More and more audiophiles are beginning to address the problems of vibration control and isolation systems while continuing on the path to discovering the best sound their systems can produce. You can spend thousands on better components, but until you isolate each device and make sure the signal is not being denigrated internally before it is passed on, your final music presentation from the speakers will not be the live presentation that was recorded.
One of the easiest way to accomplish this is through isolation feet and systems that are designed to handle vibration control. Vibration and electrical energy are created by all electronic components. It is always looking for somewhere to go, like most forms of energy. To keep it out of the audio stream, you must draw it away from the device or cable before it is passed on. There are many types of products available that attempt to achieve it. Many work, but many only compound the problem.
Hardwoods have been one of the most successful mediums, with maple being the product of choice because of its wide availability. Compared to some of the man-made products -- carbon fiber, sorbothane, metals, and combinations of such -- wood is also one of the most economical solutions.
We want to prove that this is not only true, but that the organic solution to better music is the direction to take. Oregon Myrtlewood, grown only along a small section of the Oregon coast, has been recognized for decades for its one of a kind beauty, durability, and hardness. It has only been recently discovered, though, that this particular hardwood has the ability, because of its density and erratic grain structuring, to absorb and dissipate energy and vibration created by electronics in the audio and video family. Cardas cabling and Ayre electronics developed small blocks of myrtle a few year back to try and exploit this hardwood, but never seemed to make a large impact on the audiophile community.
As a child growing up in that same coastal region of Oregon I had an early introduction to Myrtlewood with all of its beauty, smells, and notoriety. A few small shops selling it still exist along the Oregon coast, but the supply has become difficult to get, and the highly colored Myrtle that I like to use is rare and must be found by experienced loggers. I sometimes have to go to great lengths (and distances) to obtain good stock from which to develop the hand-turned and finished Myrtlefeet. But it's worth it for the result. They fare very well against more expensive products in head to head demonstrations.
I encourage audiophiles to look into Oregon Myrtlewood and audio products made from it. You will discover they are one of the greatest values in audio, and a complement to even the most high-end equipment, both visually and, most importantly, for your musical enjoyment.
Aloha and good listening!
