Wood blocks underneath components?? snake oil?

oddly enough I just picked up my Ayre C5XE from Ayre Acoustics in Boulder after a small repair. The gentleman there asked if I had ever tried the myrtle wood blocks and gave me three to try. Why not,Right? I still have my minds jury deliberating, but my first impression was more Bass. So I will keep experimenting and determine if there is an improvement. The whole isolation from vibration makes sense, it just comes down to which is best. I have freind that swears by Black Diamond. I have used AQ Sorbethane feet for years under my TT and DVD-recorder. So why not a natural substance like wood? Hmm, maybe Aloe Stalk.....

I use a combination of cocobolo, zebrawood, and mahagony blocks from an old Van Evers kit and I get great results. I used a lot of other types of feet and some work better than others in specific applications. But my favorite footers are the wood blocks and I can't imagine not taking advantage of the improvements in bass, immediacy, and focus they typically provide.

I think Sorbothane is my least favorite type of material as it tends to soften the sound and compress dynamics. BDR cones have also worked well for me in certain applications (mostly the number 4 cones).

One thing that Mike Van Evers mentioned in the aforementioned Stereo Times article is that you can use only one foot to prop up the front or rear of a given component. This will yield a high percentage of the improvement that a tripod arrangement of the same feet would make. At least that's what I've observed. A lot of my components rest on their rear feet and a single block in the front. I usually try the block in the front and then the rear of a given component to determine where it's more effective.

Not snake oil.

There are three materials people use: woods, stones and synthetics. What I have learned is that I like wood - mostly myrtle but lets not overlook ebony and maple. I find that metal cones, blocks etc that sound gawd awful when placed on stone (so component, device, base) sound just dandy when placed on wood platforms.

The most cost effective tweak I use are a set of three myrtle wood blocks between an amp and my rack shelf which is basically some kind of stone.

Stone in my (limited) experience is a fine damper - great for mass loading from the top.

Synthetics are all over the place - there are so many kinds. Generally whether they be Polys, Vibrapods, or Isonodes they work to either stone or wood though IMHO they sound better touching wood.

YMMV

Ummm, wood resonates, right? Isn't that why they use the stuff for oboes, violins, guitars, mandolins, drum shells, etc? If your equipment is resonating that badly, wouldn't a purpose built dampening material be much more effective?

Hmmmmm, wood resonates but everything resonates at some frequency.

Do a little searching and you will see that this topic (drain it? damp it?) has been debated endlessly.