Silent Running Audio vs Minus-K under tube amps

Here's something that might interest you;

With a turn table on top of a SR Ohio base placed on a audio stand, while the needle is on the record; taping the actual stands pillars and other parts or the actual platform could hear the noise clearly threw the speakers.

Using a Symposium Ultra platform did th same thing and could still hear it clearly but more of a thud sound.

Using the Minus K, absolutely nothing ZERO!

That was very interesting indeed.

Sweet.

Hi Atmasphere, I would also think that this would greatly benifit any tube gear placed on top also, I was pleasantly surprised with my findings.

Your thoughts in relation to this.

I guess my worry with placing amps on complete isolation stands is the thought that very few amps are "voiced" on isolation stands. It seems that amp designers will create a amp and then "tweak" the circuit/materials with listening tests to get the final design. It would not be surprising if Lamm uses SRA bases for his final testing of his amps (though I have read that he designs amps by theory and less by listening) and therefore would know that optimal performance of the amp can be reached using a specific base.

Some folks on Audiogon have commented on other threads that they prefer certain passive stands over active isolation stands for amps (the sound can be less 'lively' with active isolation). Perhaps whatever vibrations (or micro-vibrations) that are getting into the amps are "helping" the overall sound of the amp.

I replicated Dev's "tapping" experiment with my turntable and Minus-K platform. I have the same results as Dev

The Minus-K is an amazing piece of equipment. Turntables clearly benefit from isolation (perhaps almost complete isolation). I would love to be able to "audition" a Minus-K under each tube amp prior to purchase.....but that can't happen

It is impossible to mechanically over-damp audio equipment (I am not talking about electrical damping).

If you are of the opinion that this is not the case, then its likely that you are used to dealing with synergistic effects which is usually not a good way to set up a system.

Now it is possible to put so much damping product on a tube that you can damage the tube by overheating it, but this is an issue of heat rather than damping.

Let's say you are compensating for a brightness by using dull equipment elsewhere. The result may be an even tonality, but one that is lacking transparency and detail. You are much better off if the equipment stands on its own merits and lacks coloration on its own.

This is why a good stand for amplifiers or for the front end of the system is a good idea- the less vibration you have, the greater the ease that the gear can realize its musical potential.