As An Experiment I Stuck A Few Things Under My Pre-Amp And Am Now On A Quest

Thanks for creating this thread. About a month ago, I bought some Equipment Vibration Protectors from RoomService (Norm). I have to say, these EVPs have lowered the noise floor and distortion of my system more than I ever imagined. I started with four under my JL Audio e110 sub and the difference was night and day. I’m getting more bass but at the same time cleaner/tighter bass. The EVPs have dramatically reduced room vibration. I no longer hear parts of the house vibrate when playing songs with heavy bass. The difference is truly night and day. Next I placed four under my Atoll 300 and the same thing, lowered the noise floor even more. Finally, I placed four under my Pontus II and three under my Hermes DDC. Before I placed the EVPs under my DAC/DDC I was getting occasional skips. With the EVPs, almost no skips at all (like one or two). My setup has never sounded better. I think they allow you to get the best out of each component or what each component should sound like once unwanted vibrations are eliminated. Best thing is, I can use them with any component I purchase in the future. I can add or takeaway blocks depending on the weight of the component. 

The EVPs takes mechanical energy and transforms it into thermal energy. The EVPs reduces vibration coming from a component or speaker and vibrations impacting a component due to the energy coming from another component or speaker. Norm tests the EVPs using a music box to  demonstrate how any surface can become a resonator (please use the below link to watch the demonstration). Test results show “to conservatively eliminate vibrations to and from equipment from 5 Hz. and above, by >90%.

Standard EVPs have a natural frequency of  3-4Hz. in the specified operating load range.” 

Before you buy any of the above mentioned products, I’d at least visit RoomServices website and read about their products. They are very affordable and Norm has a 30 money back guarantee for any reason. If they do not reduce vibration or improve sound quality, Norm will refund your money. What do you have to lose? Best of luck finding what works for your setup. Keep searching for the sound. 

RoomService

 https://avroomservice.com/evp-2/

First of all I do want to thank all those who have taken the time and effort to respond with their experiences and what pathways they have chosen. 

As we can see there is very little consensus on how to tackle this issue. There is a whole gamut of methods to choose from. 

Aside from one or two companies I haven't seen a lot of measurement behind the equipment. And I certainly apologize if I have missed some, I have spent time reading and looking, but I am sure there is bits and pieces of theory and design I have missed. 

What I find fascinating is how this whole issue came to light to start with. In the past the SS gear I have owned has never had sonic issues related to isolation, and when using isolation devices the results were inconclusive at best. So my interest in exploring them was quite minimal. 

The Classe Omega monoblock amps I use and the Trinov Amethyst never showed these issues when using a pair of JBL 4365 speakers. This only became an issue when I installed  a pair of Martin Logan CLX ART speakers. Now it could also be that the subwoofers ended up having increased output from 50 HZ with the JBL to 80 HZ with the CLX. But now this issue has been brought to the light of day. 

I ahve been busy on and off today, but I have had time to sit down and listen and the foam material below the preamp/DAC is consistent in its results, and its effects still follow the same pathway. I have removed them to verify its not my internal want for this result, But the effects are consistent and noticeable. 

These experiences does point me to the idea that squishy isolation is going to provide the results I need. The Townshend pods look like a viable choice. The EVP pads look intriguing, wish I could get a bit more information on them. A friend of mine swears by the Synergistic Research bullet thingies, and there is an isolation shelf on USAM I believe. But I have a hard time accepting the pathway they work, and that they are a reasonable solution for my issue. However he did bring a set of those bullets once, and they certainly had an audble effect, so I am not able to easily discount them. 

Oh as a side note I do use a get o IsoAcoustics Gaia I feet under the Martin Logan CLX ART speakers. The subwoofers do have a set of Auralex isolation bases under them. I remember when I first brought them home, I was dialing them in and had them turned up fairly strong. We have a tri-level house, and our bedroom is upstairs and on the the other end. My wife texts me "what are you doing? Whatever it is stop it you are making me queasy!" The isolation bases broke the coupling with the frame of the house, and she is happy now. 

Looking forward to whatever else you choose to share. 

Please don't end the quest without giving 

https://livevibeaudio.com/in-home-visit/

a fair chance.

Aka Star Sound Technologies. I have been using them for years under speakers and electronics. Truly opens the sound up.

Several good choices here, try several and see what YOU think!

I really like some chinese copies of Finite Elements "Ceraballs" (of course if you have the dollars you can buy the real thing) in combination with Ikea Aptitlig bamboo cutting boards

Critical Mass footers under my LUMIN T3 have really changed my view on isolation. They aren't cheap but work very very well.