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How to isolate turntable from footstep shake or vibration

Even while the Oracle turnable that I use has a built-in springs suspension by design there is a low or even sub-low frequency boom every time someone walks in a room. This becomes really bad with the subwoofer’s volume set high as the low frequency footsteps make straight to subwoofer where they are amplified shaking everything around. It seems the cartridge is picking up the footsteps very efficiently as even a lightest foot down becomes audioable. What can be done to attempt to isolate the turntable from the low frequency vibrations? Interesting, that the lower the volume of the subwoofer, the less the footstep shake is evident and with the subwoofer turned off it is a barely a problem at all. 
esputnix
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Mounting a turntable on the most solid rack or wall shelf might cure a footfall problem but it will not isolate a turntable. Only the mechanical filtering of a proper suspension will do that along with a proper dust cover or keeping the turntable in another room from the speakers. 
rocketiii
46 posts
 
I’ve been following this thread with interest as I’ve just changed from a (fully suspended) Avid Acutus to a Techdas Airforce V which has no suspension. The Techdas is amazing and has near CD silence between tracks and the dynamics and scale of presentation is terrific.

However, I’ve been wondering how some sort of isolation might work with the Techdas. I read a lot about the Townshed isolation platform after the comments from @millercarbon and purchased one out of curiosity.

The Townshend platform has a spring/pod at each corner and is easy to set up and level. The results are quite startling with a big improvement in the ability to separate vocalists along with improved bass. In fact there just seems to be slightly more of everything. 
I’m rather surprised at the difference this has made and I’m now wondering what sort of impact this might make under my Atmasphere OTL amp!
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I can almost guarantee you will be as surprised as me. It was easy to see how Pods would improve my turntable. With amps it is harder to understand, but just as easy to hear. Pods are the most economical way, put them right against the bottom of the chassis. This way it totally bypasses the factory feet, which always seem to be the worst part of a component! So much so I have totally removed them from several components over the years. Like freebie rubber power cords and Buss fuses I keep them around and put them back so the next guy can remove them, and store for the next guy....
lewm
13,012 posts
 
Doesn’t the Techdas turntable come equipped with an air suspension built into the pillars that support it? I thought it did.
rocketiii
46 posts
 
Hi lewm9 I have the Airforce V which has an air platter and vacuum suction to hold the record flat. This model doesn’t have the air suspension which the more expensive models have.

I have all my equipment in my office which adjoins the lounge in order to reduce the impact of vibration and remove clutter from the room.
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