Audio Furniture has its own sound!


I've been using a stand that I made about 12 years ago.  It's a flexi-type, with large rods, and I cut chrome curtain rods to cover the threaded rods.  For shelves, I glued two pieces of MDF together, routed the edges, and painted with stone paint.  Looks great, and it's really heavy and sturdy.  But, I got a little tired of the look.  I do think there is sound to furniture if it vibrates, but solid is solid, right?

So, I found a used Salamander Chameleon Sonoma 326.  It matches the other furniture perfectly, looks great in the room, and has a perfect amount of storage.  And, room on top for the turntable, as well as the Primaluna HP.  Makes it look like simple and elegant system.  The Salamander is very heavy, and made from solid wood. 

But, when I hooked it up, that damn Salamander rings like a bell, and that energy totally transfers to the tonearm.  I could not believe how horrible the system now sounded!  Clearly the furniture was the problem.  It was immediate, and completely ruined the sound.   I think part of the issue is that it has a metal frame beneath the wood, and the sides seem to cause the metal frame to vibrate and ring.

Now, I'm on an adventure to see if I can fix it.  My plan is 2 inch thick maple platform with vibrapods under the platform.  A platform for the amp, a separate one for the TT, and vibrapods under the phono preamp.  I have used an old tabletop from Ikea (it's honeycomb inside, and good dampener) with rubber feet, and it's helped a lot.  But, I can still tell this vibrates slightly.  I don't think it transfers much to the tonearm, but I'm still getting the maple platform.

I'm posting this because I've done some research oil Salamander as a TT stand, but didn't find much.  So, now you know... buyer beware!


128x128soundermn
1+ Mapleshade

I use the 2” cured maple platforms, save for the 4” under the TT.  Have the 3-point Heavy Feet between each component and maple platform.  Though the claims made on their website regarding the Samson racks (as well as the Heavy Feet, Isoblocks, Sil-Clear, and component weights (haven’t tried the ICs or PCs as they look rather fragile)) may ring of hyperbole, they have proven (to me) to be true.  You may consider trying one of their maple platforms coupled with the Heavy Feet and 4 Isoblocks under your TT to help you determine whether the Salamander is “salvageable” or it would be best to move on.

I had understood the Salamander products to be rather well-regarded.  It’s unfortunate that you have found that not to be the case.  I hope that you can soon enjoy your music again.
Designed and made my metal racks for Luxman PD-444 (i have two), genuine turntable footers are suspended, metal rack filled with sand, stands on 4 adjustable spikes. Luxman is superheavy turntable with metal cabinet. No issues!

Over 20 years ago i designed this table (custom made), also metal filled with sand, Technics SP-10 mkII on it, no issues.

I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Speaking of furniture quite a bit of Pop! in the sound can be obtained by sticking cones under heavy furniture in the room. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: are you out of mind?
I also thought of Salamander as being a great product. It may be because it’s double wide, not sure.  I’ve ordered a maple platform and vibrant pods and cones. If those don’t fix it, I’ll go back to the homemade stand.  I guess it turns out that my own engineering was pretty good!  
An isolated turntable like a SOTA, SME, Basis or Air Force does not care what you put it on. It will always sound the same. Not that any stand a turntable is on should not be a sturdy as possible.