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Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet

24.4.57.184
Posted on September 20, 2022 at 14:11:25
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001



I accidentally posted this under Cables, I am reposting it here where it belongs.

I saw recently that Gingko Audio, makers of some very nice acoustic isolation platforms, have upgraded the magic balls that are used in their platforms with black wool felt balls. They claim that this is better than their classic balls they have been using for years. Looking at them I realized that these are essentially the same thing (though I am sure theirs are higher quality) as wool felt dryer balls I've seen around for a while. You can buy these balls on Amazon or other places.
I trust that Gingko probably has a good idea with this and I went on Amazon and purchased at pack of 6 for $14. I sliced some in two with a bread knife and proceeded to try them in my system. cutting them like this creates a lot of wool dust that comes out of the flat side, so be cautious around your equipment.

Now I've used dozens of isolation products over the years, ranging from a couple of dollar DIY to some sets costing 4 figures. My favorite feet are Shun Mook Diamond Resonators (I'm fortunate to have two pairs), they seem to improve the sound of everything I've put them under. These wool footers are competitive with them.

I'm using them under the power supply of my DAC and under my monoblock amps. They really bring out a smooth a detailed midrange, particularly with vocals and horns and such. Highs are also sweet and extended, not rolled off, but also not overly sparkly. Bass may not be quite as tight as my references, but it brings out the texture and notes more. Overall things sound less electronic and more natural. Noise floor is lower than my reference as well.

Not only do they seem to do a great job of isolating, I suspect the lanolin that is in the fibers also adds something to the quality of the sound. Plus trying some in my dryer, my laundry was visibly fluffier and felt softer to the touch!

These are well worth the $14. And if you like them, you can upgrade to the proper Gingko products that are probably better made and level. Hope someone else tries them and gives some feedback here.

 

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RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on September 21, 2022 at 15:21:41
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 I bought 6 of the wool dryer balls from Amazon. This knowing if they didn't work as an isolation footer, at least they might help my antiquated dryer. As a quick experiment, I placed three of them under my Denafrips Ares DAC. These were left uncut and in stock form. Conclusion: they probably need to be loaded with more weight to be effective. In addition, cutting them in half may be a good start in the tuning process. In stock form under a 6 lb. DAC, they just seemed to suck the life out of the presentation. On a positive note, they actually have an effect on the sound, but some tweaking is definitely in order to get the positive effect one is looking for. So moving forward, I'll cut two in half to create a set of 4. I'm thinking it might be just as easy to glue the flat cut surface to a furniture glider of some ilk. Just taking a hint from the Ginkgo site on that thought. All in all, just another inexpensive tweak that could have very positive results.

 

Won't they compress and get hard? nt, posted on September 23, 2022 at 07:47:58
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

 

RE: Won't they compress and get hard? nt, posted on September 23, 2022 at 18:12:31
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 No I don't think they will compress much under reasonable weight. They are pretty solid.

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on September 23, 2022 at 18:14:15
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 I'm using them under a DAC that is 40 pounds, and amps that are about 20 pounds each.

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on September 29, 2022 at 09:27:34
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 FWIW, I've found a no glue solution for the wool dryer balls. This in the form of small 4oz. plastic jewelry containers and lids.($7-$8 for 6 at Amazon of course) These are round containers roughly 2" high with a diameter a shade under 3". I've made up two sets of three. For the first set, I was able to stuff an entire wool ball in the container itself. This leaves roughly 3/4" of the wool ball exposed above the top of the container. When compressed with a reasonable amount of weight, 1/2" of the ball is still above the top edge of the container. The second set simply uses the container lids. This to accept and contain the flat surface of the cut wool balls. With all this said, the true audio testing and results have yet to start.

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on October 5, 2022 at 23:41:00
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 I've thought about this, but was leaning more toward some hardwood coasters (all kinds of fairly inexpensive ones made from tone woods found with a search), as those are probably better than a thin piece of plastic.

Personally, I think adding a layer of anything to the top (or bottom) of a footer will likely change the acoustic results. I even think glue might affect this as well. So if I was designing with these I'd try many different types of both to get the best result.

Please give them a try without the plastic too, and see if you hear a difference!

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on October 6, 2022 at 09:31:32
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 The 4 oz. plastic containers actually have metal lids. These amount to nothing more than a small one piece fruit jar lid. Depth is roughly 1/2" with a 2 5/8" diameter... so plenty to contain half of a wool ball plus giving a decent finished look. My gut feeling is that the density of the wool ball alone will dominate any effect. I doubt if a difference could be heard regardless of which lid, coaster or other containment device is used. When using the three half wool balls with the metal lids mentioned above, their effect seems to match if not better the positive effect I've gotten from a trio of IsoAcoustics Indigos. FYI, both sets have been tested under a 20+ lb. LM 502 DAC. Now with that said, it's still early in the mission, so only time will tell if I feel the same way after long term listening.

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on October 21, 2022 at 23:59:03
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 Good to hear! I am still liking mine.

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on December 14, 2022 at 22:06:42
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 How do you like them now that you've had them a while?

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on December 21, 2022 at 05:42:55
Robert J
 You should be looking at SAE Wool Felt: F3


Take a look at the link

 

RE: Wool Felt Dryer Balls for Component Feet, posted on December 26, 2022 at 12:59:44
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 Nice wool! Especially the Eco Felt!

 

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