Preamp Deal of the Century

Theaudiotweak said he had no need for his 80 pound platform. He wouldn't take any money, but gave it to me. It was a very nice thing for him to do, but 1 man's trash is another man's treasure. I had 1 of Larry's smaller platforms and I am ecstatic about having a larger one. I'm not very technical but this thing works!! The music is smoother, richer, fuller with more low level detail and much less microphonic hash. My guess would be that what you really hear is the absence of that microphonics that makes everything better. When I got Tom's platform home, I noticed that the feet were recessed in to the platform. No suspension would account for much less improvement. The object of the game is to shunt the energy in to the platform and have it suspended on feet with a very small surface touching your shelf. Without that suspension I would guess you lose most of the benefits. I hope to fix the feet and invite theaudiotweak over to listen to the difference.

The world is full of isolation products. The Still Points do a great hjob and I'm sure others work well. My 30 pound platform is a big step up from the Still Points, and I can't wait to see how much the 80 pound platform makes when set up correctly. My experience has been that this thing makes everything better! I would strongly recommend trying to make one if possible. If not, I'm sure there are many other choices for isolation. I think the Still Points are good, and I'm looking forward to hearing theaudiotweaks device of choice.

Thanks to the tweak for the platform, and to lrsky for sharing a great design which can cure microphonic problems, and make your system sound much better for a small investment.

84audio I would be happy to hear your system and you, hear mine. 4 teflon feet compressed under 80lbs, plus the additional weight of the resting component provdes no exit of collected resonant energy. Trapped..Tom

I'm always open to new experiences. It's fun to hear new components and devices. I have tried a lot of tweaks over the last 15 years, and none have been more effective than the platform, but it needs to be set up correctly. The feet need to be engaged to provide suspension or you lose the benefits.

More misinformation, and why not, if you don't understand, just disagree.
Well, I said that I wouldn't respond because I wanted to break away, but the statements made are incorrect.
Whether this works or not, is not predicated on the fact that the energy has to "go somewhere" in the sense it is being portrayed here.
The mass of the platform, and its ability to absorb the energy is greater than the devices ability to produce energy or store (retain) energy, and whether or not the mechanical impedence is such that the Platform will accept this transfer. The energy transfered into this mass is converted into potential energy, and suspended in the floating 80# of goo (sorbothane), making it potential energy, as opposed to Kinetic, while taking it out, to some appreciable degree from the device paced on it. The reason the 80# device works better is that it is able to absorb more energy than the smaller one. The key is the mechanical impedence of the top of the platform, and its ability to accept this transfer. Soft, pliant, and massive. Energy will flow in the direction which has the least impedence (or most conducive impedence). Again, don't buy anything from me. Try it if you like.
A short and quick lesson, For this example, Two types of exchange can occur between the system and surroundings: (1) energy exchange (heat, work, friction, radiation, etc.) and (2) matter exchange (movement of molecules across the boundary of the system and surroundings).Two types of exchange can occur between the system and surroundings: (1) energy exchange (heat, work, friction, radiation, etc.) and (2) matter exchange (movement of molecules across the boundary of the system and surroundings). This makes a lot of sense when you consider that the universe is made up of matter and energy--of course they are also kind of the same thing (E = mc^2). Based on the types of exchange which take place or don't take place, we will define three types of systems:
This makes a lot of sense when you consider that the universe is made up of matter and energy--of course they are also kind of the same thing (E = mc^2). Based on the types of exchange which take place or don't take place. This last short inset was taken from text book writings, don't believe me. Just read about it.If you like, and this makes sense, try building the thing.
Please forgive the typos's and misspellings, this was done in a rush.
Good listening.
Larry

Hey, can anyone share a backside picture (big enough) of a SUPRATEK preamp (if possible with XLR outputs)? I need to know how Supratek inputs (RCA) and outputs (RCA + XLR) are organized. Where they stand and if they are placed right & left or up & down, etc. A drawing would be perfect also. Thanks!