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Table for Optimal Record Playing

F

fatmonster32

New Member
Hi,
As the title mentions, I'm looking to know what table or surface would the best for my turntable and my preamp to sit on. As I live China, it is quite cheap for me to make custom furniture, and whatnot, at a very low price.

Please! Give me recommendations! Please tell me what kind of wood/other materials should I use and any other details that you can caution me about.

But do keep in mind that the space that I have is somewhat limited. SOMEWHAT! So please, let your suggestions flow!


Thanks a lot!
 
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It really doesn't matter what your table should be made out of. You can make it out of wood, steel, aluminum, etc.

The most important factor is that your turntable sits on something that is stable and isn't going to wobble. The heavier the better, usually.

What is your floor made out of? That can make a big difference. If you floor is springy it might be better to make a wall mount if you can. That or strengthen the floor where the stand will sit. I did this and it made a huge difference in my setup. I always had a problem whenever I walked across the floor. I installed a post under the floor for support and it completely eliminated the footfall problem I had.
 
DENNYDOG said:
It really doesn't matter what your table should be made out of. You can make it out of wood, steel, aluminum, etc.

The most important factor is that your turntable sits on something that is stable and isn't going to wobble. The heavier the better, usually.

What is your floor made out of? That can make a big difference. If you floor is springy it might be better to make a wall mount if you can. That or strengthen the floor where the stand will sit. I did this and it made a huge difference in my setup. I always had a problem whenever I walked across the floor. I installed a post under the floor for support and it completely eliminated the footfall problem I had.
Click to expand...

I have a parquet floor and its springiness is very slight or close-to-nonexistence. Many people recommended that I have it made out of wood/particle board with the tops/shelves covered with a plate of glass/acrylic. Is this necessary?
 
Over-engineer it with every trick in the book, if you are going for maximum damping and isolation. There are many good examples here if you search turntable isolation, or alternately, turntable damping. Some have simply used sorbothane feet to great effect. You can find these on ebay easily, they're like little pucks or halfspheres of squishy plastic, of the approximate consistency of thawed meat. Experiment and try various methods. You're bound to hit the right solution pretty quick if you use the many good examples on the interblogs.
 
michaelhigh said:
they're like little pucks or halfspheres of squishy plastic, of the approximate consistency of thawed meat
Click to expand...

I can see the thread now: turntable isolation with thawed meats

Then the arguments will start: is it worth it to use higher grades of meat? Does USDA choice give better high frequencies?? :D

(Sorry to hijack a bit...I just couldn't resist)
 
michaelhigh said:
Over-engineer it with every trick in the book, if you are going for maximum damping and isolation. There are many good examples here if you search turntable isolation, or alternately, turntable damping. Some have simply used sorbothane feet to great effect. You can find these on ebay easily, they're like little pucks or halfspheres of squishy plastic, of the approximate consistency of thawed meat. Experiment and try various methods. You're bound to hit the right solution pretty quick if you use the many good examples on the interblogs.
Click to expand...

Ahh I see. I searched up on Sorbothane and it's just extremely interesting! That aside, though, wouldn't the material of the table/surface be in consideration, being quite a large factor as well? People tend to lean towards surfaces made out of MDF - should I? Or does it, as you said, not matter at all?


Wes_in_VA said:
I can see the thread now: turntable isolation with thawed meats

Then the arguments will start: is it worth it to use higher grades of meat? Does USDA choice give better high frequencies?? :D

(Sorry to hijack a bit...I just couldn't resist)
Click to expand...

Haha! It ain't no thing :D
 
A lot has to do with the particular turntable. Some are more sensitive than others. The speakers you are using as well as their placement, will also affect how much work you need to do.

What turntable are you using? That will determine how far you have to go. Search the threads for your turntable and you will see if it is problematic and what others have done to overcome issues.
 
jsisk said:
A lot has to do with the particular turntable. Some are more sensitive than others. The speakers you are using as well as their placement, will also affect how much work you need to do.

What turntable are you using? That will determine how far you have to go. Search the threads for your turntable and you will see if it is problematic and what others have done to overcome issues.
Click to expand...


I've recently acquired an entry-level audiophile turntable, the Music Hall MMF 2.2.

I know it probably doesn't need this level of attention in this area, knowing the standard of this turntable, but I'd rather do this now than later - when I upgrade to a turntable of a higher standard.
 
Nice turntable. That will help considerably.

As for the stand...

Heavy. If using wood, pick a hard and dense wood or thick MDF. Make sure your construction is tight - no loose joints or drawers to vibrate. Add rubber or felt feet to the bottom of the finished stand to reduce vibrations from the floor.
 
jsisk said:
Nice turntable. That will help considerably.

As for the stand...

Heavy. If using wood, pick a hard and dense wood or thick MDF. Make sure your construction is tight - no loose joints or drawers to vibrate. Add rubber or felt feet to the bottom of the finished stand to reduce vibrations from the floor.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Should I have an acrylic or glass surface on the top of it or should the turntable just sit on the wood directly?

Also, would wood (and what kind) be better or MDF be better?
 
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3/4 MDF and void free plywood is generally less resonant than solid wood and is one reason speaker builders prefer it.
 
A specifically designed turntable rack for turntables.

Then you could put your current listening LPs under the TT too.

MDF does absorbs vibration but it's hard to work with, kinda.
 
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I bought a floor safe years ago which is a perfect base for my Oracle. About 400 lbs. and very inert.
 

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fatmonster32 said:
Thanks!

Should I have an acrylic or glass surface on the top of it or should the turntable just sit on the wood directly?

Also, would wood (and what kind) be better or MDF be better?
Click to expand...

Avoid glass, it rings like a bell. Although some will disagree, avoid granite and marble, as well. They are about the same density as glass, and have no inherent vibration damping qualities.

A simple sand-box is a fantastic way to isolate a turntable, and is very easy to DIY.
 
avionic said:
My solution. Black anodized 8020 "erector set" with a granite top, isolated with ultra soft polyurathane.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-polyurethane-sheets/=ioppdf
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You could take that piece of granite down to your local granite shop and ask them if they would polish the edges for you and give it a "straight polish" edge. Should be fairly inexpensive say $20-$30. Ifns you care about that sort of thing.

It will give it a nice clean look. That's a great solution (gotta have the isolation material tho).

Cheers,
Bob
 
eurasian said:
I bought a floor safe years ago which is a perfect base for my Oracle. About 400 lbs. and very inert.
Click to expand...

Now that's the most stable TT base I've ever seen in my whole life !!!!!!!!!!!!!

:thmbsp:


And you can lock up your TT carts, accessories, and brushes and they won't dissappear too!! :)
 
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