Turntable Vibration Isolation Platforms & Tables
Audio Reproduction
Audiophile Turntable Bases, Platforms, Tables, Isolators & Custom Systems
Since the early 2000s, Minus K
Technology, the developer of Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation, has
released several vibration isolation platforms for the high-end audio market.
These products have been accepted with high acclaim by audiophiles and audio
system manufacturers worldwide.
As the stylus of a cartridge moves through the groove of a vinyl record, the vibrations created by the groove are converted to electrical signals through a coil in a magnetic field. The electric signals are carried along wires to the amplifier which enhances the power of the signal. Since vibrations are converted into a signal which eventually is converted into sound, we can see that any extra vibrations that are picked up by the stylus influence the purity of the signal and hence the sound quality.
Close-up of a stylus point in a LP groove
In a mechanical system such as a turntable, energy in the form of vibration over a large range of frequencies is present. Some vibrations originate from the external environment and are transmitted through the building structure and through floor into the playback system. Other vibrations are caused by people moving near the system or by bass transmitted through the floor. Some vibrations are transmitted through the air and some vibrations originate from the mechanical system itself like the motor, the bearing or the actual stylus interacting with the record. Vibrations interact with each other, resulting in all sorts of complex vibration patterns within the playback system. Ultimately these unwanted vibrations mix with the vibration of the stylus in the groove, causing distortion and unwanted sonic artifacts.
Therefore, the Holy Grail of analogue audio design is to eliminate as much of the unwanted vibration (resonance) as possible so that the stylus can interact with the groove and ONLY with the groove, thus picking up all the musical information without interference or influence by any other phenomena. It is actually impossible to completely eliminate all unwanted vibration, but the more successful you are in reducing it, the better the sound quality achieved. All turntable designs attempt to deal with these resonances to some degree.
The industry's highest performing vibration isolation
system is now available in a cost-effective, low-height
platform.
The BM-8
Series vibration isolation platform offers true ½-Hz
isolation performance vertical and 1.5 Hz horizontal and
is easy to use. No air or electric power is required,
there is no maintenance and nothing to wear out. It
is 18”Wx20”Dx4.6”H and is available with
nominal load capacities from 25 to 250 lbs. It is
ideal for turntables, CD transports and other audio components.
a significant advance in sound quality in a very compact package for high-end
audio perfectionists.
The latest generation of Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation technology,
embodied within the new ultra-thin, low-hieght
CT-2, truly represents
a significant advance in sound quality in a very compact package for high-end
audio perfectionists.
Our BM-1 Series platform offers Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz
performance, both vertical and horizontal, and is available
for larger and much heavier audio components. The BM-10
Series offers smaller horzontal dementions at 12.2 W x 12.2 D x 4.6 H (310mm W x 310mm D x 117mm H).
BM-8 with a VPI Scoutmaster Turntable |
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Two
BM-8s under Micro Seiki 8000 |
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BM-4 with a Tube Amplifier on a wood 2nd
floor |
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SAT (Swedish Analog Technologies) XD1 Record
Player System with Minus K
CT-1 [integrated into the platform] |
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BM-1 under Simon Yorke S7 archival turntable with
dual-armboard and SME tonearms. A Nikon 150x microscope with a 5-10 micron
resolution graduated reticle and fiber optic lighting is mounted over the
platter |
BM-8 under Simon Yorke S10 CAT (Compact Archival Turntable) |
Read the Audio Testimonials:
Read the Audio Reviews:
BM-8 review by Widescreen Review audio at: www.minusk.com/content/in-the-news/WideRev_1012.html
Interview of David Platus by Michael Fremer on AnalogPlanet
at:
www.analogplanet.com/content/minusks-david-platus-takes-stand-behalf-his-negative-stiffness-isolation-technology
BM-8 review by ecoustics.com at: www.ecoustics.com/electronics/products/articles/711145.html
BM-8 review by Tone Audio at: www.minusk.com/content/in-the-news/ToneAud_0607.html
BM-8 review by 6moons audio at: www.6moons.com/audioreviews/minusk/platform.html
Another review at: www.positive-feedback.com/Issue71/minus_k.htm
Pictures of customer applications are shown below:
From Minus K: Microscope vibration isolation table, platform
and bench top products,
plus custom
systems for anti-vibration and vibration free microscopy.
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