Gingko Mini Clouds

earlmarc · « **on:** 1 Nov 2004, 04:52 pm »

Has anyone had a chance to audition the Gingko Mini Clouds?

byteme · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:06 pm »

I just got two pair of them. I'm waiting for my Tubedac to get back from Steve at Empirical before I do any serious comparing. They're pretty tall so I had to rearrange things a little bit, but they are sturdy and support very well. Neither of my components being supported are 30lbs, and neither can have weight added to them so I don't know if that will be an issue.

They will potentially replace Aurios MIBs (Under the transport) and Pandathumbs under my preamp.

earlmarc · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Nov 2004, 04:18 pm »

Byteme, I just received one set of the Gingko Mini Clouds and placed them under my Empirical modded Carver ZR-1600. Placement was a bit complicated because the Carver amplifier's weight is predominately right-sided. I ended up placing two feet on the right side and one foot on the left side. This seemed to work the best. The improvement using the mini-clouds was quite apparent compared to the PandaFeet I was using prior. Most noticeable was the improvement in bass and depth. The bass was tighter and better defined. Depth of stage extended and presented more weight. Details on familiar songs were captured that were not noticed prior using the PandaFeet. The Carver seemed more relaxed. Notes extended further with a natural ease. These are my early impressions. I will play around with the Mini Clouds some more. So far, I would definately recommend trying this product. Its a winner!

mca · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Nov 2004, 11:49 pm »

I have four sets of these on order from Dedicated Audio. They are B stock units that have the hole drilled a bit off center that the ball sits in.

This is my first journey into isolation products and I'm hoping to see/hear an improvement. I'll be glad to let you know my findings.

I know each Minis ideal weight load is 10lbs. Does anyone know a good effective way of adding weight to a component? My Denon DVD 2900 weighs in at about 18lbs, so I need to find a way to add about 12lbs to it for the Minis to work effectively.

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 12:34 am »

Quote from: mca

I have four sets of these on order from Dedicated Audio. They are B stock units that have the hole drilled a bit off center that the ball sits in.

This is my first journey into isolation products and I'm hoping to see/hear an improvement. I'll be glad to let you know my findings.

I know each Minis ideal weight load is 10lbs. Does anyone know a good effective way of adding weight to a component? My Denon DVD 2900 weighs in at about 18lbs, so I need to find a way to add about 12lbs to it for the Minis to work effectively.

It isn't pretty, but you can fill ziploc bags with sand and put them on top of the player.

You can also buy brass weights from Mapleshade.

George

Jose Garcia · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 03:44 am »

told me about three years ago, to place a granite slab ( from my new kitchen countertops) over some kind of isolation device. The slab was intended to be used as my amplifiers base. Since it weighted about 80lbs, it was difficult to have it laying down the floor and a floating device was needed.

I came with the idea of having (3) PVC reducers , 3" to 1.5" with a concave center hole, filled with (3) concave door knobs and (3) racket balls seated on top of the knobs. They were placed under the granite slab and the whole system floated like a Roller Bearings base , but with the addition of some Air Isolation.

The DIY project cost me under $12 ( $3.00/balls, $3.57/concave knobs and $3.00/PVC reducers).

I also try it without the knobs and just seating the racketballs over the PVC reducers. It was more stable and it depended more on the air pressure without the rocking movement from the concave knobs ( the beraings effet).

Why I mention this? Well, as I said, I like DIY projects, specially if simple and cheap. This Gingko devices looks interesting but I'm not able to invest $99/set....so I came with the idea of telling you guys about my devices. I heard from this Gingko about 2-3 months ago.

I'm not saying that my DIY mini clouds are like the real Mini Clouds , but it would be interesting to see if anyone of you guys can experiment with a home-made set and compare both.

Jose.

satfrat · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 06:37 am »

Quote from: zybar

It isn't pretty, but you can fill ziploc bags with sand and put them on top of the player.

You can also buy brass weights from Mapleshade.

George

I use the replacable brass ends off brass hammers, brand new with a little brass polish, with their only drawback being you need quite a few. And quite a few I have.

For me, the price was right compared to other sources.

Regards, Robin http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=3850422151&rd=1#

robertwb · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 09:25 am »

Quote from: mca

Does anyone know a good effective way of adding weight to a component? .

a cast iron weight from walmart?

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 10:29 am »

Just use ceramic tiles with cabinet door bumpers in between. You can pick up 12 x 12 tile for under $1 each on sale and the little 1/4 inch bumpers are cheap too. If you look hard some Corian or granite fabricators give sink cut outs away, but the sizes may not be useful (and if you want a nice edge it'll cost you $10 - 15 per foot).

Gingko makes a big deal of their product is much better than home brew look alikes. I've not tried them, but they're probably right.

Jose Garcia · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 12:44 pm »

>Gingko makes a big deal of their product is much better than home brew look alikes. I've not tried them, but they're probably right.

Probably YES....

Anyone trying to emulate a design from any mayor company should bear in mind that they pass through a series of investigations, research, studies and so on...to reach a final product. I'm clear with that but we can't neglect the fact that some DIY products reach great succes while emulating the real products.

For example...

The famous Room Lenses from the Asylum. I have a set and their truly amazing.

Diyumas....my designg and from the Asylum archives. They are a type of roller bearings device and very effective.

Sand Boxes...a sort of sismic devise.

The PVC-Knobs-Balls design is easy to assemble and merits a try/comparison with the Gignko Mini Clouds. They are not as pretty ( if this GMC can be called that way) but they are not that bad neither.

By the way...you need some weight?

.sand bags
.ceramic tyles
.vynil tyles
.an old phone guide ( very effective cleaning things up)
.a piece of wood shelve

You may use a mouse pad, or rubber pad, or bumpers or anything else under the weights to protect the yop cover of the units.

Jose.

Bingenito · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Nov 2004, 04:18 pm »

To add weight to equipment why not use black rubber coated weights that you can buy from any fitness supply for about $.50 per lb.

They sell round plates from 2.5lbs-100lbs and rectangle plates for adding weight to univeral machines that would work well on sqaure equipment.

I think Walmart, Dicks Sports and maybe even Sports Authority sell the rubber weights.

Just an idea