Really cheap, effective tweak
- Thread starter RichPA
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gizzyman47
Addicted Member
I work at a semi-conductor plant/fab. They place these rubber/cork pads under their support equipment for vibration control.
specialidiot
Break Glass, Smoke Lucky
usedto
Lunatic Member
Thread hijack:
If you wouldn't mind, describe your problem. I have issues with TT feedback with two completely separate Sansui amps and Dual or Sansui TTs - not to mention two different houses, two different racks. I started a thread, but got hardly any responses
VinylRob
Vinylphile
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯ `· .¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
For those of you who are not, try using these (or any other) footer, not under the current rubber feet of the component but, against the case work of the component (so that you dampen its NVH), AND especially if it is a CDP, try one squarely under the transport, a second under the mains tranny, and the third (and or fourth) where ever you need to give the piece good balance. You may yet again be surprised...
For those of you who are not, try using these (or any other) footer, not under the current rubber feet of the component but, against the case work of the component (so that you dampen its NVH), AND especially if it is a CDP, try one squarely under the transport, a second under the mains tranny, and the third (and or fourth) where ever you need to give the piece good balance. You may yet again be surprised...
writethis
Well-Known Member
Holy cow. I wish I'd introduced these under one component at a time, but rigid scientific process is no match for the geeky excitement I feel when opening a box of two dozen isolation pads. 
My kitchen system includes a highly modded Dynaco ST-70 which sits high atop solid maple cabinetry (power is switched remotely). There was always a bit of transformer vibration coming through the cabinets. Setting the amp on four of these completely cured it. Not sure they made any improvement under the Yamaha receiver in that system, which sits on a granite countertop.
But my more "serious" system has been taken to the next level. Have these pads under the tube power amp, solid state pre and tube CD player. Also (and my hunch is that this may be the biggest improvement) integrated four pads into each of my home brew speaker stands. These are 12" x 18" concrete blocks painted with rubber sealant. I have maple cutting boards on top of the blocks, and three little wooden balls between speaker and cutting board. Got the wooden balls at Michael's, they have a flat spot which prevents em from rolling. Anyway, I'm using the cork/rubber pads under the cutting boards, so the concrete blocks are providing mass but are isolated from everything sitting on them.
The improvement to my system as a whole is almost shocking - easily making as much or even more difference than any tube or cable changes I've made. Music from LP, CD or tuner is more involving, the soundstage is wider, taller and more defined. Vocals on rock and electronica sit in the mix better. Low end is clearer. It feels like I'm hearing what each component is truly capable of for the first time. Maybe most importantly, there was a slight edginess to my system overall that resulted in listening fatigue, the system is now way better in that regard. The sound is somehow smoother and punchier at the same time.
Sorry for the semi-rant; I know some of you guys have systems that perform way beyond what mine ever will, but I treasure every little step in the righht direction. This is a game of inches, and it's almost freaking me out that a $40 purchase has made such profound improvements across the board.
Better living through AK...
My kitchen system includes a highly modded Dynaco ST-70 which sits high atop solid maple cabinetry (power is switched remotely). There was always a bit of transformer vibration coming through the cabinets. Setting the amp on four of these completely cured it. Not sure they made any improvement under the Yamaha receiver in that system, which sits on a granite countertop.
But my more "serious" system has been taken to the next level. Have these pads under the tube power amp, solid state pre and tube CD player. Also (and my hunch is that this may be the biggest improvement) integrated four pads into each of my home brew speaker stands. These are 12" x 18" concrete blocks painted with rubber sealant. I have maple cutting boards on top of the blocks, and three little wooden balls between speaker and cutting board. Got the wooden balls at Michael's, they have a flat spot which prevents em from rolling. Anyway, I'm using the cork/rubber pads under the cutting boards, so the concrete blocks are providing mass but are isolated from everything sitting on them.
The improvement to my system as a whole is almost shocking - easily making as much or even more difference than any tube or cable changes I've made. Music from LP, CD or tuner is more involving, the soundstage is wider, taller and more defined. Vocals on rock and electronica sit in the mix better. Low end is clearer. It feels like I'm hearing what each component is truly capable of for the first time. Maybe most importantly, there was a slight edginess to my system overall that resulted in listening fatigue, the system is now way better in that regard. The sound is somehow smoother and punchier at the same time.
Sorry for the semi-rant; I know some of you guys have systems that perform way beyond what mine ever will, but I treasure every little step in the righht direction. This is a game of inches, and it's almost freaking me out that a $40 purchase has made such profound improvements across the board.
Better living through AK...
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