Does anyone use isolation like Vibrapod under cd player?

michaelv · « **on:** 6 Apr 2006, 06:12 pm »

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone use Vibrapod or a like under cd player? Does it really help or just a hype? If you can , would you mind posting picture?

thanks very much.

audioferret · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 06:49 pm »

I use the Isonode Anti-Vibration Feet sold at AV123.com

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=12

I can't vouch for the sound, but my CD player skipped frequently if I stepped (Stomped) on the floor too hard. Now it doesn't. If you want to get really crazy, try the MSP-1 Magnetic Suspension Platform, especially if you use a turntable.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=furniture&product=12.1

jamesd · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 07:36 pm »

I was a bit bored the other day and spent a lot of time ABX testing Vibrapods underneath my two sources. This is what I found:

Vibrapods under my Rotel RCD-991AE = no difference that i could tell
Vibrapods under my Toshiba 3960 = audible difference

I think it's because the transport on the Toshiba shakes the whole damn shelf it sits on.

michaelv · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 08:15 pm »

thanks.

Sounds like construction of the unit devotes pretty much to reduce the vibration.

Tweaker · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 08:16 pm »

I tried Isopods, Vibrapods, and Audioquest Sorbothane and they all changed the sound for the worse. Did not matter what I tried them under the result was always a degradation in sound. I use brass cones under everything and the results of using those has been spectacular. Point up under anything digital and point down under amps and preamp.

chadh · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 08:38 pm »

Quote from: Tweaker

I use brass cones under everything and the results of using those has been spectacular. Point up under anything digital and point down under amps and preamp.

Is there any conjectured reason for this arrangement? Or is it just one of those, "Because it works" kind of things?

I've never used any of these things and keep wondering which way to go. I liked the discussion on the Panda Feet website, which suggested that many of the sorbothane products might not work well. Alas, I think the Panda Feet are out of stock until further notice.

Chad

Tweaker · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 09:02 pm »

chadh,
Many hours spent trying different things and listening to the results. Originally I had the conepoints all point down under everything because that's how they're suppossed to go, but, because I can't leave well enough alone, I thought I would see what would happen if I tried them point up. It did produce a different sound and it was a better difference under the the digital componants but not under the amp and preamp. It is interesting that it is not necassarily an improvement in extension or clarity, although those do occur, but a change in umm, tone, I guess would be the best way to describe it. To my ears there more of a richness to the sound as a result. I should say that I also use brass weights on most everything which also adds porfoundly to the effect. As always, YRMV.
I should say that over the years I have retried the Vibropods, etc. back under my gear just to see if I still get the same results and every time they are immediately removed. They just seem to kind of suck the life out of the music. As a result I have sold all of them to a couple of Audiocircle members with the warning to them that I didn't like what they did to the sound in my system. However I sold them so cheaply that there was little for them to lose. You never know untill you try and since most of these kind of tweaks can be purchase with 30-day, or longer, money back guarantees it really makes them worth experimenting with. I was the biggest skeptic in the world on such things at one time but my curiousity got the best of me and man, am I glad it did.

thorman · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 09:15 pm »

I used them under my Meridian 508/24 for 6 months or so and actually got frustrated back and forth trying other things underneath.I even tried wooden kithchen cabinet door knobs ( which were not bad ) .I ended up with Audiopoint brass cones and now satisfied . Using the Vibrapods seemed to slow thigns down a bit . Also tended to dull the midrange and highs.I can see where it might work where you need to soften and darken a bright and harsh system. But for me I like the brass cones for all that they give me.

djbnh · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 10:06 pm »

I have Jolida JD-100 that's self tweaked, including having it rest on a 22 lb marble slab. The slab itself rests on Vibrapods. Pic link is here. I like the improvements the marble, Vibrapods, and other tweaks bring to the Jolida. YMMV.

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 10:18 pm »

Tried 'em. Hype - not worth it. Of course, Psychoacoustics will convince you that you do hear a difference if that's what you're looking for.

The only 'tweaks' I've found worthwhile involve listening room treatment.

Eric · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 02:51 pm »

I use audio points and sistrum racks to good result

skrivis · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 03:26 pm »

Quote from: elcaptain88

Tried 'em. Hype - not worth it. Of course, Psychoacoustics will convince you that you do hear a difference if that's what you're looking for.

The only 'tweaks' I've found worthwhile involve listening room treatment.

I agree.

You also would have to wonder what's wrong with a CD player if it's so sensitive to vibration that this kind of tweak would help.

Hogg · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 03:47 pm »

You can try a cheap tweak for isoltion. Purchase a child's bicycle inner tube (12" wheel or smaller) and inflate partially. Place it under the device.

Jim

skrivis · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 04:04 pm »

Quote from: Hogg

You can try a cheap tweak for isoltion. Purchase a child's bicycle inner tube (12" wheel or smaller) and inflate partially. Place it under the device.

Jim

Or how about http://www.disabledaccessories.com/pages/productdetailsoptionone.asp?F_ProductID=1737

skrivis · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 04:10 pm »

Quote from: Hogg

You can try a cheap tweak for isoltion. Purchase a child's bicycle inner tube (12" wheel or smaller) and inflate partially. Place it under the device.

Jim

I've also seen placemats made of various rubbery materials at places like Target. I'm sure Lowe's has things that could be re-purposed for this too.

michaelv · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 08:09 pm »

I borrowed 4 Vibrapods (not cone ones) and placed under cdp, and heard nothing change. But when i placed them under Sony dvd player, the effect was great. The color was better, especially, the noise is tremendously reduced with the same dvd i watched.

I guess , trial and error would tell....

DeadFish · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 08:32 pm »

I gotta throw 2 cents in since I've used Vibrapods for a while...

The nice thing about them is they are cheap enough to throw under a component or two. Then, forget about being critcal and seeing what the difference is. Give it a couple of months.
Then take them out from under one thing.
How does it sound?

When I first tried them, I couldn't decide if I liked them or not, and sometimes IF I could hear a difference. Eventually, the above methodology taught me to leave them under my Rega Planet cd player. It was positive on my system there, as well under a Theta dac. For my tube amp and preamps, I've tended towards something a little less mushy. Both units being on a heavy stand, on points, legs filled with lead. The stand's legs filled with lead.
I only have lead in my ass.

YMMV, of course, but sometimes one MUST adopt some scientific approach to decide if we inadvertenly plug into some placebo effect, or the kind of buyer's remorse where we really WANT it to make a difference.

Good luck!

Regards,
DeadFish