Vibration Control for Lightweight Tube Components


I'm looking for suggestions to isolate a lightweight tube preamp from vibration and resonance. Not acoustic vibration, but physical vibration from the stereo rack. When I touch the shelf the preamp sits upon, the sound can be heard thru the speakers.

I am using a heavy furniture grade stereo rack for my components, all using Herbie's Tenderfeet for isolation, including my TT. The preamp only weighs 7 lbs. and has Herbie's tube dampers applied, but needs to be decoupled from the heavy wood shelf. I've tried the Tenderfeet and Vibrapods under the preamp, but neither provided isolation from vibration.

So, what are owners of lightweight tube preamps and amps using for vibration control? (there is a limited amount of space between the shelves).
128x128lowrider57
Lowrider, your advise is well taken. I take care care of cable placement and only use lengths that are needed and they are not crossed. Interconnects don’t touch the floor. Speaker cables on risers. 

Just to be clear, I don’t believe I have any issues with RFI. My concern is with vibrations induced into components via room sound pressure or developed within the component, as by transformers. I dedicated room has a concrete floor. My equipment shelf sits on spikes, is filled with sand, and has 2” maple shelves. My AMP is on its own stand.

As you and Geoffkait advised, I intend to purchase the Herbies dampers for my Pre.  

Thanks for allowing me to interact on your thread.


mesch, May I interject, are your metal boxed components sitting on their manufacturers (rubber) supplied feet, on the maple shelves? Or have you tried coupling them by putting wood blocks, points (points down), or what-have-you, from the chassis to the shelf? The later scheme would act as a drain of energy from the component rather than isolating the energy within the component which the former would likely do.
I'm pleased to report that my problem with resonance between my rack unit and the preamp has been resolved. Using the IKEA bamboo cutting board with the Moongels underneath was the solution. So, a big thank you to adg101 for sharing this cheap tweak with me.

I'm using a 17"x11" bamboo board with 4 Moongels at the corners, and 2 in the center. The pine shelf has been completely dampened and this bamboo shelf with the preamp is now isolated.
I have the Bright Star IsoNode's under the preamp chassis and the sonics are really outstanding.

I use Peter Erskine's "Dream Flight" as one of my reference CDs and this jazz quartet sounds so live, that I feel like I'm in the same room with them. The presentation is more forward and I've never heard such inner detail from my system.
However, symphonic music is sounding too lean for my taste; clearly the bamboo is causing a different timbre than the pine shelf. The detail in the orchestra is just right and the layering between instrument sections is very realistic. Strings are smooth, but lack the warmth I am used to hearing.
I guess this is what a transparent, neutral system sounds like.

Thanks to everybody who participated in this thread.
R_f_sayles, I am not currently using points under my equipment, however have often thought to try some. Would the brass types be best?  Might also look into the Bright Star IsoNodes. 

Lowrider, thanks for your thread, I enjoyed the participation! 

I think the bamboo is causing too much of a "live" sound. The mids are sounding lean from my Gallo's which have previously had a lush presentation.
 Would maple be a better platform, possibly warmer?