Vibration control question....

If I'm not mistaken, Corian and similar products are styrene-based so any resonance they might have would be of a considerably different character than igneous rock. Whether Corian in combination with layers of wood would provide the same kind of benefits inherent to products developed by the better-known manufacturers is debatable. But, what the hell, that's why God provided us with workshops and Sears' cards. Just be careful with that axe, Eugene.

Thank you TBG and Islandier, you seem to be pointing to the fact that it may be worth exploring the application of heterogeneous sandwiches. . . would love to get a Halcyonics norm. . . but it would then cost me three times as much in divorce proceedings!

Guidocorona, were the Halcyonic to cost $2000 or less, I do not think anyone would sell anything else. Hopefully a less expensive unit will soon be available.

The best sandwich of materials isolation base I know of is the Acapella, which I use everywhere other than under the turntable and cd player.

TBG, tell us more aboute the construction of the ACapella isolation base.

Look at this....... http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue21/goffinterview.htm

This is a e-mail I received in response to questions I had after much heated discussion to the benefits and effects of cryogenic treatment here on Audiogon, this was in 2002.My inquiry was originally to a Dr. Louis Salerno at NASA. As I found out later Dr.Barron who most graciously sent this reply is considered the leading authority on cryogenics in the United States..Tom

Dear Mr. Devuono:
November 23,2002
In your e-mail to Dr. Salerno (which was forwarded to the Cryogenic
Society of America office), you had asked about the effect of cryogenic
treatment on electrical conductors, such as copper, silver, and gold.

In general, the cryogenic treatment has a permanent effect (there is
no change in the wear properties with time), unless the part is heated up
into the annealing temperature range for the material. Properly heat
treated materials will maintain the effect of cryogenic treatment until the
material is heated into the annealing temperature range. The cryogenic
treatment produces a change throughout the bulk of the material, and not
just at the surface, also.

We have conducted experimental tests on lathe tool materials
(generally, high-alloy steels), in which we conducted wear tests for
samples subjected to various "on-the-shelf times" ranging from one day to
60 days, and we found no statistically significant change in the material
wear properties.

I trust this information will be of help.

Sincerely yours,

Randall F. Barron,PH.D
Professor Emeritus
Mechanical Engineering
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana U.S.A.

Randall F. Barron

He carefully avoided the question, it would appear.

Guidocorona, see: http://aaudioimports.com/store/ProductDetail.asp?catID=43&subCatID=4&productID=60

Norm, that was a beautiful example of Engleutch. . . or was it Germlish? the word 'Plumb' for Lead was especially delicious! Yet, the page was not especially informative about what there is in these 1.4 inch thick bases. Perhaps Lead, Aluminum, felt, 'finest Quartz sand'? Who knows! But it better be good for their dizzying price tag!

There is liquid inside. Yes, they are saying very little for proprietary reasons, of course. And yes, they are the best passive shelf I have heard, adding great clarity and transient attack.