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thoghts about isolation.

Our discussion has to take place with mechanical isolating non-source components such as amplifiers and preamps.

My thought was wether we realy need to mechanically isolate non-source components or not. The impact from internal vibrations caused by the mainly power supply transformer will less-likely affect the operation of active elements fo the circuit such as tubes or transistors imo. The same thing comes onto mind about passive elements such as resistors and capacitors. What can affect the performance is the electrical isolation of power transformers especially in the power amplifier domain(that's why I prefere not using integrated amps). That's why it's very often beneficial to have an outboard power supply(not necessary battery) for the preamplification(phono, line or DAC)

I want to give some example where I've seen the PS300 power plant placed on the tip toes and I wonder why?

If we take source components, there are certainly good reasons for it such as mis-recepting the laser beam by CD transport or mis-tracking the record that can even be cause by the measurable amplitudes. In addition for the turntables the amplitude of a signal can somehow be matched and certainly cannot be neglected with amplitude of intermal vibrations caused by friction of a platter, motor that is transfered to the tonearm and cartridge as well.

IF YOU'RE LAZY TO READ THE WHOLE THING YOU CAN ANSWER JUST THIS GENERAL QUESTION:

Do all audio components need to be mechanically isolated?
128x128marakanetz
mdomnick
332 posts
 
Killer...check this product out...

http://www.shakti-innovations.com/

Its refreshing to see companies post actual test lab results in this world of snake oil sales. I have not used any shakti products, but certainly intend on trying them soon. If any one else has used them, please let me know what you think.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
Imagine just for a moment ladies and gentlemen,that your son or daughter or some other special loved one was playing at a cello recital. Imagine that your loved one ,who trained for so long, and who was so dedicated and was so gifted, was required to place and then play their cello on a leaded base,or a kids sandbox,or a inner-tube or place upon it a leaded piece of wood or how about a stone.Your loved one would probably be disappointed with the texture and dynamic character they had trained so long to convey, from their selves and then on to their audience.
ejcj
6 posts
 
I don't know a lot about the physics behind it, but Black diamond racing products are the only things I have used that really seem to work. I use them under my speakers and under my cd player and they really add a razor sharp sense of focus to the images on my sound stage. I think the point about the lead or sand base under the stage of live musicians is an interesting point. Except that with live music you don't need to focus the image because it's there in real life. On a stereo system you do what you can to create a representation of the real thing if only for a few fleeting moments. My rule on tweaks is this. If I'm not absolutely sure I hear a difference that I judge as an improvement I do not buy, unless the investment is so inexpensive that it doesn't bother me just to spend the money to do it. I would definitely advise you to listen for yourself and judge weighing cost versus benefits. A good example for me is power cables. To date I am not hearing huge improvements with the use of fancy power cables in my system. I decided though to invest in a good quality value cable (Sonic Horizon) because I think they make a small improvement and don't cost an arm and a leg.
I'm just not goinng to spend 500 or more for a power cable.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
As regards the Shakti products for automotive use - the differences quoted (approx. 2-3 rwhp) fall well within the normal test variations expected of such equipment, hardly a ringing endorsement of the products. In addition, the 0-60 times that supposedly "improved" show a distance difference of 10 ft. (110 vs 120) which would, OBVIOUSLY, take more time to traverse. Smells like snake oil to me, droogies...
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
The devices I am using can be described as reactive devices that collect and then pass to ground, mechanical, electrical as well as airborne vibration. These designs are not isolation devices and are not designed to store energy in a box or a shelf or a bladder. These products are designed with the Coloumb Law of Friction in mind. Remember, all things are always in motion. This motion creates friction,which in the realm of audio creates noise, distortion, and a loss of efficiency. The proper chosen ratios of inertia, mass, frequency and correct materials dictates the the size and shapes of these devices. Because these devices have such a wide bandwidth they sound as if they work in a linear fashion across the full frequency spectrum. I have been using the Audiopoints for the last 8 years. They blew me away then and they still do. In the last 2 years I have been using the Sistrum stands and platforms which is a huge continuim of the whole Audiopoint workings. The difference is staggering and is broadband and in no way frequency selective. Once you have tried these products you won't go back to the clamp racks, the lead, the crystal, the solid steel,or the rubber. They have it all wrong in trying to kill vibration. It can't be done.
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