Why are my woofers pumping?


The other day, with sunlight direct from the side, I noticed that the woofers in my speakers are pumping in and out, much more than I was aware of, when the stylus is in the groove, even between tracks (no music).  I can see it, even if I don’t hear it. Why does it happen? The woofers behave normally (no pumping) with digital music, and when the stylus it lifted from the groove, so it is not the speakers, amps, preamp or phono stage. 

I’ve read that the typical reason for woofer pumping is that the cartridge / arm resonance is too low.  I tested, with my Hifi News test record, and yes, the lateral test puts the resonance at 7 hz or so – too low (but I’ve seen some doubts about the results from that test record).  It is strange, since the combo I use – Lyra Atlas cartridge and  SME V arm (on a Hanss T-30 player) is supposed to work well. I tried to strip my arm of extras, cleaned the damping trough, etc – but it did not help much.

Anyone has an idea, why it happens, or what to do about it?  


Ag insider logo xs@2xo_holter
Electronics bandwidth is an issue too- your amps are full power to 1Hz. Most tube amps can't go anywhere near that low.

But I have similar bandwidth with both the amps and speakers at home, yet don't experience this issue. I am using a Triplanar, which allows for a bit of adjustment of the mechanical resonance by using multiple weights for the counterbalance. My 'table is different too.

Its true that some lathes can impart low frequencies to the LP, but that usually occurs between tracks and also at the end, where the carriage for the cutter head is advanced at a higher rate than during a cut. It sounds like you are getting this pumping during cuts on the LP, so I would rule out the LP as the source.

I would try applying a light grease to the platter bearing, to see if it shuts it up. If so, I would be thinking that the platter bearing is worn as normally a light oil is used.
Thanks Atmasphere - yes the low reach of the amps in combo with the speakers  may play a role. But with the Triplanar you dont have the problem. Do you know the resonance of your arm cart combo?

Lathes - low frequency - ok - but if it happens between tracks why not also within them? I can see the pumping between tracks on my 'energetic' Lps. Not much within the tracks but i think this is because the music energy takes over the woofer. It does not show much but is still there. Giving more stress in the music. Just my suspicion.

Since degree of pumping varies with the LP and repeats precisely with the record's revolution, drive problems probably is not much involved - confirmed by cleaning belts and adjusting the player - no big difference.
I notice that Pink Floyd Echoes recorded from the LP on my system pumps the woofers also on my cottage system! 
O_holter:  I'm convinced your problem comes from acoustical feedback. With a TT, placement is vital. I too had the same problem.  After months of experimenting, I found that TT platform isolation cured my problem. I built a suspended platform using heavy duty dampened springs and cables. (my room is on a suspended floor on the upstairs portion of my house that exasperates the problem)  I also noticed feedback on my Theta Miles CD player, when playing anything with a lot of elf and high db levels. I installed four steel cones on the bottom of the player and now I enjoy outputs of 90 db+, without any adverse effects on both playback systems. Most rooms have areas, where the low frequency is somewhat exaggerated. Be sure your TT, as well as your CD transport is not in one of these locations. 
I am mystified. Why do i see woofer pumping playing Echoes on my small cottage system which is 6db down at 42hz and probably not audible below ca 38hz? All hail to DSD? I play a rip / recording of the same original vinyl that gives pumping in the main system. Recorded in DSD on Tascam Da3000. Playback by the little Fiio x3 player, which does native DSD, to a Ming Da integrated tube amp and Aurum Cantus Leisure 3 SE speakers. All very good but i seriously doubt if this system is capable of doing anything down at 7hz where my cart-arm resonance problems are.

Handymann - much appreciated and relevant. I did a lot of platform and feet mods with my Vpi Hw19 to good effect but mods have so far little effect on the Hanss t30 with its maglev feet. And - my vinyl recordings are made with the main speakers silent or very subdued. So I doubt acoustic feedback is the main culprit in this case.

The woofers on the Aurums are smaller but the behavior is similar to the Audiokinesis woofers. Some sound related vibrations but also pumping in and out. Yet I dont hear this movement at least not directly. Using my fingertips there is energic quick vibration that I hear but also a slower pumping that i dont hear. 

 Listening more, the experimental nature of Echoes and the whole Meddle album shines through. In other words it may well be that they experimented also in the low frequency range. They used Shepard tones and invented seagull squeals, I read. It is one "flowing" album and the silences between the tracks are not just silence but e g wind blowing too like at the start.So it is maybe a quite special case.