I have gotten several emails from people, regarding this microphonic damping device, and rather than try to answer them all individually, David, the first to inquire, asked me to simply send out the copy of what I sent him. This is a little disjointed, but if you have any questions let me know. Here it is:
David,
Years ago I build a product, called "The Platform".
It is messy and gross but it works better than anything I have ever used for vibrational isolation for preamps, turntables amps etc. My Gryphon is sitting on it now, and even the hardest core, I don't hear the difference people are shocked. Here is how to make it.
You need really solid hardwood for the outer frame. Take 3/4" by 1.5" hardwood and make a rectangular frame of 19x16". Buy some of the fishing worms (several bags) and 8# lead shot. Buy two pieces of thin wood, like an 1/8th inch plywood. Then buy four threaded sleaves and four Teflon screws. Drill the outer frame to allow for the sleeves, (the kind with teeth in the bottom, so they will grip) Do not breath these fumes as they are probably toxic. Melt the fishing worms into a boiling liquid, (just break down the solid mass really), and mix in the lead shot. The outer frame is made this way, finger join it if you can, then put the rather thin wood on the bottom stapling and gluing it so that it will contain the mass. Then pour this goop into the outer frame, obviously with the bottom attached. Then cut the top piece, so that it does not touch the outer frame. Leave about a 1/8 inch all around. (IT must not touch) Then after it cools, put the Teflon feet into the outer frame. It will be normal for the bottom to sag some because this will weigh about 100# (90# was average since you are using about 50# of shot) At the end of this process, you will have a device that will set on top of a mass, that contains lead shielding at the bottom, and is resting on four Teflon feet, that are what did I say 1/8 " in diameter. After it cools David, if you hit it, it resonates at less than probably 10 cycles.
I am telling you as an audio nut, that this sound goofy, but nothing I have ever heard, does what this does. My Gryphon sounds completely smooth and more open at the same time, better bass extension. Every improvement you can imagine, because the energy, microphonic, and RF are shunted into this piece, and because of its considerable mass, it seems to go away. What makes this really cool, is that the Gryphon already employs isolation techniques.
Did I mention that the platform will set about 1/4" from touching, even at the bowed center of it? Wow, I just realized that I had never committed this to paper before (or cyperpaper). All this will cost less than maybe 100 bucks and you will think you spent 5K upgrading your system. It can be replicated and used under cd players also.
Also, there is a less unwieldy 30# unit that we started with, but the return is exponentially better on this heavier one. If you have any questions email me, or even call me, at 502 671 7870. Maybe we can start a mfg company. Good luck, and good listening. Larry Ps This damn thing is dangerous because the mass is so dense. Be careful please and do not attempt to lift it by yourself.(Also, I forgot to, duh tell you to counter sink the Teflon screws.
