Equipment isolation and vibration damping.

bdiament · June 28, 2015

And tungsten carbide is a ceramic. Another really good option to consider is Silicon Carbide ... similar hardness to Tungsten Carbide at 1/2 the price.

Hi jabbr,

Is it? I thought it is a combination of tungsten (a rare metal) and carbon.

?

Whatever it is, it makes a good roller bearing ball.

Best regards,

Barry

rocl444 · June 28, 2015

hi - barry. thanks for the suggestion. i read on Stereophile.com from 2009 that you have a way to inflate your tube in situ. could you explain how please?

and i have been pondering my speakers - SF Cremona M's, which are tall, thin, spiked and lean backwards. currently i have them coupled to my wooden floor by having the spikes in square-drive screws screwed into the floor through the carpet.

jabbr · June 28, 2015

Hi jabbr,

Is it? I thought it is a combination of tungsten (a rare metal) and carbon.

?

Whatever it is, it makes a good roller bearing ball.

Best regards,

Barry

Soundkeeper Recordings

www.soundkeeperrecordings.wordpress.com

Barry Diament Audio

Silicon, the metalloid, is a very well known component of ceramics, like calcium and aluminum. Silicon, tungsten, titanium 1:1 with carbon form carbides and are the basis for some very hard ceramics e.g. carborundum. In looking up some of the hardness data, I was surprised to see how soft glass is compared to metals, and even harder ceramics. From what you have found, you prefer hard bearings. So from a hardness/cost perspective silicon nitride and carbide are attractive.

Daudio · June 28, 2015

I'd rather use a shallow cup, with some space around for motion, and really, only two tiny points of contact, one above, one below.

I agree, but don't think much 'motion' space is needed, since all the microscopic action is happening through those tiny points of contact.

Only in setup would I see much use for extensive ball travel.

I still need to try the cheap re-usable ice-cubes: they are partially filled, probably with water. I want to test for solidity of the outer layer first before using these near my components.

Sounds like just somemore squishy stuff to me

bdiament · June 28, 2015

hi - barry. thanks for the suggestion. i read on Stereophile.com from 2009 that you have a way to inflate your tube in situ. could you explain how please?

and i have been pondering my speakers - SF Cremona M's, which are tall, thin, spiked and lean backwards. currently i have them coupled to my wooden floor by having the spikes in square-drive screws screwed into the floor through the carpet.

Hi rocl444,

My rack design allows me to change inflation on any shelf while them music is playing, but as there is the possibility--albeit small--that this may one day become a side venture, I have not shared the methods. I hope you understand. (It certainly is a great way to show the benefits of air support though -- let the air out and the soundstage collapses, virtually back into the speakers. Reinflate and the speakers "disappear" again.)

I use roller bearings in combination with air bearings everywhere *except* under my speakers and subs. Too high a center of gravity and I don't want to risk a tilt and consequent fall. Getting the speakers "afloat" was one of the best improvements I've ever made to the system. The only caveat I would offer, as I mentioned in Vibration control for better performance is that cable "dressing" must be attended to, and clean ac power is key. The only system where I've not heard great improvements with roller bearings had dirty ac power and all the cables jumbled together behind a rack.

Best regards,

Barry

bdiament · June 28, 2015

Silicon, the metalloid, is a very well known component of ceramics, like calcium and aluminum. Silicon, tungsten, titanium 1:1 with carbon form carbides and are the basis for some very hard ceramics e.g. carborundum. In looking up some of the hardness data, I was surprised to see how soft glass is compared to metals, and even harder ceramics. From what you have found, you prefer hard bearings. So from a hardness/cost perspective silicon nitride and carbide are attractive.

Hi jabbr,

Interesting. Thank you for the explanation.

Yes, glass is relatively soft, and it flexes, which is why I've suggested against its use for isolators. (It also rings which is why I don't recommend glass shelves.)

Best regards,

Barry

http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com

monteverdi · June 28, 2015

Aluminum is not a material with optimal damping properties. Here is a link to a lot of measurements: damping factor values : damping factors. Also Al 7075 has much higher stiffness and hardness than 6061 but rings equally. But aluminum laminated to other material (in constraint layer idea) behaves much better.

I made some panels with Al laminated to richlite (a paper fiber based phenolic board) and there were very quiet. Presently I am trying Al bonded to a graphite block (not carbon fiber composite).

rocl444 · June 28, 2015

Barry wrote - One other possibility is the plinth of the table itself. Try resting the stylus in the lead-in groove of a record *without* the table spinning. Then, with the volume at something close to your normal listening level, tap *very* lightly on the top of the plinth with your fingers. If you hear a rumbling through the speakers, I would suspect the turntable is very sensitive to airborne vibrations.

at "normal volumes there is nothing. at 12 o'clock which is as far as i ever go and only very occasionally, i can hear the tapping through the speakers. the plinth is made from acrylic - a Well Tempered Amadeus.

Barry wrote - The only system where I've not heard great improvements with roller bearings had dirty ac power and all the cables jumbled together behind a rack.

fortunately EVERYTHING in NZ is clean and green - even our electricity :-)

YashN · June 28, 2015

Barry wrote - The only system where I've not heard great improvements with roller bearings had dirty ac power and all the cables jumbled together behind a rack.

A fellow member was talking about isolating his AC Power distribution, and when I finish mine, probably along the week or next week-end, I am going to try isolating it as well.

4est · June 29, 2015

Are you saying that your tonearm moves independently from the platter?

When you hear 'new' things in well-known tracks, you know you're on the right track of progress. These are quite good results with your turntable.

Mine already has spring isolation, one for the platter, one for the tonearm base, so I'm not sure it will benefit.

Daudio · June 29, 2015

... glass rings which is why I don't recommend glass shelves.

Barry,

I understand the ringing in large plates like shelves, but wonder if that is not a big factor with smaller pieces of glass that are only passing force through, not around the plate ?

I'm still curious about those glass lens 'bowls' John Swenson talked about. (without links

bdiament · June 29, 2015

Barry,

I understand the ringing in large plates like shelves, but wonder if that is not a big factor with smaller pieces of glass that are only passing force through, not around the plate ?

I'm still curious about those glass lens 'bowls' John Swenson talked about. (without links

Hi Dave,

Someone said aluminum rings. I have not been able to get such a response from the Hip Joints (the 7075 "bowls" for my roller bearing design) and do not believe it is a concern in terms of an audible effect on the results. On the contrary, I've found the performance to be stunning. I would not choose it as a shelf material.

With glass as the material for a roller bearing bowl, the larger issue, in my opinion, is its tendency to flex. It may work under very light components but I'd still prefer using a harder material.

Best regards,

Barry