Isolators

[Jose Garcia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I got the Sound Quest Isolation Feet from TTVJ and I am very happy.

My Rubber-Cork-Rubber pads are like those but 18"x18"x1" and cost me $27.00. I can cut 81 pieces that size ( $0.30/pu).

Mine are from Divergitech but there are many companies producing this kind of stuff...

http://www.grindbeckcork.com/anti.htm
http://alamohose.stores.yahoo.net/anpad1.html

Their main purpose is to be used as an anti-vibration support for heavy industrial motors, generators, etc...

Someone made them "audiophile compatible" ...

Jose.

 

[slwiser]

Thanks for a good post for the community.

This is a little late for me though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Garcia My Rubber-Cork-Rubber pads are like those but 18"x18"x1" and cost me $27.00. I can cut 81 pieces that size ( $0.30/pu). Mine are from Divergitech but there are many companies producing this kind of stuff... http://www.grindbeckcork.com/anti.htm http://alamohose.stores.yahoo.net/anpad1.html Their main purpose is to be used as an anti-vibration support for heavy industrial motors, generators, etc... Someone made them "audiophile compatible" ... Jose.

 

[felixkrull6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Garcia My Rubber-Cork-Rubber pads are like those but 18"x18"x1" and cost me $27.00. I can cut 81 pieces that size ( $0.30/pu). Mine are from Divergitech but there are many companies producing this kind of stuff... http://www.grindbeckcork.com/anti.htm http://alamohose.stores.yahoo.net/anpad1.html Their main purpose is to be used as an anti-vibration support for heavy industrial motors, generators, etc... Someone made them "audiophile compatible" ... Jose.

That really is a nice contribution to the community. I'm definitely going to buy some just to try them out. Thanks again.

 

[yotacowboy]

another good (super-soft) foot on the cheap come from here:

www.mcmaster.com

PN's:

8215K3 (2" dia)

8215K2 (1.25" dia)

8215K1 (.75" dia)

These are essentially identical to the IsoNode feet.

or go to catalog page 3528 and browse.

I use the 2" diameter under my MMF CD-25, and the 1.25" under my Woo3.

Edit: another PN:

60525K13 (these are the blue feet i've seen around, can't remember who sells them, tho)

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I got the Sound Quest Isolation Feet from TTVJ and I am very happy.

Stupid question, but do you have to use these with spikes?

 

[felixkrull6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yotacowboy another good (super-soft) foot on the cheap come from here: www.mcmaster.com PN's: 8215K3 (2" dia) 8215K2 (1.25" dia) 8215K1 (.75" dia) These are essentially identical to the IsoNode feet. or go to catalog page 3528 and browse. I use the 2" diameter under my MMF CD-25, and the 1.25" under my Woo3. Edit: another PN: 60525K13 (these are the blue feet i've seen around, can't remember who sells them, tho)

This is why I should never read head-fi.

Good site and I'm actually buying some of the other stuff on their site. Thanks.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder Stupid question, but do you have to use these with spikes?

Since one uses spikes to couple components to their base instead of isolating them from it, that should be rather pointless. Just use isolation devices under the regular footers, or take those off and use them directly under the component. Only reason I don't do it with my DAC is that AQVOX uses a screw I have no matching driver for

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Since one uses spikes to couple components to their base instead of isolating them from it, that should be rather pointless. Just use isolation devices under the regular footers, or take those off and use them directly under the component. Only reason I don't do it with my DAC is that AQVOX uses a screw I have no matching driver for

What do you mean by "couple components to their base"? I thought both spikes and these isolators isolated the compoenents from vibrations. Would I still need a proper base to put my components on eg. granite slab or a rack?

 

[yotacowboy]

the subject of vibration control is fairly well documented here and on other sites.

the cliff notes go something like this:

Limiting vibration may help your audio system sound better. Some vibrations are from internal sources, some are from external sources.

examples of internal vibrations: motor in a TT, motor/transport of a CDP. they all jiggle a little tiny bit... the more they jiggle, the worse things may sound.

external vibrations are primarily air-borne, they come from the music that is being reproduced by your speakers or other things like foot falls while you walk around your house.

there are several ways to try and keep things from vibrating. you can try to isolate something using soft feet or place them on vibration damping substances or stands. or you can try to mass load a peice of equipment. rigidly coupling a CDP or TT to a 300 lb stand lowers the resonant frequency of that system, which may reduce vibration, which may in turn make things sound better.

Cones & spikes = rigid mass coupling

squishy feet or pads = vibration isolation

as always, there are audiophiles on either side of the debate... some say it helps, some say its snake oil.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder What do you mean by "couple components to their base"? I thought both spikes and these isolators isolated the compoenents from vibrations. Would I still need a proper base to put my components on eg. granite slab or a rack?

Isolators isolate from a base (reducing contact)
Spikes couple to a base (making better contact)

A proper base is always a good thing, yet you employ isolators in order to minimize your dependency on it.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yotacowboy Cones & spikes = rigid mass coupling squishy feet or pads = vibration isolation as always, there are audiophiles on either side of the debate... some say it helps, some say its snake oil.

I say it is worth a try if the price is right, and getting good value for money seems to become the theme of this thread

Also, you may use both methods at the same time in your system, depending on components. I would never isolate my speakers for example, but use spikes for them.

 

[yotacowboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver I say it is worth a try if the price is right, and getting good value for money seems to become the theme of this thread Also, you may use both methods at the same time in your system, depending on components. I would never isolate my speakers for example, but use spikes for them.

correct! typically the way most approach vibration control is in two ways:

I'll use a CDP as an example...

First, rigidly couple the CDP (with spikes) to something heavy and acoustically inert, like a 50 pound slab marble or granite. Then try and decouple the granite from the room its in by placing it on a stand or rack that doesn't transfer any vibration energy to the granite.

but, for the newbie on a budget:

first, dampen the case of the component using rope caulk or damping sheets/dynamat, or (ghetto-fab) vinyl adhesive backed tiles from home depot. in essence you are mass loading the case and components inside the CDP. Then add some squishy feet to lessen the chance of any vibration energy getting to the CDP from whatever it's sitting on. using the above link to mcmaster and a quick trip to home depot, you'll be out less than $30 and at least can see if it works or not.

 

[milkpowder]

Thanks a lot for all your help. I really needed that because my parents just bought a new stereo system (in my sig), but because they left it up to me to choose the components, I'm also in-charge of choosing the essential accessories. I guess I'll give these isolators a go.

So this is what I'm going to do:

Buy marble slab. Put marble slab on spikes. Place components on isolators, then on to marble slab. Does that make sense? Or is it Put components on spikes on marble slab and then marble slab on isolators on floor.

I have a strong feeling that the 1st option is right and the second is wrong!

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yotacowboy correct! typically the way most approach vibration control is in two ways: I'll use a CDP as an example... First, rigidly couple the CDP (with spikes) to something heavy and acoustically inert, like a 50 pound slab marble or granite. Then try and decouple the granite from the room its in by placing it on a stand or rack that doesn't transfer any vibration energy to the granite. but, for the newbie on a budget: first, dampen the case of the component using rope caulk or damping sheets/dynamat, or (ghetto-fab) vinyl adhesive backed tiles from home depot. in essence you are mass loading the case and components inside the CDP. Then add some squishy feet to lessen the chance of any vibration energy getting to the CDP from whatever it's sitting on. using the above link to mcmaster and a quick trip to home depot, you'll be out less than $30 and at least can see if it works or not.

Thanks. Your 1st option sounds the best. Do you put the marble slab directly onto the rack?

 

[yotacowboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder Thanks. Your 1st option sounds the best. Do you put the marble slab directly onto the rack?

depends, you'll have to experiment a little to get the sound you want.