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

sperera · Feb 23, 2021

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 · Feb 23, 2021

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 · Feb 23, 2021

cramej said:
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

Auer · Feb 23, 2021

I sense a wonderful business opportunity.

StepheKoontz · Feb 23, 2021

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 · Feb 23, 2021

StepheKoontz said:
Not sure what would be vibrating a scanner?

Operator impatience and frustration?
(I'm not fond of scanning)

Kino · Feb 23, 2021

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 · Feb 23, 2021

MattKing said:
(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?

fs999 · Feb 24, 2021

I have my scanner on a four way speaker and also a subwoofer on the side at the floor and never had problems.

Kino · Feb 24, 2021

Auer said:
I sense a wonderful business opportunity.

I have very much the same thought... Late night infomercial anyone?

logan2z · Feb 24, 2021

fs999 said:
I have my scanner on a four way speaker and also a subwoofer on the side at the floor and never had problems.

Yes, but do you scan while listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture?

Lachlan Young · Feb 24, 2021

sperera said:
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).

fs999 · Feb 24, 2021

logan2z said:
Yes, but do you scan while listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture?

I could but I prefer St Germain Boulevard, Daft Punk Around the Clock, Fat Boy Slim Ya Mamma or if you prefer the classic way J.S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

grat · Feb 25, 2021

logan2z said:
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.

grat · Feb 25, 2021

logan2z said:
Yes, but do you scan while listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture?

Unless you've wired up actual black-powder cannons with a MIDI interface to fire at the appropriate time(s), it's still pretty irrelevant.

Kilgallb · Mar 1, 2021

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 · Mar 1, 2021

No dancing when scanning.

Kilgallb said:
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 · Mar 1, 2021

awty said:
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

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

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency