I want to upgrade my Turntable to something heavier


I am about to retire from work. I would like to upgrade my turntable before I do this. I have a Pro-Ject, which I like a lot, but I have two big dogs. I have been considering something 1) heavier and 2) balanced. I have SourcePoint 10 Speakers driven by a PS Audio Stellar Amp. The Stelkar also offers Balanced inputs. 

I am leaning towards the Pro-Ject X8 as being a good price with room for a better cartridge. I have considered VPI, but I don't care about upgrading. Once I am retired, this is it. Ideas or Suggestions?

alahankbear

Others here can give advice about the idea of getting a separate PLATFORM to go below your existing (and future) Turntable

Townsend is often mentioned here

https://townshendaudio.com/

AI quickie

Commercial Options

  • IsoAcoustics DELOS: Features thick solid-wood blocks (walnut or maple) with patented decoupling isolator attachments to eliminate structural vibrations and resonances.

  • Pro-Ject Ground-IT Deluxe: Made of heavy-weight MDF filled with granulate for damping, available in three sizes with optional adjustable aluminum spikes or magnet-supported feet.

  • Auralex ISO-Tone: Utilizes a 0.75" Ozite-covered MDF platform sitting on 1" of proprietary Platfoam shock-absorbing foam to decouple the turntable and improve low-frequency clarity. 

  • Fluance IB40: An anti-vibration wood platform with height-adjustable feet and a bubble level, designed for universal compatibility and superior damping. 

  • Gingko Audio Cloud: Uses a tunable system with acrylic panels and vibration control balls to dampen vibrations vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.

DIY and Budget Solutions

  • IKEA Aptitlig: A popular DIY base where users can add isolation feet or pads to create a custom isolation platform.

  • Heavy Cutting Boards: Placing a turntable on a heavy wooden cutting board with rubber feet is an effective, low-cost method to reduce structure-borne vibration. 

  • Sorbothane Pads: Adding Sorbothane isolation pads under the turntable feet or platform can significantly reduce feedback and improve signal purity. 

  • Butcher Block: Solid hardwood shelves (maple or walnut) provide natural vibration absorption and dissipation due to their mass and density.

Key Benefits

  • Reduced Distortion: Prevents external vibrations from speakers or footfalls from interfering with the stylus tracking the record groove. 

  • Improved Sound Quality: Delivers a cleaner, more accurate sound with better detail retrieval and lower noise floors.

  • Equipment Protection: Minimizes wear on the stylus and other components caused by excessive vibration. "

all my comments are to keep your existing TT because you said

"I have a Pro-Ject, which I like a lot"

What specific model do you have?

Pro-Ject has Many TT accessories

https://www.project-audio.com/en/accessories/#turntable-upgrades

btw, what type, how solid is your floor, your surface/rack the TT is on?

My wood floors are like a trampoline, so even though my Plinth is heavy, my rack level and solid, I had to add isolation blocks below my TT’s adjustable feet

@alahankbear 

I am using balanced cables out of my phono stage into my integrated. I like balanced cables better especially for a low level phono signal between the phono stage and preamp or integrated. My integrated doesn’t even have RCA inputs. 

That pro-ject x8 looks great. You should be fine if that’s the most you can spend. . 

I have had a VPI TNT III  for over 30 years, and it has been wonderful.

An alternative to another turntable is a better equipment rack.  I have a Mapleshade rack, and it provides a lot of isolation.  Check out their website.

https://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Racks-Stands_c_96.html