MDF or Plywood for best sound in Hi-Fi rack ?

Hi Guidocorono

No blind tests – blindfolds really do no work well when trying to queue a record. :-)

I never set out on experimenting to find/build the best platform. Rather my comments are based on things I have tried over many years. Obviously as time passes (and equipment changes) it is difficult to gauge which sounded better or worse. However, the terrible disappointment of spending weeks and $$ making a nice platform only to have it sound dull is difficult to forget.

I tried a 4” solid maple board under my turntable and it was noticeably better than a maple butcher block. I haven’t considered that thinner would be better, but it’s definitely worth looking into.

I am sure there are wood species better than maple, and of course not all maple are equal. I just happen to read some comments on the virtues of maple and decided to try it. The choice of butcher blocks rather than solid wood was mainly economical – a 18”x15”x3” butcher block cost me less than $75.

I find the idea of brass platforms interesting. Before I heard the solid maple platform I was toying with the idea of getting a 18”x15”x1” 6061-T4 aluminum plate and see what that sounds like. A number of turntable manufacturers are making platter out of metal, so there may be something in it.

Regards
Paul

Each of you, back to your corners!

I would suggest mating dissimilar materials. Combine things with different resonant frequencies, thereby making it difficult for vibrations to penetrate the entire shelf.

The new Sota Cosmos armboard is made of layers of aluminum, carbon fiber, and plex. This is a good combination...

Anytime you employ one material, MDF or plywood, for shelving, you run the risk of exacerbating a resonant problem. MIX, MIX, MIX... The best racks use a mixture of materials...

:o

We layer our Signature Shelves... 19 times.

Nrchy is soooo right! Now if Sota only layered in useful things like Audiav does, it would sound good :)

In answer to your question: MDF for anti-resonance, Plywood for strength. Think low mass and viscous layers as alternates for layering. Or just buy a Signature Shelf :)

There are only a few materials that will gain a better inertness than MDF, but the cost goes through the roof.

I would tell you... but that would give away a few secrets.

A Granite decoupled layering sandwich works wonders... believe me :)