Taming vibration and audiophile products

muncybob

After doing a little poking around on the internet regarding vibration isolation products I came across these pads:http://www.supplyhouse.com/DiversiTech-MP-2E-EVA-Anti-Vibration-Pad-2-x-2-x-7-8

I had read somewhere(maybe another forum...I don't really recall) that people had used these in their audio system and thought they were just as good as the much more expensive products sold by the usual audio dealers. So I decided to order some and after painting the sides black to eliminate the blue band I placed them under my cd player, preamp and turntable. I'm not sure that I hear any difference but this may be due to my less than golden ears and also knowing that I don't have the most revealing system. Has anybody tried these and compared them to the big name products? It would be interesting to have some folk try these out that currently use the "audiophile" products and give an opinion. So, if you feel your rig has benefited from isolation products and would like to give these a test drive I have 8 unpainted 2X2 pads I'm willing to send you for your opinion. Keep them for a few weeks if need be and then pass them on to the next person expressing interest(if indeed there is any!). If anybody finds they are worthwhile and does order some I could use these back. The same would apply if you find these useless...I'll reimburse you for the postage.

[Deleted User]

That is a great gesture man. Good for you for the offer. But I have to ask. Would other opinions change your own experiences? Or validations?

Have fun!

Halen

muncybob

Good question. I have not really had much time to evaluate these and at this point not sure if they have helped or not. What I would really like to determine is if they are just a good as the audiophile products out there, but then again maybe somebody who has spent $$$ on said products don't want to know?

My current investment is small at this point, if somebody tries these out and says they make no difference but XYZ product that they have has made a considerable difference, then I guess I'll be looking at replacing them.

[Deleted User]

I personally have not tried any isolation products. Cables, CD, TT, etc. so I could not comment. What I do know is people don't understand how noisy the sound is until it is reduced or no longer there.

Audiophile? I have never subscribed to that. We have to take cost of production into account. All because something was sold for let's say 10 g's here doesn't mean the same quality could not be had for $400 in other countries. That is a fact.

So I ask, what is audiophile?

BlueFox

I put Mapleshade Micropoints under all my electronics, except for the too heavy amps. They remove a haze, or muddiness, from the music, and the price is 'relatively' inexpensive.



http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Micropoint-Heavyfoot-set-of-three/productinfo/MPHFSET/

headrott

I highly recommend these:

http://marigoaudio.com/isolation-feet/mystery-feet/

They are expensive (I bought mine used for cheaper), but they work much better than any other product I have used. I have used Vibrapods/cones, Black Diamond cones, and Herbie's Audio Labs "Tenderfeet". None can compete with the Marigo Audio Labs feet, IMO.

ptrooper

@headrott Have you tried any sorbothane
products under equipment?

headrott

@ptrooper, I haven't tried any sorbothane products yet.

I have considered trying the Pangea Audio sorbothane isolation feet, but have yet to put out the money to purchase them. When I have nothing else to spend money on, I will do it.

Nightfall

headrott wrote: »

@ptrooper, I haven't tried any sorbothane products yet.

I have considered trying the Pangea Audio sorbothane isolation feet, but have yet to put out the money to purchase them. When I have nothing else to spend money on, I will do it.

I was checking those out. I wonder how they are?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGPICO

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGMEGA

headrott

@Nightfall, that's a good question. I have read reviews where some say they make a large difference (in detail, clarity, imaging) and some where the listener states they make little to no difference. The reviews I read didn't state what other isolation devices (except one that stated they used vibrapads and cones) were used previously to compare them to.

If someone buys these, I would beinterested in the results. Meanwhile, I am more than satisfied with the Marigo feet under all of my equipment (with the exception of my DAC where I am using some Herbie's Tenderfeet combined with some Vibrapods/cones. I will eventually replace these with some more Marigo Audio feet.

soundfreak1

I found these (square) blocks on same source have been using them foe years they do the job. Also use a mat made from commercial floring for labs, shops restraunts, ect.

pitdogg2

headrott wrote: »

I highly recommend these:

http://marigoaudio.com/isolation-feet/mystery-feet/

They are expensive (I bought mine used for cheaper), but they work much better than any other product I have used. I have used Vibrapods/cones, Black Diamond cones, and Herbie's Audio Labs "Tenderfeet". None can compete with the Marigo Audio Labs feet, IMO.

Nightfall wrote: »

headrott wrote: »

@ptrooper, I haven't tried any sorbothane products yet.

I have considered trying the Pangea Audio sorbothane isolation feet, but have yet to put out the money to purchase them. When I have nothing else to spend money on, I will do it.

I was checking those out. I wonder how they are?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGPICO

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGMEGA

give the audioquest or Pangea sorbothane a shot I have used both and they are remarkable products to say the least. I could body slam someone right next to the CD player and never make it skip. I for one will not use anything else as I'm sold on these.
I use them under amps.pre-amps and DVD and CD players.

Speedskater

Sorbothane mostly absorbs or dampens vibrations. I use Sorbothane hemispheres under all components that have hard-drives, CD-DVD players or noisy fans.

Sorbothane hemispheres at about $5 each.
http://www.edmundoptics.com/optomechanics/optical-breadboard-components-laboratory-tables/laboratory-tables-breadboards/sorbothane-mounts/1618

Not so sure about using them under turntables.

ptrooper

Same.I have sorbothane domes under everything now...lovem

pitdogg2

I would take a stab and say I wish I had them when I had my turntable. They would work great.

polkfarmboy

I bet those lil cheapy pads work just as good as anything 10 times the price. I use the maple shade under and above my dacs and preamps along with ps audio powerbases without really hearing a bigdiff at all.

afterburnt

I would like to try them and isolate my bouncy floor especially under the shelf that holds my TT but they say 50psi and there may be more than that per leg, I would have to figure it out.

afterburnt

I ordered a bunch will let you know how they work.

SCompRacer

The absolute best vibraton control I've used under turntables on supended floors at my house is the Gingko Cloud. And I've tried just about everything. Sandbox, innertube between boards, pads, etc. Walk, jump, women dancing, thump the rack and it won't skip. Basically it's a base with divots that holds handballs with a platform on top of it. Number of handballs used depends upon weight. I bought mine used as they are pricey new. A fellow with some DIY skills could make one. Following their design means the top platform won't roll off.... One could use wood instead of acrylic.

http://www.gingkoaudio.com/cloud11.html

GlennDog

SCompRacer wrote: »

The absolute best vibraton control I've used under turntables on supended floors at my house is the Gingko Cloud. And I've tried just about everything. Sandbox, innertube between boards, pads, etc. Walk, jump, women dancing, thump the rack and it won't skip. Basically it's a base with divots that holds handballs with a platform on top of it. Number of handballs used depends upon weight. I bought mine used as they are pricey new. A fellow with some DIY skills could make one. Following their design means the top platform won't roll off.... One could use wood instead of acrylic.

http://www.gingkoaudio.com/cloud11.html

Dig it . .Thanks for the tip
Those are pricey, I'll try searching for "gently used"

SCompRacer

GlennDog wrote: »

Dig it . .Thanks for the tip
Those are pricey, I'll try searching for "gently used"

You don't see them too often..I got lucky at Audiogon one day.

My Cloud 11 also has the ClaraVu™ cover. It has a 45 degree bevel that sits on the beveled top platform. Watch cat has never knocked it off when guarding the TT. I had to add extra balls for the heavier Lenco plinth (Nottingham Space 294 before). Fortunately extras were included with the base. I think they get $10 a ball with Gingko logo.

Doug (dkg999) got a Cloud for his TT and says it cured his skipping issues too.

afterburnt

good use for a cat lol

soundfreak1

Boy you must love that cat. I'd have a cat skin cap if i came home and saw that on my TT. LOL

SCompRacer

Yeah, we're tight. I'm his play action buddy. He is one of the neatest cats I've ever known. He is a hybrid so that has a lot to do with it. He will sit and listen to music with me and the guys when they are over. Jasper has never scratched that cover. He doesn't like it when I leave for work, complains to the wife, goes by my stuff. Keeps me from using keyboards sometimes too.....



Helps me with running air lines for air bearing arms through walls and wiring.



Helps me pick albums to play...



Likes Harley's...lol



Let's his opinions be known...



A friend photo-chopped this for me...

soundfreak1

I understand. This one just puts up with me

vmaxer

Cool cats. I used to have one that liked to drink Crown Royal

Pour a little in a bowl and he would drink up then crash out on my lap.

soundfreak1

Same thing happens to me when i drink crown.

vmaxer

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Same thing happens to me when i drink crown.

Not on my lap though.

soundfreak1

Your safe, dont drink crown any more. "Tired of waking up on the floor".

vmaxer

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Your safe, dont drink crown any more. "Tired of waking up on the floor".

I've woke up in far worse places years ago.

GlennDog

Rich,
I saw the H-D kitty collar. You ride?