High mass turntable owners -- What Stand?

I'm using a Canadian-made Audiostand under my Verdier.

It has 4 1-1/4" shelves, each capable of supporting at least 150lbs. It has four aluminum columns comprising 10" x 2-1/2" dia tubes at each corner. This means that you have exactly 10 inches between the shelves.

It is 36" tall. The columns are on 16" x 24" centers and the shelves are about 20" x 28". If you wanted, you could place another platform on top, resting on the flat tops of the column caps. This way you could have pretty much as large a platform for your TT as you want.

Myself, I have a Timbernations 3" black lacquer maple platform resting on top, measuring 18" x 28".

This stand was about $1K

I have my Galibier on a custom Sound Anchors stand, and I am very pleased. The sound quality is excellent and there is no rocking or wobbling. I would caution you about using thick maple as a mounting platform. I have found the maple to have too many colorations for long term satisfaction.

Dave

Salectric,

Assuming a high-mass, high rigidity stand sitting on a poured concrete basement floor, what would be your material choice(s) for top mounting platform? Please discuss advantages and disadvantages of the materials cited. Many thanks,

-Richard

Richard (Palasr), I haven't decided yet what material I like the most for a plinth in my setup. So far I have tried the following, each in a 18 x 24 footprint:

1. 3" granite surface plate----very nice bass and overall detail, but it develops a "shouting" coloration at loud volumes. I presume this is due to exciting resonances in the granite. Bob at Sound Anchors suggested that I try damping it with a rubber mat on top of a 3/4" MDF board, but so far I haven't done so. Lifting the 180 lb. granite on and off the stand is a challenge (understatement).

2. 3" maple butcherblock from Timbernation----very smooth with nice detail in the midrange, but too soft, slow and dead for my tastes.

3. 1 1/2" MDF----I found the MDF colorations too distracting to be able to listen to this for very long. I would describe the MDF as being "gray" and lacking in life and true tonal colors.

4. 3/4" maple----Lots of life and excitement and good deep bass, but too bright. Plus I don't think it can support the weight without some sagging.

None of the above is satisfactory for me long term. I will shortly be trying two other options: a sandbox with either a maple or MDF platform floating on the sand, and a composite platform consisting of 3 layers of Baltic Birch and MDF. Hopefully, one of these will emerge as a clear winner.

Dave

I use Solid Steel. They are made in Italy and available in USA. All shelves are decoupled with cones and they have no colorations.