Spring Theory


In difference to all the talk re: springs, I thought I should try them out in my system.  I tried to find a cheap way for my experiment, and found Nobsound springs to place under my components.  I have an all Ayre system...Unniversal silver disc player, amp, preamp.  All these pieces are anchored to their bench with the use of Audio Point solid brass cones.  The Nobsound devices are well made.   I have read the springs were detached, but the 4 units I got had the springs strongly affixed to anti-slide rubber or similar material on both the bottom and top of the units. The first trial was under the CD player.  At first listen, I immediately preferred the springs, but in my experience, any change would elicit a positive experience in my system, so I sat down to just enjoy the music.  The obvious difference was the positive increase in highs which seemed to provide more definition, air, separation of instruments....all good stuff.  In their favor this increase in the high end brought absolutely no increase in fuzz, haze, resonance, etc.  When returning to the Audio Points, after a bit more listening, I found the reduced high end was not a detriment to the overall sound.. it was like a change in venue, but with the same performers.  One of the CD's I used was Dolly Treasures the CD cut 2 ----Today I Started Loving You Again. Dolly's voice can be harsh on some systems....both the Audio Points and springs reproduced it with clarity....until the middle of the song after a key change and a male voice accompanies her.  At this point, there is a blurring of the voices....maybe a 1/2 degree or less of fidelity.  My preamp has 2 outputs....I use one to connect to my main amp, the other to my headphone amp.  When both outputs are connected at once, there is a very minor decrease in fidelity.  When I discovered that and spoke to Ayre, they told me they are aware, so now I disconnect either of the amps.  I suspect when the duet on Dolly's began and the additional mike was switched in the board, the results followed....all the instruments...drums (dead center) etc. remained the same.  Anyway, my takeaway from this experiment was that both Audio Points and Nobsound are excellent at what they do...the AudioPoints provide a more "golden" sound.   I returned the Nobsound because they weren't a definite improvement,,,,,, and are damned ugly in place..   I do recommend them for their excellent performance.
128x128stringreen
This all goes to show vibration control is a lot more complex than we think. No one thing is a perfect solution. Even springs need to be tuned and damped to get the most out of them. Even then, like noromance pointed out you can use different things in combination. This might even be best, in some situations at least. Why? Because nothing is perfect, or neutral, every solution imparts its own signature in one way or another. 

For example, when checking out my new Origin Live Sovereign turntable I was at first a bit surprised to find two of the feet were some sort of plastic type material, while the third was some kind of metal. Also there was very thin cork on the bottom, but not on the bottom of all of them. Surprised at first. But this kind of thing doesn't just happen. Took me all of three seconds to realize Mark Baker must have tried and compared different materials in order to come up with this combination.

Springs are one of the better areas where we can experiment like this and learn a lot about vibration control for cheap. All it takes is time, and a little inquisitiveness and creativity. Ear plugs. Who'd a thunk? Good one.
The springs that came with early VPI HW-19 tts has a piece of foam inside each spring
I think that sorbothane finely rolled between the center of the springs will do a better job than ear plug.... But thanks for this great idea!
Some of you may know I have a LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp, with the top off. It's dual mono with the PS, which is half again as long as the modules (closer to the back panel), in the center. This leaves ~5" of space in front of each module, and the area where I HAD 2/3 Nobsound springs placed, thinking there might be some vibration there. I couldn't feel anything so I moved those 2 springs back and centered under each module. The result, listening to Tracy Chapman was that her voice was more natural


For peanuts Master M, and for you any time...

MC hit the nail on the head.. there is a LOT going on.. Look at a flippin' race car suspension compared to a semi. LOL This stuff has been going on sense the time of chariot races.. Ben-Hur.. :-)

sorbothane Yes it may work great good idea..

Remember the memory foam for the gummy puffers (ear plugs)

Just like the upgrade to a Thoren. They did a lot of research and memory foam was a keeper for dampening and so was silicone jell and silicone compounds that set up..

Progressively wound springs would have been an option too, ay? Tighter wound as they compress, less as the raise, Add or remove weight to tune...

With great respect and regards