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WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU? ISOLATION PLATFORMS, FOOTERS, ETC. for a DAC?

What is reasonable to expect in SQ gain with respect to a DAC, since there are no actively moving parts?

Footers only? Platforms only? Or is a combination of both best?

Keeping this open ended (as well as budget wise) to see what Audiogon Members recommend and advise.

However, thoughts on Gains v.s. Spend with the specific products you are recommending are welcome and will be very helpful.

The only footers I have used in the past are those from Herbie's Audio Lab.  I have used two different 'audio' racks (which have been dismantled) and I am using their shelves as isolation platforms for my speakers and other components (but not the DACs).

The DACs in use are a Schiit Yggdrasil and an Exogal Comet Plus. The stock rubber footers with the Yggdrasil are as basic as they come; The Comet has an acrylic plate with rounded metal screws.

THANK YOU!
david_ten
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

theaudiotweak
When considering any footer or point of any material in the vibrational signal path ask yourself..

Self...Does the shape geometry I am looking at provide a path for the intended dissipated energy to escape and not return or reflect back into the footer or tip?

Tom ....Star Sound Technologies

uh, Tom, are there ANY audio cones that AREN’T shaped like a cone with a tip pointed toward the bottom? The sky is blue. OH, wait! A spring is symmetrical. OMG! A Herbies footer is not pointed! Oh, no! Super Balls are not pointed! What?!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 
For a little better version of a roller bearing design than the Symposium (fine as it is), check out those of Ingress Engineering in Canada. Machined to Barry Diament’s specs. Cheaper too.
tecknik
483 posts
 
 I use the Alto Extremo"s, Lyd 1,s , Extremos, extensively thru out my system,

Dac
Pre amp
Amp
Speakers
Speakers stands 

 with great results in soundstage, imaging, space and air. Honestly I haven't tried the StillPoints" a little too pricey for me .
tommylion
874 posts
 
Herbie's Audio Lab products are quite reasonably priced, and a great value for the money. They have substantially improved the sound of my system.

I have 4 Tenderfeet each under my CD Transport, DAC, Pre and Amp. I have Little Fat Gliders under the spikes on my Pangea Vulcan rack (great rack, great price). I replaced the spikes on my speaker stands with Threaded Stud Gliders. Finally, I isolate my speakers from the stands with Square Fat Dots.

If you have tubes in your system, I also use, and highly recommend, their Tube Dampers.
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
@btw22  and @goose Thanks for the additional info on Symposium's tungsten balls/bearings and their roller blocks. 

@bdp24  Thank you for bringing Ingress Engineering to my attention. And yes, less expensive! Always a good thing. 

@tecknic Great to hear that you have had very positive results with the Alto Extremo line of products. 

@tommylion I'm using Herbie's Tenderfeet under some of my secondary components. Have been a fan of Herbie's products for quite some time and have used his tube dampers as well. Currently, I have his Giant Threaded Stud Gliders for my primary speakers and the Giant Gliders under the platforms supporting the speakers (a doubled up solution) to very good effect.
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