The necessity of a plinth


Could you clarify why a plinth is needed for a non suspension turntable to sound at it's best? I've always thought that a plinth, no matter the material will lead to some coloration. Enclosureless loudspeakers tend to sound less colored than the box type speakers.

Chris
dazzdax

Showing 1 response by markphd

Unless I'm misunderstanding something here, by a non-suspension turntable, are you referring to something like an inexpensive Rega that doesn't have a sprung suspension? It still has a suspension, i.e. it's feet.

If you have a non-sprung suspension turntable, the plinth is what everything else is attached to. The motor is screwed to the bottom of the plinth. The bearing well is attached to the plinth and the tomearm is attached to the plinth. So decouple the motor. That's certainly possible. Maybe the tonearm, but I can't think of such a beast at the moment. But decoupling the bearing well from the plinth? How do you do that? The platter is then spinning like a top on a bearing well that isn't attached to anything.

So I wonder if I am misunderstanding what you are asking. If not, then the plinth is simply the structure other things are attached to. That's why it's necessary. Otherwise, it's like a human body without bones.

Have a nice holiday by the way!