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Please help me choose CD isolation

I am suffering from a mild case of Audiophile burnout this week and need advice in choosing effective CD isolation relatively inexpensively (under $150 ). I put my CD player on top of my rack in order to make room for a new tuner. I have some Vibrapods underneath, and they are doing a nice job, but honestly want something more appealing visually that doesn't change the tonal balance too much, and maybe adds a touch more detail. I am listing my system in order to get the best advice possible, THANKS in advance for taking the time to read this and helping me out. Martin Butler.

* Musical Fidelity HT600 5 channel amp w/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference interconnects,Yamamura Quantum power cord.

* B&K AVP3090 pre-amp w/ Harmonic Technology Pro-11 AC power cord)

* Sony DVP-9000ES SACD/DVD player (w/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference interconnects, and an Acoustic Zen Tsunami pc)

* B&W Nautilus 805 speakers w/ matching stands, HTM-2 center, LM-1 surrounds (w/ H. Tech Pro-9 plus bi-wire cables)

* REL Strata III subwoofer , XLO custom Neutrik Speakon conector and DH Labs BL-1 for 5.1 out, and H. Tech Pro-11AC pc)

* Denon MD-1000 Minidisc recorder (H. Technology Truthlink interconnects, and Audio One "Reference" toslink cable )

*Musical Fidelity A3 Tuner

* Toshiba 40X81 Widescreen HDTV (Monster component cables)

* Monster HTS-3500 power center

* Salamander Synergy Systems rack

* Hubble 8300i outlets

* Cardas RCA caps
bmpnyc
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Try as bunch tweakings as you know one after another for a certain period of time of experimenting to find out what's the best for the rack/room and platforms. Try to surf over DIY examples first. Different setups/racks/rooms require different experiments and it might take most of your time! The first thing if your component is standing higher from the surface you already win with heat dissipation! Try not to go with tweaks that will affect heat dissipation. It's kind of same thing if you place components one onto another. You could try to construct your own rack rather than using rich-audiofile-oriented ones with even better performance just by going into the home depot!
phild
603 posts
 
I have #3 & #4 Black Diamond Racing cones and I don't prefer them on their own. They do some amazing things to the sound as far as soundstage and details go, but I've found that they also have some disadvantages that come with the benefits. Everything seems to be more detailed, but that includes the vocals too. They become too detailed, and they lose their warmth. Sibilance and micing problems really stick out. That's just my opinion. I put some sorbothane underneath the cones (at the tip), and that seems to be a good compromise (for now).

Like I said, they definitely make a difference, but they seem to require a lot of experimentation. Just a warning...they may drive you mad.
jayboard
301 posts
 
Martin, I like Neuance shelf -- it might be barely above your budget in price -- best under my CDP. Definitely worked best in terms of tonal balance and coherence, so might be your cup of tea, and also best preserved timing and pace. Next best was Mapleshade Triplepoint cones -- lots of detail and definition, high and low, but somewhat attention getting. Compliant feet were last. Also, Mapleshade Heavyhat weight sounds good on top -- pleasantly punctuates leading edges and weight of notes; I haven't had much in way of results with flat things that have a lot of surface area. For more detail, visit these threads with many comments on Neuance and other options: Linn CD Player Tweaks, Racks and Shelves, Cones/Bearings for CD Players, Shelf Material - Neuance, and the "mother of all isolation threads", Isolation vs. Absorption. --Jayson
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Something that has worked great for me is the Neuance Isolation Platform from Greater Ranges. Agon member Dekay suggested this to me. What it's done is enhance all the positives of my Theta Pearl transport.

Ken Lyon with Greater Ranges can custom make one to fit in your rack. He made one that replaces the top shelf of my Target Beta rack. This is a pretty common application and size. Roughly 14x19". It rests on the up-turned spikes that came with my rack. Leveling is a bit time consuming, but very important. Ken also feels that using cones or other isolation products with his platforms could be redundant. But if you do decide to try them out he suggests waiting until the shelf is well broken in.

The platform took about 2 weeks to fully break in, but once it did it improved the sense of air around instruments and added to the depth and width of the soundstage. No harshness or nasties were introduced.

I like the way it looks too. It comes in a subdued speckled dark gray. A nice touch to an all black audio rack.

I hope that helps.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Bmp; As Phild notes above, not all tweaks are beneficial. I put seismic sinks under my ML transport and DAC and was rewarded with tremendous detail-- but it almost made my ears bleed. PRaT also suffered significantly. At that point I was disappointed, but then put one of the sinks under my tube pre-amp, and Viola', greater detail, improved transparency, smooth, liquid, and excellent PRT. It's all so component, system, and room dependent. Don't get discouraged, and Happy tweaking. Craig.
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