Sorbothane: who has experience with them?

gary · « **Reply #20 on:** 28 Oct 2003, 01:18 am »

sorry for the delayed response, didn't notice the new posts.

>> Gary, how do we know if we need to drain or isolate?

well, one nice thing about sorbothane is that, unlike mechanical couplers it will damp vibrations going in both directions. this means it will give you some amount of both isolation and coupling simultaneously. again, sorbothane needs to be implemented properly to work this way though.

>> So what are the dimensions of these things?

they're 0.85" high and 1" in diameter. the site will be updated soon, and i'll include these dimensions along with picture of them sitting next to a quarter to give an idea of the size.

-Gary

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #21 on:** 28 Oct 2003, 02:33 am »

For those living outside USA (does happen), how big is a quarter?
How about a CD?

JohnR · « **Reply #22 on:** 28 Oct 2003, 02:37 am »

Slightly bigger than a ten cent piece.

sbulack · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 10:53 pm »

I just received a set of four Pandafeet from Gary and installed them under the four corners of my CD Player expecting to hear subtle improvements, if any. Instead, I started listening to my virtually new and very much improved CD Player. The sound is quite UNsubtly deeper and more translucent across the entire acoustic spectrum with a VERY satisfyingly fuller and better formed bass. That the bass is fuller makes it better balanced, IMO, with the rest of the acoustic spectrum. Bottom line: I am enjoying all of my music substantially more with these inexpensive cylinders of sorbothane supporting my CD Player. It's hard for me to believe that such a noticeable difference is possible, but my ears tell me that it is. It's important to note that I used the table on Gary's site, www.pandathumbaudio.com , and the weight of the CD Player, to select the correct hardness of Pandafeet to achieve these results. Thanks, Gary, for doing all the design work and making it so easy for us to get the benefits of this simple, inexpensive and effective product.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 10:56 pm »

Welcome to the 'Circles!

I also have a set of the feet, and like them too.

Gary does good work, and is a pleasure to deal with.

mark in Canada

JLM · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 Sep 2004, 10:58 am »

The whole isolation/dampening aspect of audio is fasinating to me, having brushed up against these issues as a consulting structural engineer.

As a I have looked into the various products out there and try to make finanical sense of fitting them into my system, the alternatives for equipment support (everything needed from floor to components) is depressing. I'd like to find a "system" approach at a reasonable price (a rack that isolates and dampens), but those seem to start at about $1,500, which doesn't make sense in a $4,000 system. (And I'm an old enough fart to not want expensive equipment/supports on the floor.)

Fortunately within a year I'll have a dedicated (and hopefully properly designed) listening room in the basement of a new house with concrete floors, in the country, and with relatively clean power. So the alternative to a system approach rack would seem to be a solid/heavy rack (avoiding metal and glass) and using something like Panda Feet (which in and of themselves seems to make a great deal of sense).

Gary,

For some reason most of your white paper is coming out in Greek on my screen.

What do you recommend for heavier/off centered loads? Should I just ignore the component feet and allow the feet to be in contact with the bottom of the amp? (Fortunately I have access to a remote thermometer to confirm surface temperature of the amp, but I'm sure it's O.K.)

What do you recommend for tiny, lightweight components like a Scott Nixon tube DAC or a CIAudio passive preamp that are maybe 2 inches by 4 inches and weigh 2 pounds or less? Neither lend themselves to weights and offer a very small footprint. The best alternative I've come up with is to replace the feet with a larger/heavier wooden base.

thanks for all you do

MaxCast · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 Sep 2004, 01:56 pm »

JLM, the hard part with the Nixon is the weight of the cables on the back side. I tried them with mine and since I had an issue with cable length I didn't mess with them any further. I plan to build a dedicated shelf for the PS and DAC and will then try again. I imagine one thumb towards the back edge of the DAC??

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 Sep 2004, 02:15 pm »

I have a few sets of Pandafeet (under my Panny XR45, and under my transport too.

sbulack hit it right on the head with his description of the changes one can hear with Pandafeet in the system.

Their price to performance ratio is really great and Gary is definitely a good guy to deal with. When I asked to buy two more sets for my speakers he actually guided me to another product (still sorbothane but not his). So instead of making a couple more sales, he showed me what I really needed for my speakers. How's that for an honest fella?!

Anyway, if you have been teetering about whether or not to use these, I recommend you give them a try. $20! C'mon...it's worth it.

gary · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Sep 2004, 08:54 pm »

Thanks for the positive commens guys, glad to know my efforts are appreciated

Sorry for taking so long to respond, but I've spent most of the last two days in transit to Paris.

JLM -

The firm pandafeet can support up to 30 lbs., it's possible to put two sets under a component if it's up to 60 lbs. but beyond that they're really not suitable. Send me an email and I'll get you the site in word format, I know some people have had problems with the fonts so I need to work on that.

Gary