Best way to dampen a micro-vibrating Printed Circuit Board inside an amp? Thanks!

@carlsbad2 

How did you identify a problem with micro-vibrations?

@vinylfun 

Measuring was easy 😊

@vinylfun

Pray tell, how did you measure the micro-vibrations?

@mrdecibel 

I would hope no one questions the fact that certain components emit vibrations. Transformers, as you pointed out, are a prime example.

The question (asked more than once but not answered yet) remains, do these vibrations affect the sound quality of purely electronic audio components (say, amps or preamps as opposed to analog mechanical transports such as turntables)?

If so, it would be interesting to understand the mechanisms through which sound quality is negatively impacted.

Electronic components are known to perform to spec under harsh conditions. Witness automotive, aerospace, etc. applications.

In the hifi world, ordinary, inexpensive components, passives and semiconductors, are routinely exposed at length to extreme vibration and shaking in plate amps and crossovers. It is not known that these devices’ performance is negatively impacted in any way; in fact, if it were, you could be certain that passive crossovers in all high-end speakers would be outboarded to separate enclosures, and obviously that’s not the case.

I am actually really interested in learning about this.

@pindac 

I appreciate your post. 

Microphonics is a known and documented phenomenon, chiefly relating to vacuum tubes. Once one understands how tubes are made and how they work, it's not hard to understand why. But the effects of microphonics are bound to be more... subtle when it comes to SS circuits, including PCB-mounted ones per OP.

Hence my curiosity with regard to the actual electromechanical processes involved in the perceived sound degradation.

Again I ask: If vibrations, let alone micro-vibrations, have a deleterious effect on the sound quality of non-mechanical, non-vacuum-tube components, then why aren't speakers' passive crossovers externalized? At the very least high-end ones'?

See the gear Angela-Gilbert Yeung makes.

Never had a chance to listen but always been curious. 

@mrdecibel 

The Silicone Solutions SS-101 sealant that you recommend is acetoxy cure, as are most GE silicones. Acetoxy cure sealants release acetic acid.

Acetic acid is corrosive to electronics and PCBs.

I've watched a few of Angela-Gilbert Yeung's videos. 

If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that underneath the buffoonery lies a brilliant designer. Hence my curiosity toward their products.

@pindac 

The mono preamps you are commissioning are to have three separate,  selectable output stages, two of which are tube-powered and the third is solid state? Definitely interesting!

@mrdecibel 

My point was that the acetic acid released during the curing process of the sealants you listed is corrosive to electronic components and circuit boards, and therefore to be avoided.

We are in full agreement about how unpleasant they are to use though. That stuff is nasty.