If I understand this correctly, the "hardware" (Audio Gear) needs to be "connected" to something that will absorb any unwanted resonant frequencies present in the gear? And the "something" that is absorbing the unwanted resonances needs to be isolated from the vibrations in the "world" so there are no unwanted vibrations from the "world" that make their way into the gear?
Do I have that sort of right?
>>>>Yes, and more to the point - all (repeat all) vibrations that affect the audio signal anywhere in the audio system are unwanted. This includes all electronics, internal speaker wiring, power cords and cables. You can think of vibrations like cockroaches. You don’t want any of them. There are no good cockroaches. Don’t coddle cockroaches. Kill them.
1. The very low frequency vibration coming up from the floor, including speaker mechanical feedback and seismic type vibration.
2. The mechanical vibrations produced by acoustic waves in the room when music is playing.
3. Vibrations produced by transformers, capacitors, motors such as turntable motors, CD transport mechanisms.
What are the sources of external vibration? Footfall, wind, Earth crust motion, traffic, subways, trains, ocean waves on the shore, ceiling fans, local construction,
Some unwanted consequences of vibration:
1. CDs fluttering during play and LPs and stylus vibrating excited by external forces.
2. CD laser assembly vibrating due to external forces.
3. Cables power cords and wires vibrating due to external forces.
Thus, a complete vibration management system controls as much as possible the flow of vibration upwards from the floor and downwards fro the component. What is required is a very low natural frequency isolation system with efficient damping for the top plate and a path out of the entire system so that energy is not stored in the system. There are six (count em!) directions of motion that should be isolated but much can be done with a simple and low Fr vertical isolator.
No matter how much you have in the end you could have had even more if you had started out with more.