RE: Silencing the arrow rest
You may want to try nylon or teflon launchers. I believe that Savage makes some decent ones.
Personally, I just use my normal prongs for practice and when it gets closer to the season, I either dip or brush on some liguid teflon. It doesn' t last very long, but that doesn' t bother me. I just reaply it as needed.
Also, make sure your arrows are clean. It makes a difference.