Spectral SDR400SL and HRS damping plate

asamuelson

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2017
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Hi, anyone using HRS damping plate on this Spectral CD player? I am curious what you have found to be the best placement of the plate. I am experimenting with a 14 inch long one, and so far, it seems best positioned in the middle, from side to side. I have also tried it front to back over the CD mechanism. My equipment is between my speakers, so I imagine I am getting vibrational resonance. I will continue to play, but it would be helpful if I could benefit from other's experience. I know I should trust my ears, but so far, while I am hearing slight differences, I am still not sure which I prefer.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Hi...cannot speak to the Spectral. All I can say is that I use damping plates (HRS, Artesania) to great effect. On transports, the Zanden is top loading so I do not use one there. Plus with SRA underneath which is calibrated for the weight and positioning of the equipment itself, it is the only under-isolation I have ever used where damping makes things worse.

By contrast, damping has worked in many applications for us. As for our Oppo transport, I found benefit from 2 locations...over the transport mechanism itself (long way going side to side rather than long running back to front)...and back left across the power supply and IEC inlet areas.

I once discovered for some reason that the damping plate over an old CJ preamp sounded best side to side over midsection of the preamp...but slightly OFF-CENTER, closer to the left. The placement drove me crazy because it looked 'crooked'...and every time i would get up and center it...i felt the sound degraded and I would put it back.

A few years later, I saw a picture of the inside of the preamp...and the sensitive circuitry was inside the midsection of the unit...but slightly off to the left. So trusting your ears may just be the perfect answer.
 
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kennyb123

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2012
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Kirkland, WA
Hi, anyone using HRS damping plate on this Spectral CD player? I am curious what you have found to be the best placement of the plate. I am experimenting with a 14 inch long one, and so far, it seems best positioned in the middle, from side to side. I have also tried it front to back over the CD mechanism. My equipment is between my speakers, so I imagine I am getting vibrational resonance. I will continue to play, but it would be helpful if I could benefit from other's experience. I know I should trust my ears, but so far, while I am hearing slight differences, I am still not sure which I prefer.
What is the situation like under the CD player as far as resonance control? I found the HRS damping plates to compliment the use of Stillpoints underneath tremendously well. The rack itself can do a lot of harm as far as resonances and might even be the culprit and not your CD player.
 

asamuelson

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2017
11
1
133
What is the situation like under the CD player as far as resonance control? I found the HRS damping plates to compliment the use of Stillpoints underneath tremendously well. The rack itself can do a lot of harm as far as resonances and might even be the culprit and not your CD player.
Thanks for your question.

I have 3 HRS Nimbus under the CD player. I found that having two underneath the left side and one in the middle under the right side worked the best.
 
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