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MNPCTech footers?

Any forum members have experience/opinions on the sound quality impact of turntable footers made by a Minnesota company called, "MNPCTech"? I saw a cursory (favorable) mention of them in an older Michael Fremer column. I'm asking because I ordered a set for my VPI HW-19 turntable (to replace the first-generation TipToes secured and further isolated with Blue Tac putty) and received them recently. They appear very well made but I haven't formed an opinion on their sonic impact as yet, mostly due to the fact that I replaced my speaker cables (Kimber) and speakers (Vandersteen 2C with Magnepan LRS) and the new equipment isn't yet broken-in. Thoughts and perspectives welcomed, please!
Keith
kacomess
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 

Keith, the GAIA are indeed listed on Amazon for $189, and B&M stores are selling them for $199. They were developed to be used as feet for loudspeakers, in place of the stock feet (if any) or spikes. But they are also appropriate for turntable, including your HW-19. The GAIA III can be used in place of the stock VPI rubber feet that came on the tables base, in place of the suspension springs inside the base of the table, or both.

You can read the review of the GAIA (and some other IsoAcoustics feet) in the June Stereophile by Art Dudley for any other clarification you need, or read about them on the IsoAcoustics website.

kacomess OP
199 posts
 
bdp24:
Many sincere thanks for that information! Maybe an optimal combination (especially since I've already purchased and installed the MNPCTech feet on the 4 corners of the turntable chassis) is to buy a set of the GAIA speaker feet and use them in place of the suspension springs inside the base. I'll look for Art Dudley's article and - if the instructions are absolutely idiot-proof (as applies to me!) - I'll give them a try!
Thanks again,Keith
kacomess OP
199 posts
 
bdp24:
Just a moment ago, I also found an entire thread on the VPI Forum on this topic. Here is a sample posting:
Re: IsoAcoustics Gaia III feet on my VPI HW19JR

by Glotz » Sat Jul 27, 2019 1:27 pm

Update-

IsoAcoustics is now making the 10-32 threaded inserts for the GAIA 3. Contacting IsoAcoustics directly is the only way to get quick, professional and comprehensive customer service. Sean at IsoAcoustics is very helpful, considerate and totally dedicated to helping customers!

Use the contact page, despite how retailers or others may direct customers to the distributor. (I have Sean's contact info if any are having issues.) They are currently making stock of the 10-32 locking threads for use with the HW-19 and will ship in the coming month or so.

The Herbie's Audio Lab suspension kit (XFirm, Regular height Tenderfeet with HE Booster Base- 38mm /1.5 inches total internal height as a replacement for VPI Isolators / sprung suspension ) should be here shortly.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 

All great information. Overlooked however are the Townshend Audio Seismic products, imo the best "reasonably" priced (less than the cost of the Herzan and Minus-K platforms) isolation devices. The line includes individual Pods, Platforms (which incorporate the Pod), Podiums (likewise), and Speaker Bars. Well known in the UK, not so much in the U.S. (Townshend Audio products are distributed in the U.S.A. by Dan Meinwald of EAR-U.S.A., which may explain why they remain largely unknown here ;-) .

By the way Keith, I am a participant in the VPI Forum thread you provided a link to.

kacomess OP
199 posts
 
Thanks!
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