The bamboo texture looks much better than the stained 😊

Well, I've just put mine together exactly like this and the fact that my wife said it sounds much better (even though she didn’t have a clue why i was doing it) says it all. The difference is amazing! I could only turn the volume up about 70% before i fitted this at which point the feedback/rumbling would start, now i turn it up to 90% volume(don't see any reason to go beyond this and risk damaging the amp) and there is zero feedback/rumbling. Sound difference is hard to explain, saying its clearer or fuller base just doesn't cut it, its got to be heard to appreciate it. So glad ive done this, thanks greatly for posting this video. 😊

Steel cones and balls perfectly transmit sound and vibration, the best way is porous rubber.

Thanks for posting this video. I just did this exactly as described except I did not stain the IKEA boards. I think they look just fine as is. Without a doubt this setup significantly improved my stereo system sound. System: McIntosh 5300 integrated amp, Technics SL-1210GR turntable, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 phono preamp, Denon DCD-1700NE sacd/cd player, McIntosh XR-240 speakers. I am going to do this for my second turntable as well. Thanks again!

Thank you for the great idea. Similarly im suffering from shelving vibration. It was overlooked and I was very discouraged. I had never heard of a hardwood isolation base. Thank you for a good diy solution.

God damn this is awesome. I bought 3 Ikea Aptitlig, one each for my Pre/Mono amp combo, but iv'e had never thought of the bearings in use, and i will defiantly try it out. Thx for this! Cheers from Denmark

I like! My Pioneer PL-7 that's in my living room entertainment center is setting on a thick piece of foam and it sorta works for now. I plan to eventually build a platform on the wall next to it for better playing, but I like this base you built. I've saved your video for a future project.

Back in the early 70’s I remember that we would build a box with a plywood bottom and sides made out of 1x6. We made the box allowing about 1 inch clearance between the sides of the box and the edge of my old Garard SL95 turntable. Add clean sand to a depth of about 3 inches in the box, set the turntable in the sand and that was it. We made sure it was set properly, “we thought” by giving it the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Test set at a volume level that would get the old people in the apartment downstairs angry. “Caution drugs may have been involved.” I’m not sure if any of this actually did any good at isolating the turntable but we thought it was cool.

I did this with one of those IKEA cutting board and some isolation feet I got on line. I may have to revise and add another board. Thanks for the tip

Thank you so much for this idea! Instead of a turntable I'm using it for my resin 3D printer. I live on an active volcano right next to a major road in a second story apartment. So many ruined 3D prints, the supports just don't stand a chance. I'm also adding a couple layers of really big really soft mouse pads.

Beautiful job with the staining. Cool platform too. I’ve got the same TT as in the platform in The Audio Beat. Thanks, man. I’ll probably try it out, cuz my TT needs isolation. I may also go with Isonoe feet too. ✌️🎶🔊

Very nicely done. The ball bearing addition is genius.

The music hall mmf-7.3 accomplishes essentially the same thing "built in" to its design. Its a dual plinth turntable, and it sounds Excellent.

It would have interested me to know how you stained/lacquered/painted (finished) the cutting blocks. In any case they came out nice. All the best, Rob

I think its awesome what you have done. 2 thumbs up !

This is likely the best video on KZfaq demonstrating noise isolation via tapping in various areas on and around the plinth.

Nice Fluance Turntable! I have the Bamboo and the Walnut finish turntables! I really like them!

Thanks! I just ordered everything to build my own!

Great concept and well executed. But...... It is my understanding that spikes are not isolators. They are typically used under speakers stands on concrete floors to anchor the speakers and prevent them from rocking. My cheap and cheerful turntable isolation system is a 14 x 18 piece of kitchen countertop granite sat on Vibrapod isolators. Works a treat!

superbe idee !! simple et efficace pleine de variations possibles

Instead of the ball bearings, run a bead of silicone sealant in the grove. And remove the turntable lid when you’re playing it. It’s like a big resonance dish when it’s up.

GREAT JOB!! I made my own isolation platform out of two granite cutting boards and used Herbie’s Audio Lab dB Neutralizer material in between!

Funny thing; i just made a base out of a wood block and hockeypucks underneath, but i'm so convinced this is gonna work better that i just ordered 2 blocks from ikea and the spikes at amazon. Very cool vid, tnx 4 sharing! Btw, from the Netherlands.

Great song, legendary LP. I have still have my original copy.

Very interesting, thanks! I currently use Aptltlig 3-layer cutting boards (like the ones you've used here) as a single-layer, so I think I'll get two more and make some dual-layer ones like you've done. With respect to mine, rather than "spikes/spike footers" between the bottom board and rack shelf, I'm placing mine on HRS Nimbus couplers (just the HRS rubber discs). These work very well to provide damping and the board sits _very stably_ on the rack shelf in this configuration. With respect to the ball bearings, I'll also try my Stillpoint Ultra Minis and see what they do, as they're currently sitting unused. Something else folks can try between the two Aptitlig boards, particularly for components that don't require the isolation that TTs do is, believe it or not, beeswax cloth. This will provide a "constrained layer" damping between the two boards. All you need is a couple 1" or so squares of beeswax cloth at each corner between the two Aptitlig boards. Once pressed together, they can be lifted and moved for placing as a single "unit". Cheers.

Great plint, well done.

Fantastic content! I am very inspired to build this myself.

Thanks for this video, I have now ordered the parts 😀

Great video. I use the same board with drummer's gel pads between them. It would be interesting to compare this with what you have done

Awesome idea!

Nice job, although I think a dark mahogany stain would've made it look nicer and less plasticy.

Great video, I just completed mine and it works a treat 👍🏻

Awesome idea and video!

gotta love these DYI hi-fi racks and isolation system that beat the market price with more than 80%!

Hi nice video spring and rubber have resonant frequencies at which they don't work. At low frequencies say 4Hz the energy just passes through the spring/rubber but if you place a point contact such as a spike or the 2 contact points of a ball bearing the energy just rattles it and forms harmonics that the springs/rubber can absorb. This is why Linn and other high end turntables sound better on lightweight wobbly stands, Try putting your turntable on the box it came in. Remember that low frequency sound from the stylus that you cannot hear can clip the phono stage making distortion in the higher frequencies often this removal of low 1 or 2 or 3 or 4Hz interference stops this clipping and the whole sound is much better.

Great DIY plinth. As someone else mentioned remove the lid when playing.

Love the table

I'm making the first half of this base. If it isn't enough I know I can add the second half later. I ordered the cutting board today.

I need to try this.

Saw that nice ruby red Pablo Jazz record on there initially & was hoping you'd spin it. Great taste!

Another area many turntables have resonance is from the aire to an open dust cover (when its open) - can act just like a microphone.

Thanks for the video. Ive just bought the 2 ikea butchers block and waiting for delivery of the feet and bearings. Looking forward to seeing any difference it will make.

Great idea thanks I have those two Ikea boards and we never use them you think my wife is going to notice them in the living room

I have those metal feet,mine are all chrome with black granite bases.👍♥️

Very nice, you've created a form of constrained layer damping. However I do think that there are better options for the steel balls and the feet. I would also add a further layer of absorption between the upper cutting board and the turntable plinth. Specifically, Silicone Nitride Ceramic Bearing balls and ISO-BAND TPE feet. Then either Herbie's "Tenderfoot"s or the highly effective "Equipment Vibration Protectors" for an absorption layer of the Turntable's internally generated vibrations. There are also a number of accessories and tweaks that will take the Turntable's fidelity to an even higher level. The cartridge and turntable arm are subject to vibrations. Vibration absorbing materials between the cartridge and headshell are helpful and there are materials that can dampen any negative tonearm vibrations. Of course too much dampening is as bad as not enough, so there's no substitute for experimentation. A "Platter Ground" can be efficacious. Plus, a system is a chain of components and any 'lesser' link in the system can reduce the apparent effectiveness of changes in the system. What a challenging but rewarding hobby we have found :-)

I'd put silicone foam pads under the glass, be it a whold sheet, or 4" squares. You could try the following in your current design. use a 3/4 or 1" wood drill to make some half inch deep counterbores. Then place foam (or hollow squash or handball) balls between the plates.

Keep it simple, MDF Board, layered with Cork sheet cut to size. Simple and inexpensive. No special tools. Paint mdf to required color. Add spikes, pucks whatever you desire. kiss is the best way! I even had the mdf cut at Home Depot for free. Cut the cork with a sharp knife, and assemble 30 minutes. Used 3 x 3/4 inch MDFB and 1/4 inch cork roll. Don't overthink it.

Ikea must sell most of their Butchers Blocks to Hi Fi enthusiasts than for Kitchen Chopping Board use ?!!, My Turntable (Avid Volvere mk4) is Wall Mounted on an "Apollo" wall shelf as is some other items including a Reel to Reel Tape Deck so can hold some weight!...The "Apollo" Wall shelves are either Single or Two Shelf units made of Steel Frame and Glass shelf with Spikes. Had them for many years now as floor in Hi Fi room is Wood Plank so a no go for Turntable to be on a floor mounted unit as even picked up me walking across room before buying these units (Four of them, 2 Single shelf, 2 Double shelf) Amplifier and matching Phono stage with their Power supply on wide AV Unit on floor as they are Huge and Heavy "Musical Fidelity KW Series" units... Great video, Thanks.

Pretty slick

Nice project. I would recommend removing the dust cover from your turntable when in use. It will catch sound waves generated by your speakers and feed them back into your turntable. It is worse when the cover is open but may do it to a lesser extent when closed. I don't use the hinges on mine at all. Simply set the cover on when not in use and set it off, out of harms way when you are listening. I have a low production item named Hip Joints that work on the same principle as the balls in your project except that the balls operate in machined billet aluminum cups. consider playing around with balls made of different materials. McMaster Carr is a good source. Well done!

Juste parfait

Nice Idea!! What is the result when the cone feet are put upside down.

The Fluance RT-85/84 has 3 points adjustable isolation fleet and is a lot better than most TT out there. I would like to see the test with a lesser constructed TT. I had constructed the lower part but have not tried the idea of putting the ball bearings with another layer. It seems to be a very nifty idea. Thanks

Great project. Gonna make this one!

Good idea.

So do the same thump test without the isolation base to get a real comparison. Note: I believe that cabinet is a Salamander Designs Oslo which I also have. I just did that test and was rather amazed at the result. When I placed the stylus on a record and just turned up the volume I started getting bad rumble, and that wasn't turned up all the way. I think it's just from the ambient noise since it's close to the furnace and it was running. So even if you isolate the turntable you can still be affected, but the isolation base would be worth the effort.

Hi, Great article. I intend to do it, better I was locking for some video where I could find what you put in images and words; however one info lacks me: the size of the bearings. Are they measured by number, diameter or perimeter? Another question in wich site can I order the bearings because in my village , certainly I will not find them. Thank you for your support.

So is the science behind this the space between the boards creating a buffer to redirect the vibrations away? Very interesting approach.

Thank you for an excellent tip. Can I use two sheets of granite or Italian marble one inch thick ? If yes should I used our ball bearings between like u did ? Thanks again

Great idea!! But I have to ask if I was to use 3 cutting boards or even more, do you think it could only get better/ Thanks for this video!!

Hey @MixtureRich thanks for this video. I have a Mofi Ultradeck which has dimensions of 19.69" x 5.375" x 14.25" and that cutting board is 17 ¾x14 ¼ ". With that being said, the Ultradeck's feet are set in by at least 1.5". Maybe 2". Do you think that'll work?

Ok... I can see the difference in vibration, the question is can you tell the difference in the music? In mean in blind test, can you tell by listening to the music which one has the isolation base , which one does not ? Just curious.

Ingenious ! Although I cant understand why you would choose a stain which completely obstructed the grain of the wood. It appeared as if the wood grain had a pretty cool design on the sides of the platforms. Love the video.

You want to dampen at the bottom of the plinth and draws energy from the table, take the feet off and put underneath one piece 3" of cellulose foam making sure it's against around the main bearing tight or get a squash ball and fill it with tungsten powder and Super Glue it to the plinth engulfing the bearing and then the foam, you can take the feet off and put them on a separate board for adjustment and only one board is needed. Would be worth your while getting a phoenix engineer speed controller and the Roadrunner best thing for belt turntables, better than stand-alone control units better than vpi stand-alone control unit DIY audio you can build the kit

Dan, nice video. I do have a question about the cutting boards used, does the cutting boards have to be that thick or can they be thinner? How much thinner can they be and still be effective? I ask that due to limited height space I have above my turntable. Thanks.

Nice! Decouple your tube Phono Amp and your done!

From what you have in your video as well as others mentioning in there comments too. The feet are not de-couplers they are in fact coupling to your glass and cabinet. Yes you will get some isolation from the mass but you will also get bad reflections from your cabinets. Stuff some furniture pads in those cabinets too guaranteed it will help. I only bring this up in order to help the situation. You need de-coupling feet under your turntable. Same concept goes for speakers couplers under granite slabs and then de-couplers attached to your speakers so they are floating from the isolation and not transmitting resonances to your wood. For a good reference Jim Smiths book "Get Better Sound" goes into this and his news letters as well. Hope this helps! IT looks good too !

Better use only three spikes/ feet than four...more stable against wobble

Need to use bearings that are either 11mm or 12mm instead of 7/16. Did you find 7/16 tight or loose in the groove? Just need to figure out which would work best. Thanks

So what about the lid that is open? Does that not collect airwaves and transmit through the deck?

two big blocks of cadbury chocolate! yumssssss

I'm sure someone's mentioned it, but you'll get some vibration while your cover is attached.

So cool thank you! We’re did you find the feet and bearings ?

Most of the vibrations You're trying to isolate the turntable from are coming from the floor of Your room. You can hear footsteps through the TT, and if You plop down onto the couch, You could even make the tonearm skip. Having the turntable on a wall mounted shelf eliminates most of that sound without needing a special base.

Try that tap test with an Acoustic reaseach EB-101.

Thank you so much! for this DIY. Your demonstration of the degree of noise damping is enough for me. the design including hard berrings between hard surfaces between the feet and the speaker or turntablel is duplicated (at great expense on my Borrensen speaker) by Michael the engineer.. Michael the engineer could have picked any other design but he picked this one. i know there is a lot of argument on the best way to isolate, biut is is encouraging the best designers use this onel

Can I put floor standing speakers on this cutting board?

Awesome Idea! What size BBs did you use? Would rubber beads be a better option?

Try foam Yoga blocks, they dampen quite well for a variety of audio applications

Really cool idea 🎶👍🎵, thanks for sharing

Shouldn't you use 8 ball bearings, 2 for each corner, and router a small groove for each ball bearing to move about an inch or so? Also, wouldn't it be better to use a full sheet of sorbothane instead of 4 isolation feet?

Instead of steel ball bearings, would ceramic balls improve the isolation. I have substituted ceramic for steel balls in a Michell record deck together with other mods. In my humble opinion, this has made an improvement to the clarity of the sound, at the very least.

For my clarification, you don’t need to glue the ball bearings? Would that affect it in any way if I were to glue them in place?

Spikes dont decouple, they ground. They are used to add the mass of the surface they are placed onto, eg. (concrete floor) to speaker stands to make the stands heavier than the speakers. If you have a cabinet or floating floor, its usually best to decouple using sorbothane so the live sound of the surface doesnt travel through. You made great stands for speakers on a concrete floor but if it works and youre happy, power to you man.

Отлично! 👍

really nice turntable i love it

I wonder if you tap the tubes in the phono pre-amp if any sound comes through....

Curious why you did’t do a before and after ikea blocks of the vibration.

How is it an isolation base if you use spikes? Spikes cannot isolate.

Wow, a long way from wrapping rubber bands around ashtrays.

Could you please let me know the dimensions of the Aptitlig? Today I went to Ikea where I live (not the US) and the onr I found seemed way smaller than that and I'm not sure if it would work.

Why not get a suspended turntable like the Thorens I have? Anyhow, use 3 adjustable feet instead of 4 as it cannot rock and is easier to level. I built 3 adjustable feet into my Thorens base which is as solid as a rock but doesn't rock. The Thorens platter and tonearm is suspended by 3 adjustable springs decoupling it from the motor and external vibrations. This is a superior setup without that bulky looking DIY setup.

Did you prepare the surface of the bamboo before staining? What kind of stain did you use? Did you seal it afterward?

Why no record weight fitted during the tap test? a lot of the sound is from the record itself

I will be doing it, when Dire Straits is on I tend to get rumble. Can only go up to 6.5, need to go to 11.

What size ball bearings did you use? When I use your amazon site it comes up with multiple sizes?

is there a vid on a turntable player playing with isolations and without?

I've done the same except with three feet and three bearings. Great video but it does show a problem with my TV as that colour looks awful😊

Crazy thing... as far as I know, this Newtonian steel ball pendulum swings "forever", at least for quite a long time. So much for absorbing energy with steel balls and other sonorous materials. But it definitely looks “interesting” ;-) People who are fitter in natural sciences would probably take more proper measures to absorb structure-borne noise, such as quartz sand, felt wool, etc. and combine them. Sheer mass such as concrete or marble bases would also help. Pick up a tuning fork (which is also made of steel and not felt of course...steel has excellent vibration properties, uc?) and test the differences. Let it swing - or even not. To experiment with lower frequencies and also stimulate your base with bass, buy a cheap transducer, also called a "bass shaker," and place it near your base. A decoupled base on a steel base would perhaps work if this frame were a standing triangle and a vibration ran up two legs and then canceled out through superposition at the tip. In the case of the upper cutting board, it hangs between the further away supports (balls) ideally free for swinging like a bridge. All in all, what's the gain? Another thing, the soundwaves in the room will hit the turntable anyway, with or without an absorbing base. This, if its really absorbing, only helps against the structure-borne noise mentioned above, with this non-rigid storage on wheels, the turntable becomes even more active again.

Who makes your turn table? Nice job man.