One of the most effective woods I've tried in combination with my maple slab is Zebrawood, available at wood specialty stores. But I use it above the slab between it and the component.
I have my 2" wood slab supported on top of my vintage wooden credenza (a real no-no for audio components, supposedly) with V-Pads, available at heating and air conditioning supply stores. Although they absorb floor vibes they do not deaden the sound in the least. V-pads are devices of cork sandwhiched between ribbed rubber surfaces - identical to the devices Mapleshade recommends for their maple slabs, but larger. They're actually quite firm in resiliance. The V-pads available from HVAC stores measure 4"x4"x1". They hold quite a bit of weight, you can stack them, and use several stacks along the length of your slab to support your entire set-up.
I actually replaced the solid brass speaker spikes on the bottom my Von Schweikert VR4JRs which rest on a carpeted suspended wood floor and noticed a significant tightening of bass - which really surprised me since conventional wisdon is that spikes are best.
And, they are dirt cheap. About $3.00 apiece. So it is an inexpensive experiment - say 5 each along the front and back lengths as well as along at the midpoint length of the width for a total of 15 and a cost of $45.00 If you like the effect, and also want to increase the height just stack them up. Don;t let the ultra low cost muslead you. They are remarkable effective. They will also protect your hardwood floors.
Let me know if you can't find any; I may be able to help you.
My configuration is the credenza with v-Pads on top, then the maple slab - with spiked component on top of the slab. Resolution is outstanding.
I have my 2" wood slab supported on top of my vintage wooden credenza (a real no-no for audio components, supposedly) with V-Pads, available at heating and air conditioning supply stores. Although they absorb floor vibes they do not deaden the sound in the least. V-pads are devices of cork sandwhiched between ribbed rubber surfaces - identical to the devices Mapleshade recommends for their maple slabs, but larger. They're actually quite firm in resiliance. The V-pads available from HVAC stores measure 4"x4"x1". They hold quite a bit of weight, you can stack them, and use several stacks along the length of your slab to support your entire set-up.
I actually replaced the solid brass speaker spikes on the bottom my Von Schweikert VR4JRs which rest on a carpeted suspended wood floor and noticed a significant tightening of bass - which really surprised me since conventional wisdon is that spikes are best.
And, they are dirt cheap. About $3.00 apiece. So it is an inexpensive experiment - say 5 each along the front and back lengths as well as along at the midpoint length of the width for a total of 15 and a cost of $45.00 If you like the effect, and also want to increase the height just stack them up. Don;t let the ultra low cost muslead you. They are remarkable effective. They will also protect your hardwood floors.
Let me know if you can't find any; I may be able to help you.
My configuration is the credenza with v-Pads on top, then the maple slab - with spiked component on top of the slab. Resolution is outstanding.