[gooberdude]

You put Isoblocks directly under your gear?   

i've not tried that, but do have a standalone HHB 850 burner where that might work.     I screwed the rubber feet that came with my turntable (my TT's supension) into the HHB & some grunge that was evident on LP to CD transfers disappeared.    In a few days i'll have a spare set of 'blocks to play with, i'll try it out for sure.

to date i've only tried isoblocks in conjunction with tonewood platforms + footers.  i'm always trying to remove vibrations from the chassis rather than trap them inside, but with some gear it might do the trick.

One tweak i'm digging 100% is laying a piece of thick paper or cardboard under the Isoblocks (directly on the shelf), to provide another level of isolation.  no clue why, but it sounds good.

[TjMV3]

You put Isoblocks directly under your gear? 

Yes I do.  I use four of them right behind,  or right to the inside of the components feet;  depending on the individual component's design.  It works wonderfully.

  i'm always trying to remove vibrations from the chassis rather than trap them inside, but with some gear it might do the trick.

I don't know that the isoblocks under my components traps the vibrations in the chassis.

Seems to me this approach (along with the other solutions/applications I use) prevents a lot of vibrations from the floor from reaching my components;  and with floorstanding speakers (or/and with subwoofers in an HT system),  I believe that is the biggest contributor to vibrations; along with footfall impact and other evironmental contributors.

I honestly don't believe Pre Amps and Amps really generate any significant self-vibrations (if any at all).   

Certainly sources like a CD Player,  turntable ..etc  do have some minor vibrations because of the spinning and moving parts,  but I tend to to think most of today's source gear,  at the level of the source gear that I buy;  are designed with compensation and consideration for self-vibration.  I think as long as there are no significant and disruptive vibrations from any out side contributors.

I also tend to think that the rubber on the isoblocks and the neoprene I use absorb any insignificant or very minor vibrations that may exist. 

Give it a try.  Would love to hear how it works for you.

[gooberdude]

I definitely will.   thanks for the great info.

By inherent vibes, i'm really talking about the transformers...they all vibrate.   any gear with trannies is gonna vibe like mad, even though we can't feel it.   my TT of course vibes like mad too for obvious reasons.

I've been spoiled the last few years by living in a place with concrete subfloors - footfalls and such are no issue & i have floorstanders + big stereo subs.   Since i haven't had to fight these i've concentrated on the tweakier side of this.   Most gear, no matter what type, can be improved by removing internal vibes...if this removal is done properly.

I like the mapleshade mounts since they deal with all 3 vibrations effectively (floor/air/internal)....the internal vibes are drained and that drain (the board) is isolated.    its a weird sandwich indeed.

If you want an eye opening experience, work under the premise (or the assumption) that removing internal vibes can help sound.   You might be surprised by what you hear.  starting with a TT or amp is the easiest way to hear the results.   

when i said trapping internal vibes, that's what isolation does (in my bizarro world).  isoblocks under gear will trap vibes that are in your gear from getting out, plain & simple.   these vibes might only be the current from the signal flowing through, i have no real clue but can easily hear the change when they are gone.   But, in some cases like a cd player i could see this working to great effect.   Of all the mounts and weird stuff i've tried, i've never found anything except cardboard underneath that can help my cd players sound.  maybe the mapleshade mounts are best with analog components?  dunno.

In a few months i'm moving to an old flat here with bouncy wood floors...then i'll be back here with Q's like "why does my stylus mistrack when i get up to get a beer?" !!     i can already see it.

funny how our tweaks and avenue's of exploration are so dependent on difft factors....

matt

[beachbum]

yea gooberdude you cant see from the picture but i broke a pair of isoblocks in half and put three under the turntable motor, much better than the included feet, i just ordered a 18x15 unfinished platform for a nuforce p-9 preamp i just ordered, and a additional 12x15 along with the extra one i have for use under my ref 9se monoblocks, i should have all bases covered platform wise. of course a samson rack would be the bomb. i am working on santa all ready. 
i believe the isoblocks work both ways from with in and out with the platform absorbing the vibs. one thing i know for sure the mapleshade products are working for me.
you might want to look and a wall shelf for your turntable. it will take the raised floor out of the equation, take care

[Tweaker]

I have never tried anything that did more damage to the sound of my system than Mapleshade isoblocks, which was a real surprise to me as I really had such amazing results with their brass conepoints and heavyhats. I kept trying over about a 2-week period but everytime I placed them under my maple platforms the bass instantly become anemic and lifeless. What did work extremely well were the small  Probably a system dependant thing and I never tried them under a vinyl rig. I've no doubt for some people they do work as advertised. Always worth a try though with their generous return policy.

 
I can't imagine how one could lose bass. 

I mean,  good bass is usually dictated more by room acoustics,  speakers,   speaker location,   component design and ultimately.......the production/mix of the source recording;  than anything else.

Very strange.

 I didn't say I lost bass, I just stated it became anemic and lifeless sounding,  A better way of putting it perhaps, would have been to say the tone in the low frequencies lost it's richness. Kind of like switching from a really good tube amp to a cheap solid state receiver. The bass was  there, it just became sterile sounding. I've found I can produce a similar effect with high frequencies, especially noticeable with cymbals, by placing too many Heavyhats on a component. It will make it sound flat and sterile.  Hard to describe, you just had to be there . And again, I never tried them under a vinyl rig. Anyway, I'm glad you all are having better luck with them than I did.
 I've actually never had any luck with any vibration absorbing tweak. Isoblocks, Vibrapods, those Audioquest things- all have done more harm than good to my ears. The only thing I've found that does work has been brass cones directly under the component, then maple platform, and then small aluminum cones, point up, under the platforms. Crazy hobby, isn't it?

[gooberdude]

Hey Tweaker,

Your findings with the Heavyhats are similar to my experience.   I keep one flat one on top of my cdp, but its hard to tell if it does much...maybe tame the cheap metal lid a bit.    I own 6 non-pointed Heavyhats & except for the cdp i can't find a use for any of them...just listed on A'gon to save up for a final set of ultimate Triplepoints.

Now, the pointed Heavyhats are completely difft.  When combined with wood, like on top of my Thiels or the subs, they do miraculous things.   I keep one on top of my amp too, and the craziest, one on top of the wallwart for my TT's speed control.  it is a sick, sick tweak for any horizontal laying wall-wart.   or maybe its just bomb for the speed control, dunno.

last, i've never been able to use more than 1 Heavyhat weight to a good effect.   to my ears, more than 1 ruins sound...making it tinny, thin & lifeless.

it sure is a crazy hobby....


if i can find a pic of my buddies Super Scoutmaster i'll post it.  his mapleshade double decker mount is completely nuts.  the effort it took to suspend the huge motor and keep it level with the 'table was ridiculous.   In this regard, i almost like having the motor inside my TT...one less thing to tweak.

I'll try and post a pic of my rig & mount too.

matt

[EProvenzano]

Here is my favorite wood finish.  It is easy to apply and looks great.  I use the brush on and wipe off method. It brings out the grain and has a nice satin sheen.  Very durable (used on floors) and does not yellow like tung oil.  I used Osmo on my maple butcherblock shelves and the results are beautiful.  I have used a lot of tung oil in the past, but never again. 

Do a search for better prices.

http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=OS_HARDWAX_OIL

Hi Don,

What does this product smell like?   Strange question, perhaps.  I enjoy pure Tung oil for it's coating quality and finish feel.  However, I personally think it smells rancid.  "Pleasant nutty aroma" as it's advertized, NOT  .

I'd be interested to know if this product passes your nose!

Thanks.

[F-100]

I'm very impress with the quality and the price of these platforms so I bought (2) more for my mono amps  (24x18x3).

I'll post some pics of the platform when they get here next week.