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How to isolate aurios to reduce glare?

I recently bought two sets of Aurios MIB's and initially set them under the cdp and pre-amp. I was getting terrible "glare" but as I had, on the same day, added a second amp (Linn aktiv set-up) and new speaker cables, I didn't guess it was from the Aurios. I decided to try them under my speakers and WOW! I couldn't believe how good it was. I had to move my speakers a good 8+ more inches out from the rear wall and now everything is sweet. Now to the question. I have another set of Aurios on the way and from searching through the archives I see that others have had this problem, described by one as "metallic". I'm asking again for ideas on how to use these Aurios most effectively under the cdp. There were benefits but they came with the glare. My rack set-up for the cdp is as follow: Rega Planet2000 on polycrystal cones on a 1/4" glass shelf with 6 isopods between it and an mdf shelf. I built the rack myself(you can see it under my system if it helps). I thought of putting them in place of the isopods but wonder about glass on metal. Put the cones point up on the aurios? Someone mentioned home-made pucks between the aurios and the metal chassis. Any other ideas? Especially welcome are those ideas that use simple household items. Can't afford anything radical after the last frenzy. Thanks very much!!
stuartbranson
stuartbranson OP
183 posts
 
No offense taken. I have thought of just selling them but I'm gonna try these ideas out first. BTW, I just read in an article that glass is "the worst" thing one can put their gear on. Hmm. Thanks for all the suggestions.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,155 posts
 
Glass is not the worst thing, it simply needs to be of sufficient thickness. Please note that there is absolutely no consensus on the best shelf material. Everybody seems to have their favorite. Glass is cheap, easily sourced and if it's at least 1/2" thick, will sound relatively good.
stuartbranson OP
183 posts
 
I've tried a few of the suggestions and so far have found that the polycrystal cones on the aurios, cdp atop that, sounds the best. I have to put them point up unless I turn the aurios upside down. The only problem now is that the Rega is a manual top-loader and rather lightweight so I have to change discs carefully or the power cord uncenters the aurios. Oh well. Thanks all for your suggestions, and if I discover anything different that beats these ideas I'll be sure to post it.

Stuart
hdm
1,057 posts
 
I will second (or third) the above ideas relating to the replacement of the glass shelf. I experimented pretty extensively with 1/2" glass as shelf material and it is not bad (better, in my opinion than marble or granite), but it is pretty expensive. I have a target rack with MDF shelves, but use a vibrapod sandwich exactly as you do. I was using 1/2" glass, but after experimenting with a simple 3/4" maple cutting board from Home Depot ended up with that. Spend $15 on one there, or at Bed, Bath and Beyond and I virtually guarantee your problem will disappear; my guess is that 1/4" glass would be pretty awful as shelf material. You may also find that using anything metallic under the CD player will end up giving you a "metallic" sound or one tilted toward the high fequencies. I'd experiment with the CD player sited directly on the cutting board, and possibly with vibrapods between the board and the player as well. If you like the sound, you could investigate going with thicker maple perhaps, as some around here have, but I'm kind of cheap and have never felt the need to upgrade the "cutting boards".
stuartbranson OP
183 posts
 
Well in the end all it took was to replace the glass shelf with a 3/4" maple cutting board. Polycrystal cones under it, aurios on top and cdp straight on the aurios. Guess I kinda like it a bit bright. Thanks for all the suggestions. Who knew you could tune the system so much. When I first tried isolation products I wasn't quite sold on the "dramatic" effects touted but now...
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