I discussed the use of Maple for shelving with Pierre of Mapleshade and was told that gluelams are fine as long as the seams are vertical (visibal from the top or bottom of the shelf like butcherblock). Horizontal layered seams I was told ruin the sonic properties of the wood. Redkiwi, I also checked out USPS snail mail to NZ and 40 lbs (for example) can be mailed for under $50.00 US freight. The unfunny thing is that I have been trying to locate sheet maple in the Los Angeles area and even the lumber yards are not certain where to purchase it. My father and myself used to purchase hardwood at the local lumberyard in Iowa when I was a kid, I guess that this has all changed as the years have gone by and the wood has become scarce. I had the same problem 10 years ago when trying to locate small 2-3" peeler poles to connect larger peeler logs for a project. I was told that the poles were only available to manufacturers by the large mills in Northern CA. They were being used at that time for Southwestern furniture. Another thought that I had about you and your maple is what if you just used small blocks of it under your cones, Pods, etc., instead of a whole shelf? Kind of like maple feet or footers. Anyway, my parents are to be driving cross country for a visit around New Year, I will see if my father can locate some of the precious material in the Midwest before they leave, short of cutting down the tree in their backyard.
Results of granite platforms for Silverl
ine Sonatinas-over the last month I've experimented- repoting my progress -with platforms for my floor-standing (Silverline Sonatina) speakers. While my very happy with my current setup, I chose to pursue the issue of bases and footers (again), more out of a need to know than any dissatisfaction encountered. Pre-trial setup: speakers on a low-pile carpet over a suspended wood floor, using a trio of Vibrapods to decouple-nice improvement over stock (brass) spikes. I placed 4x12x24 polished granite slabs under each speaker with Vibrapods decoupling. Imaging was much better, along with an enchanced sense of believeability: it just felt like I was, to a greater degree (seemingly) in the presense of musicians in a real space-the absolute truth. But the drawbacks were anemic bass, along with a slight thinning of the harmonic structure. Let me backup, while I was lugging around the granite, I was also burning-in (2) power cords that through prior association, I know to take forever to stabilize (Shunyata Viper v2's). My question and self-imposed dilemma was how much of what I was hearing was due to the stone platforms or to the cords rippening. I knew I would have to wait (and wait) on the cords to ultimately find the answer. I also realize that i should have waited on the platform experiment, as it is always adviseable to make (1) change at a time. But since when do I listen to my own advice! So while trying different cones, pulling the platforms out, I was always debating this issue. Seeing how the granite weights about 130 lbs (each), playing with footers was much more user-friendly. Surprisingly, the leanness and hardness diminshed when I subbed the Vibrapods for the stock spikes, sitting directly on the granite. The bass response slowly improved (the cords) but was still an issue. Subbing Poly Crystal (composite) cones for the spikes improved detail retrieval and harmonic-richness. When I slipped 1/2" ebony spacers between the cones and the granite, everything improved. All the negatives affects of the granite lessened, while retaining all the positive attributes, except fot the bass problem. An AA inmate, suggested that I replace the granite with hardwood platforms, that the wood would have a warming affect while maintaining higher resolution, accurate imaging, etc...without the "clean sound" of the granite (read analytical). While not subbing the speaker bases, I did slip a 2" block of bubinga hardwood under my F.T. Audio passive, which rests on a 24" Ionic stone column. I used B.d.R. (carbon fibre) cones and Vibrapods to decouple the passive from the wood/stone, with a VPI brick topping everything off. I found he result very pleasing. Eventually, the cords stabilized and I was very happy with the synergistic effect, except- to a lesser degree -for the bass response. But just recently I tried another power cord on my transport........whoooooo that bad booy is killer! Whatever bass issues I had are now gone and if memory serves, I may habe experienced an equal degree of deep bass attack but never better performance from another pc (IMS). So the experiement with the granite platforms was a big success, eventually, but only after much trial and tribulation. As I had stated in a related post; "The thing I really like about this type of process is how cost-effective it is, relative to component upgrades". The granite I pulled out of a scrap bin from a monument dealer, costing me $60.00 (to have it custom ordered would have run $1100.00). The (6) Poly Crystal cones were $100.00, the ebony $10.00, the bubinga $14.00 bucks. So for $184.00 bills my system is much improved, not even considering the (added cost AND performance) new power cord. One last thing, I found that using a combo of (2) Poly Crystal cones and (1) spike was perferred, the slightly shorter spike angled the divers downward and as another poster mentioned, "An amalagam od dissimlar materials is proablly the best road to take". Yes I found through experimentation and critical listening, that a combination of materials brought the best results, IMS. I hope the reporting of my "speaker platform" experiement will be helpful to others in their pursuit of musical enjoyment through the means of enhanced playback. Thanks to everyone who kindly assisted me with their time, experience and wisdom. Mike