How to isolate turntable from footstep shake or vibration

ARC put tube "prophylactics" (damping rings?) on the tubes. I have no idea if this cuts "microphonics"

:) of course it does! Warren Gehl of ARC came up with that material (he also designed the Sumiko Analog Survival Kit) and it is one of the best materials I've seen for controlling microphonics in low signal tubes.

The old MFA luminescence preamplifier was one of the best sounding single-ended preamplifiers ever designed, and it used 6SN7, 6EM7,and 6SL7 tubes, all of which are octal-based triodes with large glass envelopes. I owned a luminescence that would sing if I turned the music up too loud and it was very obvious what was going on. I was able to tame them after a while. And with dampers. Sadly for those who love them as one of the best sounding small signal triodes ever built, the 6SN7 is one of the culprits for being especially microphonic. In fact, the best and most rare ones are often the most prone to microphonics. It’s a problem you live with, if you love the tube and how it sounds. Another thing to consider is that the level of microphonics for a given tube in a given circuit often is related to the signal gain developed inside the tube. I am beginning to suspect that in your AR preamplifier the 6922 is used as a cathode follower. Cathode followers develop no gain, and that may be why you are having no problem with microphonics even when tapping on the tube. Just a guess.

@lewm , I am very simple minded Lou.Insted of buying very elaborate isolation plateforms I would prefer buying equipment that is not affected by the minimal amount of vibration present in a sturdy cabinet. I find it interesting that I see systems with elaborate platforms for the electronics and a turntable that sits on simple feet. I get a Sota mostly because it has a dynamite suspension and is impervious to anything happening around it. The same can be said of several other turntables but not the majority and it is very hard trying to get the message through that heavy plinths do not qualify as a suspension. Turntables are different because it is their job to "measure" vibration. No other component does this and is near as sensitive in this regard. Maybe some tube equipment is susceptible. You and Ralph would be far more knowledgeable on that subject than I am. I only have one tubed unit. But, I have a hard time believing and piece of electronic equipment would be as sensitive as a turntable.  

My turntable levitates : https://solidairaudio.com/product-category/special-offers/
It works very well.

Sadly for those who love them as one of the best sounding small signal triodes ever built, the 6SN7 is one of the culprits for being especially microphonic.

Actually @lewm IME the 6SL7 is the more problematic tube compared to a 6SN7.


@mijostyn Just so you know, the tubes in your ARC have to be hand-picked for low microphonics- every tube phono section manufacturer in the world hand-picks their tubes.


Electronics are indeed not as sensitive as a turntable. But they can be sensitive nevertheless which is why many people put platforms beneath their preamps as well as their turntables.

I get a Sota mostly because it has a dynamite suspension and is impervious to anything happening around it.

I had the Sota Cosmos for the same reason. However, I was friends with the guy that ran Sound Anchors (since retired; Sound Anchors has a new owner) and he helped me out with a custom stand. Immediately the Cosmos sounded better. Then I got an improved platform for the turntable and immediately the Cosmos sounded better. The thing about suspension and anti-vibration systems is that they work nicely together. We offer a damping package for the chassis of our preamps as an option; when a preamp with that package is placed in a good anti-vibration platform, the effect of doing so is more profound than if the preamp has no damping package. With analog I don’t think we’ve found how much you can do to improve its sound, on account of the operation being based on microscopic effects!