Basic anti vibration? Cones vs pods? Is there "good enough solution"?

I started with pods between the component and the MDF shelf and switched to Cones onto a granite tile with thin foam drawer liner between the tile and the MDF shelf. I now experience very detailed and crisp sound form my system

I found too much damping of the pods tended to muddy the sound.

With either method - be sure to experiment with the position of the cone or pod under the component

E.G. With solid state amps (and my phono stage), I found locating a cone/pod under the transformer (or one either side of it) provided the best sound

However - tube amps are a different beast and normally have a very strong chassis, so placement can by quite different

I only use three feet to achieve max stability

The position of the feet in my turntable is shown at the bottom of this link
http://image99.net/blog/files/505119d0be04fa00f053d1e3491df5c8-80.html

Hope that helps - Steve

@williewonka 

Good info. As my Belles amp (55lb +/-) is also on a wood shelf (actual laminated wood not mdf). I also thought of a stone base(s) at the contact points of the cones. I don’t have any granite slabs or tiles at the moment, but do have a box of unused ceramic tiles, so tried that. I can’t say the change was as dramatic as installing the cones themselves, but it may bit a bit better, and actually makes some sense. I think; As my cones have, essentially, a small steel ball contact point, I would think it would be better for that contact/weight to be spread over a larger and more dense base and not directly into the wood shelf itself.

I guess it’s all ‘try it and find out’.

@bkeske - you wrote

As my cones have, essentially, a small steel ball contact point

Are they are like the Vibrapod?
http://vibrapod.com/vibrapodcone.htm

You should be able to improve things with a ceramic tile with a layer of this foam between the shelf and the tile...
https://www.duckbrand.com/products/shelf-liner-bath/non-adhesive-shelf-liner

Granite is getter because of the higher mass

The key to controlling vibrations in a shelf is to make a sandwich of materials having very different densities. But for the foam layer - thinner is often better.

Sorbothane is commonly used, but too much can muddy the details. I use the 1/10" thick sorbothane to dampen between the shelf and the supporting struts of my steel rack.

Before moving to the more expensive Bronze/Brass cones I tried hardwood cones and they were surprisingly good, which then tempted me to try the Brass cones.

The bronze/brass cones I had made by a guy in the area that turns bearings and bushings. I had five sets of three made in different size=s for around $200

Regards - Steve

@williewonka

Are they are like the Vibrapod?

Yes, they are the Vibrapod *cones* As you linked to, not the origional ‘disc shape’ Viprapod. I’m using the cones alone, which Vibrapod states you can on their web site.

I just used the tile as a I had some on hand. As I’m in the design/build biz, I’m sure I can probably find a scrap piece of granite at some point, or buy a slab, or tiles. Actually, granite tiles are pretty cheap at Home Depot.

Everything is different....you have to experiment to find out what you like. I’m using brass cones....I have used steel, aluminum, some kind of plastic, etc., etc. All different