Help! New TT skipping badly....


Recently bought a used VPI Scout with JMW arm  9 in.  Set up on shelf om my SolidSteel rack where I have always had a TT. Could barely breathe without arm skipping. If I walk anywhere near rack, skips. Floor is carpeted over hardwood, quite solid, never had issue with Clear Audio or Rega table. Took to Audio Connection and had completely gone over and adjusted. Better but still bad. Put cork /sorbathane blocks on shelf and put 3 inch solid maple slab on top of that. No change. removed top shelf and put the cork/ sorb. blocks directly on frame, then maple slab. still skips. everything is dead nuts level, and as stated, floor is firm. Went in basement and put a brace between floor joists, nada. Tomorrow I was thinking of taking rack down and removing spiked feet. Odds this helps? I know some will suggest wall mount, but I don't want to spend anymore money if I can avoid it.As I said, Ive had other TTs in exact spot and you could dance with never a problem. Any input would be greatly appreciated.As I said TT was recently gone over and is set up correctly. Thanks
winoguy17
The problem is the VP! Scout has no suspension, and the approaches you've taken to solve your problem don't acknowledge that fact. Solid Steel racks are, as the name suggests, pretty solid---stiff, passing the mechanical energy from the floor into the MDF plinth of the VPI. The MDF shelves on the SS rack flex (I know, I own four of them), but not enough to create any isolation between floor/rack and turntable.

VPI's first product was an isolation platform---a wooden box with no bottom, springs installed in the open cavity and facing the shelf upon which it was placed. It was reportedly pretty effective, but finding one may be difficult.

So, as suggested above, try a set of four springs between the top shelf of your SS rack and some sort of platform for the VPI. Symposium Acoustics makes a platform designed expressly for turntables; it is a multi-layer shelf-like plank (aluminum top and bottom, foam rubber between the two) fitted with special springs on the bottom. Worth a look on the SA website.
 
tomic601, yes, I brought the table to Nick,he was aware of the issue, I am confident table set up is not the problem. I do have all four feet of table screwed all the way in. Thank you for your input everyone.
MC, please get over yourself. I promise you I read every word you wrote and appreciate your response. Problem is ,I just don't happen to have springs laying around the house. I did just order a set of Nobsound from Amazon and will be glad to update if anyone cares For $32. worth a try. The Townshend platform costs more than the table!
Rigid turntable, unipivot tonearm, wooden floor, bad set up, big mess.
No way to fix it without spending money, money better spent on a better turntable. You might be able to make it better but stopping it altogether will take a MinusK platform to the tune of $5000. A cheaper platform might work but I do not know that for a fact. Go over your set up. Make sure your cartridge is matched to the arm. If you do anything get rid of that tonearm. 
Don't feel bad about it. Many of us myself included have bought equipment we wound up hating. Experience is the best teacher of all. 
I would not spend good money after bad. If it were me I'd chock it up to experience and get rid of the turntable. Look for a used Sota Sapphire. It will never do this to you even if you set it up poorly.
My wood floors are obviously springy, yours is solid, EXCEPT ...

Felt feet/rubber under each shelf, super solid JVC 7 layer Plinth.

The final solution: 2" square isoblocks under the 4 factory leveling feet.

https://www.amazon.com/LBG-Products-Anti-Vibration-Conditioner-Compressors/dp/B07NLR9FHJ/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=isolator%2Bblocks&qid=1626180734&sr=8-18&th=1

prefer cork?

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Equipment-Tuneful-Cables-Audiophile/dp/B076DGD3X2/ref=sr_1_5?dchild...

I start the stylus on the very outside edge and need to get 3 steps away before it hits the content. After that, never a problem, wait till end of side, or very cautious approach while playing.

I would try/return simple things before I spent any real money

https://www.amazon.com/kwmobile-Turntable-Isolation-Feet-Anti-Vibration/dp/B08V8CSJRQ/ref=sr_1_16?dc...

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Aluminum-Speakers-Isolation-Amplifiers/dp/B07K9ZYP84/ref=sr_1_3?dchi...

Some TT designs are very susceptible to vertical movement, specific frequencies. I loved my Thorens TD124, but I could not stop vertical vibrations from getting to it’s bearing, even from far away, nothing worked.

You could say it was a fundamentalist: No Dancing Allowed.