Sandbox TT isolation pictures, please.

[Brett a]

Brett, your Rega looks phenomenal in that sandbox. What kind of differences do you notice? Also, any concern with sand getting into the bearing? Lastly, what did you use as feet under the box?

Hey thanks.

Putting the TT in the sandbox makes a subtle (but important) difference in a lower noise floor/clearer soundstage. I also prefer the looks of it in the box. The Planar is just that-a plane-a few pieces of hardware bolted to a board. i feel better looking at something with some heft.

I don't worry about sand getting into the works. There really aren't any moving parts on the underbelly and i don't see how the sand could get kicked up anyway. I did take the precaution of sifting the really fine sand out of the mix anyway (no harm in being safe).

For feet, i use 3 adjustable brass cones (with black finish). I got a deal on a set of 8 off eBay. The adjustability lets be level the whole rig once it's set up.

Edit:
I just realized the feet visible in the above photo aren't the cones. They are black glass marbles sitting in the divot drilled to accept threaded inserts for feet.

 

[Spectrum77]

Missed your すごい！(as we say here in Olde Nippon) Wonder-box addition. Mate, I'm making a Thingamabobber TONIGHT! I like the notion of the aluminium load panels in relation to minimising vibration dispersion over the sand surface- good thinking. Just have a thin piece of ply covering all but 2mm in from the frame edges, because "yes", I am concerned about sand entering the Dual's Black Forest elves' clockwork. Hmmm, perhaps just a layer of food wrap covering the entire surface to prevent sand from entering? Anyway, great work Brett.

 

[Brett a]

"yes", I am concerned about sand entering the Dual's Black Forest elves' clockwork. Hmmm, perhaps just a layer of food wrap covering the entire surface to prevent sand from entering?

I have read about people using plastic wrap to cover the sand. I still don't see how the sand could get stirred up though. Anyway, a little precaution doesn't hurt in such a situation.
Have fun!
:thmbsp:

 

[southp]

I have read about people using plastic wrap to cover the sand. I still don't see how the sand could get stirred up though. Anyway, a little precaution doesn't hurt in such a situation.
Have fun!
:thmbsp:

How would it alter the peformance by just sitting another piece of MDF over the sand?

 

[Brett a]

How would it alter the peformance by just sitting another piece of MDF over the sand?

I figure that the goal is to decouple the TT from the environment via a pile of sand, so I want the TT to move as freely on the sand as possible. Using this thinking, ideally the TT would set directly on the sand wthout any load panel, but it would sink if I did that. So these aluminum "floating load panels" are a good solution. Additionally they're good because aluminum is said to be a good vibration absorber. Also, having each of the 3 legs independently spported eliminates any turntable vibration that might cross from one leg to the other via the shelving material; all vibration traveling down the leg from the machine will drain off into the sand.

Again, these are all my personal figurings. I welcome debate.

 

[sloober]

Man those are some nice designs. How would a set of racquet balls work sitting in the sand? I suppose they might move or settle too much. John