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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
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,974 posts
 

@cooperdude6 

It’s funny,  using granite under my KEF Reference 5’s made a huge difference. I have tongue and groove oak floors with pad and carpet and I never got them to sound clean and clear. A friend who redid his kitchen gave me a bunch of granite.  I cut it down to a few inches wider than the KEF’s footprint and gave it a try with amazing results.  Later I added some Isoacoustics Gaia 1’s and they made even more of an improvement.  I have since bought some Sonus Farber speakers and while there is an improvement using the granite, it isn’t anywhere near as noticeable as it was with the KEF’s. 
I also tried putting granite under my electronics and if it made a difference, neither my wife nor I could tell. 
 

All the best.

brummgon
12 posts
 
Place your speaker on large blocks of granite. As heavy as possible. So that any vibrations from your speakers are immediately killed by the mass of the granite. Place your turntable on springs. So that vibrations in the room do not reach your pick-up cartrigde and stylus. Place all rest of your equipment on spikes. So that maybe possible external vibrations of the surface under your equipment are minimized.
cooperdude6 OP
80 posts
 

for the readers that mention putting loudspeakers on top of granite, or similar bases: I have noticed that several high end speaker manufacturers have now incorporated that into their current design of floor standing speakers, especially ones with a down firing woofer driver. It can be tuned to that base instead of firing into a variable flooring of cement, tile, hardwood or carpet. Of course those models are pricey!

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