Its about performance versus price, we could all take a horse and cart to get to work but we don't, we drive cars and 100's of different models depending on what we can afford

There are numerous support systems that are considerably more expensive and plenty that are cheaper

Same old circular debates

The small pads can be had for about a tenner each, second hand. Three can support an item. Big ones are better but you don't have to have deep pockets to try it.

I should keep quiet: I'm wanting to hoover up any used ones for myself!

edit: my ref to "deep pockets" reads like I made the same assumption. It was actually lazy-speak: I really meant that you don't need to make a big investment to try them. In fact, you would very easily move them on with no loss if you bought the little ones used. 

BR brings improvements at a fundamental level. Music has more power, better timing and more a stable pitch. it just sounds less "electronic". Not an ideal way to convey meaning, but it's something you just know instantly to be better on a "foundation" level. Also, something you'd never give up once you've had it. Unlike cable or componnet changes, there is no possible downside, such as a change of tone or balance. 

If you want to save money I suggest loads of experimentation.

In my experience different systems/units respond differently to different support - some best on squashy material (sorbothane etc) some best on hard (granite etc).
Some like to have added weight, some don't.

You may even hit on something better for your system than the costly products.

Totally agree. I would add the importance of considering the accumulative effect of these 'tweaks' in balancing a system. A difference and isolated improvement is not necessarily a system improvement, as playing a wide range of recordings will often show (e.g. good ones now sound better but lesser ones are unlistenable).

Adding one tweak after another doesn't lead inexorably to better performance.



I have always liked the Mark Grant G100HD interconnects in my set up for the body they impart to the sound. I use an Oppo 103 as a file player, which has thin, light casework. If I put my Rockin' Rollers underneath and a wooden weight on top I can easily hear the effect of this damping but there's a loss of detail. Changing to a different interconnect brings this back in line, but the naked Oppo/ Mark Grant combo is the more consistent result over a wider range of music.



I think the Black Ravioli justify their price because they give very real and fundamental desirable improvements without skewing frequency balance or other caveats, which makes them a powerful tool in system balancing.



I always imagine that most electronics were developed and measured on a solid workbench and made to a price. While it's easy to make a bit of kit sound different, the best results are usually achieved when resonance control is included and considered in the design process.



Another issue is that conscious comparison and evaluation is a right brain activity and emotional response a thoughtless process. All too easy to work on the sonic presentation and lose the musical connection.

They are the original BR Pads. I've never tried them - if anyone has, please comment.

Perhaps if you put one of the older small Raviolis under each corner of the new Big Pads...

You used to be able to get them a good bit cheaper. Like Martin I never used them.

No it is £34 for a set of four and then cheaper if you buy more than one set .