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Vibration Control for Lightweight Tube Components

I'm looking for suggestions to isolate a lightweight tube preamp from vibration and resonance. Not acoustic vibration, but physical vibration from the stereo rack. When I touch the shelf the preamp sits upon, the sound can be heard thru the speakers.

I am using a heavy furniture grade stereo rack for my components, all using Herbie's Tenderfeet for isolation, including my TT. The preamp only weighs 7 lbs. and has Herbie's tube dampers applied, but needs to be decoupled from the heavy wood shelf. I've tried the Tenderfeet and Vibrapods under the preamp, but neither provided isolation from vibration.

So, what are owners of lightweight tube preamps and amps using for vibration control? (there is a limited amount of space between the shelves).
128x128lowrider57

Showing 10 responses by mesch

mesch
3,394 posts
 
Lowrider, I have been following this thread and am very interested in hearing the results of any implementations you employ.  My concerns regarding vibrations are primarily directed at draining them from equipment. Thanks!
mesch
3,394 posts
 
Yes, I mass loaded my amp, pre, disc player. I used barbell weights with 1/8” cork bottoms. I didn’t have your spatial constraint however. I am sure you can find something at a hardware/farm store that would provide an inexpensive solution. Happy hunting!

mesch
3,394 posts
 
Lowrider, yes so many tweeks can be DIY at little cost. Make my own cable risers, not sure of the affect, but they look cool. Also, thanks, seldom am I accused of having a ‘great mind’. 


Geoffkait, My preamp has those metal cylinders over the tubes. Can tube dampers be used in this case? Also, I have some of the red and what I will call “o-ring’ dampers. What do you think of those? 
mesch
3,394 posts
 
Geoffkait, thanks for that. I think I will check out Herbies and also the mu metal wrap. What do you use to physically damp the transformers?
mesch
3,394 posts
 
Lowrider, Yes I am using the Jolida Fusion w/out any mods. Was thinking that as well as I haven’t heard a problem with RF in my system, and also thinking  I may wrap the transformers with the mu metal as Geoffkait recommends. Will depend on the cost of the Herbies as I have 4  tubes to treat.

mesch
3,394 posts
 
Lowrider, your advise is well taken. I take care care of cable placement and only use lengths that are needed and they are not crossed. Interconnects don’t touch the floor. Speaker cables on risers. 

Just to be clear, I don’t believe I have any issues with RFI. My concern is with vibrations induced into components via room sound pressure or developed within the component, as by transformers. I dedicated room has a concrete floor. My equipment shelf sits on spikes, is filled with sand, and has 2” maple shelves. My AMP is on its own stand.

As you and Geoffkait advised, I intend to purchase the Herbies dampers for my Pre.  

Thanks for allowing me to interact on your thread.


mesch
3,394 posts
 
R_f_sayles, I am not currently using points under my equipment, however have often thought to try some. Would the brass types be best?  Might also look into the Bright Star IsoNodes. 

Lowrider, thanks for your thread, I enjoyed the participation! 

mesch
3,394 posts
 
Lowrider, I really don’t know the answer to that question in terms of  the dissipation of vibration stemming form floor to equipment via a rack. The bamboo platers have greater density and are thinner. The maple shelves I use are much thicker, though less dense. Those more knowledgable in mechanical impedance might shed a light on this. I believe we are asking, can a mechanical ‘ring’ be translated to an electrical one by the forces generating the mechanical one.

It is a good thing I only think of these things when on computer, not when listening to my system. Need to spend more time with system, not computer. 

Still enjoy this thread!






mesch
3,394 posts
 
Great Lowrider! I love inexpensive tweeks.

mesch
3,394 posts
 
I feel somewhat remiss in that when I made my last post I didn’t see the previous 3 posts on page 2.

Anyway, I purchased a set of Moongels yesterday and will be looking into the mentioned replacements for equipment footers. These things I will employ when I get back from a month of travel to the southwest US. 

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