Footer Fact Findings-
So, what did I find by replacing the amp's stocking feet with Spikes and VIABLUE Tri-Absorbers? And even going so far as to have the little one lying on its belly sans footers?? Absolutely nothing...
Next!
C'mon people, stay with me! I found ALL kinds of stuff!!! Let's get to the dirt, shall we? Everything... and I do mean "Everything" matters! I set out with a simple mission - throw spikes under the amp and hear what it sounds like. That was the easy part.
In fact, changing the footers out for spikes was done with the speed of a NASCAR Pit Crew... fast! But, upon playback, I quickly realized the amount of variables and potential outcomes was staggering.
I could reach page 100 in this thread solely discussing resonant properties of gear, materials, isolation and other variables presented while leaving something behind on the table.
But it's not that serious or I won't let it at 0200 hours on a fine Sunday morning. I'll merely highlight a few different configs and will even give my recommendation first instead of last. And that's play with your system - audio can be BIG fun! But I won't recommend this footer over that spike and so on because everyone and every system has a different reality. What plays well pre or post upgrade in your system may not stay that way. And then blame Silent One?!
Uh-oh! We're trying to share info not shove info...
Background info on the system: 2010 Mac mini - Internal Solid State Drive
; 8GB RAM; Amarra (Full) in Playlist mode... wait, read the Profile! On with the show. Observations:
During testing, I found myself short of Tri-Absorbers. This is because the Mac sits on "Tri's" as well as the DAC. So, when I sought findings for the "Tri's" underneath the amp, this left the Mac with no vibration isolation feet. I placed the spikes under the Mac but the results were not fully realized. This is because vibrations are draining down onto the desk which itself is not isolated and made from cheap/poor material. And subject to ground vibrations. But this arrangement shows promise for Tri-Absorbers under both the amp and Mac. Or another Maple block for the Mac to drain its vibrations.
OTL amp Mac mini
Stock footers Tri-Absorbers > Most detailed; air; decay; clarity. Smaller more intimate sound stage. Slightly darker presentation but good.
Spikes Tri-Absorbers > Bigger-Wider-Deeper, like having new headphone! Emphasized Mids; Great balance; Speaker-like; Slightly veiled; Slightly sibilant.
Spikes/Discs Tri-Absorbers > Same as above except discs under the pointed tips reigned in sound stage slightly.
Tri-Absorbers Spikes > This returned similar presentation as the top but slightly larger sound stage and more open Mids; less dark.
Summary:
The Spikes underneath the amp yielded the biggest surprise... who knew?! What I learned from this exercise is that it is one of "tuning." I can take each of the results above and use them as a starting point and fine-tune my system's signature. I also learned that different spikes, different size and material of spikes will all return a different presentation. I'm currently using a 2" thick block of Maple. Switching to 4" will change things up too.
Rather than go out and spend myself silly, I'm interested in finding out what I have - what are the resonant properties of the gear already here before spending money on other tweaks. System assessments can prove valuable. After all, how do you know how much seasoning your system needs if any, unless you taste taste taste!
I left a lot on the table regarding this subject. But that's the beauty of discussions, where you'll have a chance to hold my own feet (footers?) to the fire!
