CDP isolation options for improved HF?

I 3rd the use of Vibrapods which I use on my CD player under an MDF platform, with great results. I also have two wheelbarrow intertubes (smaller than the bike tubes) that I use under our mini system (two box unit) in our bedroom. I don't know if they make these anymore, I found them at an old hardware store and they only had the two. I experienced the same problem with racing cones but was told that I may not have used the "right" ones on my CD player.

Hi Ernie, The problem with the use of pods and cone devices beneath CDP's and DAC's is that they are not "voiced" for specific applications whereas the component manufacturer will typically voice their products in "normal" domestic environments such as wooden furniture and "typical" isolation stands with wood or mdf shelving on both slab and suspended flooring.Because of this and the very wide variety of suspension techniques used in source components(ranging form neoprene transport spacers to spring suspensions to rubber chassis feet)the results of cones/pods are nearly always highly specific to the individual deck. A better approach is via high performance shelving and support materials and constructions with broadband vibration damping, dissipation or evacuation. This category of isolation measures almost always will have been carefully developed and voiced to take into account the same environmental and acoustic parameters as did the cdp/dac manufacturer-A much less hit and miss proposition having more predicatble and consistant results and ultimately more effective as well. Cones and pods may then be used in conjunction with the accessory performance shelving to fine tune the tonal balance and for further energy reductions and/or compensatory effects if so desired. Best, Ken Lyon (caterham1700) GreaterRanges/Neuance

Ernie, Sorry for the negativity of my last post;^) You might wish to try a few simple experiments of little to no cost to "adjust" your Rotel's presentation.It's been a long time since I've used an 855 so please bear with me as my memory is pretty vague about it's specifics(tho I recall it's sound very well).First, play around with the orientation of the mains power cord if it does not have a 3rd ground prong.If it uses rubber feet, try replacing them with a harder rubber dome or truncated pyramidal shaped footpad for starters.The harder(denser and less compliant) material may help evacuate vibration more quickly and still retain the primary voice and"suspension" of the Rotel. It will isolate better because of the smaller contact patch (bottlenecking floorbourne intrusion). Another, more drastic method if you use an stand/rack of the Target/SoundOrganisation/Standesign variety is to remove a large cutout in the mdf shelf, approx 5-6 " in diameter directly below the center of mass of your cdp(should be slightly offset from the center of the shelf to prevent standing waves, tho not absolutely critical as to the exact location,ie-1/2" from dead centre would be fine). The reason for this is to reduce the unsupported mass at the centre of the platform and thus reducing energy storage and time smearing of info via the trampoline effect.Any disturbance is then more quickly dissipated and less likely to intrude upon the music. Best, Ken Lyon (caterham 1700) GreaterRanges/Neuance BTW- you might also wish to investigate alternative interconnects like the inexpensive($150/mtre pair/RCA) but hugely pacey and involving Cabletalk monitor 2.1 or slightly warmish and refined Harmonic Tech truthlinks ($175/mtre pair/RCA).The HT's are commonly seen here at Audiogon. Audioprism quietlines are also an effective and relatively cheap means of gaining refinement esp in RFI contaminated environments.These are passive shunt filters designed to be placed in wall outlets with "noisey" appliances such as refridgerators and computers.The effects can range from pleasantly subtle to strikingly obvious depending on your particular AC line situation.

Subaruguru: I do not disagree with any of the suggestions in this tread, but you have to start somewhere. The manner in which I use the Vibrapods is as follows from top to bottom. The CD player with its stock feet resting on a 3/4" thick MDF platform which rests on four Vibrapods. Below the Vibrapods are the shelf in my cabinet. This way there is no need to remove the stock feet on the player and assuming that it was voiced with the stock feet you are not changing this aspect but only isolating the MDF shelf that the player rests on. I have not tried using more (than four) Vibrapods but will experiment with this when I order additional ones for my amplifiers and power supplies. This setup really helped define the bass and smooth the highs of my budget CAL player, without mucking up the overall balance. It was a big improvement. I also use the HT Truthlink IC's that Caterham mentions, but only occasionally when I have a listening session of poorly engineered (sound wise) CD's, other wise I use silver IC's. The Vibrapods were $24.00 shipped and the piece of MDF scrap was $1.00 at the local lumber yard.

You might try what I did: place a group of Vibrapods under a piece 1/4" tempered glass, which has also been damped by applying a sheet of DexDamp (a constrained layer damping sheet, similar to DynaMat). DexDamp can be purchased by the sheet (about 12" x 18") from marine supply houses, and sometimes from car audio installers. I got mine from a marine supply place in Seattle called HamiltonJet. They have a good Web site with all sorts of acoustic control materials: www.hamiltonjet.com