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Help! New TT skipping badly....

Recently bought a used VPI Scout with JMW arm  9 in.  Set up on shelf om my SolidSteel rack where I have always had a TT. Could barely breathe without arm skipping. If I walk anywhere near rack, skips. Floor is carpeted over hardwood, quite solid, never had issue with Clear Audio or Rega table. Took to Audio Connection and had completely gone over and adjusted. Better but still bad. Put cork /sorbathane blocks on shelf and put 3 inch solid maple slab on top of that. No change. removed top shelf and put the cork/ sorb. blocks directly on frame, then maple slab. still skips. everything is dead nuts level, and as stated, floor is firm. Went in basement and put a brace between floor joists, nada. Tomorrow I was thinking of taking rack down and removing spiked feet. Odds this helps? I know some will suggest wall mount, but I don't want to spend anymore money if I can avoid it.As I said, Ive had other TTs in exact spot and you could dance with never a problem. Any input would be greatly appreciated.As I said TT was recently gone over and is set up correctly. Thanks
winoguy17
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Rigid turntable, unipivot tonearm, wooden floor, bad set up, big mess.
No way to fix it without spending money, money better spent on a better turntable. You might be able to make it better but stopping it altogether will take a MinusK platform to the tune of $5000. A cheaper platform might work but I do not know that for a fact. Go over your set up. Make sure your cartridge is matched to the arm. If you do anything get rid of that tonearm. 
Don't feel bad about it. Many of us myself included have bought equipment we wound up hating. Experience is the best teacher of all. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
I would not spend good money after bad. If it were me I'd chock it up to experience and get rid of the turntable. Look for a used Sota Sapphire. It will never do this to you even if you set it up poorly.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,569 posts
 
My wood floors are obviously springy, yours is solid, EXCEPT ...

Felt feet/rubber under each shelf, super solid JVC 7 layer Plinth.

The final solution: 2" square isoblocks under the 4 factory leveling feet.

https://www.amazon.com/LBG-Products-Anti-Vibration-Conditioner-Compressors/dp/B07NLR9FHJ/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=isolator%2Bblocks&qid=1626180734&sr=8-18&th=1

prefer cork?

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Equipment-Tuneful-Cables-Audiophile/dp/B076DGD3X2/ref=sr_1_5?dchild...

I start the stylus on the very outside edge and need to get 3 steps away before it hits the content. After that, never a problem, wait till end of side, or very cautious approach while playing.

I would try/return simple things before I spent any real money

https://www.amazon.com/kwmobile-Turntable-Isolation-Feet-Anti-Vibration/dp/B08V8CSJRQ/ref=sr_1_16?dc...

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Aluminum-Speakers-Isolation-Amplifiers/dp/B07K9ZYP84/ref=sr_1_3?dchi...

Some TT designs are very susceptible to vertical movement, specific frequencies. I loved my Thorens TD124, but I could not stop vertical vibrations from getting to it’s bearing, even from far away, nothing worked.

You could say it was a fundamentalist: No Dancing Allowed.




tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,007 posts
 
OP you are welcome ;-) Hopefully you can work way thru it.
bslon's avatar
bslon
2,209 posts
 
Contact VPI and see what they say.
info@vpiindustries.com
1-732-583-6895
My set-up is very similar to yours but without the issue. Maybe try using a different cartridge if you have one to rule that out? You didn’t mention what you use or it’s age.
Hoping for the best!
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