[Waker]

I am using two pieces of granite counter top, each 42" X 20" X 1 1/4" as bases for my amps and CD player.  Although they are incredibly massive, with no mechanical transmission of vibration, they do have a bit of a ring to them when I rap on them.  Are there any acoustical drawbacks to granite when used in audio? 

[Wayner]

We used granite at work for all of the delicate instrumentation. Mass is your friend. The slight ring that you hear when you rap on it should not interfere with it's vibration canceling effects. I have a granite base under my turntable, and it is very effective at killing motor noise and stops any vibrations from coming up through the footers. Marble is not a good material, because of it's grain structure.

Wayner

[satfrat]

It's a damn sight better than glass but IMHO only, I like maple platforms better (and it's green). But hey, use what you got. 
 
Just an idea, if you have the granite slabs on a rack shelf, you could use Herbie's Extra Thick Grungebuster Dots under the granite to help obsorb any possible ringing or vibration transfer. A very cheap decoupling tweak. 
 

 
Cheers,
Robin

[werd]

It's a damn sight better than glass but IMHO only, I like maple platforms better (and it's green). But hey, use what you got. 
 
Just an idea, if you have the granite slabs on a rack shelf, you could use Herbie's Extra Thick Grungebuster Dots under the granite to help obsorb any possible ringing or vibration transfer. A very cheap decoupling tweak. 
 

 
Cheers,
Robin

Yes granite is very useful and sonic enhancing.

Its important to use something like mention by satfrat, since more friction may be needed between the slab and the rack it sits on or floor.
The granite i use can easily be shifted with one finger (which you don't want). Lots of friction will keep the slab from ringing and not moving.

I put foam mousepads on top of my granite, between the component and the slab. It calms the granite down even more.

[FullRangeMan]

In the 90 decade UK magazines HiFi-Choice etc stop recommending granite plataforms cause it add a sub bass(under 20Hz) effect.
For players and amps, personally I prefer a real wood(solid) with rubber dots as platform, a soft wood is more musical than stone,
this is a low price and effective solution.
But if you have funds to spend there is nothing better than the TRI-ORB LITE feets:  http://www.vsengr.com/triorbs.html
The TRI-ORB HEAVY is suited for heavy gear as big amps amps and large speakers.   
In my SCD-1 I use real wood 20mm + Felt 20mm + 20mm soft rubber as platform.
Regards,  Gustavo

[gerald porzio]

I've used slate beneath spkrs. & amps w/o sonic degradation. I had access to it, & the price was right - $0 & cut for free on a wet saw.

[Noseyears]

I used thick granite and personally i had success with it, specially in combination with other isolation devices.

[Waker]

Thanks to all for your experience--mostly positive--with granite.  Some type of buffer material does make for a better interface between the stone and metals, wood, etc.  As long as most of you feel there is no resonant or room-damping quality to these massive slabs, I will use them for now.       

[rollo]

 I use granite as well. I sheet of Dynamat glued to the underside helped in reducing vibration. Have fun trying.


charles