When researching materials suitable for use in audio platforms, we found that granite possesses many desirable properties. Not only is it visually striking, but it also offers characteristics that are beneficial for vibration control. It has substantial mass, and its surface is extremely hard and flat. However, granite has one significant drawback: it readily resonates in response to even the slightest vibration energy—it rings like a bell.
In this video, a laser vibrometer is used to measure vibrations within the granite. The device detects Doppler shifts in a laser beam reflected from the test sample. These shifts are converted into a voltage signal, which is then displayed on a digital oscilloscope. In this test, the level of vibration spikes so high that it fills the vertical range oscilloscope’s screen.
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This video demonstrates how the Adona proprietary multi-element damping system eliminates nearly all resonance from the granite surface. The result is an audio system with an exceptionally low noise floor, allowing subtle musical details to emerge with remarkable clarity.
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We are continually exploring cost-effective solutions. Check back in the future as we evaluate a variety of materials and share our findings here. This video demonstrates how end-grain bamboo responds to impact through resonance.
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Over 20 years of experience in the field of electrical/mechanical engineering allowed us the resources to develop this truly unique approach to component isolation. If you have been in the audio hobby for even a short time you have heard many of the opinions as to what is the best material for your component platforms. We have determined that many materials have advantages and disadvantages. Through our analytical approach to combining dissimilar materials, we have developed some combinations that actually compliment one another. Granite and MDF (medium density fiberboard) have characteristics that are about as different as night and day. Neither of which material is worth a darn as an audio component platform if used by itself. Granite is too hard, MDF is too soft. Granite causes the upper midrange to sound too bright, MDF makes it sound too dull. But, through our proprietary conduction technique we are able to selectively transfer energy back and forth between the two materials essentially achieving a "nulling" effect.
Granite, with its uniform crystalline matrix, has a distinctive sonic signature associated with it. At first, listeners are very impressed with the sound quality. They sense tighter bass response, more realistic soundstage and awesome detail. However after about an hour or so of listening, the sound becomes fatiguing. You say to your self "That's enough detail" and wonder what went wrong. Are you familiar with the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard? The slate used in the chalkboard has a similar sonic signature to that of untreated granite.
On the other hand we really liked some of the good properties that granite had to offer. It contributes a tremendous mass to the component stand. It is also durable, rigid and quite pleasing to the eye. By gaining an understanding of why granite sounds the way it does we were able to develop a mechanism for counterbalancing the resonant waves within the slab. We combine a thin (less than 5/8 inch thick) slab of granite with one of the softer varieties of MDF. The inner material provides a good conductor of mechanical energy at just the right frequency. Equilibrium is achieved within a very simple design! Our platforms offer an incredible soundstage, super tight bass and virtually no peaks or troughs anywhere. It is sonically flat throughout the entire audio spectrum.
Although intended for use with Adona's audio racks, this platform will improve the performance of other brands as well.