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Isolation footers for amps

I'm looking for advice/recommendations for isolation footers for my amp -- an Audio Research D300 (solid state). Currently I have it mounted on a free-standing 4" thick maple block, with spiked-tipped brass footers anchoring the base to the carpet on top of a basement (cement) floor. Would I obtain any additional sonic benefits by placing after-market isolation devices between the amp and the maple stand? I should add here that I'm not looking to spend a great deal of money on this... something more in the range of $100-200. Options in roughly that range I've found on line include Audio Prism Isobearings, Herbie's Tender Footers, and Mapleshape's brass footers. My (perhaps imperfect) understanding is that the first two are meant to isolate a component from vibrations in the room (including those from other components), while the third is supposed to help 'drain" vibrations from the component in question itself, thereby minimizing their transference to the audio chain..

I'd welcome advice from fellow Audiogoners more experienced than I on the extent to which these devices confer audible sonic improvements and, if so, which ones they'd recommend. Thanks

Michael
mross1949
schubert
7,386 posts
 
+ 1 for what jl35 says . And in my system anyway a 3" maple slab sounds better than a 2" or 3" one .
The lady from Michigan that sells maple slabs on here has drop-dead  beautiful fit and finish and she ships well and fast .
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Timely tip: the thicker the slab is, whether maple or granite or bluestone, the stiffer it is, so the better it is in resisting bending forces. Building double structures can be quite interesting, too.
lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,677 posts
 
At Geoffkait's suggestion from above (5/27) I decided to try the Super DH Cones from Golden Sound.

WOW! What an improvement on my Transport and DAC.

@geoffkait, what do you recommend to separate a double 3" maple platform, additional DH cones, or do you have a better idea?
Thanks...
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
I suppose there's a good explanation why most of these "devices" are sold in sets of three whereas every component I own and have ever owned had four legs. Is the idea to buy four sets to use with three components? What am I missing?
dill
2,542 posts
 
Yes, the idea is to form a triangle under your component. Put two in the rear and one in the front center or visa versa. Either remove your existing feet or put the cones next to them, contacting only the bottom of the chassis. By using (3) feet, you are concentrating more weight on the three points and makes it easier to level. 
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