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Isolation Theory Question

I'm comparing the Vibrapod versus the Cardas/Ayre myrtle block devices for isolation in my system. My stands are Lovan Soverign with small pieces of sorbothane between the steel frame and the wooden shelves as a bit of an after-market tweak. I have not mass loaded the stands.

My question is more theoretical, as there seems to be a difference between these options, but I cannot say if one is better than the other, they are just different. So, I feel that it's pretty obvious what the vibrapods seek to accomplish, but am unsure what problem the myrtle blocks are supposed solve? It seems to me that any vibration will be transfered from the shelf to the component through the block. Is this not the case?

Right now, I seem to prefer the blocks under my solid-state amp and tube preamp and the vibrapods under my dac, transport and turntable... I'm not sure what to infer from this, but it seems that the devices that have motors prefer the vibrapods and the more stationary devices prefer the blocks. I'm curious if there is any "theory" that might help me decide what to use where?

Thanks!
-Marc
mre2007
dbld
297 posts
 
I have an off-the-wall question: Has anyone actually fastened a component to your rack? What I mean is removing the feet and actually bolting a pre or cdp or whatever to a support structure [rack or shelves] in place of using cones. Perhaps using a brass or steel bushing between the component and the rack would help clean up this kind of installation. Wouldn't this be like "direct coupling" the component to the rack?

This thought just crossed my mind, sort of taking the audio point kind of theory to its extreme...so I guess it is really directed towards Barry at Bright Star Audio.
bright_star_audio
179 posts
 
Hi Dbld,

Thank you for your question.

Rigidly affixing the component to the rack will allow any vibration within the rack (sourced from the floor or from the rack's structure vibrating in sympathy with air-borne vibration) to have a more efficient path INTO the component. That would increase the amount of vibration that is contaminating the signal flowing through the component.

A properly designed vibration control set up would also address internally-generated vibration (from spinning motors, humming transformers and cooling fans) besides just addressing floor-borne and air-borne vibration.

Best,

Barry
dbld
297 posts
 
In fear of hi-jacking this thread I have another question for Barry:

I can understand what you say above, but why then when using your audio points do you recommend the points point down in normal application, but in your own rack [the Sistrum] the points are rigidly mounted to the rack and the points are pointing up?

Perhaps I am thinking about it incorrectly, but that implies a reverse in “vibrational direction.”

Thanks,

Dave
puremusic
226 posts
 
Vibration control is a complex task that can be addressed, as Barry suggests in his post, by a properly designed system that takes into account the different sources of vibration. I would suggest that you read the informative comments about vibration damping and isolation on the Symposium, Bright Star Audio, Critical Mass, and SRA websites. Depending on your budget and the needs of your audio system, you might also want to check out Vibraplane and Minus K. I am not affiliated with any of these companies. IMHO, they offer legitimate approaches to vibration isolation/damping. But you will need your ears to determine what works best in your system.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
If it didn't look weird, and block air circulation, access to front panel buttons, doors, rear panel jacks, etc., I'd place all my components on goosedown pillows. Really.
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