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Best Footers for DAC?

In January, I plan to acquire my first standalone DAC and am wondering what to try for footers. I currently have original Stillpoints cones under the CDP which will act as transport and a Symposium shelf under my integrated. 
These work well.

In the past, I've tried and been disappointed by Stillpoints Ultra SS and Ultra Minis, brass footers, Cardas myrtle blocks and Vibropods. Are there any products that work particularly well under DACs ? ? ? ? 

I have yet to decide whether DAC will sit atop transport or on its own shelf, so I'd appreciate suggestions for both scenarios, please. 
stuartk
pc997
50 posts
 
I don't understand!
Aren't DACs fully solid state components with no moving parts? Why bother with isolation?  Are there any scientific reason behind the need for this?
curious...
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,486 posts
 
stuartk,

I really like the Stillpoints Ultra SS under my PS Direct Stream Dac. It is rare to find them used at a good price. So people must like them and keep them. Perhaps it was the equipment that you used them with. Make sure the cones are facing up and are not screwed too tight.

ozzy
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

"Are there any scientific reason behind the need for this?"

I have the same question. I get the RFI, EMI, etc., isolation but vibration control, especially for components with no built in large transformers makes little sense to me.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Hey, let’s ask NASA. 🚀
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
scientific (mechanistic) reasons behind use of these for a DAC could include tribo-electric effects, or piezo-electric effects on any internal crystals in the DAC

Google will be helpful - both are known mechanism, tho the magnitude of such effects remain to be demonstrated as affecting SQ

I suggested the dollhouse items as they cost me $6 -so worth a test.

Confirmation bias needs to be excluded from your listening tests, so have a friend switch from the ball bearing setup and screen off the DAC so you can't see.  Do it 10 times and see how many times you get it right.   Do it 20 times and then do a simple t-test on the results.

BTW, an exasperated wife or gf would LOVE to help with this experiment esp. if there is a chance of proving that your incessant fiddling with the HiFi system is worthless.



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