Vibration Isolation for equipment using granite?


I recently visited a high-end audio salon and in the course of discussions with the owner, we discussed the large number of black granite 18x18" blocks he had against the wall. He said that he dealt with a granite retailer to make them from scrap granite pieces from kitchen installations, etc. He said that all equipment (amps, pre-amps, cd platers, DACs, streamers, turntables, etc.) all seemed to benefit from having them underfoot, even on quality equipment racks. It made me wonder if this was true or snake oil? I have my equipment (except power amp) on a Standesign equipment rack with each MDF shelf resting on small aluminum cones that "isolate" it from the steel frame. Question is, does this just add mass which would or wouldn't dissipate the vibration energy or does it work (maybe on another principal). And would sandstone or marble drink coasters, especially with cork soles) work better? Has anyone tried ay of this? Thanks in advance.

cooperdude6

I am not arguing that a solid stone rack takes away the benefit of good chassis feet. On the contrary, it can be argued the the better the rack, the better the (best) feet can perform. I am only saying that stock feet will perform better too (for example, on my MA-1 amps, or Aesthetix Io preamp). The rack itself offers much more stability and mass, compared to what I had before. My overall impression is that superior stability and mass translate to authority and precision in the sound. 

Before, I had a VPI record player needing a lot of tweaks to perform its best, including a Bright star sand box. And even some air in a bike tube. Endless tweaking. I changed to a Hanss T-30 player with adjustable "maglev" suspension. This stands direct on the top rack stone shelf. No looking back. 

Mass stores vibration [energy] and thus does NOT dampen it. 

What you want is tuned dampeners (eg springs) on a light and stiff platform (or screwed in, such as isoAcoustic Gaias on a speaker, with the proper version of the Gaias depending on the mass of the speaker).

Tuned meaning matched properly to the load. You obviously need a lot stiffer dampers for a 120 lbs speaker vs. a 50 lbs amplifier vs. a 10 lbs turntable. 

I don't know if using granit with amps or TT  can improve sound but it definitely improved the sound when used under my Dynaudio Contour Legacy even if they have cast iron bottom integrated plates. The bass is tighter among others. Used 3/4 inch. Worth testing on other components.

Constrained layer is the way to go; I use an HRS platform on a big Minus K isolation platform for a very heavy high mass table (Kuzma XL plus Airline arm). 

I'm not sure one stone over another is the answer.  You can probably make what is necessary if you know what you are doing- I went for commercially available solutions -- works a charm.