Suspensions on turntable...really effective?

I think the issue is, really effective against what? For example, a Linn, although spring-mounted, is terrible with footfalls, while a Basis, also spring mounted, is much better.  There are many theories as to how to design a tt.  Some say that spring-mounted tables are always in a state of oscillation and that a heavy plinth is the way to go.  So the short answer is - I don't think you can generalize about these things.  Each table has to be judged for its own merits and you shouldn't be shopping for a tt based on whether it is suspended or not.  There are just too many factors that contribute to the sound.   

Well, it's pretty obvious the springs for the Linn are the wrong springs.  Because if they were the right springs the turntable would not be affected by footfalls.  There is a very simple relationship between resonant frequency, mass and spring rate. Most likely the folks at Linn didn't get the memo. 

I don't know if suspensions are necessarily designed to reduce the impact of footfall.  The Linn simply sound better--lively and better bass--when the suspension is correctly tuned and the table is placed on an appropriate support surface.  

I have experienced all sorts of tables having problems with footfall so I don't know if certain types of suspensions are particularly vulnerable.  As a rough guess, I would say that light tables with suspensions, like the Linn and some JA Michell tables seem a bit more vulnerable to footfall.  I suspect that a much heavier suspended table, like my Basis Debut, is less prone to problems with foot traffic.

"schubert
2,694 posts
01-07-2016 1:14am
Only ones I ever heard that really made a difference were magnetic suspension , And I 've owned four Thorens and a Linn LP-12."

Any suggestions? Clearaudio Magix?

I have heard really nice systems with magnetically suspended tables (Gabriel and Verdier), but, I have no idea how to attribute the sound to the particular suspension; these tables also have in common the fact that they are extremely massive.   With both tables, I have only heard systems that were in rooms where footfall was not a problem so I don't have any idea whether they do a better or worse job in that area.  I also heard the MASSIVE ClearAudio Statement table (the most expensive table I have seen/heard), and it too has a suspension (both magnetic and a mechanical suspension); it was in a dealer system that was not my kind of system so I don't really know what the table is capable of doing.  

I haven't seen a clear correlation between suspended vs. non-suspended in terms of what sounds good.  Of the suspended tables I am quite familiar with, I like the Basis Debut (the table I own), the Gabriel, the Verdier, the three motor Audio Note table, and, I even liked a Linn LP-12 with a Naim ARO arm on it (completely different sound, but, appropriate in the particular system it was in (heard a direct comparison with a Basis 2500).  I liked many non-suspended tables, like the TW Acoustic and refurbished Thorens 164.  I would not rule any particular design out just on theory.