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Woofers going crazy when playing vinyl

I already posted this on Vinyl Asylum but I wanted to get as many opinions as I can.

I was spinning some vinyl for the first time since upgrading my speakers (Odyssey Audio Kismet Reference) and noticed the woofers were moving like crazy. As soon as I lifted the stylus, the woofer pumping stopped. It happens at any level above 83db. My turntable is a VPI Scout which I have had for a couple of years with a ZU Audio DL103 low output mc cartridge. My preamp is an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A with the John Curl gold mc phono boards. My turntable sits on the top of my rack on the cones that came with it and I have never had any problems until I replaced the speakers. The audio rack is a Sanus which sits on cones as well, and yes it is very level as is the turntable

The speakers are coupled to the floor with gold cones I bought from Adonis and they are secure. The turntable/audio rack is across the room from my speakers. I tried the low filter on my preamp but it made no difference. The woofer cones were really moving in and out like crazy!!

Some have suggested moving the speakers (not possible), mounting the Turntable to a wall shelf (not possible), change cartridges (won't), Some mentioned turntable set up, but every setting is right on the money and I had it professionally set up at a very high end store in Newton, Mass and they sell a lot of high end turntables. Others suggested buying a KAB rumble Filter (leaning this way). If I buy the filter, I will also need 2 more quality interconnects and I am not really liking to have to spend a lot more money.

If there is something that hasn't been thought of or you have some thoughts, please chime in. I need my vinyl fix, BAD.

Bob
128x128stereo5
stereo5's avatar
stereo5 OP
6,496 posts
 
The table wasn't recently set up. I have had it for 2 years. It is definitely the turntable picking up resonant energy from the turntable. I am going to try the KAB filter first and go from there.

Bob
theunderlyingtheme
90 posts
 

Bob, please let us know what you think after trying the KAB.

I think you're going to be hit with large waves of relief!
koegz
317 posts
 
the object is to shortan the distance from needle to speaker. filters just increase that distance. adding and taking away from what was intended. at best, masking the problem. at worst, killing the sound. don't wall mount! your issue is vibration, airborne or cart/arm. owned the vpi aries with simalar, if not exactly the same tt feet on it. high volume vibrated like crazy. moved up to the HRX never had the problem again. the scout is a relitively light tt(total 40lbs). making it harder to isolate. you need a heavy rack with a well insolated platform for the best isolation of the tt. maybe you can upgrade to the super scoutmaster feet or even better up the vpi chain to the super scoutmaster tt. vibration is what it is all about. controlling vibration, not trying to mask it, thats where it's at. best of luck
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knownothing
1,636 posts
 
If you haven't already pulled the trigger, I would hold off on the KAB until you have made sure mechanical/design solutions have been exhausted.

1) A slight variation on what Elizabeth is suggesting above, I would try a very heavy wood or concrete platform (as heavy as you think your rack can handle) between your table and your rack isolated from the rack by sorbothane dots or equivalent.

2) Similar to what cpk is suggesting above, I would run the numbers on the compliance match with your cartridge and the tone arm. This could accentuate problems with rumble. Switching cartridges to one that is more compatible may solve the problem.

Turntables are mechanical devices first, and I would look to mechanical solutions before trying electronic soluitions.

Finally, this is an interesting test of the capacity of the Kidsmets to reproduce low frequencies. In some ways, a "good" kind of problem to have if solution is ultimately at hand.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5 OP
6,496 posts
 
Replacing the cartridge is not an option for me, but I will try some different platforms on top of my audio rack. I thought that since I had originaly had the Scout sitting on top of a 2 inch thick slab of black granite would have eliminated that possibility.

Yes, the Kismet Reference speakers are giving me the best bass response of any speaker to ever grace my living room. Actually the mids and highs are the best as well with these new speakers. As incredible as these speakers sound when played loud (100db+), they sound just as incredible at low listening levels (80-85db) At the lower volume, I never have that feeling that something is missing.

If I can just lick this turntable problem I will be in true audiophile heaven.

Bob
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