.