What is vibration isolation for?


Where do these vibrations come from? From where I stand the earth doesn't shake too badly?! I would think that most vibrations would come via sound transmission through the air directly through the chassis of the components thus rendering the racks or other vibration isolation, uh, useless, no? (with the exception of actual thumping from walking etc)
neubilder
While not caring at all about what the ignoramuses continually espouse above, I only tried to answer the originally posted question based upon my own experiences. Yes the stuff works, no we don't always understand why.
But what bothers me is that the poster is being so misinformed with absolute disinformation being posted by the absolutely clueless, who claim that they "know it all", "it can't possibly work because I don't understand why", " those who have experienced improvements are imagining it all because they spent the $ but I didn't".
Audiofile9, you will have to speak louder my hearing aid batteries have died. I postulate that even if one admits for sake of argument that vibration can affect solid state circuitry by the mechanism you indicated in your post, you leap to the conclusion that it has an effect on the reproduced sound which you can perceive even if such effect is so small that it is below the threshold of human hearing. I ask a simple question: what is the magnitude of this effect? Where is the straw man? Your argument simply means, unless I am thick, that it is so obvious to the trained ear, that nothing else should be required in the way of evidence. Even assuming your observation is right, for sake of argument, a causal link between what you deem to be an incontrovertible observation and the mechanism you describe would be appropriate. Is it enough to say I put my XYZ amp on an ABC stand, it sounded way better to my superior trained ear, I have this nice explanation about vibration acting on solid state equipment, so that one is the cause of the other and obviously the reason why it sounds better?

I, somehow, prefer the honesty of posters who say who cares why, I hear it and that's enough for me, I don't need any explanation. PBB is a deaf jerk anyway and a know-nothing raining on our parade.

The "irony" statement is rather strange but no stranger than the "experiment" you suggest. I never said that vibration did not affect the chassis of a component. I merely stated that even if it did, the ill effects would not be audible in the normal reproduction of music in the home. Your pronouncement that the vibrations are such that they affect the electronic components inside the box and cause audible ill effects is supported only by your claim that you hear it and that this should be proof enough, sounds way more ironic than anything written by me. Is there anything outside the lunatic audio press, published by someone who knows what the hell he is talking about (which seems to exclude you and me both) supporting your, for want of a better word, theory?

The analogy I drew was simply to point out that because something exists which we associate with undesirable effects, we need not worry about it unless it is over a certain threshold. Did you know that there apparently are government regulations concerning the presence of insects in raspberry jam? That's what Kraft Foods told me years ago when I complained I found a bug in my new jam jar. Gives one pause no? Jam is still jam even if a jar in a million contains recognizable bug parts. I for one no longer eat Kraft jam. Too risky. I may not "anologize" to your liking, but I have difficulty following your writing. What you are saying is that in audio no matter how infinitesimal a physical phenomena is, good ears can always pick it up. I say how unfortunate. Don't eat that jam.

Insofar as knowledge of the industry is concerned, I know enough. The mere fact that one or a number of manufacturers of whatever stripe includes this or that in their equipment does not mean too much, since the inclusion could be for marketing purposes more than anything else. Think about it, they have to sell this stuff to people like you. So there is no hard data on this or that going into the product, just say it sounds better and chances are if the planets and stars align just right and your special good friend at high-end magazine such and such endorses it, it will become truth. Moreover, how do you know that any specific piece of gear produced by a manufacturer sounds better because of the vibration suppressing chassis. Would this not require auditioning two identical amps, save for the chassis? I will rephrase my question: why are only a handful of solid state amplifier manufacturers offering vibration reducing chassis? And tell me honestly, if you got yourself a Rowland amplifier with the tweaked out chassis would you not try it out on an expensive base and rave about how much better the whole thing is and what marvellous synergy you have just encountered. When is one done reducing vibration? Borrowing from the Stones: love is just a kiss away... Oh and by the way, I love the Frick and Frack rapport between you and Albertporter.
Pbb, your discussion in this thread can be summarized as follows:

"Tweaks can not possibly make a difference".
- well, yes, they can, and here's the physics.

"That's just techno-babble"
- no, it's pretty solid physics, with no contrary theories.

"OK, Tweaks can not make a measurable difference"
- well, here's how you could measure it and tell us what those numbers are.

"You can not possibly hear the difference they make".
- actually, we do. repeatedly, predictably, and 'blinded'.

"No way they make a HUGE difference"
- Pbb, YOU are the ONLY one to use that word in this thread.

"It's like saying every single bacterium diseases someone"
- no it's more like saying some bacteria eaters taste differences.

"Ok, wiseguy, then why don't manufacturers isolate?"
- well, they do, here's a few examples

"Why don't MORE manufacturers isolate?"
- well, here's some more that do.

"Why don't ALL manufacturers isolate?"
- not all products are designed to squeeze the last 5% at 50% more cost
- but for 1-5% of the cost of the product, tweaks can help.

"You haven't proven anything"
- no, because I don't have to. You need to prove the negatives you assert.

"HO HUM. I CAN'T HEAR YOU. LALALALALALALALA"

Please take your childish comments elsewhere, and leave this discussion to users who can a) READ before responding, b) respond to the POINTS raised, c) make claims based upon experience or research, and D) most importantly, actually partake in the hobby being discussed.
Pbb, still haven't noticed a list of what you have tried in your own system and what effect if any, you noticed. Listening to music is not about "hard data", it is about engaging your spirit. Maybe the manufacturers must be as scientific as they can be, but the result is what is important, and it is your ears that cast the final vote. Can't you get off the show me the numbers dogma? I said earlier "try it, you'll like it". What have you tried, and what were your experiences?
This continuing discussion reminds me of the story of the big game hunter stalking the grizzly bear.

The hunter drawing near the beast, levels his weapon to fire but is suddenly overpowered and sexually abused.

Returning to the same spot the next day, the bear again gets the jump on the hunter and is sexually abused again.

The third time the hunter returns he is startled when the grizzly suddenly rises up from the bushes, getting the jump on him once more.

Just before the bear begins to take advantage again he asks, "You don't really come here to hunt do you?"