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Help with Hifi Setup - Turntable Isolation

T

turnintables

New Member
Hi Everyone,
Just recently, I have put together my first HiFi setup. Current specs are below. I am having trouble with my turntable unfortunately. Since I have no space to seperate the bookshelf speakers, they are right squished up against the speakers creating some awful bass oscillation at high volumes when using the TT, on top of the cd player and amp (check photos). I was wondering if anyone has suggestions. I body of the TT is plastic, and the speakers are decently insulated. I can't relocate the entire setup as the room is pretty small.

I'm considering putting the speakers or the TT on insulating feet, don't really know what kind of feet or pads to get

I was also thinking of maybe getting stands to go beside the shelf, giving me more stereo seperation, but I don't want them too low as there is a bed around 1 meter from the shelf
Another option I thought of is putting the TT on a different shelf, and getting a wireless transmitter/receiver to get to the amp. I can use either the phono input or a phono preamp so that's not an issue. If anything I can put something in the TT's place like a cassette deck.

I hope I can figure out a solution as I'm dying to play some soon vinyl soon!

Photos below

Specs:
Receiver - Pioneer VSX 4400
CD Player - Technics SL-PD10
TT: Denon DP-15F
Preamp: NAD PP 2i
Speakers: Polk Audio RT3515882088118247696180272863773217.jpg 15882088504578215879015392208601.jpg 15882088740266415913619107551967.jpg
 
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turnintables said:
I was also thinking of maybe getting stands to go beside the shelf, giving me more stereo seperation, but I don't want them too low as there is a bed around 1 meter from the shelf
Click to expand...

You're on the right track with this. Given the issues you're having, you need to get the turntable and speakers off the same stand.

Stands for the speakers would work or you could put the turntable on a wall shelf. The wall shelf could be a couple of inches above the CD player so no need for a wireless connection.

You might still find that airborne vibration from the speakers is causing feedback in which case you'll need to try and get more distance between the turntable and the speakers.
 
The amp needs space to breath, put spacers between. Install a wall shelf for the table.

But even with these changes having the table "between" the speakers, especially so close together is a recipe for disaster.
 
dcmfan said:
You're on the right track with this. Given the issues you're having, you need to get the turntable and speakers off the same stand.
Click to expand...
That would be a good idea to wall mount the TT, but I think it will be a little too high off the ground, and would be hard to reach I can move the record player to a shelf next to the speakers (see photo). It would work as it's fairly far away from the speakers, but I'd have to look into a wireless transmitter/receiver, and from what I have found so far, most are not 'HiFi' solutions.
1588252457072905297053981802375.jpg
 
I had a vibration/feedback problem with my tt. I bought sorbothane half spheres (half of a round ball) on ebay and put them under my tt feet. They have different weight bearing capacities so use the ones weighted for your tt. I put the flat surface on the bottom of the tt feet, the rounded surface sits on the shelf.
They can damage some surfaces so bear that in mind. They might be fine where your TT currently sits on top of that other piece of gear, but may cause issues on that painted shelf.
Perhaps coasters could be used under sorbothane on surfaces that may be damaged.

71DU95wxr7L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
The plastic parts are very prone to noise amplification/feedback (tt cover, base, etc.) An option, albeit extreme, is a hang-from-ceiling platform for the tt. My tt upstairs is on a wall-mounted shelf, works well but a bit high off the floor. I second the wall-mounting of speakers, given your compact system layout. If you do, make sure your fastener is into middle of stud, or, barring that, a 1/4" toggle bolt would do.
 
You really need to move the speakers, but isolating both them and the turntable with those feet would help.

Can you at least move the system over to those shelves on the left? You'd have more space to move the speakers away.
 
Catmanboo said:
The plastic parts are very prone to noise amplification/feedback (tt cover, base, etc.) An option, albeit extreme, is a hang-from-ceiling platform for the tt. My tt upstairs is on a wall-mounted shelf, works well but a bit high off the floor. I second the wall-mounting of speakers, given your compact system layout. If you do, make sure your fastener is into middle of stud, or, barring that, a 1/4" toggle bolt would do.
Click to expand...

Toggle bolts would be almost impossible to hang the speaks on with their wiggly nature, plus they make a rather large hole.

Something like the Toggler, or Polytog would work better. Just as strong but make a smaller hole and work with a regular screw. Think plastic anchor meets toggle bolt.

_toggler-plastic-hollowwall-anchors-1246-_8151.Toggler Plastic Wall Anchors.jpg
maxresdefault (3).jpg
 
turnintables said:
That would be a good idea to wall mount the TT, but I think it will be a little too high off the ground, and would be hard to reach I can move the record player to a shelf next to the speakers (see photo). It would work as it's fairly far away from the speakers, but I'd have to look into a wireless transmitter/receiver, and from what I have found so far, most are not 'HiFi' solutions.
View attachment 1850057
Click to expand...

I'd say move the speakers or the gear to that Ikea rack to the left and run longer speaker cables between the amp and the speakers. You could put a thin rug or a strip of blue painter's tape over the speaker wires where they cross the doorway to minimize tripping hazard or could even run the speaker wires above the doorframe.
 
Grenadeslio said:
Toggle bolts would be almost impossible to hang the speaks on with their wiggly nature, plus they make a rather large hole.

Something like the Toggler, or Polytog would work better. Just as strong but make a smaller hole and work with a regular screw. Think plastic anchor meets toggle bolt.

View attachment 1850277
View attachment 1850275
Click to expand...
Having used those plastic ones professionally for years, not recommended for anything weighing 22+ lbs hanging on it, will eventually fail. same with plastic pound-ins. Residential-grade drywall isn't very conducive to supporting heavy things, commercial-grade a bit tougher.
 
Catmanboo said:
Having used those plastic ones professionally for years, not recommended for anything weighing 22+ lbs hanging on it, will eventually fail. same with plastic pound-ins. Residential-grade drywall isn't very conducive to supporting heavy things, commercial-grade a bit tougher.
Click to expand...
Would hold those speaks easily, I've used them for decades also "professionally". In order for it to pull through would require it rip a huge hole through the drywall, the same as a toggle bolt.

Again, regular toggle bolts would be impossible to use.
 
goodolpg said:
I had a vibration/feedback problem with my tt. I bought sorbothane half spheres (half of a round ball) on ebay and put them under my tt feet. They have different weight bearing capacities so use the ones weighted for your tt. I put the flat surface on the bottom of the tt feet, the rounded surface sits on the shelf.
They can damage some surfaces so bear that in mind. They might be fine where your TT currently sits on top of that other piece of gear, but may cause issues on that painted shelf.
Perhaps coasters could be used under sorbothane on surfaces that may be damaged.
Click to expand...
Those sorbothane hemispheres are very effective. The ones I bought have a peel-off sheet with stickum underneath, that I just leave on, to protect the surface they are sitting on.
 
Grenadeslio said:
Would hold those speaks easily, I've used them for decades also "professionally". In order for it to pull through would require it rip a huge hole through the drywall, the same as a toggle bolt.

Again, regular toggle bolts would be impossible to use.
Click to expand...
So you advocate hanging an expensive, 22 lb speaker on a 2 cent piece of FLEXIBLE plastic? :eek2:And yes, it may rip a hole in 1/4" drywall if yanked on, will pull out of anything thicker. Toggle bolt need not be snugged tight to wall. Not debating further, not what I'm about!:)
 
turnintables said:
I think stands are my best bet. I'm not looking for over the top quality so I'll check Amazon for something cheap, maybe 32". I have the room on the sides and this doesn't require any drilling! I would put the system in the Ikea cabinet but nothing fits in the squares!
Click to expand...
In a pinch, if you don't mind the funky looks, cinder blocks work surprisingly well to absorb & dampen any stray vibes. That means you can throttle up & not worry about feedback & such.:D
 
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