Isolation vs. Absorbtion

Wow... As a reatively new "audiophile", I am impressed. I think I am beginning to see why some people spend a lifetime "tweaking".

Darn it Jayboard, now I am going to have to pull the Mapleshade cones and check their level. When I tried the Racing cones between my player and an MDF platform resting on Vibrapods I found the sound to be kind of "etched" for lack of a better word. However, since then I have discovered that they make different models and wonder if I may have used the wrong one for my application. I borrowed a set of three for the test but am not certain what number they were and have not yet asked the friend that loaned them to me. I have heard good things about them from others and would like to give them a second try (the other model) before dismissing them. I happen to have some brass finish nuts (the ones used to affix glass ceiling light fixtures) oddly enough. LOL. If you get a chance try the Mapleshade cones under one of your speakers. I just messed around with my wiring and wall outlets and am taking a break from tweaking until the sound settles down.

Plsl, after playing some more and reading what arrangement sounds good to you, I reckon you should try some Maple Butchers Block.

Hi all, I have been getting very good results with the Mapleshade triplepoints under my equipment with the triplepoint cones sitting on maple butcherblock. I am also using Mapleshades isoblocks under the maple which sounds better than using there cones. I have been experimenting with different stuff on top of gear and found the Mapleshade heavy hats (brass weights) work much better than VPI brick, lead weights, or lead shot. I found out that you can change the sound with too much weight or too little. Fine tune until desired results or go insane trying. It seems there might not be a cure all as much as finding a sound that will suit you. Dekay, when I tried using cones going into MDF it was lifless in comparison to maple. I feel I have a good handle on the Triplepoints and will try other feet (materials) to see what sound changes occur. Redkiwi, do you think the neuance is better sounding than maple? I feel the maple slightly softens the leading edge but still maintains energy, life or what ever you want to call it.

Brulee: How thick is your Maple platform and is it butcherblock or of a simpler vertical glue/lam design. I am still using 3/4" Maple (not butcherblock). I do not want to cut up my 5' 2 1/2" thick Maple butcherblock yet as I may want to use it in another cabinet one of these days if and when I can relocate the gear. I picked it up for nothing many years ago but the replacement cost of this "slab" is quite high. I have also cleared another 6" of vertical space (for the time being) in my cabinet (the new tube amp sets on top now) and would like to try the Isoblocks (they are only $24.00 which is the same as Vibrapods). My wife finally noticed the cones, or the use of them as they were in the shadows (when the sliding doors were removed from the cabinet) and asked "why is the CD player floating in air?"