Any thoughts on a solid hickory platform under my tt

Yes and that pairing or tuning to your setup ..  Which varies .. I may try walnut it matches my classic and walmounted on steel with spikes and my classics feet i doubt my beat up ears will hear any difference between almost any in this mount .. Jmho .. 

That's why I mentioned rosewood as the next wood I would try after maple. Then cherry. Both are musical woods. Mahogany is another wood worth trying, would probably be too warm for my set-up. The place that you mentioned has purpleheart block for about $500. That's what I said - exotic wood is expensive if you want to compare even a few. I might try cherry, even if the difference was small it would be worth it. And if it makes things worse, well, I could use an excellent cutting board in the kitchen.

asvjerry,
isolation yes....
looks? sorry but yes again....
nuetral or even slightly warm yes again..
I use to be a woodworker among other things,i still have freinds who do corian,granite etc on the east coast but the cost to ship is wicked out west. alot of these companies ship cutting boards for free custom sizes.
I do like the look of wood all my other stand shelves are blackand steel..

inna 
we have seasoned 3'x4' 2" thick top on our prep island in the kitchen ..hmmmmmm :)