Active Turntable Isolation

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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So what’s the best active turntable isolation platform these days?


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the Minus K for one (passive-mechanical). I had it under a Simon Yorke S10, but moving on to a different rack and turntable negated the need for it. There were some bugaboos I encountered that I never saw mentioned anywhere except maybe once. The active units like the Herzan are reactionary and compensate milliseconds after the event and can't isolate below 1 hertz like the Minus K does.
 
puroagave said:
the Minus K for one (active mechanically). I had it under a Simon Yorke S10, but moving on to a different rack and turntable negated the need for it. There were some bugaboos I encountered that I never saw mentioned anywhere except maybe once. The active units like the Herzan are reactionary and compensate milliseconds after the event and can't isolate below 1 hertz like the Minus K does.
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Thanks. I’ll see if I can find a Minus K big enough for my Kronos.


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They make them to order in custom sizes (significant upcharge). Their client roster is a who's who of every research lab of significance, and used under proton microscopes for example. That said, you need to know a few things: they are assembled and calibrated to specific weights/mass. The adjustment range once installed is very narrow. Like just the act of putting on a record--or removing one--from the 'table is enough to bottom out the the top plate. It has hard bump stops that can be annoying esp when queing up a record. It doesn't damage/harm anything but one would think they'd have a solution by now. If you're the impatient type that can't wait a few seconds for the unit to 'settle' every time you place a record, engage the motor and wait for the platter speed to stabilize, etc. it might drive you nuts
 
puroagave said:
They make them to order in custom sizes (significant upcharge). Their client roster is a who's who of every research lab of significance, and used under proton microscopes for example. That said, you need to know a few things: they are assembled and calibrated to specific weights/mass. The adjustment range once installed is very narrow. Like just the act of putting on a record--or removing one--from the 'table is enough to bottom out the the top plate. It has hard bump stops that can be annoying esp when queing up a record. It doesn't damage/harm anything but one would think they'd have a solution by now. If you're not the patient type that can't wait a few seconds for the unit to 'settle' every time you place a record, engage the motor and wait for the platter speed to stabilize, etc. it might drive you nuts
Click to expand...

Hmmm….that might. Are there any other solutions?


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The Herzan is an option along with all the other active designs, I just know the best of them cant isolate below a few hertz which might not be enough to isolate foot-falls in your room. Someone will likely chime in with more experience than me. good luck!
 
Mike, what's your reason for wanting a platform?

That may be a large factor in making a selection. I can speculate but you can lay it out for me so i don't have to.

Dre
 
Back in the 70s I was living in an apartment on the second floor, and I couldn't walk without causing my AR-XB turntable to skip. I securely mounted a shelf on the wall and that solved the problem. Unfortunately, there was no way to isolate the neighbors from the music. So I moved.
 
Dre_J said:
Mike, what's your reason for wanting a platform?

That may be a large factor in making a selection. I can speculate but you can lay it out for me so i don't have to.

Dre
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At high levels, I’m getting some mechanical feedback. Very high, but you know, it’s a small problem to solve. At low, medium and even loud volumes, no issues. But if I really crank some bass heavy vinyl, it can happen.


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Mike said:
At high levels, I’m getting some mechanical feedback. Very high, but you know, it’s a small problem to solve. At low, medium and even loud volumes, no issues. But if I really crank some bass heavy vinyl, it can happen.


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Click to expand...

OK. It sounds like floor-born feedback. I'm guessing you are on a suspended floor for this installation. Is that correct?

If so, the active units will most likely be less effective since they tend to like a stable floor to operate to maximum effect.

I have a Minus k BM-1 that operates down to 1/2 Hz that I've used for over a decade. There is nothing that causes it to flinch (wrestling on the floor or my 16 (total including subwoofers) drivers that handle bass frequencies. The volume level doesn't matter if you know anyone that's been here, you can ask them the dynamic range the setup can do.

I have a link to a post from Audionirvana that has a series of comments including some more tech-type data. Since both forums AS and AN are friendly with eachother and we have some of the same members, the link shouldn't be an issue. If it is just let me know and/or take it out.

Negative Stiffness, Isolation and Minus-K Platforms -

Audionirvana.org

After you look that info over and have more questions, you can ask me here or call.

Here is one of my quotes: "I purchased the Minus k for that one purpose of low frequency isolation. Because of the BM-1's ability to significantly remove those low frequency vibrations (including any footfall issues), the vinyl performance is improved in terms of playback. IME, the system plays effortlessly regardless of the dynamic crescendos that occupy those lower frequencies."

Here is one of the links to the Minus k working:
Here is a demo to show how a shaky floor or foundation is not an issue for the Minus k BM-1 where this would cause fits for other post-processing devices that require a solid and isolated base to perform optimally.

Vibration Isolation Demo | Spacecraft Technology Expo Booth - YouTube


Dre
 
Yes, sub floor. Thanks, I’ll check it out.


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Dre - your comments are a bit confusing. The active units will not be effective on a sub floor, but the video shows a shaking floor.


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Mike said:
Yes, sub floor. Thanks, I’ll check it out.


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Click to expand...

You know this but for those who don't, I'm only providing information and use experience with the product. I'm not affiliated with Minus K in any way (relationship, reviews, marketing, photography, etc.). I purchased the product like anyone else would have.

I know suspended floor foot-fall and feedback issues can be a problem and can sometimes be very difficult to find a solution.

Good luck with whatever device you select. There are many out there.

Dre
 
Mike said:
Dre - your comments are a bit confusing. The active units will not be effective on a sub floor, but the video shows a shaking floor.


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Click to expand...

The Minus K is not active. The link to AN explains it as passive unit.

Dre
 
Dre_J said:
You know this but for those who don't, I'm only providing information and use experience with the product. I'm not affiliated with Minus K in any way (relationship, reviews, marketing, photography, etc.). I purchased the product like anyone else would have.

I know suspended floor foot-fall and feedback issues can be a problem and can sometimes be very difficult to find a solution.

Good luck with whatever device you select. There are many out there.

Dre
Click to expand...

Do you think the Minus K would work? The one in your video?


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I'd suggest the BM-1 model if you are going to place it on your own shelf. It has the effectiveness down to 1/2 Hertz in both vertical and horizontal planes.

I also suggest reading a bit more to make sure it is what you want. For me it just works.

Dre
 
three mfr i know of use the Minus K: Marc Gomez of Swedish Audio Technology has a bespoke model made for his new DD table. Mark Dohmann who was involved with Caliburn has a bespoke Minus K inside of his tables. Touraj Moghaddam of Roksan fame now with Vertere also offers a bespoke Minus K for his tables. Incidentally, Frank Kuzma's offering is active.

I got the nickel your of Minus K's facility, Steve Varma was kind enough to show me around and I observed various units in different stages of completion. He does a ton of business with audio guys, a number of the units I saw were headed to TT owners. He was also building a custom pair for SET mono amps.
 
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