Do equipment stands have an impact on electronics?


Mechanical grounding or isolation from vibration has been a hot topic as of late.  Many know from experience that footers, stands and other vibration technologies impact things that vibrate a lot like speakers, subs or even listening rooms (my recent experience with an "Energy room").  The question is does it have merit when it comes to electronics and if so why?  Are there plausible explanations for their effect on electronics or suggested measurement paradigms to document such an effect?
agear
theaudiotweak
1,393 posts
11-03-2016 3:36pm
I have and I strongly suggest to mechanically direct couple all internal major parts of an audio component. Nothing is decoupled in my power amps. These parts include transformers and any all filter caps that are chassis mounted. I have direct coupled the 4lb copper heat sink that stands vertically and has attached the 2 power mosfets which is then bolted to the bottom plate of the chassis. The main circuit assembly is mounted to our Sound Works platform and tensioned thru the board and out thru the chassis frame below and secured.. All of these parts reside on Audio Points and our coupling discs and must be secured and clamped into place for maximum audio performance and safety concerns. I had cut and drilled brass cylinders that mount near the non existent corners to which the top and bottom plates are tensioned. The whole component is then mounted externally to one of our Sistrum or Rhythm Platforms with our points which face north to the 3 tensioned internal connecting rods.. This was certainly an exercise of will but the payoff is high... and wall to wall tall, with resolution that extends past my listening chair. The endeavor was to make all the internal vibration go in one primary direction..to ground. To do this, like geometry and materials are required to maintain speed and operational efficiency. Tom

I realize I’ve probably asked you this question before but now that you’ve taken case of the vibrations produced by motors, transformers, etc. In the component and vibrations that might wind up there due to acoustic forces how did you address the seismic vibrations? It appears you’re ignoring them. Maybe you are thinking the seismic vibrations go up and are are taken back down by the Audio Points, or perhaps you believe the Audio Points disallow seismic vibrations from being transmitted up to the component, who knows? Am I missing something? I hate to judge before all the facts are in but you guys appear to be behaving like the proverbial ostrich with his head in the sand. It may very well have been an "exercise of will" but apparently you willed the whole seismic isolation argument away with a wave of your hand. Speaking of which whatever happened to your seismic waves? 

Geoff 

The response is coming soon and what you have exercised for 20 years or more has nothing to do with how LIGO operates as it does not relate to your audio products.. In your instance, it is not a single case of suspended animation..Tom
theaudiotweak
1,394 posts
11-03-2016 4:12pm
Geoff

The response is coming soon and what you have exercised for 20 years or more has nothing to do with how LIGO operates as it does not relate to your audio products.. In your instance, it is not a single case of suspended animation..Tom

That’s a pretty bold statement, Tom. I have not idea what you’ve got up your sleeve but you better believe I’m on pins and needles. Heck, I don’t even know what you’re saying so color me embarrassed. I even tried using my decoder ring. It sounds really intriguing though and I can't wait to see what you little monkeys will say next.

geoff kait
machina dynamica
advanced audio concepts

folkfreak,

I'm with you 100%.  There is always room for improvement.   But I like others to solve as much of these things for me as possible so I can cut right to just enjoying the music faster.
Mapman wrote,

"Or those transmitted through the floor or can occur whenever gear does not set on a solid and firm foundation."

The problem is that even when gear is set on a solid foundation as you put it, the gear is still vibrating. That’s because the entire house is shaking due to the microseismic activity, traffic, etc. This is precisely why audiophiles found out a long time ago that all efforts to build a rigid, solid foundation for their gear are for naught compared to isolating the gear. The building, house, whatever is not only moving up and down but side to side and in all rotational directions. Cool, huh? Like a boat out in the ocean when a wave passes under it, the boat moves up and down, forward and back and rolls back and forth. Capish?