Tweakers' Asylum

RE: You won't convince me

208.50.108.229

flyfish2002

A

In Reply to: RE: You won't convince me posted by bartc on October 30, 2009 at 17:32:31

Thanks, bartc. I have plenty of the blue squash/racquetballs remaining from the batch that came with the 12A. I did not need to use all of them since the single motor flywheel assembly sits on a separate cut-out from the main platform.

I agree, though, that the balls are likely just common squash or, more likely, racquetballs given their size and relative softness.

I was more seeking feedback from anyone who has tried Steve's grungebuster balls to see if there was a cost-effective improvement.

Best.

Follow Ups:

Steve's balls and air bladders (gross title!) - bartc 12:00:34 10/31/09 (4)
Steve's balls are solid, as I recall, and Gingko's are air bladders. They're both good isolators (Herbies products are very good, IME).

The theory with the Gingko, from reading their stuff, is that you modulate the degree of isolation to fit the weight of the component by using more or less bladders/balls. Steve's are weight rated.

I didn't see that Steve had any that were comparable size to racquetballs, but maybe he does. You can always ask him yourself, as he's been both forthcoming with advice and a very honest dealer in my experience with him.

I've used both solid and air bladder type isolators in my system. My preference is now for the solid, but that's because I only use them in some places (other places I use couplers and seismic sinks) for vertical isolation. I've settled on Norsorex balls ('sad' or 'dead' or 'unhappy' balls). Norsorex seems to work better for isolation than Sorbothane, and I know they use these on electron microscopes, where it really matters! Norsorex balls only seem to come in 3/4" up to 1.5" sizes, insofar as I've found them commercially, but they sure do the job at only 3/4" (my stuff doesn't weigh a lot though.)

Steve claims to have tested Norsorex and Sorbothane against his compound, another elastomer that is un=named.
- Now I've seen it all... - sherod 18:06:45 10/31/09 (0)
  ...manufacturers resorting to selling with sex. (o:
  
  By the way, Herbie's stuff is very good. I use his Tenderfeet under several of my components. Very neutral isolation.
- RE: Steve's balls and air bladders (gross title!) - flyfish2002 12:24:08 10/31/09 (2)
  Thanks, bartc.
  
  I did send Steve a message this AM and he responded immediately. I too feel his products are excellent and have never returned a product that he recommended for my application. Steve's knowledge is considerable.
  
  In Steve's reply, he indicated that the grungebuster balls have been around for a several years - I just missed them. He believes that the Ginkgo Cloud isolation family of products is ingenious and potentially highly effective, but execution is not optimal. He has several customers using grungebuster balls in place of the racquetballs supplied by Gingko - all from web based inquiries such as mine.
  
  Steve indicated that no customer has ever returned grungebuster balls that were purchased to replace the stock Gingko balls.
  
  This fact, plus the extraordinary experience I have had with Steve in the past (Iso-cups with lampblack balls, tenderfeet, grunge buster sheets and ultrasonic tube dampers) together make for a pretty solid testimonial.
  
  I just might try them.
  
  Best.
  - RE: Steve's balls and air bladders (gross title!) - roscoeiii 09:40:19 11/07/09 (0)
    It's also worth noting that the Herbie's products can be returned within 90 days if you are not satisfied with them. That would give you a nice 3 month evaluation period. I have his tenderfeet and will try out his products under my speakers once I've got the cash. I'd suggest dropping the cash on Herbie's balls and comparing directly to Ginko, etc.
  - I suggest you will!! (Have to test them, to find out the difference. :-)) ) ... - andyr 23:12:02 11/02/09 (0)
    I've used squash balls under a 25lb slab of slate for years, to support source components - ever since I read an article on TNT-Audio about "building a DIY 'Vibraplane' (air isolation platform)" ... way before Gingko came onto the scene.
    
    If the solid balls are better, I'd be very interested to know. :-))
    
    Regards,
    
    Andy

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