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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 8:51:09 GMT
over the years I've had repeated success with either isolating or coupling different bits of kit and I figured it was time to think about this again after a couple of recent successes in my new location. I'd like to hear from others about what has worked for them and also the circumstances in which it worked, as this is often critical IMO. Ok, here are my two most recent successes:
1. Black Ravioli under the Sonnneteer Byron CD player. It makes a sizeable improvement, lending a real sense of calm and poise. Take it away and the sound is "all at sea". One of the best accessories I've ever purchased.
2. Ice hockey pucks under the spikes of my Sound Org stands, which support my DIY Cubes. (I have a marble tiled concrete floor)
Past successes that that spring to mind:
1: Philips cross-head screws driven into floorboards to support Linn Kans on Kan II stands.
2. Mission Isoplats under various turntables. A Silentstage was even better.
3. Russ Andrews Torlyte platforms under both Vinyl and CD. Worked even better with a Silentstage underneath.
i keep a stock of bits to hand because I've found that changing gear or location means that some things stop working as well whilst others that didn't work before now do. I've never tried speaker cable supports but I will do one day.
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Post by zippy on Nov 15, 2017 11:20:15 GMT
My thoughts , based on many years of experimentation are:
1. nothing makes much difference under CD/DAC/Streamer/amp/whatever
2. marginal improvement when using soft feet under turntable
3. potential major difference under speakers, determined entirely by the floor type:
Concrete floor - good solid spikes
Wooden suspended floor - possibly decouple in some way, but I've never had such a floor to try it with
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Post by pinkie on Nov 15, 2017 11:48:19 GMT
I'm with Zippy
Speakers and turntables make a difference.
Solid state electronics shouldn't. I've only used valves recently for guitar amps - but would hope a well designed unit is not affected by isolation
CD players - in theory can be affected by vibration. Shake one hard enough and its gonna skip. I have not experimented with isolation but never noticed an issue - including comparing with streaming. By contrast Wonky's Caiman sounded way different to DaCapo
Speakers - I have always been a spiker to a concrete floor, but having a laminate floor (over wood beams filled with polystyrene, over concrete) has caused me to adapt. The ESL63's on their stands have felt under the metal which seems to work just fine. I was very pleased with SVS soundpath feet for the subwoofer - and will probably try 2 sets with the Ventricals one day (if I ever unwrap them)
Turntables - I think its known I like bouncy ones, although on rigid shelves - so a bit of both. The difference a good suspension makes is so obvious (love it or hate it) that I always wonder at those who are dismissive of it (I am thinking of a friend from the TENT who is maybe a shade too fond of measurements - or rather, dismissive of subjective assessments where a benchmark reference doesn't work). I remember the night and day differences between the PT and LP12 - but of course you can argue many factors contribute to that. The most obvious demo of what the suspension does, was the boing feet on an RP1. Again - very obvious, and very "suspended"
(Suspended = clearer windows as I see Doc Stewart was referring to again recently)
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Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2017 13:53:52 GMT
I largely favour isolation or vibration control although coupling in some places works well.
System rack: modified with RDC Cones on the tiled floor.
All main system components except turntable: Black Ravioli feet. These are remarkable devices and do a job of isolation that belies their apparent hard rubber appearance. Most effective under the SACD player (outstanding) and power amplifier.
Turntable: coupled with RDC Cones to an Electric Beach shelf which is then isolated with sorbothane pucks. This kills airborne feedback which is otherwise an issue at normal playing volumes with large bass content.
Speakers: Lidl washing machine feet (yes, really) on the tiled floor. So much better than previous cone coupling that I'm still amazed at the transformation in sound.
DAC & Raspberry Pi: sorbothane pucks.
Additional vibration damping is provided by granite place mats (large or coaster) on every component.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 14:57:32 GMT
Glad to hear I'm not going crazy and that someone else has significant results with Black Ravioli. I'm currently using those Lidl anti vibration feet under my Schiit Asgard 2 because it has no feet whatsoever and I have nothing else to hand. I'll try some more Ravioli in time.
I also have some ribbed anti vibration squares I bought from Clas Ohlson. I have them under my Naim CD3 and they do a good job as they have under other players. This stuff has a commercial name which I forget but is is effective and cheap.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 15, 2017 15:00:19 GMT
The only improved 'isolation' I have seen is by putting foculpods underneath my big granite TT platform.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2017 15:02:36 GMT
Try isolating the CD player, Jules. You'll be surprised.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 15, 2017 15:03:53 GMT
It's already isolated Martin - I don't use it!!  |
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Post by steveeb on Nov 15, 2017 15:28:17 GMT
It's already isolated Martin - I don't use it!! I used the same technique - after hearing Martin's Ayre! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 15:37:48 GMT
Seen as the Laser Mech is already isolated inside the machine, i do not see why you need to isolate again?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2017 16:03:52 GMT
Seen as the Laser Mech is already isolated inside the machine, i do not see why you need to isolate again? Listening says it needs more! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 16:55:19 GMT
O ok  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 19:35:24 GMT
I’m using various isolation routes following advise and trails from this very forum members.
CD Transport - original Stillpoints.
DAC - RDC Cones
Pre & Power amps - original Black Ravioli
The difference these made to my ears was significant.
Additionally, the current Black Ravioli was is even better than the original and will be something I invest in at sometime.
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Post by yomanze on Nov 17, 2017 13:11:29 GMT
I have recently decoupled my speakers from my suspended wooden floor by replacing the floor spikes with 4x large Bright Star IsoNodes. This has made a fundamental difference in stopping the floor 'singing along' with the low bass, and thus going through into next door (they could only perceive the low bass, none of the music). Well, they haven't complained since.  I notice how when I'm upstairs that I can't hear bass, and am also pleased that it hasn't created any 'smear' to the sound. If anything there is a bit more focus and refinement on the top end. I can also play louder now without upsetting the neighbours, result. |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 17, 2017 13:23:27 GMT
I looked in interest but I'm afraid even the largest ones would be squashed flat under my speakers. |
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Post by Chris on Nov 17, 2017 22:29:41 GMT
Atacama soundstage platform under my amp - no difference with s/s but seems to tighten the valves up a wee touch. Worth £20. Sand filled speaker stands are on cheap crappy foam tiles but they're getting thrown away as there's no improvement and they're untidy things.
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