What the *#$@ happened??


I'll keep this short, just hoping someone can let me know what's going on. I changed out the platform my TT was on to a much denser wood, and I'm not really happy with the results. The good, I can hear more detail in the music, subtle nuances are more prevalent, better instrument separation, especially in complex arrangements. The bad, the whole stage moved back and got flatter, it lost depth. And the 3 dimensional characteristics of the singers voice also lost luster, became flatter as it were. It almost seems like I'm listening to a stereo now instead of a live performance. I thought the heavier wood would improve the sound, not degrade it. 
Anyone know why this happened?
shawnlh

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

I use an UltraResolution Technologies platform (sadly, no longer produced to the best of my knowledge) under my turntable. It employs a high grade marble, laminated to a high grade steel via a 1/2" thick constrained damping layer. It weighs 85 pounds.

It is very dead- the resonances of the two outer layers rob energy from each other and are damped by the constrained layer. Its one of the very few platforms that, once installed, improved the presentation of the system in every way.

I've not found a wood platform that could do that. Wood has resonances, so while it might be very dense, if nothing is done to deal with the resonance, its a guarantee that it will be talking to the turntable sooner or later. That is why you hear so many different experiences with regards to wood platforms! I'm not saying wood can't be used and I am saying that measures have to be taken to deal with the resonances inherent in the material. If this is not done essentially you are tinkering with tonalities and other artifacts rather than really creating neutrality.