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Nobsound springs - load range

I want to try out the Nobsound springs as damping footers (mainly under my mono blocks and my streamer). I ordered a first set of them and now I wonder about the amount of springs to put in for different weights of equipment.I remember one post that said it works best when 50% compressed (was it @millercarbon?).

I measured the compression of the springs, it takes ~2.5 kg per spring to compress it to 50%. Based on 50% compression target, this yields the following sweet spot configurations (only stable ones, total equipment weight):
- 3 units, 3 springs each: 22.5 kg
- 4 units, 3 springs each (or 3 units, 4 springs each): 30 kg - 4 units, 4 springs each: 40 kg
- 3 units, 6 springs each: 45 kg
- 3 units, 7 springs each: 52.5 kg
- 4 units, 6 springs each: 60 kg
- 4 units, 7 springs each: 70 kgLoad can be considerably higher than expected (somewhere I read about 36kg, which is presumably for 4 units).

Any comments?What about ~10 kg streamer, seems to be too light to compress the springs enough? Does anyone have experience with Nobsound springs under light equipment like this?
Based on your experiences: Would you even dare to put an 80kg floor standing speaker on Nobsound springs?
hm9001
ryder
1,698 posts
 

 

 

 

 
tweak1
2,436 posts

Having removed lots of springs from the Nobs, under the various components, while the music was clearer, I lost the grounded aspect/weight. 2 things left speakers (a 2 man job) and my Core Power 1800 PLC, which is at the bottom of my vertical rack. I've been waiting for help, but last night listening to Blues Brothers, while the clarity was amazing, but overall the weight/soul of the music was missing. This is a very poorly lit room, and access to the back of the rack is difficult in daylight with all the cables, BUT, I decided to replace the 2 Machina Dynamica HD springs in the front with Nobs (fully sprung): WOW. The missing weight magically returned, SHOCKINGLY SO. Today's task is to maneuver behind the rack and insert 2 more

 

That's useful to know. I've come to a conclusion that the Nobsounds are not exactly a "plug-n-play" whereby people can expect instant great results once they are installed under components. It took me about 5 days to get to the optimal spring configuration on my amp alone, all through tedious listening and swapping of the springs which left my fingers knackered (as the amp weighs more than 60lbs).

 

I have just settled with the optimal spring configuration for the power amp in my second system. As I only have 2 sets of Nobsound, there are none left for my preamp and sources. I may eventually acquire additional sets for the other components as I appreciate the cumulative effect of the Nobsounds once they are installed on all the components. I've briefly tried the Nobsounds on the preamp and the sound did change for the better.

 

I have also found that the Nobsounds will not work well under lightweight components. They need to be loaded to a certain range for the component to sound good. For this reason, the DAC in the main system (about 15 lbs) remains supported by the ceramic-based isolators as it sounded worse with the Nobsounds
ryder
1,698 posts
 

After hearing the benefits of the Nobsounds in my system, I am now an advocate of good or proper isolation for both speakers and components. The Nobsounds may not be the best product in the market but they certainly have the potential of improving the sound quality of the system when appropriately installed under components. For the price there are no complaints.

Anyone who is having problem with the system sounding bright, hard or digital should give these a try before they change something else in the system to correct the issues.

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Most people wind up with a lot of springs left over. They fit perfectly into a 1/4" hole. This makes it real easy to DIY extra ones. Simply drill 1/4" holes in some wood, MDF, acrylic, etc and put em together. Experiment to get the holes the right depth, maybe use some hot glue, you could do really light components with just one or two springs per pod. Another option, even easier, add weight. I have used a 5lb dive weight on my CDP for years.

All of audio is trial and error. Test and evaluate, tweak and evaluate some more. This is no different. Anyone things a system is plug and play, sorry. This one thing more than anything else will hold you back.

Corollary: learn to listen, don't waste time measuring. 

Time spent writing down kg and measuring compression is time that could have been spent listening, which is the only way you get anywhere. The sooner you figure this out the faster you go.

ryder
1,698 posts
 

Most people wind up with a lot of springs left over. They fit perfectly into a 1/4" hole. This makes it real easy to DIY extra ones. Simply drill 1/4" holes in some wood, MDF, acrylic, etc and put em together.

Good suggestion. I entertained the idea of making some using the leftover springs earlier. Unfortunately I have poor DIY skills and don't have the necessary tools to do so.  Also, the different looks of the footers may affect the aesthetics if the components are on the same rack. Will see how it goes.

I agree the only way is to listen with a lot of trial and error.

ryder
1,698 posts
 

Folks, an update. I’ll cut to the chase.

Please put some effort in the set up of the Nobsounds as they have proven to be effective, only when properly set up. As mentioned earlier, no shortcuts.

I can confirm that the footers have brought an impact to the system. After getting to the optimized set up of the Nobsound on the power amp, I removed them and listened again. The bass lost definition and sounded smeared. There was bass resonance. Next, percussion sounded soft, subdued and smeared, lacking energy and sparkle.

Now, the interesting part. I reinstalled the Nobsounds but failed to achieve the previous performance. Long story short. Some footers have a larger gap while some show a smaller gap. After some adjustments it’s all glory again. Lesson learned - try to get a same compression for all footers below the component.

The diagram below shows the 3 footers under the amp. As the load distribution of the amp is unequal(transformer is located on the right), all footers have different number of springs.

Notice the footer at the rear is not at the centre but moved slightly to the right. The placement of this footer was painstakingly adjusted several times to ensure an even compression for all 3 footers.

The diagram below shows the transformer on the right which contributed to the heavier weight where more springs are required to compensate.

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