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  3. 133056-76532

Mapleshade Isolation: Does Nothing?

Okay guys. I built a Mapleshade-style isolation platform out of a 3” thick maple butcher block and Mapleshade footers (also Isoblocks). This was originally to isolate a SET amp, but after moving to solid state amps and trying to get into vinyl, I used it to try mounting a MoFi StudioDeck, figuring this would benefit the most from the Mapleshade-style isolation system.

Turntable -> Mapleshade Heavyfooters (3, not threaded) -> Butcher Block -> Mapleshade Iso Blocks -> Pangea audio rack (spiked through carpet).

When using headphones and turning up the gain on my preamp, I can clearly hear the sound of lightly dragging a fingernail across the butcher block. I can also clearly hear it when going across the rack shelf the butcher block in sitting on. So, the vibration is being transmitted up through the Iso blocks, through the butcher block, up through the Heavyfooters, up through Derlin platter, and into the needle.

Placing the turntable directly on the butcher block using its built-in spring loaded feet, vibrations are still transmitted but are much attenuated. So, this experiment leads me to believe that the Mapleshade system does JACK ALL. Am I doing something wrong that could lead to this result? Am I misunderstanding something basic about how this system is supposed to work?
madavid0
1markr
594 posts
 
@bdp24  +1!

I use Ingress' roller bearings under my Omega monitors. They are the real deal, and Ingress is great to work with as well. Highly recommended!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,306 posts
 
Excellent 1markr! The original Ingress roller bearing (Level 1, I believe) equals the twice-as-expensive Symposium Rollerblock Jr., for less than a hundred bucks for a set of three. His only-slightly-more-expensive models are superior to the highest-priced Symposium's, and are machined to Barry Diament's specs.
knownothing
1,727 posts
 
After providing input on this thread and elsewhere based on experience with non Mapleshade solutions and “theory”, I just set up a full Mapleshade vibration control system ( brass footer, wood block, isoblocks) under my turntable replacing a DIY set up. It sounds way, way better. See more here: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mapleshade-tweaks

I have not found isolation/vibration control to be particularly helpful for solid state electronics, with the exception of a slight improvement for CDPs. I have had success with speakers, especially on wooden floors, and turntables are another story entirely, where getting vibration drained away from the tonearm and chassis quickly and efficiently seems to be particularly helpful.

The result of applying Mapleshade vibration control systems for my turntable  was exactly as advertised and better than I anticipated, especially their Triplepoint footers. YMMV.

kn

bsimpson
167 posts
 
Here’s my $0.02 from my use experience: Other than those ridiculous big and heavy brass footers, virtually all Mapleshade product I tried did nothing, as if my ears are soaked in snake oil for too long.

The brass footers did many things in my room. Left bad scratch marks on my equipment, scratched my racks, damaged my carpet, one of them landed on my foot (stitches @ ER, thank you for asking)

The saving grace was when I was using the impossibly heavy and stiff NBS cables. The brass footers helped to keep the equipment stationary.

If you ask about sound ... those heavy footers improved the imaging/focus of the speakers when they were put on top (not as footers) ... but that’s a real hazard. (see foot above)

The footers made some preamps sound much worst when they are put on top of the cover (see "keep the equipment stationary" comment above). I cannot explain it and didn’t remember which one (likely the BAT vk3i, the tube one? and VAC Standard SE I think). They made the sound dull. I cannot explain it nor care to find out.

I like roller balls way better. The improvement is considerable (then again, the hassle and high cost may not justify such). Nowadays I am using all Herbie.

Almost universally, my audiophile friends love their tables on the Mapleshade (platform, footers etc). So that’s that.

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
One of my family members had his dealer in his home to set up his new VPI turntable.First it was placed on a custom 3" thick maple board crafted by a local cabinet maker. Even with brass feet under both the board and table, vibration was evident and measurable.The dealer swapped in sorbathane feet and the vibration was almost completely eliminated.He's happy and not interested in further tweaking.That's what worked for him anyway:)
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