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I know the subject comes up occasionally but I never acted on it til this week. Roy Gregory has a post on the Audio Beat blog about Ikea bamboo cutting boards. So, since my audio racks are quite modest, I thought I'd try them out.
Wow. Across the board improvement. No downside.
One example: my CBS Mastersound 1/2 speed LP of Heavy Weather by Weather Report was shrill to the point of distraction. After bamboo, rather than being pushed away, I was drawn into and emotionally moved by music I've known for decades. The soprano sax was still "hot" but so they are in person. Nor did I notice any overdamping of records that were previously well behaved.
I enthusiastically recommend these to everyone, even if you have sophisticated support. They're cheap and if you don't like them (doubtful), use them for chopping!
Oh yeah, read Roy's blog.
Follow Ups:
You are receiving surprising sonic gains because Bamboo is a very hard (and exotic?) wood and hence provide more potential over softer woods like hard maple, etc.
Wenge used to be known as the hardest wood and even until about 10 years ago, Wenge wood was used for many ships' engine main bearings. The main bearings lasted a very long time but when they did finally wear they exploded. Bamboo is harder than wenge wood.
But whatever gains you are experiencing, it's just the beginning, not the end. An aluminum platform (T-6061) is far harder than Bamboo platform. And steel is superior to aluminum.
Moreover, brass is a vastly inferior (slow) metal. If you were to try perhaps any type of well-engineered steel spike, cone, point, it should dwarf the performance levels of even the best brass conduits.
In your endeavors, stay clear of any damping/isolation materials as they trap vibrations at the component forcing them to dissipate within.
If you want to be blown away by your new config., lay a soft protective sheet across the top of your components and gently place a 50 lbs. or even a 100 lbs. plate or similar object on top of each component (be certain your racking system can sustain such poundage). Not only should you be wildly impressed with immediate gains, but give it 3-5 days to more completely settle in and your gains should probably double yet again.
I preferred Big Bamboo because I could roll 'em thick, wide and long!
It makes any music sound better too.
Edits: 09/27/14
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Would it make sense to buy two of these and put a silicone pad in between them to make a "sandwich" then put my turntable on it and place the whole thing on brass feet? My shelf is wood so those feet would dig into it.
I'm pretty sure it would be good looking...but is it effective?
Manny....I use that principal between two 1.5" thick maple cutting boards. In my case the damping is provided by four equally spaced "mouse pads". "Tweaker 456" offers an excellent suggestion as well.
I suggest you use EAR C-1002 instead of silicone. This is great stuff, IMHO. Tweaker
Where oh where does one buy this stuff?
This stuff can stain wood. Best sounding rubber type stuff I've experianced.
Excellent! Thank you!
Another way to couple your component to the board of your choice is to use the mapleshade brass "feet". They come in various sizes to fit your budget. A good idea for us audiophiles!
I've implemented/advocated laminated bamboo cutting boards for vibration control platforms for years now. Careful use of compliant vibration control footers positioned under the board is important, and not all types of gear benefit the same via bamboo boards. Outboard power supplies, power line conditioners/distributors, and digital transports benefit the most, IME.
Edits: 09/26/14
I remember your numerous posts about bamboo. Of course everyone else seems to be jumping on the bandwagon....
Another application I'd like to try if I had an electrical router is to fabricate a simple AC outlet wall bracket out of a small laminated bamboo board with a layout similar to the Oyaide WPC-Z wall mount unit (machined aluminum bracket with carbon fiber faceplate system). A rectangular cutout with routed insets for the AC outlet ground strap to be fastened within would be simple DIY project with proper tools for the task.
See link. The price is right!
Dave
Holy Cow, I'm speechless. That website blows my mind. I may have to shop there. Talk about a specialty market.
They have so many wood options including natural, caramelized, and dyed bamboo, and even cellulose fiber composites.
I thought you'd like it! I am thinking of giving them a try too. That caramel bamboo would be worth it on looks alone.Dave
Edits: 09/30/14
I suggest you use; grungebuster: http://herbiesaudiolab.net/gb.htm
Damping Sheets: Cut your own Dots, squares, gaskets, anything. Cuts easily with razor blade, hobby knife, or scissors. Heat resistant, highly flexible microphonics-absorbing/decoupling/isolation materials. Great as a decoupling interface between different materials and as a damping layer in constrained layer systems.
grungebuster: Versatile, multi-purpose damping/isolation.
dBNeutralizer: Ideal for component chassis damping and loudspeaker applications. At 140 grams per 5" x 8" sheet, this damping sheet is nearly three times heavier and vastly more effective than equivalent-size 3M Damping Sheet.
Adhesive: Damping sheets are available with optional pressure-sensitive adhesive (except GIANT dBNeutralizer). Silicone medical adhesive can also be used as a superior adhesive.
All damping sheets are 5" x 8" (except dBNeutralizer GIANT 9" x 12" sheet)
~D
Wherever you go there you are.
Not on the inside of a wall plate. That sounds like a fire hazard to me. On the outside, it would have to low a WAF to pass muster.
Dave
My post was a reply to;
"Would it make sense to buy two of these and put a silicone pad in between them to make a "sandwich" then put my turntable on it and place the whole thing on brass feet? My shelf is wood so those feet would dig into it.
I'm pretty sure it would be good looking...but is it effective?"
~D
Wherever you go there you are.
Adding damping is always a crap-shoot.
Dave
nt
.
Freak out...Far out...In out....
Check it out at the link below.
They look more substantial than the Quadraspire bamboo shelf I paid nearly $200 for. For that same $200 one could built an entire "Ikea" bamboo audio rack.
here ya go
nt
.
Freak out...Far out...In out....
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