How do you deal with vibration?


Greetings all,

Many of us work very hard to keep vibration out of our equipment. I was hoping we could share our experiences with each other. I was wondering what other DIY methods people are using?

I personally have had good luck with shipping open cell foam under plywood. I find that about 60-70 percent compression works best. I place the foam underneath some plywood (Using spruce 3/4 inch). Then I place the component on the plywood. However, I think this more isolates the component from outside vibration. I don't think it does much to drain internal vibrations, especially in a CD transport.

Also I can not find open cell foam in town any more. I am ashamed to say that I actually went to Wal-mart to buy some. Now they don't carry it any more. So I was wondering where else I can get some?

I am currently thinking about building a Sandbox for my CD player and amp. Then putting the sand box on top of some sort of isolation material (open cell foam or cork rubber etc.) My thoughts are the foam or cork or etc should help keep the vibrations from getting into the equipment and the box should drain the internal vibrations.

Also, what are peoples experience with different woods. I live in BC so I can get most wood fairly cheap. I imagine every wood has it's own sonic signature due to it's resonant frequency. What works best? Solid maple, birch ply, MDF, walnut, mahogany etc...?\

Anyways, feel free to through ideas and experience (both good and bad) out there. It would be good to know what works and what doesn't.

Happy tweaking,
Nick
nickway
I thought this thread was about vibration. Please don't extrapolate my views into other aspects of audio where they don't apply, and then criticize me for these views.

To reiterate..."There are many audio characteristics, like "soundstage", "transparency", "imaging", that I cannot measure and neither can anyone else. But some things, like sensitivity to vibration are easy to measure, so why not do it".
Reduction of vibrational influences within a component should make the component operate with greater efficiency. With this in mind.. hooking up a component to a Variac and adjusting the operating voltage and then recording the current draw with and then with out your faviorite method for vibration control should lead you down the road of greater or lesser confusion..I myself have my own beliefs and I will try to measure and record these influences.Tom
Theaudiotweak, I am very interested in hearing about what you can find. Without criticizing or confronting Eldarford I have been questioning to myself if his methods are the correct test in this case. I appreciate the fact that Eldarford is trying to apply science while at the same time not attacking those of us who will swear on our grandmother’s grave. Civility is one word for it. I conceder it maturity and an appreciation for each other as human souls, Kindness goes a lot longer way in communication than anger and irrational comments. I for one have thoroughly enjoyed this thread, maybe the best I've participated in. Good job all!
Hi JD,
Re:>>>"Civility is one word for it. I conceder it maturity and an appreciation for each other as human souls, Kindness goes a lot longer way in communication than anger and irrational comments. I for one have thoroughly enjoyed this thread, maybe the best I've participated in. Good job all!"<<<

Oh Geez, Jade.All this nicey-nice crap makes me sick.
Bite me.

; )
best,
Ken

ltns-how ya been,dude?
The component will operate with greater efficiency? What is meant by "efficiency" in this context?

This is a classic thread that shows that some people are mightily convinced that audio is a one-man thing since no one hears the same.

As a complementary question what does it actually mean when one says that we all hear differently?

Surely if this were true any research towards advancing audio would be in vain.

Great how everything has been reduced to a question of individual taste; it is surely a sign of the times where magic thinking is the order of the day.