Vibration control. Tube equipment. What's the best way to do it ?


I have VAC Avatar SE integrated sitting on thick maple block which in turn sits on three big brass Audiopoint cones that penetrate through the floor carpet.

How would you improve it ?

 

inna

I would not bother with vibration isolation unless I knew it was a problem.  I run tubes that are notoriously microphonic--Western Electric 310a and 310b tubes.  I have not had any obvious problems with feedback or other obvious effects of microphonics.  I sat in on a session where a builder was choosing parts for a custom amp and a bunch of us listened to different tubes to be used in the build.  When we were done with making our choices, the builder noted that we had all chosen the most microphonic of the tubes under consideration.  Whether we chose them BECAUSE they were microphonic and we liked the effect, or despite the tubes being microphonic (by chance, or we liked other aspects of the sound), I don't know.  I don't bother with vibration control besides putting the gear on decent shelves; for me that is Symposium Ultra shelves.  

larryi, I don't perceive or hear anything wrong, so I suppose it's alright.

That's interesting regarding choosing most microphonic tubes, you probably chose them despite that.

If you are trying to eliminate/reduce incoming vibrations Maple and spikes aren't the best way to do it. Sorbothane  pucks are much more effective for that purpose. FWIW I've never bought into products which supposedly allow component vibrations to pass thru and reduce problematic vibrations. IMHO it would be too late as the vibrations would have caused their 'damage' before they started the 'drain'. 

Theories abound and this is an old, much discussed, issue, so do your own in- depth research and chose you own poison. :-)