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 2 responses by pryso

I previously posted a question on the need for a massive plinth for the SP-10 on a couple of sites but did not receive any definitive replies. While there is extensive information of plinths for Garrards, Lencos, Thorens, and other rim-drives, there is not nearly as much for Technics or other quality DD tables.

My premise was that because of the mass needed for rim-drives, most DD owners assumed that would benefit their tables as well. But now we have more information and extremes are reported. At the low mass end is Raul who's SP-10 utilizes only an extension for arm mounting and three suspension feet, while the high mass approach is represented by Albert Porter and Oswalds Mill, among others.

So obviously both approaches can work. Too bad no one has reported on a direct comparison.
Interesting points Lew. Wish I remembered more of what I was supposed to have learned in Physics, i.e. energy travel.

From what I understand from a discussion with Albert, his brass rod contacts the bottom of the bearing housing under the motor. How much energy is then transferred downward to the iron block sink, thus not upward through the spindle, platter, and record I have no idea. But it is easy to accept that this will have some positive effect.

Part of my lack of understanding is the assignment of a diode effect on energy travel to some isolation devices by a number of hobbyists. For example I think the effectiveness of "tip toe" style devices relies more on the concentration of mass than on transmitting energy in one direction but not the other. Like the old story that a 120 pound woman in high heels exerts more pressure per square inch than an elephant.

So for now it seems we are left to trial and error in our own systems.