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Carbon fiber products have been found by many listeners to be beneficial for audiophile applications when used as a vibration control device, as well as an electrical energy dissipation device. I've been experimenting with the material for quite some time now for various projects, and find it to be a very versatile material without sonic drawbacks when used in conjunction with other materials that allow its resonance dissipation and vibration blocking properties to provide a subjectively uncolored sonic signature while performing an effective audiophile task, without caveat.
While there are smaller discs that can be used as an element within a DIY footer project, a rather large 40mm x 10mm carbon fiber composite disc is now available at a low enough price point to make the use of the material more effective, and at an affordable cost that should encourage listeners to explore what it can do in their own audio systems.
A key factor in building an effective DIY carbon fiber disc footer is simply implementing a good sounding *thin* anti-skid pad on both sides of a disc in order to provide proper horizontal sheering stability, and *minimal* decoupling of the surfaces involved, both above and below the disc. Additionally, each disc can instead be affixed to the bottom of a component or platform with silicon adhesive such as Liquid Nails for a permanent placement, and a compliant pad placed on the other side as an interface with the surface that the component or platform is positioned upon. I find the footer to be equally effective when placed under loudspeakers as it is when positioned under audio components and platforms.
The choice of *thin* anti-skid pads can be experimented with, but in my experience, critical listening applications may benefit more by the use of premium Herbie's Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dots (40mm, Black version, with adhesive backing), but I also found *thin* Everbilt 1-1/2" (38mm) self-adhesive anti-skid pads (foamed polyurethane) sourced from Home Depot to perform very well for the task. Don't confuse the heavy duty Everbilt pads from Home Depot with the polyurethane product I suggested, since the heavy duty product is made from PVC, which is a different animal. That said, there is no reason not to experiment with that pad in conjunction with a carbon fiber disc.
I discovered one seller via eBay that offers the best price found when purchased in a quantity of 8, which can be used to build two sets of 4 footers. Two versions of anti-skid pads (economy vs. deluxe), as well as other *thin* pads that folks can choose to experiment with should make this type of DIY project for a minimum of $20 per set of 4 affordable enough for most audiophile budget levels.
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40mm x 10mm Carbon Fiber Composite Discs - Quantity of 8 - $35 with free shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8Ps-Carbon-Fiber-Speaker-CD-Amplifier-Spike-Isolation-Stand-Feet-Base-40-10-/121955678711
Everbilt 1-1/2" (38mm) Self-Adhesive Anti-Skid Surface Pads - $2.48 per pack of 8:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-1-2-in-Self-Adhesive-Anti-Skid-Surface-Pads-8-per-Pack-49970/203661152
Herbie's Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dot - 40mm, Black version, with adhesive backing - $2.49 each:
http://herbiesaudiolab.net/gb.htm
Follow Ups:
Hey Duster,
I have tried your suggested diy carbon fiber disc footers and they are working for me! I ordered the 40mm x 10mm carbon fiber composite discs along with Herbie's Grungebuster Dots and the Everbilt Pads. I have them under my Rogue Sphinx intergrated amp and Gustard X12 Dac.
The sound is now more cleaner and dynamic.
Thank you,
pixelphoto (Marvin)
I'm glad the footer works well for you. How do you like your Gustard X12 DAC? I've had one in my main audio system for quite a while now, and think highly of it. It ticks all the boxes in terms of audiophile performance and build quality at an affordable price point. A real keeper.
Duster, I've had my Gustard X12 for over a year now and am quite pleased with it. It's a quality piece at a reasonable price and has all the bells and whistles that I could want. After testing the various connections I have settled on the following:
Mac Mini > Wyred 4 Sound Recovery > Gustard U12 USB/SPDIF converter HDMI to Gustard X12 DAC HDMI > RCA out to amp.
The X12, the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery and Duelund (speaker) cable have brought me to my sonic goal, and that is to hear as much of the music as possible. Of course the many tweaks and diy projects have all helped.
pixelphoto (Marvin)
BTW, while I don't use the HDMI interface of the Gustard X12, if Supra's HDMI cable sounds anything like their Ethernet cable, I would highly recommend it. The Supra HDMI cable features 23 AWG solid core bare copper conductors with foamed polyethylene dielectric rather than run-of-the-mill HDMI cables better suited for video applications that tend to feature smaller gauge stranded tinned copper conductors with PVC dielectric.
See link:
I'm using a 0.3m WireWorld Chroma 7 Flat HDMI Cable between the U12 and X12. I also have diy SUPRA LoRad pc's connected to both. The pc's are extremely quite. The Supra HDMI looks to be a worthwhile investment. I'll be ordering one soon and will update you after burn in. Thank you!
I'm glad to know you are already using an audiophile-quality cable, and look forward to your upcoming report...
When comparing Black Diamond carbon fiber cones , which I think won a product of the year award, to 5/8 inch solid brass cap nuts the small brass cap nuts bettered the CF cones, and the difference was yuge, believe me. I agree with Pierre at Mapleshade on this one. Brass Trumps carbon fiber, this is of course is IMHO, YMMV. Tweaker
Yet again, you assert yourself as a champion of mediocrity. It's nonsense to equate a tiny brass acorn nut from a hardware store vs. the enormous brass footers from Mapleshade. I experimented with brass acorn nuts years ago, and found the only function it provides at best is that of an inflexible tripod support, with no other benefit other than being a cheap tweak vs. typical stock plastic feet.
And yet again you distort or misinterpret what I have said. Please show me where I said that small brass cap nuts compared as equal to or better than Mapleshade's larger brass footers. 1 million dollar reward for that info. What I said is that they bettered the Black Diamond racing cones,IMO. I use much larger brass footers than 5/8 in. brass cap nuts. I put this suggestion forth as an easy, inexpensive first test to see what brass may or does sound like. Certainly Pierre believes his footers sound much better than the BDR Carbon fiber cones. Should be an easy cool million for ya Duster. It's in an escrow account so I don't spend it all on audiophile jewelry. Put up or? Tweaker EDIT: I'm wondering if being called a Troll should be considered an adequate answer to the above inquiry?
Edits: 08/04/16 08/04/16 08/04/16 08/04/16 08/04/16
Yeah and I would guess Ayre and Cardas think there little Myrtle wood blocks are better than the brass cones.
Gee, it must be system dependent. I don't like the wood blocks, I do like brass cones under my speakers.
The BDR cones which I got used, sounded better to me than the isol-blocks.
Duster's sharing a seemingly new footer/isolation design and you jump in with your acorn nuts. You're kind of a one trick pony, but it is more like two tricks. We have the bigger gauge wire in all applications trick too.
I also like rubber stoppers from the hardware store, now that is a low cost footer.
I would like to try Duster's suggestion for me, as I think they might be ideal under my power amp. Preamp too, as it weighs like 30lbs. I didn't try the BDR cones under my amp, I only bought 8 of them. Every time I have tried something directly under my amp, I have gone back to the stoppers. Well actually my amp has a base of 1 inch veneered mdf[?] sitting on 1 inch brass cones, then a cutting board on isol-blocks, with the stoppers under the amp. I have carpet over concrete, no basement.
When it comes to footers/isolation devices, there is science, there is diy, there are myths, and there are personal preferences.
More false statements about me, this time from Jeff Star. Calls me a two trick pony. Being called a Troll by Duster I can take but a two trick pony gets my hackles up, whatever hackles are? Let's see is someone out there can count beyond two. Carbon conductive grease in the signal path, silver conductive grease in the power supply, putting brass, then wood then EAR Isodamp under equipment. Damping components with Mortite. Parts upgrades which include capacitors, resistors, larger current active devices in power supplies and SS amp outputs. Large cap. value across the AC line. Sanding cd edges, using purple and black paint markers on CD's, using Brillinize on CD's, using a demagnetizer on CD's, wiping cables with Brillinize. Well more than two, I think? Any other preschoolers out there?? I take on all preschoolers. It's my specialty here on AA.
Nothing to see here.
The subject line, that's sarcasm, but I not looking for a debate. Seems every time I encounter you, it is one of the two topics I mentioned. I'm still curious about your system, with all the tinkering, do find time to listen to it?
Yup
;-)
Hi Jeff,
I noticed you have Black Diamond Racing Cones placed under your preamplifier. I use modified BDR Cones under my preamplifier and power amplifier. It's a very easy task to DIY assemble:
The diameter of the particular 40mm x 10mm Carbon Fiber Disc I mentioned fits perfectly over the base of a BDR Cone. I glued a 40mm x 10mm Carbon Fiber Disc to the base of each BDR Cone with Liquid Nails silicone adhesive, then affixed a 40mm Herbie's Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dot with adhesive backing to the bottom of each Carbon Fiber Disc. This created a 3-layer footer, with all layers serving a particular purpose in how the design functions as a vibration/resonance control device:
For the most part, Steve Herbilin of Herbie's Audo Lab's designs inspired the design. Steve's Iso-Cup design uses a coupling device positioned directly under the bottom of a metal component enclosure, then the coupler is affixed to a compliant but controlled bottom layer base that functions as an effective decoupler when placed upon a rack shelf surface or platform surface.
So, when the BDR Cone modified with Carbon Fiber Disc footer is positioned on a rack or above/under a platform surface, the cone side of the footer is placed "upside down", meaning the tip of the cone makes direct contact with the most *rigid* surface area available to couple with (the metal enclosure) rather than pointing down into a more soft/compliant material like a wooden rack shelf or platform. Then, the carbon fiber disc is adhered directly onto the flat side of the BDR Cone, which acts as an effective resonance dissipator and vibration wave blocker. Finally, a 40mm Herbies Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dot, black version, with adhesive backing, is affixed to the bottom of the 40mm Carbon Fiber Disc to function as a good sounding and effective anti-skid pad for good horizontal sheering stability, and minimal decoupling between the footer and the surface it's placed upon.
I find it to be the best sounding footer for use under both my preamplifier and power amplifier.
It will go on the to do/wishlist.
I bought a couple of Herbies tube dampers when he was first starting out. I still use them on the bedroom preamp. Good stuff.
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