Dared SL2000a - meets Pangea Pico Sorbothane Feet

heiney9

The Dared SL2000a has always had a disappointing set up for vibration/stability control. Basically 4 pointed nipples at the 4 corners molded into the bottom metal plate. To keep from scratching the gear it sit on (Adcom GFP-750) I put sticky felt discs on the nipples. Hardly a good way to ensure stability or vibration control. I have been on the look out for some economical alternatives that I feel would be beneficial in both looks and performance.

Enter Pangea Pico Sorbothane Feet. They are the smaller of the two sizes Pangea offers. The other being the Mega Feet more suited for amplifiers, receivers, power conditioners and other heavier gear. Audio Advisor sells these but also charges for shipping. I was able to get them on Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) and take advantage of free super saver shipping which any order over $25 qualifies for. These being $29.95/set of 4 meant no shipping. AA wanted just shy of $10 to ship.

http://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Pico-Small-Sorbothane/dp/B00609ZH12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360717500&sr=8-1&keywords=pangea+pico







Now the question is to use 3 or 4? The front two will cover up part of the manufacturer tag/label. If I use 1 up front (where it's the lightest) I can avoid covering up the label. I can't place these on top of the nipple feet where the green felt discs already are. They won't stick properly, nor with they make good contact.




What do you think? They have adhesive on them so I'm sure removal won't be good.

I will be reviewing these as well in this thread.

H9

heiney9

My other thought is to use an exacto knife and cut a small slit in the center of each foot to accommodate the "nipple" of each of the 4 feet already built into the bottom panel. This way the Sorbothane feet will fit flush over the existing feet.

Thoughts???

H9

drselect

Three: its more geometric that way.

Conradicles

Three is the magic number.

heiney9

I tried 3 and it just wasn;t stable enough. So I went with 4, one at each corner. Looks funny since the Dared sits up so high. I'm sure once I get used to the look it will be fine. Probably won't give it a good listen until the weekend.

H9

Dawgfish

I have been eyeing these. I use sorbothane domes on all of my equipment with very good results. I would stay with the four and try cutting away the material to fit the stock feet like you mentioned, or remove the stock feet all together and place the pico feet where the stock feet are. One other thought is the Dared is light enough were you could easily get by using the smaller sorbothane domes that you could place by the stock feet and they would not cover up any of the labels or vents. You could use the Pico feet on another componnent.

I think you will like the positive effects of the sorbothane. It does a good job of isolating vibration without breaking the bank. The biggest improvement I've heard with using the sorbothane is more stable imaging. Bass seems to be tighter and more coherent also. It will be interesting to hear what you think.

pearsall001

heiney9 wrote: »

I tried 3 and it just wasn;t stable enough. So I went with 4, one at each corner. Looks funny since the Dared sits up so high. I'm sure once I get used to the look it will be fine. Probably won't give it a good listen until the weekend.

H9

Hey Brock, shoot me a PM with your addy & I'll send you 4 of these guys. I've used them throughout my system with fantastic results. Stephen sells a boat load of them to audio clubs all over the world. They have been recommended by numerous audio publications for years.
http://www.questforsound.com/accessories/acc_sqIsolPads.htm

pitdogg2

I have used Audioquest's Sorbothane big feet for yrs with EXCELLENT results. I bought mine from HCM back when AQ would let them sell them in bulk for 50.00 a set of 4. It was cheaper than AQ's 25$ a piece. I have been watching these Pangea feet for some time. If it were me Brock I just set them down large end first with small end towards the pre and just set the original feet on top that is the way i have used the AQ's forever. I have never had any problems with any vibrations at all. I could body slam someone right next to my CD player and it will not skip. Let me know how these work out.
thanks Ivan

heiney9

Here they are all installed and in use.





H9

george daniel

nice-- which rectifier is that-- I lost mine(one side) today. Put in an old 5y3--surprised me.

Nevermind-- i had the same one.

heiney9

Really, I am surprised since they are supposed to built like brick $h*t houses. You going to get another one?

Here's someone right in your backyard selling a pair.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BRITISH-MADE-5Z4G-VACUUM-TUBES-ST-TESTED-120-121-/121064591843?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item1c300311e3

H9

BlueFox

heiney9 wrote: »

Here they are all installed and in use.

What is the verdict? Did they improve the sound? No difference?

Never mind, I just saw the last sentence where you said you would listen over the weekend.

george daniel

thanks Brocko-- I rolled some Mullard CV 4004's IIRC and I really like the sound.Nice smooth ,,,a tad laid back--just perfect for my tastes.

heiney9

BlueFox wrote: »

What is the verdict? Did they improve the sound? No difference?

Never mind, I just saw the last sentence where you said you would listen over the weekend.

Just fired her up today and didn't do a lot of critical listening. But anything is certainly better than the stock set-up. Tomorrow I'll roll in some long plate tubes (my favorites) and they can tend to be slightly microphonic. I am hoping this eliminates most of it. I use tube dampers too, but I'll try without dampers.

george daniel wrote: »

thanks Brocko-- I rolled some Mullard CV 4004's IIRC and I really like the sound.Nice smooth ,,,a tad laid back--just perfect for my tastes.

I have a couple pair of 1958 long arm D getter Mullards made in Mitcham, which are very nice! Indeed!

H9

george daniel

I heard that-- the longplates that I've used were outstanding,,, but they do go micro(at least for me too) I looked--I have the CV-4024's in now,,and I foiund my other Brimar rectifier,, so I'll pop it in tomorrow

heiney9

First off no matter what you think about these types of tweaks improving sound, this was a win/win since the stock solution leaves a lot to be desired. In my case these feet have greatly enhanced vibration damping as well as stability. I can put in tubes that do have a tendency to be ever so slightly microphonic. I can control the free air microphonics with tube dampers but still any touching of the cabinet or the gear the Dared sits on as well as the Dared itself could create microphonics. This was dramatically reduced now that I have the Pangea Pico Sorbothane feet installed. In fact, I could bang on the cabinet as well as top the Adcom GFP-750 it sit on top of with no microphonic ringing occurring. Still tapping the Dared chassis created some ringing, but less than before.

As far as improved sound? It seems bass is a tad tighter and perhaps the SDA soundstage left and right has slightly expanded. The jury is still out as I'll need more evaluation time. No matter though, as reducing vibration, increasing stability will always lead to some type of improvement.

I can recommend these without hesitation, especially since they cost so little.

H9

CSM41

I use these little Sorbothane hemispheres on mine and they seem to do about the same thing (You can't really seem them in this pic under the SL2000a). I have considered building a custom base for my little Dared to match the base on my single ended Tube amp. Maybe add spikes or use the same feet you used on yours.