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Thoughts on my proposed system isolation approaches?

73.114.133.239
Posted on May 9, 2017 at 15:28:03
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 I hope this post is OK on General. I suspect enough Inmates consider vibration control worthy enough that these products aren't considered fringe.

Here is what I am thinking for an inexpensive approach:

For my Turntable (VPI Scout): Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform - $79
For my Subwoofers (2 REL T7s): Auralex Acoustics SubDude-II Isolation Platforms ($59 each; $118 total)
Between Speakers and Stands (Dynaudio Focus 160s): Herbies Square Dots (These I already have)
Under Speaker Stand Spikes: Herbie's Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders ($16.89 each; $67.59 total)
Under Other Components (6 - see below): Bright Star Iso Nodes ($15 to $25 per set; $90 to $150 total)
Under Mac Mini: Herbie's grungebuster sheets, 8" x 5" ($19.45 each, $38.90 total)

Total System Cost: Up to $454.49

This is a combined HT and stereo system (see picture below). Unfortunately, my profile needs updating, but the six components not specified above are Oppo BDP-105, PS Audio GCPH, cable TV box, Krell Foundation, Rotel 985 MkII and CJ MF2250. It is for those that I am proposing the Bright Star ISO Nodes.

Everything resides on a horizontally oriented Salamander rack with three shelves and three bays. The floors are hard wood, but nice and stable - i.e., our records do not skip and we hear no feedback when we walk around the condo.

I know that there is no perfect solution. I realize I could almost certainly do better with more expensive components and that I could probably also do as well or better for less money with DIY approaches. But I'm interested in critiques that acknowledge (1) isolation of components from vibrations being a worthy pursuit, (2) an unwillingness to spend more than about $600-$700 for isolation of the components listed above and (3) a physical disability that makes all but the most simple DIY project untenable.

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!




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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

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Go DIY, posted on May 9, 2017 at 16:07:39
Byrd69
Audiophile

Posts: 2881
Location: East Syracuse, New York
Joined: August 23, 2004
 Spend a few bucks ($25) on rubber, rigid, and padding type stuff that you can get anywhere, and still have some left over when you're done. Spending hundreds is not necessary at all. These isolation manufacturers are are....


Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020)

I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010)

Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)

Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)

 

Are those shelves rigid?, posted on May 9, 2017 at 20:28:38
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15166
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 It bothers me when shelves for audio sway. I think the Salamander's are susceptible to that because they are not rigidly held, but assembled from pieces. It needs rigid right angles. I put steel L-Brackets on my synergy and it's now rigid enough that I don't think about it.

Yeah, sometimes I notice that if I place stuff, rubber, whatever, underneath components, they sound better. Most of the time, I couldn't tell or don't care.

 

RE: Thoughts on my proposed system isolation approaches?, posted on May 9, 2017 at 20:28:45
The Dill
Audiophile

Posts: 2197
Location: Portland, Oregon
Joined: July 1, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 3, 2016
 I use Herbie's devices all over my system and they work really well. The only suggestion I have is using Herbie's Tenderfeet under your components instead of the Iso-Nodes. Their effect is not sutle.

 

Each shelf is a single piece of coated MDF held in place by nuts and washers on threaded poles . . ., posted on May 9, 2017 at 21:28:32
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 I like them because the shelves are one piece and their heights are infinitely adjustable. But because the shelves are MDF and not particularly thick, and I have a three-bay set up, the shelves do seem to sag towards the posts to conform with the shape of the floor. That is, since my floor is a bit lower in the middle, each side slopes somewhat towards the middle. It's not visibly noticeable, but it is with a carpenter's level. If that makes sense.

I've leveled the turntable though by adjusting the height of the feet.

I'm mostly focused on the front R&L speakers, the subwoofers, and the turntable. Less so the other components.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

Thanks . . ., posted on May 9, 2017 at 21:33:44
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 I'll price that out. I know the Tenderfeet are quite a bit more expensive, but I can always get one set of them and some cheap ISO-Nodes initially and experiment before pulling the trigger.

My initial goal is taking care of the speakers, subs and turntable.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

To clarify - The treaded poles are single pieces. Not like Sanus shelving. nt, posted on May 9, 2017 at 21:56:47
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 .
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

RE: Thoughts on my proposed system isolation approaches?, posted on May 10, 2017 at 05:17:39
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8478
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Since you are on a wood floor I'd consider removing the speaker stand spikes and going to threaded stud gliders.
Gsquared

 

stability is the enemy. The whole house is shaking, stable rigid structure transmit better than non rigid one., posted on May 10, 2017 at 15:08:52
geoffkait
 Nt

 

Maybe that's why Roller Blocks work so well, posted on May 11, 2017 at 10:10:06
artemus
Audiophile

Posts: 15273
Joined: March 12, 2001
 Josh. You may want to try these under your cdp. Another idea which was pretty good is pumice stone. Roller blocks are better IMO. but I was shocked at the difference heard with pumice stone under cdp

https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/74/742440.html
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You paid HOW MUCH for that electrical receptacle?!!! Are YOU nuts?

 

more to the point - Flexy Rack. Nt, posted on May 11, 2017 at 12:47:48
geoffkait
 Nt

 

+1 (nt), posted on May 12, 2017 at 12:25:37
Vinyl Valet
Audiophile

Posts: 1346
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Joined: November 13, 2003
 nt
Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

 

2nd the Tenderfeet. n/t, posted on May 13, 2017 at 10:31:50
classfolkphile
Audiophile

Posts: 533
Location: Florida
Joined: December 17, 2002
 n/t

 

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