Brass door knobs as footers

Oz - I used the cones under a Technics table not a speaker. But I do agree with your point. I cranked my cone tips totally down before installing. I'll check for loosening though I suspect this to be highly unlikely. $ for Loctite + 4 Parts Express is still way less than Heavy Footer $. Is the Mapleshade stuff probably higher quality/better made - yes. But the flip side to the econommic equation in my mind is, will I hear the $ differential? Answer for me is, I won't be A/B-ing and given my modest system - probably not. I'm actually surprised I think I hear a difference with the budget cones and plinth now.

Lucas - no argument with 3 is more stable than 4. I went with 4 because the Parts Express threaded studs match perfectly the thread gauge of the stock footer for the Technics table. I was fortunate and needed only a minor shim under the wood block to get things level.

Would have done only 3 had there been some way to go there. The bottom of the Technics table has a somewhat "irregular topology". Using the 4 corners was easy.

The Totem Forests I own have - as you recommend - a 3 legged "claw" configuration (I don't use the balls though that geometry resembles the round surface of a small door knob!).

I just installed a set of PartsExpress Dayton cones on my Technics SL12x0 turntable, replacing the stock feet. The cones sit on an Ikea butcher block cutting board, which sits on Vibrapods.

I was startled at how the cones dropped the noise floor. There's new space around each note, clearer starts and stops. I wasn't aware of the smear until the cones diminished it. It's something you almost feel more than hear. And what I feel is that my shoulders have dropped and relaxed more when I put on music.

The most important thing is it's noticeably improved my enjoyment of the music. I was enjoying it quite a lot before, but I'm enjoying it even more now. I guess those cones do a nice job of collecting the vibrations bouncing around in the rubber base and draining them to the cutting board. (Gee, should I use an over-the-sink cutting board with built-in strainer so it drains faster? :-) )

The Technics DD turntables are capable of great quiet along with the speed stability. It all comes down to vibration extraction from the base and isolation from the rack and room. There are two big KAB mods to further improve this that I haven't implemented yet: the outboard power supply and the fluid damper for the tonearm. Music is coming out of such a nice, dark background now that I suspect when I add these, the true quietness level will equal or exceed some much pricier turntables.

PS. Right now I am using the threaded points to help level the turntable and I'm still getting appreciable results. I suspect that if I level the rack shelf itself and use Loctite to tighten and crank down the cones, the vibration transfer will be even better.

Johnny - glad to hear PartsExpress cones worked for you. Here's to hi-value, budget options. Using a 2.25" Cuisnart chopping block that I bought at Lowes, myself. I really believe Mapleshade is onto something re vibration draining.

Vinyl playback is so good now, its amazing - even on non-audiophile, reissued LPs! - and I have not yet added fluid to the damper trough. An experiment to come, I suppose.

I have to admit I was always a little skeptical about the whole vinyl better than CD thing. This has certainly opened my eyes to vinyl's potential. Though I'm still not sure it's an absolute advantage. In my case it certainly reflects at least in part the ~$2000 invested in TT, Cart, phono-pre amp & inconnects vs the ~$500 invested in CDP + ICs.

The downside to this $ disparity is that it led me to spend more $ buying a DAC and tube buffer to try and get CD playback to be as rewarding as vinyl. The good news is, CDs are sounding way better now - though still not equal to vinyl. But now I also have the itch to upgrade the ICs in the CDP chain to the same level as the TT IC. (I hope this stops at some point!)

Apologies to this thread's originator for "hijacking" but hopefully some of this will be helpful to them as well.

Ghosthouse, what cartridge and headshell are you using?

Apologies to this thread's originator for "hijacking" but hopefully some of this will be helpful to them as well.

Well, since the Dayton brass cones from PartsExpress are cheaper than doorknobs, I think you did everyone a favor.