Best wood for an isolation platform

I use 3-inch custom-made maple platforms under my Audio Space tube monoblocks. I ordered them unfinished from Arcadia Audio at what I think was a very reasonable price, then finished them myself.

I set my amps on EdenSound BearPaw heavy brass cones, again a very reasonably-priced product. The cones alone improved mids and definition, but add the maple blocks and triple the effect. The image is very much better defined, timbres truer across the spectrum.

Listener57, this is my second set of monoblocks and second set of maple platforms. I haven't tried the edge grain vs end grain comparison but don't you have to have an end grain somewhere? My blocks are made of three pieces glued edge-on so that there is end grain at front and back. I like the look and think the sonics superior. Could there be room for improvement?

I've made my platforms from hard rock northern maple. Maple seems to be a default go-to wood because it does sound good, it's easily available in the quantities a manufacturer needs, it's environmentally responsible, and it's reasonably cheap. Is it the "best?" I'd like to experiment myself with other woods to find out. In particular, I'd like to get some Sitka spruce and make a platform. I know Altmann audio claims spruce has remarkably good qualities for supporting their Attraction dac circuits.

Tobias
I quoted four 24"x48"x3" maple shelves from Scott at Arcadia,and even though he gets his maple at competitive prices ,I thought it was expensive for my budget anyways.
I got some pine at 1" thick to use temporary.I am planning to buy 2"x6""96" solid maple planks and make my own maple blocks.It's not that hard,all you need is a mitre saw,biscuit jointer,palm sander,and perhaps a portable router.I enjoy DIY so I will get them done this spring.If you are in Toronto,a good place to buy maple is from Fairbank Lumber at Steeles West of Dufferin.
Edge grain can be done on four sides by orientating the maple the right way.
Best
George

Yioryos, thanks for the carpentry info. The maple is really worth doing IME. For platforms your size I would go the same route as you, I think. Mine are a lot smaller, at 12.5" x 17".

I'm glad to hear you are happy with the platforms! I've tried to keep the pricing of the platforms as fair as possible and still be competitive on pricing and quality with other major Maple products on the market.

In regards to pricing, I have a set per sq. ft. pricing policy so it doesn't matter how large or small a piece is, the price is proportional to the amount of Maple needed.

As for grain, in general my platforms up to 2" are flat grain (sometimes you can get as much as 2-1?4"), and beyond that it has to be edge grain. If you can hear the difference in sound between edge grain and flat grain....you have better ears than me:)

Scott