The‘Silent Base’ shares important design features of our acclaimed Silent Stage 1 & 2 Isolation Platforms – hence the name. Designed to replace the resonant hardboard base of the deck, the SB is made from rigid black 10mm Acrylic and uses the same black chromium spikes (and spike dampers) as the Silent Stage platforms. Suspended sub-chassis decks need a solid, non-resonant base and spikes are the ideal support in this situation. Small rubber feet just do not allow the suspension to work properly. Acrylic is inherently non-resonant and is a superb material for a solid base board.
The Silent Base features three height adjustable spikes for easy levelling, and access cut-outs for spring adjustment and tone-arm wiring. The spikes come complete with holders, should you not wish to mark the surface on which they stand. They also have damping rings fitted, made from the same superb material used in our Motor Vibration Absorbers. These tight fitting rings have a dual role. Firstly they reduce the amount of energy transmitted to the base, and secondly they stabilise any spike which has been adjusted from the 'fully screwed up' position - ensuring all spikes are solid and don't move.
Fitting the base is a simple job, and it comes complete with the crosshead wood screws required. Make no mistake – the Silent Base will dramatically improve the sound of your deck... It has even amazed us – the LP12 sounds better in every conceivable way - cleaner throughout the whole frequency spectrum, vastly reduced surface noise, better imaging etc. Although we expected sound quality gains, we never imagined a base board could improve the LP12 to this level!
Apart from the sound quality gains, the Silent Base also has three side benefits - easy suspension adjustment, easy levelling and finally, it really does improve the look of the turntable! This really is a beautifully made product - OK it's under the deck so you don't see it, but all the same - all the edges are polished (even the inside edges of the access cut-outs), the spike bases are recessed into the Acrylic and the screw holes are all recessed, so no screw heads are visible from the front.
