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

andrei_nz,

Vibration begins as soon as you switch on the electronic component. Alternating Current provides the startup of energy movement known as electromechanical vibration. Then the transformers and capacitors begin to function (physical movement) forming mechanical vibration and finally the loudspeakers fire forming heavier amplitudes of energy known as acoustic or airborne. All this vibration builds on all surfaces forming resonance.


Resonance propagates everywhere throughout the system and musical environment. From the smallest of parts such as transistors, circuit boards, resistors, etc. on up to cables, electronic and loudspeaker chassis, racking, walls, floors and ceilings vibrate as well. A lot of listeners do the touch test to feel if their chassis are vibrating in attempts to see if they are eliminating or killing vibration. No need for that test as one can never stop or truly isolate vibration from occurring in hi-fi components or musical environments.


That being said, you are now left with attempting to manage the negative effects of resonant energy formed from vibration.

Two of the most popular methods are direct coupling (mechanical grounding) or decoupling (isolation).

Sorry I did not mean to go there as Pandora can easily take control of this thread…  ⌣


Hope this information helps your understanding how solid state equipment is affected by resonance. It begins on the inside of the chassis.

Robert - Star Sound



You’re absolutely right, Robert. You can’t isolate anything 100%. Only about 99%. Let’s put it this way - perfect enough to be able to detect gravity waves, the amplitude of which are on the order of the diameter of an atomic particle. Hel-loo! And certainly perfect enough for such relatively mundane endeavors as electron microscopy and high end audio. [Note to self - Wow! It’s like he’s channeling Michael Green. Spooky.] Sigh, I fear it’s a little too late for the hystrionics as the Genie got out of the bottle a long time ago.

+1 audiopoint I couldn’t agree more. For the reasons that you stated, I have treated the insides of all of my components with vibration absorbing material to mitigate as much vibration from within and without. It takes some time to treat every capacitor, resistor, transistor etc but the benefits ( at least to my ears with my components) are worth it.  As always, YMMV.

hifiman5,

Glad to hear you are finding success with your damping experiments. Anyone can see that you have put in the time to do so because overdamping the smallest of critical parts is an incredibly easy thing to do. One can lose that “live dynamic” in a heartbeat simply by applying too much material and once the “live” is gone, it’s gone for good. It takes a lot of effort and a ton of listening trials in determining how much damping is just enough so hats off to you for your dedication and labors. What materials are you using in your damping techniques?

We mechanically ground all critical electronic parts to the chassis by applying various Audio Points, prototypes thereof or smallish types of Sistrum Platforms then follow that initial process by grounding the entirety of the chassis to the rack or flooring.

I never had the opportunity to hear someone else’s system other than our own where the resonance is damped focusing on the smallest of parts but would literally jump at the opportunity to do so. Please keep me in mind the next time you invite someone over for a listen. I would like to hear more about the improvements you made to the system.

 

@geoff - We discuss and share information via real world situations involving MUSICAL Reproduction, MUSICAL Instruments and MUSICAL related environments - staying on topic. We refuse to get involved with the isolation of electron microscopes that have no sound quality relative to audio performance along with your multi million dollar 99% perfect isolation vacuums because we cannot relate to them in a musical context or affordability. This is an audio forum involving audio gear and sharing experiences from listening - not that of Popular Mechanics®.

We really don’t give a hoot whether you believe Live-Vibe Technology™ is worthy of NASA’s grade of payscale or not. The multiple Music related Industries back our claims and products from musician to recording engineer to listener. You can go on and on with your rants about Green or whatever color of the day you choose. I personally refuse to become any part of your past failed love/hate relationships.

I work with a Pro-Vibration technology. It is quite obvious the majority of historical beliefs and products involved in the Audio Industry are based on Anti-Vibration methodologies where ours is somewhat the opposite. You prefer isolation where the interfering resonant energy remains stored or trapped inside the component where we prefer the interfering resonance be transferred out of the component at high speeds via mechanical grounding. You build parts and things for audio where we too build parts and platforms for audio, endpins and parts that improve the sound of musical instruments and design and build mechanically grounded structures for musical playback, musician rehearsal environments and recording studios. The difference is, our technology can and is being adapted and used in a few more MUSIC related fields.

 

Hey, nice read though - first recommending fairly expensive cones of a different brand name, earning a few listener’s approvals then closing in on sales announcing ‘your very own’ much less-expensive springs…and Price Points too!   Hmmm shilling used to require a bit more talent on this forum or quite possibly no one is reading or affected by your 'same old - same old' anymore. It’s not like we heard it all before - 5,832 times.


Robert - Star Sound



I found that the plain old rubber feet under my big tube amp worked better than any footer I tried.