Magnetic isolation

Indeed, a dense magnetic field utilizing magnets that are suitable for the load.
I think the gap I have is about 2 - 3mm. 

That´s good... maybe you could try about 1 mm... ;)

Ha! I'll employ some mass & see if there is any difference...

It’s not that a wider gap translates to a weaker magnetic field. For a given load a wider gap actually translates to a stronger magnetic field. So if your gap is say 1 mm now, more powerful magnets would produce a 2 mm gap or whatever for the same load. As long as there’s a gap there is levitation. It’s the levitation that’s the issue not the flux density of the mag field per se. Hel-looo!

interesting article on mag lev for audiophile applications, see link below:

http://www.gcaudio.com/products/reviews/infomagix.html

Ok but why do you need to be condescending with "hel-looo"? I don't know about you but I know less than what I don't know.