Carbon Fibre Composite cartridge spacer/isolator

[Stryder5]

Just started making the above, anyone had experience of any cartridge spacer or isolator ?

I am making this mainly because with the Akito tonearm there are limited cartridge options due to the proximity of tonearm pins to cartridge pins, making fitting and alignment impossible.

I will post photographs when completed.

I have seen Cartridge Man isolator, but it's crazily expensive, and it's shape wouldn't help me.

[CageyH]

I use an Audio Silente high density graphite spacer, available on eBay.

[Stryder5]

I use an Audio Silente high density graphite spacer, available on eBay.

Thanks, I've searched for this with no result, do you have a link?

[CageyH]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAPHITE-MC-STABILIZER-SMORZATORE-VIBRAZIONI-PER-TESTINA-GIRADISCHIIN-GRAFITE-HD-/251599599502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_101&hash=item3a9481378e&clk_rvr_id=1170329894575&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

[CageyH]

Only 2 left on eBay...

[walpurgis]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAPHITE-MC-STABILIZER-SMORZATORE-VIBRAZIONI-PER-TESTINA-GIRADISCHIIN-GRAFITE-HD-/251599599502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_101&hash=item3a9481378e&clk_rvr_id=1170329894575&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

I wasn't aware that Graphite posessed any damping properties. That's what they claim.

[CageyH]

They are not the only ones - http://www.audionautes.com/ProdottiAudioNautes/accessori/hdg_eng.htm

[walpurgis]

Hmm. Graphite is dense and hard. It would be interesting to know how a material with no resilience or internal losses 'damps'. It will add mass, but that is not the same thing.

[Stryder5]

Hmm. Graphite is dense and hard. It would be interesting to know how a material with no resilience or internal losses 'damps'. It will add mass, but that is not the same thing.

That's why I am trying a CF composite that composes of two CF sheets with a foam centre, currently weighs in at 2 grms.

[YNWaN]

I made a solid CF spacer for a friend a few years ago. In general I wouldn't recommend spacers though.

[Stryder5]

I made a solid CF spacer for a friend a few years ago. In general I wouldn't recommend spacers though.

I agree, but Linn made the Akito in such a way that it severely limits cartridge choice, and alignment is literally impossible.

My thoughts are around that I have to space the cartridge away from the headshell, so I might as well make it an isolator.

[RothwellAudio]

Hmm. Graphite is dense and hard. It would be interesting to know how a material with no resilience or internal losses 'damps'. It will add mass, but that is not the same thing.
I agree.


That's why I am trying a CF composite that composes of two CF sheets with a foam centre, currently weighs in at 2 grms.
That makes sense, however it's the foam that will be doing the isolating so is there any reason to choose carbon fibre instead of something else? Is it because you happen to have some available? Any stiff and easily worked sheet material would do just as well (I think).

[walpurgis]

Any stiff and easily worked sheet material would do just as well (I think).

I use Tufnol or Paxolin. It works!

[Stryder5]

I agree.


That makes sense, however it's the foam that will be doing the isolating so is there any reason to choose carbon fibre instead of something else? Is it because you happen to have some available? Any stiff and easily worked sheet material would do just as well (I think).

Weight is one benefit, I can use thicker sheets giving me a more stable, less deformable, platform for the bolts, and because of its relative density it should resonate less. So in effect additionally isolating.

Cause this is only my theory, and if it works as an isolator, that's a bonus, as its only the space I need to allow cartridge choice.

I could have just made a spacer, but why not experiment, cause I may not hear any sonic benefits, but my primary objective will be achieved.

I didn't have it lying around I bought it for this purpose;)

Oh and my cars made out of it and I love the look of CF.......lol