Well, you could go to the lumber yard and get a few threaded inserts and install them on the bottom of your coffee table legs, etc. and install some points. That's the biggest bang for the buck.
What tweak, what to do?
Hi. First time on this forum. I need advice.
The very quick version of my question is: what makes a bigger difference to resolution, bass extention, etc., an decent equipment rack or isolation devices like the vibrapods or tenderfoot?
I have a limited number of $ -- around $200 tops -- to spend to improve my system. I have: Naim Nait 3, Naim Flat cap, Rega Planet, Rega Planar 2 w/super bias (that's got at least 1000 hrs on it), ProAc Sig Tablette 50's with custom stands, Sunfire True Sig Subwoofer Mk2. The flat cap has a crossover that diverts low hz signal to the sub. Odd set up, but, if well positioned, can be fantastic. But it's quite sensitive to set up. The gear is placed on a none to rigid coffee table, with the turntable on a separate side table. All are on carpeted cement floor in basement.
I love vinyl. One obvious thing to do is replace the cartridge with something much better (e.g., Exact, Dynavector 10x5). But I just don't have the $ to do that now.
Another is to get an equipment rack. I can maybe get a used one -- perhaps a Standesign design 4. That will give better isolation to the whole system. (By the way, is it ok to put the t-table on the top shelf with other electronic below? or is it imperative to have a separate support for the 'table?) On the other hand, that would eat up the whole budget, and i wonder if I cant get as much or more benefit from a couple of sets of cheap isolation devices for under the CD player and t-table, and have a few $ left over for other tweaks -- such as herbies t-table mat and grungbuster (comments on these?.
Too many options, not enough $ or information. A chronic problem with a million faces.
Thanks for the input.
Richard M
The very quick version of my question is: what makes a bigger difference to resolution, bass extention, etc., an decent equipment rack or isolation devices like the vibrapods or tenderfoot?
I have a limited number of $ -- around $200 tops -- to spend to improve my system. I have: Naim Nait 3, Naim Flat cap, Rega Planet, Rega Planar 2 w/super bias (that's got at least 1000 hrs on it), ProAc Sig Tablette 50's with custom stands, Sunfire True Sig Subwoofer Mk2. The flat cap has a crossover that diverts low hz signal to the sub. Odd set up, but, if well positioned, can be fantastic. But it's quite sensitive to set up. The gear is placed on a none to rigid coffee table, with the turntable on a separate side table. All are on carpeted cement floor in basement.
I love vinyl. One obvious thing to do is replace the cartridge with something much better (e.g., Exact, Dynavector 10x5). But I just don't have the $ to do that now.
Another is to get an equipment rack. I can maybe get a used one -- perhaps a Standesign design 4. That will give better isolation to the whole system. (By the way, is it ok to put the t-table on the top shelf with other electronic below? or is it imperative to have a separate support for the 'table?) On the other hand, that would eat up the whole budget, and i wonder if I cant get as much or more benefit from a couple of sets of cheap isolation devices for under the CD player and t-table, and have a few $ left over for other tweaks -- such as herbies t-table mat and grungbuster (comments on these?.
Too many options, not enough $ or information. A chronic problem with a million faces.
Thanks for the input.
Richard M
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- 13 posts total
First, see if vibration is being transmitted to and through the coffee table. If there is, is it floor borne or air borne. If it's floor borne take a look at the speakers and see if they are the source. If so, use some vibration control on them and try to provide some interface between the coffee table and the components to isolate them. You can buy commercial products, but home brew can also be effective. Almost any CD player will benefit from vibration control. Symposium products are good but above your budget. I'm using some rubber / cork / rubber blocks that I purchased through AudiogoN. They are definitely better than Vibrapods and cost less, only $10 for a set of four. Last time I looked there was always an ad for them. Also, consider mass loading the CDP as long its case can support the weight. I would suggest at least ten pounds. |
I'm sorry that my first post was so short but my grandson needed attention. What I was trying to convey is that in all cases you need to penetrate the carpet and padding to have any chance of controling vibrations. I'm familiar with the Naim components and don't believe from my personal experience that you need to get carried away with isolation. The CDP may respond to mass loading and it's cheap to find out. If your turntable has a suspension then you need to use a light weight and rigid stand and if it's suspension-less you will need to couple it to the floor by way of a massive stand. I believe in a separate stand for your analog rig in either case. If you can drill a hole and tap the inserts in with a mallet then this is your first step. An added benefit with adding the spikes to your coffee table is that it's removable if you wish to upgrade to a real equipment stand. The total cost for this is less than $10. Better yet, go here and build this. |
Check out the Flexy rack here Type in flexy rack in the search box then hit Go. |
- 13 posts total