As an engineer, I call bullsh1t on all this vibration stuff unless you can back it up with measurements. Without an empirical and mathematical framework, how is anything designed? How do I determine if the PCB in the component needs 6 mounting features or 4? Should the feet be compliant or rigid, etc.
We have instruments that can measure to the ppm levels for vibration, and also electrical signals. They are relatively cheap to rent or borrow. This should be a super easy thing to test out, but yet nobody selling pucks, or cones, or dots, or whatever seems to do any of that due diligence. As such I refuse to take it seriously.
Electronics design would just be banging rocks together if measurements never reveal anything. I can assure you, they are critical to properly functioning everything.
The relationship between musical enjoyment and realism and measurements is not well known, but measurements to produce accurate reproduction is VERY well known and has been for a long time.
The number one question that comes to mind: are you 100% sure we have the right equipment at hand to measure the alleged impact vibrations have on sound quality? Are we sure we can measure all relevant variables regarding this matter?
Itâs just like the good old speaker cable discussion. Claims that speaker cables have no effect on sound because measurements have âshownâ there is no scientific differences are flawed at best imho. Comparing a silver cable to a copper cable in my set was very obvious. Itâs for this reason I tend to focus on my ears instead of instrumental measurements.
Not trying to change the subject, I just think itâs a perfect example that we should be mindful regarding 1-dimensional measurements vs something as complex as the human hearing combined with human perception and emotional envolvement.
maybe not to asses the impact on musical perception. But certainly to see if a metal cone under my preamp is doing anything to the electrical signal or the vibration of parts of the structure. Modal analysis and signal measurement are mature fields. The efficacy of these things should be easy to judge. After all this is to improve or reduce vibrations, right?
Trying to pick those apart or neutralise some of these is the aim of an âempiricalâ approach to some degree? Iâm willing to question whether the measurements are adequate if blind listening tests indicate audible differences. Sighted tests give a free pass for perception and emotion to muddy the picture IMHO. For differences âtoo subtleâ to be detected in blind tests Iâm in the âthen I donât careâ camp. FWIW audible differences in speaker wire wouldnât surprise me but I suspect itâd be measurable as well. My dislike of speaker wire is one reason I prefer active speakers
To me itâs to improve the overall sound quality. I know that my Isoacoustics Orea dampers reduce vibrations really well. Itâs measurable by just laying your hand on the equipment. What is more interesting is the audible result; better focussing. Itâs particularly well audible with good quality recorded vocals.
Iâm too busy to read all this. But blasting through parts was fun. Loved âMeasurements will never reveal anythingâ. Gee, Iâm an experimental neurobiologist (includes auditory perception btw) who runs a substantial lab. All those years, all those pubs. All those measurements. I must really have it wrongâŚ
Iâm curious. Does this hold true for anything other than âsufficiently evolvedâ audio products, or are the some sort of special case that defy the laws of physics?
I wouldnât lose any sleep over isolation pucks because itâs most likely a gimmick devised by dealers. When considering this sort of thing ask the people on Audio Science Review who are very level headed and knowledgeable. I doubt that RME recommends them. They didnât recommend all those exotic power supplies either. You have a wonderful DACâkeep it simple and enjoy it.
