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Ingress Audio Engineering

I recently discovered the benefits of isolation. Don't know how many of you are familiar with Barry Diament's  recommendations for his hip joints. The recommendation for the economical DIY set up worked well for my stereo; (lightly inflated bike innertubes, wooden egg holders supporting stainless steel balls).

http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/vibration.htm

A month ago I bought Isoacoustic Oreo's. 3 per component (weight appropriate) and was very impressed...at first. After several days of settling my music sounded dull and lifeless. I reread the optimal weight recommendations, re-calibrated weight limits with temporary improvements. To my disappointment I realized the Oreo's could only be compressed (especially after the suction seal was formed between them and the component or platform the component sat on). Sure they rocked in all directions, but they didn't glide in all directions. Only horizontal isolation was taking place so I coupled the Oreo's with Barry's economic hip joints which has greatly improved the SQ. I'm loving it but I still feel there's room for improvement. Mainly because I own the Hfiman HE-6SE HP's and I run them through my power amp's speaker taps. So I want Barry's upgraded hip joints under my amp. I'm interested in Ingress Audio's vibration isolation rollerblocks.

http://www.ingress-engineering.ca/products-and-services.php
I've looked up info about their level 2's and 3's but specifics on their differences aren't given. I know Barry says the blocks should be machined smooth to a certain degree. I left a message with Ingress, but I'm impatient and wondering if perhaps the level 2's aren't as smooth as the 3's. The smoother, the greater the improvements. My question is does anyone know the differences between their Level 2 and Level 3 rollerblocks?
mewsickbuff
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
My springs are more cost effective than the pods. Besides, I don’t advertise or recommend my springs for speakers, anyway, except medium-size speakers and subwoofers (low center of gravity). My springs are primarily for amps, turntables, CD players and subwoofers. I suspect most of the cost of the Townshend pods is the attached framework that allows the pods to be widely spaced underneath speakers with a high center of gravity,

Even when speakers ARE isolated, front end components are still subject to low frequency vibration from the floor. My springs allow someone to *cost effectively* isolate everything -except big tall heavy speakers. Actually, a large 2’x2’ maple board under the speakers will solve the problem using my springs for speakers with a high center of gravity. The 2’x2’ board allows a wide pattern for my springs, thus building up the lateral support needed for stability. Problem solved!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Uneven loads are handled by moving one or more spring slightly so the load is equally distributed among the springs. 
toetapaudio
474 posts
 
Geoff, thanks for info, do you recommend three or four springs?

Stacore maybe the current reference standard in isolation? What do you think? I know somebody that has a few of them in the U.K. Costly though. Aeris Cerat were using them at Munich this year. But I think Ingress/slate platform/spring would be much more cost effective at around £250 complete per set. Stacore £5k.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Re Stacore -- I'm not sure I see anything new or particularly innovative in their approach. The basic isolation is passive pneumatic which is well established and the top plate is slate -- which some like, others see as problematic. They've put it together in a nice and easy to use package but I'm disappointed by the lack of detailed measurements so we can see how they really compare with alternatives in the 1-10Hz range. If anyone has these can you post a link -- I couldn't find them on the Stacore site

If we really want to talk top end I'm a big fan and user of the Taiko Tana -- their modified Herzan. Here the top plate is Panzerholz which also has its detractors -- really there are no simple answers! 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It’s easier to get better “action” for the set-up with four springs, all things being equal. By “action” I mean how easy it is to put the top plate and component into smooth vertical up and down motion by bouncing the top plate manually. For moderately light components I would preload the springs with granite or bluestone. My Cryo Baby Prometheans are rated at around 40-50 lb for four springs. Add a spring for every ten pounds over 50 lb. My Super Stiff Springs are rated at around 80-120 lb for four springs.

My springs are designed to achieve better performance (circa 2-3 Hz) than almost any pneumatic device. And there is no leakage issue, no guessing at the air pressure, and no friction or damping issues, either, with my springs as there are with pneumatic designs. When you think about it it’s kind of a no brainer. 😳
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