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How do you deal with vibration?

Greetings all,

Many of us work very hard to keep vibration out of our equipment. I was hoping we could share our experiences with each other. I was wondering what other DIY methods people are using?

I personally have had good luck with shipping open cell foam under plywood. I find that about 60-70 percent compression works best. I place the foam underneath some plywood (Using spruce 3/4 inch). Then I place the component on the plywood. However, I think this more isolates the component from outside vibration. I don't think it does much to drain internal vibrations, especially in a CD transport.

Also I can not find open cell foam in town any more. I am ashamed to say that I actually went to Wal-mart to buy some. Now they don't carry it any more. So I was wondering where else I can get some?

I am currently thinking about building a Sandbox for my CD player and amp. Then putting the sand box on top of some sort of isolation material (open cell foam or cork rubber etc.) My thoughts are the foam or cork or etc should help keep the vibrations from getting into the equipment and the box should drain the internal vibrations.

Also, what are peoples experience with different woods. I live in BC so I can get most wood fairly cheap. I imagine every wood has it's own sonic signature due to it's resonant frequency. What works best? Solid maple, birch ply, MDF, walnut, mahogany etc...?\

Anyways, feel free to through ideas and experience (both good and bad) out there. It would be good to know what works and what doesn't.

Happy tweaking,
Nick
nickway
nickway OP
168 posts
 
Hello Jadem6,

Thanks for your help with this. It was good to discuss it with you. I am hopefully going to make a few platforms this weekend. It's always nice to get advice for someone who has experimented before (plus you have a resolving of enough system to be able to get a good idea what works.)

And don't worry, I don't take offense to my system being called middle of the road. I know where my system stands. Audio/music is my passion and all that stops me from having the system of my dreams is a few zero's at the end of my paycheck.

I could go work a job I hate and exploit people to make more money, and while it my be legally acceptable I don't think it's morally acceptable. So I purchase what I can afford, which lately is not much (I got married two years ago and bought my first house 1 year ago.) Maybe one day I will own a $15k+ system but not any time soon (unless I win the lottery). For now I am going to continue to enjoy what I have and upgraded it as I can afford too.

Happy listening,
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Jadem6...No offense. And well-written comments. I drive a Honda CRV instead of an Acura, because it does everything I need and leaves me with enough money to fly my airplane. Same deal with audio. I could afford the most expensive gear (well almost) but I could never justify it.

This thread is about a general technical issue, vibration, and its possible effect on equipment, which would logically affect all levels of audio equipment. If anything, cheap stuff, with no designed-in vibration control would be most sensitive.

I know that vibration control is very important for LP turntables, and for tube amps. Some people have suggested that electronics are also affected, an idea that seems unlikely to me. However, rather than talk back and forth and work ourselves into a fit about this I prefer to simply make some measurements and find out what is really going on. There are many audio characteristics, like "soundstage", "transparency", "imaging", that I cannot measure and neither can anyone else. But some things, like sensitivity to vibration are easy to measure, so why not do it. If my findings do not please you feel free to make your own measurements.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
OK. I did my DVD player, a Denon 2900 with Underwood mod.

As before, I appled a 125 Hz warble tone at 110dB measured by the mic resting on top of the player.

I used the Denon HI-FI Check CD, track 37 (digital zero) and track 38 (one LSB square wave). The player rms output was around -77dB and -76dB respectively regardless of whether the vibration input was ON or OFF. I paid careful attention to the peak reading (displayed numerically about once a second) because one might expect any effect to be of the nature of a digital data error. All peak data was consistent with the variations of the rms value.

Them is the facts. Make of it what you will.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Oh how I wish I too were a relativist. Then I too would think we can all be right! Or was it wrong?

All I know is, I keep throwing my Jell-O against the wall, but it just won't stick.

I wouldn't be surprised if this thread is nominated thread of the year. Shoot I may even nominate it myself!

-IMO
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Stehno, almost all posts here and on AA end up with the same division between those who hear benefits and those who either say it is illogical that it makes a difference or that measurements don't lie and show no difference. If you hear a difference unless you like to argue like me, just ignore the din of doubters. If you don't hear a difference, also enjoy in peace.
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