Butcher block under turntable?
 

My vpi TNT sets on the top plate of an arcici suspense rack that has air blatter suspension. I am wondering about a maple butcher block underneath it. Is this an effective tweak? Where is the best place to source a block? How thick should it be? What did you hear if you have a block?

My rack is made from 3" maple block. I can literally punch the block directly beside my TT-15 and hear nothing in the speakers.

The mapleshade platforms are very very nice, 4" under the TT should do it. They look very nice, great workmanship.

John Boos is an old and respected manufacturer of butcher blocks and cutting boards.

One of their "stock" cutting board sizes is 20" X 15" X 2-1/4" which would fit a lot of turntables - don't know if it would fit your TNT.

Boos products are excellent and reasonably inexpensive. (This board sells for $99.95) and it is available in larger sizes

http://www.johnboos.com/images/thumbs/RA02.JPG

John Boos & Co. Since 1887 - Cutting Boards - Butcher Blocks - Countertops - Kitchen Carts - Stainless Steel

I invested in a Taoc SCB-RS50G board to double shelf the top shelf of my rack for my cdp. The Taoc board sits on it's own short spikes & cups. It uses constrained layers of high density mdf, cast iron powder & 7 coats of a special metallic paint. You have to love brute force :music: As for sound results, I am just setting up this new gear, so I can't yet comment on the sound. Though i'd expect bass to improve & a slightly blacker background.

Dan (jdandy) and I both use a Boos Bros maple butcher block under our Michell Gyro SE MkIIs. Way cheaper than a Mapleshade and just as effective, IMHO.

http://photos.imageevent.com/puma_ca...e/GyroSE-5.jpg

thanks to all
what did you hear that was an improvement to you with the blocks?

Sorry to be so very late to this thread, Ray (I was otherwise occupied and therefore away from here for a few months), but I parked a 3-1/2" Michigan Maple Block (via eBay) under my SOTA Sapphire and immediately heard a not-subtle improvement in bass, midrange, and soundstage definition. As with the Boos blocks, much less expensive than Mapleshade.

Ray.......Like Stephen (Puma Cat) said, I use a Boos Block under my Michell Gyro SE turntable. In addition I use Symposium Fat Padz under the Boos Block. With the Michell Gyro SE sitting directly on the glass shelf there was less midrange focus and some bass bloat. The Boos Block cleaned up both of those issues. I decided to add the Symposium Fat Padz to further isolate the glass from the Boos Block. My Mitchell Gyro SE has never sounded better and I can play the system at any volume level from soft to fully pressurizing the room with no feedback or vibration issues while playing vinyl. I can recommend this isolation arrangement.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/1...7b845a17_c.jpg

Nice rack! :p