Makeshift Isolation - Advice Needed


Until I can afford a proper audio rack, my audio equipment will be resting on top of a DIY photography box made of melamine. There are pine panels on the front and back of the box, and only these panels touch the floor. I was also thinking of putting my LPs inside the box, while the equipment rests on top.

The box is strong enough to hold the equipment, but I doubt it's any good with vibration. I managed to find some 1/2" thick felt in the basement. If I place the felt under the box, would this provide suitable dampening? If it matters, I have hardwood floors.

I'm also a bit concerned because I will have to stack my audio components on top of one another (Nait 5i and CD5i). Would it help if I placed some of the felt in between the units as well? There is no exhaust on the top/bottom of either unit and they run fairly cool.

Thanks for the help.
jferreir

Showing 1 response by blindjim


Jferreir

Jgiacalo makes good sense. he tries a lot of DIY this & that's... I'd listen to him if at this point in time you are seeking inexpensive isolation gizmos... or any for that matter.

The Holy Grail in this past time is always going to be... "Try it and see!"

Personally, I'd say pass on the felt for vibration control.... works fine inside speakers, and here or there for airborne or acoustical treatment help, but it doesn't hanndle weight.

Want cheap? Stoppers. Simple drain plug stoppers. Cut off the eye the chain goes thru and use 'em. Available in lots of different sizes and cost a buck or less, each.

Footers are placed under gear for two reasons... convection cooling and damping.

Get a tube of Blue Tact and make your own 'balls' to put under the gear footers. It's widely recomended for use with speakers on stands.

The idea here is to try something. you'll be better off buying an MDF rack from Big Lots over using the one you speak of here. or two of them side by each. About $20 $40 each.... until you can get a properly damped rack.

There are literally tons of threads here and reviews too on iso devices. I even posted one myself. Do a little searching of the archives and you'll see what other's use or have used. It will or may suprise you what sorts of goofy looking items can actually do to help damp or isolate your gear and/or racks.

But if you don't try any for yourself, you'll just never know. Heavy, solid and as nonresonant as possible are what I seek in a rack. give 'em the knuckle rap test and see if it rings or rattles... it should be quite dead.

Good luck.