Black Diamond Cones ADVICE

I use a number of Black Diamond products. They work and I am satisfied with my purchases. However, they are not all cure and I ended up removing them from under my phono stage and preamplifier. I kinda' side with your dealer. It does make a difference where and how they are placed, but I would not describe the changes as more than subtle. By the way, for this type of product your dealer should take them back (at no charge) if you're not satisfied.

I have tried BDR cones reasonably extensively. For me, cones are a final touch. If there is significant resonance getting through your rack to the cones, then what happens is you get to hear the resonant frequency of the cones - which can trick you into believing you are hearing more detail, but the sound is very irritating in the longer term. This seems to go for all cones I have tried. But if your rack and shelves are good then the BDR cones work very well. When your rack and shelves are good, placement of the cones makes little difference. When a lot of resonance is getting through however, then placement of the cones can make a very marked difference - possibly due to different parts of the bottom plate resonating at different frequencies. But the difference due to moving the cones around is not so much an improvement/diminution in sound quality - just a change in the resonance being heard. The other observation about cones is that, in my room (which I must admit does not have a totally rigid floor) I still find it best to have some compliance somewhere in the equipment support. If you use BDR cones, then you are bypassing the rubber feet and it may be best to also try some form of compliance either in the shelf material (which MDF is an example of - as opposed to thick glass or perspex) or with an air cushion product like a seismic sink.

I use the BD cones under my CD player and I found a significant improvement by using them with ART Q dampers as a foot to the cones. The Q dampers have a center dent that the point of the BD cones fits into perfectly.

Im planning on using them under my Rogue 99 Are the good for tube preamps? also where can I find these ART q Dampers?

David, most of what is posted has covered my comments as well. I have a bunch of Black Diamond feet but no longer use them. I had two Black Diamond platforms, and sold them. The comments about Walker cones, I agree with, under some equipment, but not all equipment. You are going to have to experiment to find what works. I suggest also trying the Mod Squad Soft Shoes, they are under a lot of my equipment, and work wonders in many enviornments. A lot of what works in feet is directly related to the power cords, interconnect cables, room acoustics and where the particular piece of equipment is located in the room.