2. analog
  3. 1297377878

Adding a maple platform to an existing wood rack

I am considering getting a 3" thick maple platform from either Timbernation or Tony's Woodshop. What is the best way to couple this to the top shelf of my RIX RAX. I now use the 2- shelf Rix stand that is on most of my system page photos. My thought is use Mapleshade Isoblocks or a like product.On a similar thread, a company called Atlanta Vibration pads sell an Isoblock type product for a lot less money. Their product is 1" high, while the Isoblock is 1 3/4" high. I use one suspended table, and one Non-suspended table. My floor is suspended, but has numerous floor jacks below the floor, so it's pretty stable. Lastly, do you think it's overkill to get a 3" platform since the Rix itself has such a substantial top shelf,which is also solid maple. Any suggestions are appreciated.
fjn04
salectric
755 posts
 
Thorman: You're not in the "small percentage of people that have had less than great experiences with Maple." Many, many people have tried maple and been disappointed. The rest of us just get tired of responding to the same questions over and over. Maple is really just one of many tuning tweaks that can be used to shift the tonal balance of a system in a different direction. The shift will be a positive move for some systems and some listeners, and a big step backwards for others. The same thing applies with cones, footers of all types, and mounting platforms made of other materials.
inna
7,296 posts
 
I don't want to shift the tonal balance anywhere, I just want the table to sound as close as possible to its best.
And I have to put it on something. Also, I cannot experiment with all types of platforms and footers. And the cost has to be reasonable.
Another thought, though it might be irrelevant, I've never heard anyone use maple or walnut or oak to build musical instruments. But spruce, rosewood, cherry and ebony are used. Does it tell us something when it comes to tuning and vibration control? Possibly.
ska_man
55 posts
 
Inna: Do you currently have your turntable on the floor?
If so, what species of hardwood is the flooring made from?
And , is it solid wood flooring or laminated?
Since you want to keep the tonal balance as is, get a platform made from the same species of wood as the flooring. This should minimize the potential coloration issue to some degree.
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Thanks Thorman, Salectric, Rakuenow, Ska_man, and Cinellipro.
I will likely go forward, and give the Maple Platform a go.
They seem to move well on the used market, so I think it's worth a shot. My 2 shelf Rix Rax is actually on the low side, so it will raise it up a at least 4" w/ the cork product as well. I did try a granite/MDF composite shelf before, and did not like it much at the time. I felt it added a hardness to the sound, so that's the reason I am sticking to wood.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yeah, it is on the floor sitting on the Nottingham supplied MDF platform with steel cones under it. The flooring appears to be solid wood and laquered, it's slippery you know. But maybe it's laminated, it's a modest appartment. What species of hardwood? I have no idea. But it's not oak or rosewood or ebony, that's for sure. Something cheap, I guess.
I generally agree with your approach.
More to discover