Tonearm microphonics

@handymann A year ago or so, I had the same problem as you, especially with LOMC cartridges.  The solution was isolating the turntable.  In my case, I used Anvil turntables excellent magnetic footers, but I'm sure there are other good solutions.  These isolating footers works despite the fact that my table was in the front corner next to the speaker with a powered sub.  Ultimately, further improvements to the sound of my system occurred when I moved the turntable out of the front corner to the rear of the room using a long XLR connection between amp and preamp.

FWIW, I tried the tap test on my Koetsu/FR-64S combo this am, with the pre at playback volume.  I heard nothing through the speakers.  Admittedly, I didn't have someone's ear right in front of the speaker.

Karl:
When trying the tapping test, be sure your stylus is on the album at the end of it, where it tracks out.  If at rest or cued up, you shouldn't hear anything.  I use all balanced interconnects, except from my turntables.  I have to use SE there

BTW, I have one TT on an inner tube and spiked, the VPI is spiked (it comes with it's own adjustable spiked feet) onto the discs that come with spikes.  The spike discs are on rubber compressor feet and my TT platform is isolated from the wall.  I don't think it's an isolation problem.  I can tap on my platform, when the record is tracking out and I hear nothing through my speakers-standing at my TT position.  Thanks for the input-always wanting to learn.

Dear @handymann : Do you own other LOMC cartridge you can test on that TT/tonearm?.
I'm not talking that you make tests with other cartridge tapping the TT but just listen at those SPL with LP recordings that has high low bass.

Btw, which cartridge did you use it before the XV-1s where I could think you did not aware of the problem or you had it?

I think that first than all is to be aware if those high low bass room SPL affects the racks you are using in the system. Remember that at room corners low bass SPL is " concentrated " and with subwoofers that goes as low 10hz or even lower with high SPL at the volume its distortion levels goes higher than normal . In other side maybe the subs are reproducing low bass oscilations that comes elsewhere from the system but I can't be sure on this.

The plinth tapping is non adequated test for your problem rigth now. First you have to identify where is generated the problem and depending this will be the solution or solutions.

Even maybe some friend (s ) can borrow you other cartridges to make those tests. Repeat not tapping.

You can check too that at those SPL/volume gain running the VPI TT but with the tonearm/cartridge at rest:  take a look to the subwoofer drivers if exist any movement there or at the speakers woofers.

After those tests you and us can have a better " stage " of what's happening before to follow at " blind " way.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Hi Raul:
I've seen your name mentioned in several discussions, but don't know anything about you and really don't need to.  From other's comments, people look to you for advice.  I'm 63 years young and have been into sound since I was four.  I was given a "real" record player for Christmas and after seeing my uncle string speakers across my grandparents room, went home and disassembled my record player, to see if I could do the same.  My dad bought me a 4" speaker to play with and I've been hooked ever since.  I'm going to address some of your questions, but I need to give you info about my equipment and room.  It's 19' x 21' x 10' high.  I have a dropped acoustic tile ceiling that's about twelve inches lower, with 8" fiberglass batts resting on that.  I have about 12 acoustic panels made of 1" hard fiberglass, covered with speaker cloth, that are on the 45 degree walls leading up to the ceiling (jump ahead to get a description of the walls) and are 2" out from the wall itself. I have 4 home made ASC-like tube traps strategically placed.  I think my room is too small, for the energy I'm trying to introduce in it.  I'm using 2 Fathom 113 subs that are diagonally placed, almost facing each other, about 4-5' out from each corner, with one being set 180 degrees out of phase, to help with cancellation.  My room has knee walls aprox five feet tall, then goes into a 45 degree angle to the ceiling. The ceiling is about 8' wide. I read Jim Smith's book and decided to place my TT on the left wall, between my listening area and the speakers.  The speakers are about 8.5' apart, 3 and 4' from the side and rear walls and 9.5 feet from the listening area.  Because my floor is on the second story and is on a suspended floor,  I eventually had to separate the TT platform from the wall and using heavy duty springs, eye bolts, steel cables and turnbuckles, successfully achieved a kind of floating shelf.  No more problems with walking across the floor etc.  To your question about different carts.  I have a 1974 Pioneer PL 71 that has a Koetsu Urishi Black on it and I can run it a good 3-6 Db higher, before I get any feedback-maybe even higher than that.  I have a Sony ESD 2000 preamp I run my subs through, for convenient remote control and separate gain control.  This way, I can vary the volume of the sub, depending on what record I'm listening to.  Today I added some dampening fluid to the VPI, but it didn't seem to help. I once had a Lyra Delos on the VPI, but have added another sub since then.  I'm thinking I had the same problem then. I'm not saying I can't listen at a comfortable level, but if I turn it up, (85-90 db) I get an acoustical feedback problem.  I was told by some of the best, that's just the way it is.  I would appreciate any solace you can provide.  BTW-no woofer movement, when not playing.  Wish I could find a subsonic filter, single or double channel that would filter out 15hz and down.