Using Maple Butcher Block Under a Turntable

The thing with cones is they’re rather *directional* and should always be points down. When they are points down they allow energy to *exit* the system and disallow energy to come up into the system, relatively speaking. This is also why the specific material of the cone and the shape of the cone are also important. What you want this very rapid energy transfer as well as seismic energy blocking.

I have my Thorens 124 with glued-on ebony wood spikes sitting on a 1" maple butcher block which sits on spikes attached to wall shelf bolted to a stud in the wall. It allows me to use the classic Swiss Beachwood plinth with no mushrooms instead of some massive thing and it just sounds and looks awesome.

Does any one set their  TT spikes directly on the maple block?

I just did take the little spike stands away and rested the TT spikes on the maple block. Then I threaded up my 2 belts and now the motor pulley is too high for the platter and won't stay on. I remembered I had 3 small myrtlewood blocks and placed under the spikes. Put the belts on and I swear it sounded better than before. It doesn't make sense that by taking out that the half inch high dampened spike stands would make a difference but it was a positive one. A warmer sound with a richer bass. Tell me it's not true. But I was a happy listener all afternoon. I replayed U2 SBS which is a little dry and shrill anyway and now its much better.

@blueranger When you said "half inch high dampened spike stands," were those by chance rubber damped spike stands?