Isolation Platform Suggestions

DARTH AUDIO · « **on:** 25 Nov 2003, 12:04 am »

I need some suggestions on handling vibration. I don't want to break the bank. I currently use Vibrapods with 3/4" MDF. It's okay, but I think I can do better. There is so much out there. You have Points(various designs), HAL footers, PODS, Panda Feet. Then you have platforms: Mapleshade maple, bright star, grand Prix etc. Let me know what has worked for you

.

I know that this is an important part of the system. It doesn't matter how much you spend on the system, vibration can effect it and make it sound bad!!

Here is a list of equipment that will need vibration control:
Turntable: Nottingham Interspace (w/Hyperspace Platter 50lbs)
Preamp: Eastern Electric MiniMax
Amp: Solar HiFi Fusion H1
Phono Stage: EAR 834P
CD Player: Jolida JD100
Power Cond: BPT-2
Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-2's
Stand: Salamander Archtype 5.0 w/spikes

Thanks for the help..

Mike B. · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 12:19 am »

The Machina Dynamica bases are excellent. The only drawback is the size to accomodate the large springs. DH Cones and T.G. Audio Pointy things add focus and detail under source components in my system.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 12:49 am »

I use a total Mapleshade system. Two Samson racks, Maple Platforms, Isoblocks, Brass Cones and Heavyhats. They are beautiful to look at and beautiful to listen to. The only drawback is there is a lot of wasted vertical space due to the size of the various pieces of this isolation system. It requires a lot of vertical rack space for a relatively small number of components. Otherwise, I believe they rank with the best.
Paul G

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 01:40 am »

My suggestion is to get rid of the Salmander and get IKEA Lack tables. The Salamander will actually degrade your sound. Search in Audiogon and the Asylum.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:09 am »

Psychicanimal, Just went to Ikea web site and typed in "Lack Tables". The only match was a desk?? Are these desks what you are talking about? Do you have a link to the lack tables? Thanks for the help..

randytsuch · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:16 am »

The lack table you want is an end table.
Actually, I think the original recipe for using lack tables is on the audiogon forum, check out this thread
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1001889380&read&keyw&zzikea%20and%20rack

The recipe is NOT the one at the beginning, you will find it a little ways down. It is from the guy who makes nuence shelves, and the animal participated in the thread

.

Target was supposed to sell a similiar table.

BTW, one of these days I am going to make a symposium shelf clone. Got the idea from AA. I use aurios and a maple shelf right now.

Randy

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:40 am »

Quote from: randytsuch

The recipe is NOT the one at the beginning, you will find it a little ways down. It is from the guy who makes nuence shelves, and the animal participated in the thread .

¿Participated? It was me who incited Ken to give away the "recipe"...

I have purchased five Lack Sofa tables (43 1/4 x 17 3/4 x 27 1/2) for use as wall shelves (I have a lot of gear w/ corresponding outboard power supplies). It is important to note that the colored tables have hollow legs. Make sure what you buy is what you want.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:20 am »

IKEA uses the term "side table"---

http://www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=11140&langId=-1&parentCats=10117*10311

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:25 am »

Thanks Tonto..

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:49 am »

DARTH,
I'd be tempted to cut the legs several inches---17 3/4 inches high makes for a good end table, but stacking them for audio gear would get pretty high quickly. Of course, it CAN be difficult to cut legs evenly if you're not Norm Abrams (This Old House): first, leg four is a little short so you try to cut the other legs to match; then leg three is still too long, so you cut some more. Well, before you know it, you've ended up with a cutting board and 48 pieces of kindling.

Carlman · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 04:00 am »

I thought it was spelled 'Lak' but, I can't remember. I have the end table for my preamp and amp now. I'm using vibrapods under the preamp, rubber feet on the amp, and panda feet on the transport. Rubber goo is rubber goo to me. I haven't heard much of a difference from one isolation product to another but, I haven't really 'isolated' the results of the testing either. Maybe I'll sit down and surprise myself one day?

In any case, did something change with the Ikea table's construction? Or, is it only the painted ones that they changed? Seems like I remember they didn't fill the legs completely like they did before... so, cutting the legs became a problem.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:17 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

I thought it was spelled 'Lak' but, I can't remember.

Lak is the guy that posts here!

Carlman · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: Psychicanimal

Quote from: Carlman
I thought it was spelled 'Lak' but, I can't remember.

Lak is the guy that posts here!

too funny... you can tell I hang around here a little too often....

Lak · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 02:36 pm »

Thanks for the recognition!
Lak

PhilNYC · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:00 pm »

I've done a bit of experimenting with vibration control on my equipment (I don't have a turntable, so it's been mostly with digital source, amp/preamp, and speakers). Here are some of the things I've found:

-Sorbothane: Under a cdp, I found sorbothane pods to have an effect that I can't decide is better or just different. Found no effect under amp/preamp.

-rollerballs/stillpoints: Under every component, these have had a positive effect in tightening up imaging and cleaning up low frequencies. Have tried expensive solutions (Stillpoints, Aurios) and cheaper solutions (Final Labs Daruma) with similar effect (ie. the more expensive solutions did no more/less than the cheaper one).

-brass cones: had the exact same effect as rollerballs/stillpoints. Cones can be had for much cheaper.

-cork/neoprene pads: They seem to have a positive effect under my amp and my power conditioner. mapleshade calls them Isoblocks, but I founder cheaper versions at an industrial supply store that seem to work just as well. Do a search for "Vibration control pads" at www.grainger.com. I use the 2"x2" version.

-weights: I use marble/cork coasters on top of my cdp ($20 from bed bath and beyond). They work. Do other things work better? Maybe, but they look nice and they are inexpensive.

-Maple cutting boards: *Great* effect, particularly on amplifier. Everything got better...imaging, dynamics, overall energy. Also worked well with cdp and preamp. Tried them under my speakers to terrible effect...completely smeared the upper bass and midrange. Used John Boos 2.25" thick cutting boards as well as JK Adams 2.25" chunk boards (www.125west.com)...each board was less than $75.

-Neuance Audio shelves: Have not tried them in the same context as the maple boards, but they do work and they are not that expensive ($175/shelf). Ken Lyon (founder) is great to correspond with, even if you have questions for him that aren't related to his product, so I will plug for him here. http://www.neuanceaudio.com/.

-A good rack: Basically all my maple boards became unnecessary once I got a Billy Bags rack for all my equipment (although I still use the maple under my cdp for psychological reasons

)

jimbop · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:17 pm »

Phil gives some very good summaries. It's nice that someone finally got this thread off the Ikea table topic. (Not that it's a bad suggestion, but it was going nowhere).

Do some searching in the archives in the Tweaks/DIY forum at Audio Asylum. You'll find all of this discussed at length, with some excellent (and innovative) recipes for inexpensive DIY isolation.

jd

JoshK · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:26 pm »

Although I haven't tested everything that Phil has (not tried stillpoints/rollerballs or billy bag rack) I have had very similar results. Take a look at the way Mapleshade has there maple isolation platforms set up with cones/maple/pads, that seems to work best for me as well. I got 2 sets of 4 isolation pads for $10/set off audiogon (forget the seller off hand).

I am also interested in trying to built a rack like Chris Brady (of Teres Audio) has on his DIY Tube heaven site. My wife wants me to built her a custom wall cabinet that my gear will eventually go into so I am going to start with a Turntable stand and see how it goes.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 03:34 pm »

Quote from: jimbop

Phil gives some very good summaries. It's nice that someone finally got this thread off the Ikea table topic. (Not that it's a bad suggestion, but it was going nowhere).
jd

Btw - regarding Ikea. Prior to getting my Billy Bags rack, I had my components on an Ikea shelf made of particle-board (even the verticals were made of this stuff, 2.5" thick). I had asked Ken Lyon at Neuance whether I could use his shelves sitting on top of this Ikea thing, and his response was (paraphrased) "yes, in fact it is better that the Neuance shelf sit on something like that rather than something rigid and firm. Particle board is soft, so it disipates energy...it will act like another layer in the constrained layer design of the Neuance shelf."

So Ikea isn't all bad...!

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 04:17 pm »

Phil, Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do some testing.. Thanks

Sa-dono · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Nov 2003, 08:01 pm »

Quote from: PhilNYC

-weights: I use marble/cork coasters on top of my cdp ($20 from bed bath and beyond). They work. Do other things work better? Maybe, but they look nice and they are inexpensive.

Are these what you're talking about? How much does each coaster weigh? TIA!