High mass vs Low Mass Turntables - Sound difference?

I have owned a number of sprung and massive tables over the last fifty years, including a VPI Aries, AR, and Linn LP12 (contemporary, near the top of the line).

Typically sprung tables tend to “sound livelier” is the characterization. I feel that is correct. Massive tables sound more… sorry, solid (as in solid bass). There are tables of both philosophies in most price categories and as you rise in price they converge on much better sound and less as to belonging to either camp (lively / solid).

So, since there are so many tables and price ranges, observations can drive one crazy as to which is better or just different. especially since they are set up in your particular venue and they are susceptible to vibration from your system playing and environment.

Anyway, characterizations of “the sound” of a general disingenuous disappears with better and better implementations.

Damping + Absorption or alternatively Damping + Efficient Dissipation.

These are the Criteria that are keeping TT Design at a place of divergence.

I have moved on from Mass and Absorption, and now am Wed to Lighter Weight and Efficient Dissipation.

There are Lighter Weight and Mass Materials that are equally impressive in the Damping Measurements.

There are Lighter Weight and Mass Materials that separate quite differently from how the dissipation measurements compare. 

It would seem a certain frequency of dissipation is what is selected by designers to as a means for their products to conform to a specific trait of a SQ or Coloration. 

"Acceleration ( movement/vibration ) = Mass x Force. If you have less force or less mass(of the moving parts), then Acceleration ( movement/vibration ) is reduced."

I don’t know what force, mass, or acceleration you are addressing, but your equation is wrong. Newton’s First Law of Motion says F=ma, Force = Mass X Acceleration. Then, Acceleration is equal to the Force divided by the mass. Therefore if you have less force (or torque in this case, because you are talking about an angular Force), you get less acceleration, which actually makes sense. But if you have less mass to be pushed around by a force, then acceleration due to that force increases.

As a consequence, your next sentence, "In any case - *in general*...reducing the forces/movement inside a turntable will reduce acceleration and therefore vibration." Is also incorrect, even if I am not sure how you are equating acceleration with vibration.

It's got to be a question of balancing all of the various unwanted resonances and speed inconsistencies.

With this in mind I'd favour low mass designs although I have heard some fabulous high mass designs too.

It would seem that Harley Lovegrove of Pearl Acoustics also feels the same way. I've already heard the excellent sounding Rega P8 and if the P10 really is that much better as he claims...

@lewm , Thank you. I was getting cross eyed.

@bdlitzer , you are right about issue. Isolating the turntable from vibration and turning into heat as fast as possible is the right approach to turntable design.

All of the best turntable sound exactly like nothing. They do not add or subtract anything and they block any extraneous vibration from getting to the cartridge either through the platter or through the tonearm. The turntable and tonearm also have to totally dissipate the vibration coming from the stylus. If you put you ear to the cartridge while playing a record you should here nothing.