'audiophile' vibration isolation platforms for scanners? e.g. iso acoustics zaZen

Pomegranate

A
Pomegranate

  • 2
  • 2
  • 38
The Long Walk

H
The Long Walk

  • 1
  • 0
  • 90
Trellis in garden

H
Trellis in garden

  • 0
  • 0
  • 59
Giant Witness Tree

H
Giant Witness Tree

  • 0
  • 0
  • 65
at the mall

H
at the mall

  • Tel
  • May 1, 2025
  • 1
  • 0
  • 54

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,507
Messages
2,760,277
Members
99,392
Latest member
stonemanstephanie03
Recent bookmarks
1

sperera

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
607
Location
Gibraltar
Format
Multi Format
Was wondering if people use isolation bases with scanners to 'protect' the precision scanning process from table vibrations and whatever as scans are created......for example.....I have the Hasselblad Flextight 646 scanner and iso acoustics zaZen product would take its base size and weight......I have emailed them to see what they say but I'm wondering if anyone in here is using any of these 'audiophile' vibration isolation solutions.....thanks for replies
 

cramej

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
1,235
Format
Multi Format
Don't pay that much for a vibration isolation platform. Audio gear is rife with 'massive improvements' in whatever flouncy term you can come up with to describe the minutiae of sound. Look on audiokarma.org for alternatives to the overpriced stuff. A double layer of 3/4" MDF and some isolation pucks will do the same job for 1/10th the price.
 

Ces1um

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2015
Messages
1,410
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Format
Multi Format
Don't pay that much for a vibration isolation platform. Audio gear is rife with 'massive improvements' in whatever flouncy term you can come up with to describe the minutiae of sound. Look on audiokarma.org for alternatives to the overpriced stuff. A double layer of 3/4" MDF and some isolation pucks will do the same job for 1/10th the price.
+1
 

StepheKoontz

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Messages
801
Location
Doraville
Format
Medium Format
Those isolators are to isolate vibrating speakers cabinets from what they are sitting on and/or transferring to each other if they are sitting on the same table etc. Or in this case a turntable. Not sure what would be vibrating a scanner?
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
51,967
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,614
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
At best, you'll just reduce any noise generated by the mechanical coupling of the scanner to the table top; it probably will not help with scanner sharpness.
 

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,637
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
(I'm not fond of scanning)
Me neither, it just took me hours to scan a handful of rolls.

As for vibration, I never really thought about it having a significant negative impact on scan quality. But I only use scans as proofs and for sharing on social media, so ultimate scan quality isn't that important to me.

Is an isolation platform a solution looking for a problem?
 

Lachlan Young

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
4,828
Location
Glasgow
Format
Multi Format
Was wondering if people use isolation bases with scanners to 'protect' the precision scanning process from table vibrations and whatever as scans are created......for example.....I have the Hasselblad Flextight 646 scanner

No. The Flextight does not generate significant vibration. The scanner should be located on a solid table & people should avoid colliding with the table, but that's about it. Some drum scanners do demand a solid floor, but that's as much to do with their speed of rotation and their weight (200kg).
 

grat

Member
Joined
May 8, 2020
Messages
2,045
Location
Gainesville, FL
Format
Multi Format
Is an isolation platform a solution looking for a problem?

I'm not sure it isn't a solution creating a problem.

As long as the scanner is in good condition, the scanning platform, the scanner camera, the negative-- they're all relatively fixed to one another, and the table will dampen by nature, any mild vibrations. There are no ultra-sensitive "floating" components in the chain (like, say, a well balanced tonearm).

I suppose if you're using some form of document imaging system where the scanner is separated from the negative by a large distance and a relatively lightweight support, there's the possibility for vibration-- but even so, I would think an isolation platform, by nature, would be more likely to induce excess vibration / oscillation.

This sounds like an unnecessary complication that offers imperceptible return on excessive investment. It's like telling me that monster cables carry a "cleaner" digital signal-- even if a difference could be proven, you're still operating so far outside the requirements of the signal that it's meaningless.
 

Kilgallb

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 14, 2005
Messages
805
Location
Calgary AB C
Format
4x5 Format
I worked in Radio for years. The absolutely best damper for a turntable is a sandbox.
But then came CDS, and there is no need for that.
 

awty

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
3,638
Location
Australia
Format
Multi Format
No dancing when scanning.

I worked in Radio for years. The absolutely best damper for a turntable is a sandbox.
But then came CDS, and there is no need for that.
I included a sand box in building my last idler turntable and a shelf bolted to the wall as I have suspended timber floor. Works well.
 

Kilgallb

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 14, 2005
Messages
805
Location
Calgary AB C
Format
4x5 Format
No dancing when scanning.


I included a sand box in building my last idler turntable and a shelf bolted to the wall as I have suspended timber floor. Works well.
and your kid can dance to the music
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom