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
Tbg...Noone is trying to convince you of anything. I am trying to decide what I need to do, and, just as you report the results of your listening tests, I will report my results. Other guys might benefit from my experience as well as yours. Would you like me to test my turntable, so that I can show the kind of results you like? That would be a waste of time because I already know the importance of vibe control for turntables.

Peace.
Rsbeck and Eldartford, I am a social scientist with many published research reports. I firmly believe in test hypotheses with data. I know full-well that the mind can be fooled. I do not believe, however, that science can settle the issues of whether there are differences between amp, cables, with and without isolation, or whether the IC works. I feel no need to prove what I hear nor do I think the rigor or research designs in tests I have seen and even participated in allows conclusions that some might want to make. I merely report my observations, which are the basis of inductive theory development. When I have my science hat on, I want data to assess the hypothesis, but here all I want to know is whether my sound improves.

I am certainly not discouraging others from reaching other conclusions, but I very much resent notions that I am merely deluding myself. When others share my impressions, I feel more secure in my impressions. Guys this is a hobby not competitive football or finding a cure to cancer.
Tbg, A social scientist! You must find these forums mighty interesting. You could do a lifetime research project on us and still not figure us out.
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