[andycsb]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone tried granite as speaker or equipment platforms? I have read that while they can enhance bass and impact (good), they can also thin out the mids and increase treble energy (bad). Could this be possible? I would be most grateful for feedback and perhaps a recommendation for an alternative.

Thanks!

[rockadanny]

Not sure about its use as stands, but the sides of my speakers are black granite - exquisite looking and sound terrific to me.

[ebag4]

I use a 18"x42" piece of granite as my equipment rack.  I haven't noticed any ill effects, I am also using Herbie's Tenderfeet under the equipment that sits on the granite.

Best,
Ed

[Wayner]

I have a thick slab of African Black granite under one of my turntables. However, I have a Booz maple butcher block under another that I might favor more.....

[NIGHTFALL1970]

I use granite under my rack, speakers, and subs.

[Johnny2Bad]

I see granite as one of a number of material options. There are a lot of possible variations even with the simple selection of the material ... granite could be thick or thin, heavy or not so much, and so on. Then if you go to constrained layer construction it gets more complex. Try it and see what you think.

[FullRangeMan]

Granite is not used anymore to audio as it not transparent enough, add a unmusical bass reinforcement under 60Hz.
Material currently used is real wood.

[rockadanny]

add a unmusical bass reinforcement under 60Hz

You've measured or heard this when a slab of granite has been used as a stand?

[FullRangeMan]

You've measured or heard this when a slab of granite has been used as a stand?

Tests from Hifi Choice in the 1990s.
I would use granite platform if I had one, better than nothing, fortunately wood is cheaper than stone.

[Big Red Machine]

I second not using granite. It will ring at a higher frequency than wood and most woods are preferred for tone control over stone.

[BobRex]

If you want the mass of stone, consider slate.  As a sedimentary rock, it won't ring like granite, and in fact, with the many boundary layers, it should suppress vibration.

[andycsb]

Thanks everyone for your input. Really appreciate it.

For real woods, besides maple, what would be suitable? Denser the better?

Thanks.

[FullRangeMan]

Hard maple w/brass cones is the best, but I heard good praise to cutting platform w/3 or more types of wood.
Also less price than full maple.

[Syrah]

I think one has to experiment.  I've used wood and granite.  Granite is much better in several places on my system, particularly if you glue (Gorilla glue, 3M, silicone, etc) granite to MDF.  The MDF dampens the ringing of the granite.  I've compared maple, bloodwood, DIY Symposium racks, etc.  Under my tube preamp and under my VPI Aries 3d, dampened granite is the best.  No so under my DAC.  YMMV.

[andycsb]

Thanks guys. Has anyone compared maple vs other woods? Sonic differences, if any?

[FullRangeMan]

There is two flavors hard woods vs soft woods.

[G.Michael]

I've always used wood or wood composites equipment platforms, and have used a few different kinds of isolation cones with them--mostly brass (including Audiopoints and Mapleshade) and ceramic or polymer (including BDR).

What kind of isolation cones/feet do you use with granite platforms?

[brooklyn]

How about bamboo? I’ve used bamboo slabs (cutting boards) with some success. There dense
and looked real nice under my audio equipment..  I’ve found them at stores like TJ Max for a
very reasonable amount of money. They can be found in different sizes and thickness.

[FullRangeMan]

How about bamboo? I’ve used bamboo slabs (cutting boards) with some success. There dense
and looked real nice under my audio equipment..  I’ve found them at stores like TJ Max for a
very reasonable amount of money. They can be found in different sizes and thickness.

Any link? Google inform TJmaxx is a female shoes site.

[srb]

Any link? Google inform TJmaxx is a female shoes site.

T.J.Maxx is a men and women's clothing, shoes, accessories and housewares store.

A lot of the inventory available in the stores is not available on their website.