Energy damping or energy transfer?


Are there some generally accepted guidelines about which components to isolate (in terms of vibration damping) and which components to "couple" to the rack (which is also coupled to the floor)?

I freely admit to being clueless here (I'm still trying to get my head around cables and power cords), but it seems like the "brass spikes" guys are saying something completely different from the Vibrapod-type isolation guys.

Given what they're asking for these products and the potential number of components involved, it's like considering a major component upgrade.

Also, has anyone noticed once a component is isolated/coupled that either the interconnect or power cord is affected? Thanks. If this has been kicked to death in the past, just posting a link would be great.
lrdmax
Shadorne, in fact the vibration servo device could be another small speaker installed in the stand or support device! Brillant idea!
Bob P.
It's been our experience that all different products perform differently, and even can be different in various applications.
Primarily, the idea of vibration transfer would be aimed at taking the vibrations away from the equipment and down into a larger mass which is capable of dissipating the vibrational energy.
The idea of local damping would be aimed at trying to dissipate the vibrational energy right there at the equipment.
Basically, the difference in need would dictate the product used, because if the need is greater than the local damping product used can provide, then the overload of vibration will be reflected back into the components as the Zener Viscoelastic Model demonstrates.
In a highly vibration-laden environment such as an audio listening room, it is very likely that any small viscoelastic product would be overloaded very quickly, and thus return the vibrations into the components, causing smear.
To deal with large amounts of vibrational energy, a means to transfer the energy to something which has the capacity to dissipate those vibrations more effectively(large mass, house, earth) might be a better choice in many applications.
There are products which are designed to do this.
Some are more effective than others.
Shadorne,

I'll check the Patent Office website & get back to you. . .

As to my thoughts above, it's all speculation. I do prefer the way my TT sounds when it's 'suspended', though. Maybe it would sound even better with the listener suspended too. I'll look for patents of 'audiophile swings' while I'm on it.

Brent
What is dynamic coherence, and how do vibrations affect it? Thanks -- anyone.