Isolation for Granite Surface Plate


I see from other threads that using a granite slab as a surface plate for a turntable is problematic. I am currently using a .75 inch thick slab as the top of a Zoethecus rack.  It is isolated from the rack by 4 Hudson 1.25" diameter silicone 20 duro bumpers. Can I do better with a different isolation feet? My wife is very happy with the way this setup looks, so I'd like not to replace the top shelf with a different material if I can avoid it.
oldskoolmark

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

You're welcome but to be honest you don't get the benefits unless you follow the advice. The MDF idea you seem to like is so far down the list of things that work I never even mentioned it. Tried it, crap, moved on. If you don't want the best I get it, they're expensive. That's why we recommend Nobsound. If you want to reject both of the two best ideas and move way on down the list to stuff I rejected 30 years ago, be my guest. Just don't thank me while saying thanks but no thanks. 

Seriously. You don't even know anything about MDF, but why would I explain when you've already demonstrated such a knack for rejecting solid info?
You can do a lot better! I've used different things on top of my 4" thick granite machinists plate and the best by far is Townshend Pods. They look good too, and adjust beautifully for leveling. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa8492-townshend-audio-seismic-isolation-pods-set-of-4-sizes-a-b... Pods are sized according to the weight of your turntable. You can do the math or ask John Hannant at Townshend for his recommendation.  

The main problem with granite is ringing. This imparts a hard edge to the sound. You may not notice or may even hear it as detail. Until it is gone, and then you realize how much better and even more detailed the sound becomes. I went through all of this with mine. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 These are some old pictures I need to update them. Pods are now above the granite where you see BDR Cones and Round Things in the photo. BDR is very good but the Pods are quite a bit better. 

If you can't afford Pods, Nobsound springs from Amazon are awfully good for the money. (I used them before upgrading to Pods.) You will have to play around with them to get the right number of springs, and shim or something to get the table level. They are nowhere near the league of Pods but way better than you would think for how cheap they are. The main drawback with Nobsound is the lack of damping. You will eliminate the ringing edge of granite and gain quite a bit of imaging depth and detail. But if you go to Pods they do all that too and better, with greatly improved (deeper, tighter) bass, and instrumental tone and timbre so much better it is like getting a whole new upgraded turntable.