[Anonamemouse]

Wave Kinetics A10-U8 Component Control System.

As you can read, the BDP can be improved.

[srb]

Good to know for $700 it didn't just take the BDP-1 up a notch, but a "few notches".  But actually because only three of the four units of the Component Control System were used, if you could find three friends with BDP-1s and the urge to upgrade, you could reduce the cost to only $525.
 
Steve

[avahifi]

If only three more of you would order this, and only use three each, and send me the spare from each set, then I could finally come to understand what high priced snake oil is all about.

Or, do they only come as matched quad sets, so ones from other sets mixed won't work.  Worry worry worry!

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[thunderbrick]

Anyone else notice that one of the biggest proponents of the device is named "Jo Ki?"

I am a little rusty in my foreign names, but is that pronounced "Joke?"

[kingdeezie]

Not that I agree with the price of the units, but I wouldn't be so quick to call isolation devices "snake oil."

A lot of people have had great success with trying various kinds of isolation footers underneath their audio equipment.

Places like Herbie's Audio Labs, Edensound, and Mapleshade Records offer significantly cheaper options for trying out various products.

I found digital especially having noticeable changes in sound with isolation devices underneath them, for under 100 dollars.

YMMV.

[Mike Nomad]

From the article, "Using the Wave Kinetics A10-U8 is like using spikes without their inherent sonic signature..." Spikes have a sonic signature?

[srb]

From the article, "Using the Wave Kinetics A10-U8 is like using spikes without their inherent sonic signature..." Spikes have a sonic signature?

Sure, like anything audiophile you've got your warm spikes (brass), neutral spikes (stainless steel) and clinical spikes (ceramic)!
 
I think I recall some footers that used a pile of ceramic balls.  I don't doubt that some components in some systems to some ears might have some small benefit from footer isolation, damping or vibration control, but "a few notches"?  What is that exactly, 20%?  Does one "notch" = 10%?  Inquiring minds want to know.
 
Come on BDP-1 owners, get cracking!
 
Steve

[rollo]

 It would be interesting for a footer manf. to comment here. Herbie ?? Vibration isolation has been around industrial applications for years. Submarines anyone ? Medical equip, etc.
   I believe it was Halcro who uses RFT [ resonant free technology ] in their designs. Taken from the sattelite industry RFT it can improve the detail of the image.
 With sensitive digital gear and tubed gear eliminating vibration can have benifits. All components are built to a price point. Adding footers can have an affect. Pricing is a whole other issue.
  Can vibrations affect the audio signal. Yes they can. Saying that in all fairness to this product or any product for that matter an actual hands on experience in your system is required to offer a valid opinion. Subjective of course but valid.
  Would it be fair to say any products are snake oil without trying them ? Maybe a tour of  footers would help in determing the affectivness of such.
   I would be willing to send out a set of Pon-tunes designed by a materials Engineer with measurements to back it up. Anyone game ??



charles
   
 

[Anonamemouse]

It would be interesting for a footer manf. to comment here. Herbie ?? Vibration isolation has been around industrial applications for years. Submarines anyone ? Medical equip, etc.
   I believe it was Halcro who uses RFT [ resonant free technology ] in their designs. Taken from the sattelite industry RFT it can improve the detail of the image.
 With sensitive digital gear and tubed gear eliminating vibration can have benifits. All components are built to a price point. Adding footers can have an affect. Pricing is a whole other issue.
  Can vibrations affect the audio signal. Yes they can. Saying that in all fairness to this product or any product for that matter an actual hands on experience in your system is required to offer a valid opinion. Subjective of course but valid.
  Would it be fair to say any products are snake oil without trying them ? Maybe a tour of  footers would help in determing the affectivness of such.
   I would be willing to send out a set of Pon-tunes designed by a materials Engineer with measurements to back it up. Anyone game ??



charles
 

I agree that underneath certain devices vibration isolation CAN be very useful, both my CD player and my DVD player are on spikes and both benefit from it.

I indeed have not heard these things. Chances are I never will. Lets talk about the price of these things...

$ 0.25 - 1 wad of silicone gunk
$ 1.00 - 1 handful of steel ball bearings
$ 0.75 - 1 aluminium cup
$ 1.50 - 1 silk screen print (it looks like quality printing)

$ 3.50

Profit: $ 696.50

This is snake oil.

[Mike Nomad]

It would be interesting for a footer manf. to comment here. Herbie ?? Vibration isolation has been around industrial applications for years. Submarines anyone ? Medical equip, etc.
   I believe it was Halcro who uses RFT [ resonant free technology ] in their designs. Taken from the sattelite industry RFT it can improve the detail of the image.
 With sensitive digital gear and tubed gear eliminating vibration can have benifits. All components are built to a price point. Adding footers can have an affect. Pricing is a whole other issue.
  Can vibrations affect the audio signal. Yes they can. Saying that in all fairness to this product or any product for that matter an actual hands on experience in your system is required to offer a valid opinion. Subjective of course but valid.
  Would it be fair to say any products are snake oil without trying them ? Maybe a tour of  footers would help in determing the affectivness of such.
   I would be willing to send out a set of Pon-tunes designed by a materials Engineer with measurements to back it up. Anyone game ??



charles
 

Yes, vibration control is nothing new. I use Brown Electronic Labs (RIP) feet under my components. I did a blind A/B, and picked them out every time. I figured for $15 a set why not try it? Best $45 I ever spent on audio kit.

My problem isn't with the the idea that usage of the product has an effect. Rather, the lack of detail in the article, which prompted my question earlier. While the product may not be snake oil, the pitch certainly is.

[nikon]

I installed several of these under my BDP-1 and the performance went up so many notches I lost count ...

Happy New Year everyone !