Richardkrebs: Regarding the "rapid dissipation of energy", in the above test that you described, I have to wonder if in fact it was that or possibly the lead blocking/trapping/redirecting any resonance? Having just said that, I'll ask myself... Where did it go? To be filtered back through the "parent" material a second time? This is just a thought, not a conclusion. I have to wonder, if the differing materials one uses will have a different reaction to lead as well? My own answer is, most likely. As you can tell, this is an ongoing process in my own mind. But, in the end, it's how things sound that ultimately matters.
FWIW: I made my own version of the Bright Star "sand boxes" early on and in addition, just a few years ago, tried a small version under a prototype motor enclosure and in all cases, upon listening, I was not satisfied. I feel that sand traps/stores energy. If not, where does it go? Into the box itself, that has no real effective way of dealing with said energy? Just think of how some manufacturers of tts aligned themselves with Bright Star or even Ginko years ago but now, there are other, more effective methods, and you don't see those tt manufacturers advertising with said aftermarket products anymore. This fact is telling. (The introduction of Stillpoints will go down in history as a milestone in the history of effectively dealing with resonances in audio reproduction. Still, they are to be used with a certain amount of discretion. Just my two cents). In my tests I described in a previous post (with lead/brass & not with a component that has a motor spinning) there is the tendency for brass as a material to ring. I continue to feel that this "ring" of that particular materials' structure is what allows it to "pass' resonances in a way that ultimately provides superior sonics in the end. Some materials' "ringing" nature can be a good thing in terms of end-user sonic return. Think back to the RoomTunes "tuneable" speaker enclosure or Harbeth's philosophy of a certain amount of resonance makes great sound. I believe it all comes down to the individual materials used and how they are applied in a certain scenario.
Others may find this discussion boring, I just am trying to give you my impressions and thought process. I can see that you've correlated your testing methods and your listening results with the materials you used and are satisfied. Thanks for the response!
FWIW: I made my own version of the Bright Star "sand boxes" early on and in addition, just a few years ago, tried a small version under a prototype motor enclosure and in all cases, upon listening, I was not satisfied. I feel that sand traps/stores energy. If not, where does it go? Into the box itself, that has no real effective way of dealing with said energy? Just think of how some manufacturers of tts aligned themselves with Bright Star or even Ginko years ago but now, there are other, more effective methods, and you don't see those tt manufacturers advertising with said aftermarket products anymore. This fact is telling. (The introduction of Stillpoints will go down in history as a milestone in the history of effectively dealing with resonances in audio reproduction. Still, they are to be used with a certain amount of discretion. Just my two cents). In my tests I described in a previous post (with lead/brass & not with a component that has a motor spinning) there is the tendency for brass as a material to ring. I continue to feel that this "ring" of that particular materials' structure is what allows it to "pass' resonances in a way that ultimately provides superior sonics in the end. Some materials' "ringing" nature can be a good thing in terms of end-user sonic return. Think back to the RoomTunes "tuneable" speaker enclosure or Harbeth's philosophy of a certain amount of resonance makes great sound. I believe it all comes down to the individual materials used and how they are applied in a certain scenario.
Others may find this discussion boring, I just am trying to give you my impressions and thought process. I can see that you've correlated your testing methods and your listening results with the materials you used and are satisfied. Thanks for the response!