Best isolation cones

MItch2, yes, I have both the small and large Tenderfeet and it was the larger and more solid one that I tried and I wasn't prepared for the lessening of the sound. It never happened before and all I can think of is that the Marantz units that I have are so solidly built, including the attached footers (which are as solid as all get out having only a thin pad of sorts for the base) that they obviate the need for aftermarket footers.

It could be that Ken Ishikawa really thought this one out. If anyone else has a well built unit that didn't benefit from aftermarket footers, please let us know so I know that I'm not imagining this. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise

Nonoise, you are not dreaming, I have about 40 pieces of Herbie's and his TT mat.
As in all brands, sound good with this and bad with that.
We don't even know the variables, much less understand them.
Fun of hobby is trying stuff,hard on wallet though !

Has anyone tried or considered the BDR, Black Diamond Racing, carbon fiber Cones and Pucks, etc?

No question about it, the NASA grade ceramic Super DH (diamond Hardness) Cones from Golden Sound.

I placed some of the Nordost Sort Kone TC under an Art Audio Vinyl One phono preamp and they made an easily audible improvement.