Best current footers for preamps?

I have found that vibration control is a critical part of maximizing the performance of the system.  However, I think "YMMV" applies here more than in any other area.  The factors that will affect the performance of footers include: the composition and stability of your rack, the component chassis, the overall resolution of your system, the type of component (tube/ss), the microphony of the tubes, the type of floor in your listening room, the energy thrown into the room by your speakers, etc.   

There are reputable companies like Stillpoints, Nordost, and Symposium who make excellent products that clearly reduce vibrations and change the sound of your system.  Whether it's for the better only your ears can tell you.  

Best, Scott

smrex13
226 posts
06-09-2016 11:43am
"I have found that vibration control is a critical part of maximizing the performance of the system. However, I think "YMMV" applies here more than in any other area. The factors that will affect the performance of footers include: the composition and stability of your rack, the component chassis, the overall resolution of your system, the type of component (tube/ss), the microphony of the tubes, the type of floor in your listening room, the energy thrown into the room by your speakers, etc."

vibration control also extends to the transformer and isolating the circuit boards from the transformer vibration, damping the capacitors (which produce micro vibration) with cork or Marigo VTS Dots, damping the chassis with Marigo VTS Dots or some other constrained layer damping material. And those ubiquitous little ribbon cable connectors are an accident waiting to happen vibration wise.

geoff kait
machina dynamica

also important to isolate from airborne vibration. it seems many products that keep out floor vibrations, keep in airborne vibrations...

jl35
1,001 posts
06-10-2016 8:47am
"also important to isolate from airborne vibration. it seems many products that keep out floor vibrations, keep in airborne vibrations..."

Damping the chassis, tubes, capacitors, CD transport, etc. addresses airborne vibrations. Or if you use an iso stand, damping the too plate is also useful in dissipating any vibration in the component whatever it's source - transformer, acoustic waves in the room, motors, etc.

FAT PADZ  is effective against:

Vibrations in the component caused by airborne energies (eg. from loudspeakers) or from activities within the component(eg. transformer
vibrations)

Vibrations from the shelf or rack on which it rests.

FAT PADZ is constructed like a sandwich. The "meat" in the sandwich 
transforms vibrational energies into heat.  The 2 outer "breads" are made from highly polished stainless steel. The top one transforms energy from the component into the sandwich. Stainless steel is used because it is such a good conductor of energy. This is why most professional cooking
pots are made from stainless steel. The bottom one not only transfers
energy into the FAT PADZ but also damps the shelf itself, thereby reducing the amount of spurious energy imparted by the shelf or rack.  

While on this topic I should mention that the top of most preamps are made from materials that vibrates a lot. Knock it with your knuckles and it rings like a bell. This situation smears music and needs to be separately addressed. There are several ways to deal with this at very little expense
Years ago I used Dynamat which does a good job. I now use Walker Audio's one inch ( 1" ) resonance control disc available from walkeraudio.com for $75.00 and worth every penny..