Where to use Isolation devices

07-29-11: Theaudiotweak
John

You now need to ground/terminate the 30 lb. slab it has an even greater reserve to fill of unwanted resonance. It can sound even better yet. ...

I'm currently using the butcher block as an isolation platform. My turntable is a Technics SL1210 M5G. I replaced the stock feet with M6 threaded brass cones which have detachable points. When the points are removed the bottom of the cone presents a concave surface. I place the cone's concave surface on the steel ball of the Vibrapod Cone, which then rests on a Vibrapod Isolator. This assembly then rests on the 15"x20"x3.5" rock maple end grain butcher block, which is isolated from below by a pair of 3"x20" silicone gel wristpads designed for computer keyboards. This assembly rests on the top shelf of my rather budget but rigid equipment rack. I isolated the butcher block from below as well because the turntable's pickup could send finger taps on the shelf out to the speakers. This is much reduced now.

You can see the whole assembly here.

You could experiment with something different under your maple platform, I mean cones or perhaps Mapleshade isoblocks. I certainly would.

07-31-11: Inna
You could experiment with something different under your maple platform, I mean cones or perhaps Mapleshade isoblocks. I certainly would.

Well, I do have a drawer full of Vibrapod Isolators I could try in lieu of the silicone gel pads. Looking at those two options from an isolation standpoint, the gel pads look like they have far more damping mass to absorb vibrations, though.

I first picked up the gel pad tip from a DJ who used them under his Technics SL1200s in dance clubs. He said it made a huge difference in how far he could turn up the volume (and bass) without getting feedback. They're very effective at that.

This cannot be answered definitively. Sometimes the Cardas blox or Racing Cones may be better than the other, but sometimes not. Each will change the sound somewhat, and you must determine which you like better. I had the Cardas blox under my preamp, I switched power cords, and they didn't work well for that configurtion. I got my preamp updated and the Cardas blox went back into their position under the preamp again. There are many of these kinds of devices..each has their place..could be in a drawer. You must listen and decide for yourself.

John

I use the resonance grounding method. You could describe it as a grounding rod or lightening rod. Vibration itself can be given direction with the use of similar hard materials all reactive by nature. These reactive materials also need proper geometry to help in the collection and re focusing of this collected energy. As in a relay race the pass of the baton is the the critical factor in maintaining the timing and the speed. All has to be similar and coherent, the less touches there are by different materials the better and more real is the result. Your thirty pound butcher block base is large in capacity and is similar to a tub or a sink with much water or energy quickly filling it from the top but it's drain is restricted on the bottom from the use of very slow materials, its nearly clogged in effect. I would use cones made of brass, materials of music they are. Even if you had 10 different brass cones from 5 different vendors they would all sound different based on mass and geometry. The cones also need to be terminated in kind and with like materials. These methods when activated throughout your system will make it come alive. All this works for me. Tom