Stiltskin,
The SRA iso bases are not cheap. $600 for each base for the Cortese. The improvement in sound that I heard was greater than any NOS tubes I have used and I don't have to worry about the iso bases becoming microphonic or going bad. Between Tung Sol round plates and 350B's you could easily spend as much as the iso bases cost. Keep in mind that the base I am experimenting with is not even made for the Cortese! Kevin custom builds each base for the piece of equipment it will be used with. He has a huge data base which tells him the dimensions, weight , and distribution of weight for components.
On music that was not dynamic, the iso base did not exaggerate, but it made the music very fluid. The music flowed and was very relaxing. I could have listened all night with no fatigue. On music that was dynamic, the "slam" factor was staggering! Notes seemed to trail off forever. Attack and decay of notes was more noticeable. I could play music at higher listening levels, and yet the sound never got hard. I guess this was because the iso base was doing a better job of isolating the tubes for vibration. Also keep in mind that my equipment rack sets on a concrete slab floor covered with wall to wall carpet. I would have thought that alone would have aided in isolating vibration. I would think the effects would be even greater on a suspended floor.
The SRA iso bases are not cheap. $600 for each base for the Cortese. The improvement in sound that I heard was greater than any NOS tubes I have used and I don't have to worry about the iso bases becoming microphonic or going bad. Between Tung Sol round plates and 350B's you could easily spend as much as the iso bases cost. Keep in mind that the base I am experimenting with is not even made for the Cortese! Kevin custom builds each base for the piece of equipment it will be used with. He has a huge data base which tells him the dimensions, weight , and distribution of weight for components.
On music that was not dynamic, the iso base did not exaggerate, but it made the music very fluid. The music flowed and was very relaxing. I could have listened all night with no fatigue. On music that was dynamic, the "slam" factor was staggering! Notes seemed to trail off forever. Attack and decay of notes was more noticeable. I could play music at higher listening levels, and yet the sound never got hard. I guess this was because the iso base was doing a better job of isolating the tubes for vibration. Also keep in mind that my equipment rack sets on a concrete slab floor covered with wall to wall carpet. I would have thought that alone would have aided in isolating vibration. I would think the effects would be even greater on a suspended floor.