Can anybody tell me what the theories are for how mechanical vibrations affect a digital or analog signal. Vibration dampening is a such a big concept in Hi-Fi audio. I can see potential benefits for CD transports, turntables, speakers and other mechanical devices. However, when we are talking about DACs, amplifiers, etc., where only electrical signals get passed through, I'd like to know how it is possible that vibrations can affect the electrical signals. Particularly, I have no idea how a digital stream can be affected by vibrations. Any good sources for information? Thanks so much. Best - MM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEGmd-3Gg-s

I have no idea how a digital stream can be affected by vibrations.It can't.

No, mechanical vibrations do not affect electrical signals, analog or digital. If you've got a turntable, it should be mounted very securely. You want your speakers to be stable as well. Other than that, vibration dampening is not something you have to worry about at all.

I strongly disagree. Cymbals are not nearly as clear, mid ranges are really harsh the bass is all muddy and undefined when vibrations occur in electronic equipment. I used to think it was just poor placement and calibration that was the root of all my problems. I then placed all my electronics on tempurpedic pillows and now only one word can describe my system. AMAZING!!!!!

Looks like another great potential can of worms like speaker wire and AC power conditioners.

I never tried tempurpedic pillows but I do feel excess vibration in a high quality system can't be good and I prefer to try and eliminate as much as possible.

I'm ready for the naysayers, bring it on! Don't you just love controversy? Nobody wins but we may actually learn something.

Careful about putting pillows under those amps. Can cause a bit of a heating problem.

Forget Tempur-Pedic®.
You need a Sleep Number® Bed (http://www.selectcomfort.com/sleep_research/mattress_research.cfm) for all audio equipment. :)

The OP didn't ask for testimonials. He asked for a technical explanation of how mechanical vibration could affect electrical signals. There isn't one.

The OP didn't ask for testimonials. He asked for a technical explanation of how mechanical vibration could affect electrical signals. There isn't one.

Hey man pay attention. The OP's question was answered in post #2. As long as you have good vibrations there is no need worry. I soak up the bad ones with my tempy-pedics. :D:D:D But I gotta try the sleep number. I bet my stuff would sound even better on a cushy 15. What's your sleep number?

You need a Sleep Number® Bed for all audio equipment.
Typical engineer. Thinks numbers tell you everything. :)

Typical engineer. Thinks numbers tell you everything. :)

Wrong again, grasshopper. Typical engineers don't THINK that numbers tell you everything. They KNOW that numbers tell you everything.:p

Thanks so much for your enlightening answers!

Now what do I do with all those Black Diamond Racing cones?

Just kidding! I already assumed it's nonsense but wanted to get some assurance.

Thanks again. Best - MM

Hey no problem, we're always here for you. :D

I strongly disagree. Cymbals are not nearly as clear, mid ranges are really harsh the bass is all muddy and undefined when vibrations occur in electronic equipment. I used to think it was just poor placement and calibration that was the root of all my problems. I then placed all my electronics on tempurpedic pillows and now only one word can describe my system. AMAZING!!!!!


lol, I thought I have read it all on here already but you gave me something new to think about :D That was pretty funny :D

Actually, some tubes are susceptible to microphonics. That is, mechanical vibration of the tube can cause the internal components (most likely, I think, the grid or screen which are extremely fine wires) to vibrate, which, in turn, can affect the signal. The tube is acting like a microphone, just not a very good one.

If you have a tube preamp with phono input and feel daring, lightly tap a tube in the phono stage with a fingernail when it's playing. Can you hear it? If so, that's microphonics in action. It's most likely to be noticeable in a phono stage because there's so much amplification afterwards. If you do try this, please do be careful - tubes are hot, fragile, and work with lethal voltages.

Naturally, some believe that anything that affects tubes will also affect solid-state gear (even more so?), so all equipment must be carefully isolated from vibration. Perhaps I exaggerate, but the point is that some equipment can, in fact, be affected by vibration for plausible and measurable reasons.

On a serious note, very good point Raster. I can see why it would be good idea for record players, cd players, and as you mentioned tube amps. However even for cd players, giving them 300 dollar feet isn't going to make them sound any better. At best it would keep the CD from skipping when the gain is at +18db and the paint is coming off the walls. Transistor amplifiers? Expensive rubber feet are a total waste.

On a serious note, very good point Raster. I can see why it would be good idea for record players, cd players, and as you mentioned tube amps. However even for cd players, giving them 300 dollar feet isn't going to make them sound any better. At best it would keep the CD from skipping when the gain is at +18db and the paint is coming off the walls. Transistor amplifiers? Expensive rubber feet are a total waste.

Don't you just love it when fellow AVS members paint A/V discussions with such broad strokes?

You wouldn't need isolation if your g/f stopped leaving her Doc Johnson vibrator turned to the Richter 7.5 setting on the amp.

Don't you just love it when fellow AVS members paint A/V discussions with such broad strokes?

Agreed ! If he would have said, "For me, expensive rubber feet are a total waste", would have been much more appropriate.

But to imply that it is a waste for EVERYONE is just plain false. Some people are really into rubber, you, you, you..................rubberphobic !:p

Don't you just love it when fellow AVS members paint A/V discussions with such broad strokes?

I'm sorry that you're unable to conclude that what I type is my opinion. I'm not going to walk on eggshells and type IMO every time I post to keep people like you from trolling. You already tried to start an argument in post #6.

I'm sorry that you're unable to conclude that what I type is my opinion. I'm not going to walk on eggshells and type IMO every time I post to keep people like you from trolling. You already tried to start an argument in post #6.

Quote:
"I'm not going to walk on eggshells and type IMO every time I post to keep people like you from trolling".

The last time I looked I don't live under a bridge.

I have no problem with your posting or your right to have your opinions,
why don't you extend me the same courtesy?

Quote:
You already tried to start an argument in post #6

I'm ready for the naysayers, bring it on! Don't you just love controversy? Nobody wins but we may actually learn something. Does this sound like an argument??

Post # 20 is quite funny and I don't think it was meant to demean you. I took it as tongue in cheek humor.

Lighten up it's only a hobby.

Yes, but it's a hobby that's marketed to by a small, but not insignificant, group of charlatans.

Can anybody tell me what the theories are for how mechanical vibrations affect a digital or analog signal. Vibration dampening is a such a big concept in Hi-Fi audio. I can see potential benefits for CD transports, turntables, speakers and other mechanical devices. However, when we are talking about DACs, amplifiers, etc., where only electrical signals get passed through, I'd like to know how it is possible that vibrations can affect the electrical signals. Particularly, I have no idea how a digital stream can be affected by vibrations. Any good sources for information? Thanks so much. Best - MM

Mechanical vibrations won't affect signals in electronics, except for some vacuum tubes that tend to be microphonic (many capacitors have microphonic tendencies, too, but you generally have to whack on them directly to cause something audible). However, vibrations may over time cause solder connections of marginal quality to crack or otherwise fail, or threaded fasteners to loosen. And vibrations could cause audible mechanical rattling or buzzing. Fancy cone or rubber feet won't do anything for the signal.

Yes, but it's a hobby that's marketed to by a small, but not insignificant, group of charlatans.

Does this mean I should cancel my order for some speaker cable costing $5000.00 / meter?

Yes I did see this at the Jan. CES here in Vegas and the guy kept a straight face extolling the ultimate virtues of his product.

I feel if someone wants to spend $50.00 for fancy rubber feet no harm done but cable at $5000,00/ meter you better be on the Forbes richest list or someone better call the men in the white coats. lol

If you cancel it, then I won't make any money. Who was the guy?

If you cancel it, then I won't make any money. Who was the guy?

I honestly don't remember who he was nor his company. I do remember while he was auditioning his cable, which happened to be the size of a twenty foot Anaconda, using very expensive equipment I said I can't really hear anything that excites me because the room is huge and bare and the acoustics are terrible.

He looked at me with a sheepish grin and agreed. We were alone at this time.

How bout an AC cable for...............almost 7 grand !!

https://www.virtualdynamics.ca/content.php?id=201&secondary_id=43

How bout an AC cable for...............almost 7 grand !!

https://www.virtualdynamics.ca/content.php?id=201&secondary_id=43


Quote:Chu Gai
"Yes, but it's a hobby that's marketed to by a small, but not insignificant, group of charlatans."

Looks like you found one of Chu Gai's charlatan buddies!

Do you think they sell B stock? lol

How bout an AC cable for...............almost 7 grand !!

https://www.virtualdynamics.ca/content.php?id=201&secondary_id=43

I'd definitely would need the 7 footer to go directly to the wall into my complexes crappy wiring instead of going through my power strip that would further impede my system's fidelity. Oh well, I guess that's just how much it costs to be the best. I'll just throw in 8 foot pair of Genesis bi wire cables while I'm at it.

Virtual Dynamics...sheesh...you'd think Canada would be ashamed to market this stuff after foisting Celine Dion on the US :(

Virtual Dynamics...sheesh...you'd think Canada would be ashamed to market this stuff after foisting Celine Dion on the US :(

At least Celine Dion's heart will go on.

And on, and on, and on...check this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF619azyCQc) out and tell me she's rowing with both oars in the water :D

It can't.

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

And on, and on, and on...check this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF619azyCQc) out and tell me she's rowing with both oars in the water :DI can't make it through that. :eek:

he was auditioning his cable, which happened to be the size of a twenty foot Anaconda, using very expensive equipment I said I can't really hear anything that excites me because the room is huge and bare and the acoustics are terrible.

Isn't it always that way. It's amazing that someone can spend mega bux on gear that ends up sounding terrible because they overlooked the most important component of any sound system. :rolleyes:

--Ethan

.. I then placed all my electronics on tempurpedic pillows and now only one word can describe my system. AMAZING!!!!!

So, now they sleep like a baby, right? :D

Virtual Dynamics...sheesh...you'd think Canada would be ashamed to market this stuff after foisting Celine Dion on the US :(

Please don't mention this women, she just completed a 2 or 3 year gig here in Vegas and thank goodness she's gone! She is definitely not a good looker and I wouldn't go to her show when offered free tickets by my friends. Her moron husband kept getting into trouble with his gambling addiction and chasing women and she makes millions! Only in America. :eek:

Isn't it always that way. It's amazing that someone can spend mega bux on gear that ends up sounding terrible because they overlooked the most important component of any sound system. :rolleyes:

--Ethan

I'm telling you the guy was so into his Brooklyn bridge sized cables he could care less about anything other than making a sale!

At these prices how many meters of cable would he have to sell to make a very good living??