[Dracule1]

Did an interesting experiment lat night.  I finally got around to setting up my Tranquility SE DAC in my new system with the latest Mac Mini.  I was importing CDs into the Mini and noticed how much the Mini vibrated while spinning the CD. Actually it caused my whole audio rack to vibrate.  So I went to the Walmart and bought these 1/2" circular spongy self stick footers (I forget the name).  They're located in the same area where they sell those furniture sliders.  I took two of them and removed the paper exposing the sticky sides, and then I stuck them together so you have two layers of the footers.  I placed four of these doubled up footers underneath the corners of my Mini.  I just wanted to get rid of the vibrations when the disk was spinning, and these did a great job.  I thought nothing of it afterwards.  I started to listen to music again about an hour later.  WTF!  Everything sounded better.  More focus, better defined bass, more detail and ambience retrieval, etc.  Since my entire system is new I was wondering if things were finally breaking in, but this much of a difference from the listening session an hour earlier?  Didn't make sense. The only thing I changed between were the cheapo footers from Walmart ($3).  I really think vibration within the Mac Mini (even when not spinning disks) greatly affects the sound quality.  Has anyone had similar results?

[texendo]

Absolutely.  Check out the Mac Sandwich threads.

[highfilter]

You better believe it. Don't you just love the cheap tweaks? 

I found similar results with everything in the audio chain. Vibration control and isolation have a significant impact on all components in the audio chain. I remember just putting the Mac Mini on some wood blocks and putting a 2.5lb weight on the top of the Mac Mini. I was just experimenting, but it opened my eyes (and hears) to vibration control and put a smile on my face when such a cheap tweak improved performance. I've been learning more ever since.

I recommend the PI Audio products as well - great products to get the best out of the Mac Mini.

[Dracule1]

Thanks.  I'll try adding some weights on top of the Mini.  Didn't do a thorough search on this issue.  The Mac Sandwich starts at $150.  Hmm...$3 or $150. I don't think the Mac Sandwich will provide 50X improvement in sound, so I think I stick with my tweak for now.

[Dracule1]

I stand corrected.  The Mac Sandwich now starts at $200.  All the more reason to explore these cheap tweaks found on threads like this.

[highfilter]

Also, if you do the weight route, put a light tissue or cloth under the weight, just so there is no chance of damage to the surface of the Mac Mini. Otherwise, pretty effective tweak for practically no money. Eric from dB Audio Labs also said you can try a mouse pad or something like that under the Mac Mini for a cheap and effective tweak, but those footers you have are probably doing something similar already.

Of course the Mac Sandwich will put up a better fight with EMI / RFI and isolation, but these tweaks do offer a great value at a very low cost, even if they might be visually odd. 

[Dracule1]

Highfilter, I told Eric about my tweak and he wasn't surprised.  He told me about the mouse pad too.  The footers I'm using are not visually detracting at all, can't even tell there their except for the fact the Mini stands a little taller.  What kind of weight are you using? 

[texendo]

Now that you no longer need convincing about tweaks, you can check out some more (nearly) free tweaks on tweakaudio.com.  Click on the free tweaks tab.  Be careful not to fall down the hole : )

[werd]

Data certified mouse pads ftw. Get your mouse pad and vibration control all in one cheap funky package.... 

[jtwrace]

I did it more for cooling.....






Herbie's Tenderfeet are great.

[Dracule1]

Texendo, I have never questioned if tweaks worked.  I have done my share in the past, but this is one of two tweaks I have done in my past 25+ years in audio that made WTF! kind of improvement.  I didn't expect such a cheap tweak to make a such a significant improvement in sound.  I'm going to try the same thing under my DAC, but I suspect this will give minimal, if any, improvement as there are no moving mechanical parts in the DAC.

[highfilter]

Highfilter, I told Eric about my tweak and he wasn't surprised.  He told me about the mouse pad too.  The footers I'm using are not visually detracting at all, can't even tell there their except for the fact the Mini stands a little taller.  What kind of weight are you using?

Haha, okay, maybe it's just my choice of tweaks then. Two wood blocks and a weight on top looks kind of ghetto compared to my beautiful Salk SoundScape 10s, but I am glad you have made cleaner choices. 

I am just using a steel 2.5lb plate, used for dumbells etc. These tweaks work great for the Tranquility SE DAC as well. But I have a Mac Sandwich and Tranquility Sandwich on the way, along with some cone footers to finally class up this place.

Another +1 for Herbie's products, they are a great value as well.

[Dracule1]

jtwrace, have the Tender Feet made significant difference in sound under the DAC and drives?  I plan on getting some for my tube amps.

[Dracule1]

Highfilter, I got the impression most steel (unless it's the nonferromagnetic kind) should not be used close to electronics.  I know some speaker builders will not use steel screws in their speakers because they claim it degrades the sound when close to moving magnetic fields.  But looks like you found improvement in sound none the less.  I was thinking about using some brass weights but these  can get expensive.

[highfilter]

Highfilter, I got the impression most steel (unless it's the nonferromagnetic kind) should not be used close to electronics.  I know some speaker builders will not use steel screws in their speakers because they claim it degrades the sound when close to moving magnetic fields.  But looks like you found improvement in sound none the less.  I was thinking about using some brass weights but these  can get expensive.

You are probably right, but it is just temporary until my new toys get here. However, it did make a positive impact on the sound so it's a worthy tweak for me. My guess is that the vibration control outweighs not having it at all. I'm not 100% of the materials of the weight either, just assumed it was steel. That's why I leave most of my audio toys up to the professionals. 

Something like this would work much better: http://herbiesaudiolab.net/stable.htm

[mcgsxr]

I liked the partially inflated bike inner tube under a plate of slate, and a large granite rock on top back when I used to use a Bolder MENSA DAC...

[Crimson]

 

Wow!

(BTW, isn't that an Art DI/O?)

[gooberdude]

I just received a brand new mini, & the bottom panel is a thick rubber disk covering most of the underside. This will make it interesting for anyone looking to drain the vibes away from the mini's case, and may assist those looking to isolate the mini from external vibrations.  My homes have all had concrete subfloors, and draining vibes away from components gives better sound versus isolating internal vibrations (inside the component)...in that environment.

IMO, deciding to drain or isolate depends on the component, the floor & the room.  I always try both methods & try to leave each in place a few days. too many experiences of: set a weight on a piece of gear > enthralled with the sound for 30 minutes > hate it as soon as the shrill or muted highs set in.

Keep in mind I've not had a system in a home w/typical wood joist subfloor construction.  i've tweaked big tower pc's, standalone HD's and stand alone disc drives...they respond well to vibration control. 

I just purchased a Sandwich, and plan to have it sit on 3 mapleshade pointed footers, draining into an air dried maple platform, which sits on something cushiony.  For an isolation set up, Herbie's tenderfeet.


The Sandwich looks like it could be a fun DIY project. Lots of rf paint suppliers on the 'net, and you could ground each board.
I'll bet that using a tonewood would sound great as well, even baltic birch plywood. 

[mcgsxr]

It was an ART DIO, and it underwent mods in Colorado via Wayne at Bolder.