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I'm not a big tweaker, but I am re-doing my system and wanted to get recommendations of isolation devices/racks I should consider. I am considering a new rack that has good isolation ability (ie finite elemente, GP Racing stand), or making a custom rack and adding isolation features to that (platforms etc.). I'm focused on vibration isolation, rather than RFI.
The equipment I'm focused on are:
1. Levinson 390S using Foundation Research LC1 power chord
2. Verity Parsifal Encore floor standing 3-way on a 2yr old oak floor (3/4" board)
I'm not convinced that isolation will work, but I have an open mind and want to try it. What I do find is that there is a good amount of bass resonance where I'm sitting and I'm sure it's the floor. I'm wondering how this feeds into my equipment and back into the speaker. The tighter the bass control on the Verities, the better.
The equipment is currently on a very heavy oak custom cabinet (3/4" wood) with no special isolation, just big rubber feet.
I'm not into DIY solutions unless they are very attractive (ie no home made bladders, or isolation points). The setup is in a nicely decorated room, so esthetics are important.
Please give me your thoughts and experiences (I will certainly try before I buy), and thank you very much.
Cheers
Follow Ups:
I tried a variety of isolation/damping devices: Black Diamond Racing cones and The Shelf (the thick one); Aurios Pro bearings; Symposium Ultra, Super, and Svelte platforms; Symposium Rollerblocks including Junior, 2+ with grade 10 bearings, 2+ with grade 3 bearings, and double stacked 2+/grade 3; Goldman cones; some Bright Star products; etc.
After a year of experimenting with different combinations of the above devices, the clear winner that emerged for both my CD player and my monoblock tube amps was the Critical Mass Grand Master platform. In my system, nothing came close at being so successful in reducing the vibration noise. That greatly enhanced the inner harmonic detail and nuances, micro transients, dynamics, musicality and involvement. It's no more expensive than some of the alternatives mentioned in this thread. They also have a couple of less expensive lines.
You should try the Black Diamond Racing Cones and Pucks together, not just the Pucks. You will be amazed of the improvement. If you like tighter bass and more high, tyr the mk 4. If you like more warm, get the mk 3.
Have fun.
try BDR pucks underneath your cd player as a cheap and risk free test (musicdirect.com has a satisfaction guarantee) to hear whether you need to address isolation in your system. i think you will be pleasantly surprised and the results will likely take some guess and stress out of your investment in isolation equipment.
If you have a serviceable rack you are using now I would suggest that you isolate the compponents you are using from that rack. Check with Mapleshade (888/236-2753; no website). They offer quite a range of isolating products, all of which are sold with a 30-Day satisfaction or money back guaranty so you can't go wrong. Also, request a catalog. They also produce quite a range of excellently recorded CD's most of which, unfortunately, are a bit too outre` for my taste.
Happy Isolating !
I have a LOT of stuff from www.mapleshaderecords.com with excellent results. After a decade experimenting with many isolation systems, I upgraded all my components's systems with the great 4" mapleshade wood platforms with Megamounts on top and at the buttom of the platforms. Excellent results. Outstanding improvement in the whole spectrum. Highly recommended. Visit the website and get many free tweaks. Best, Antonio Machado.
Unless I'm missing something, feel free to use the web now instead of the phone.
and you want something that is fully functional to meet your needs look into the pARTicular racks designed by Volkmar Drubbisch. I have provided a link below. I have the Triangle with white acrylic shelves. It's an artistic masterpiece and a great isolation rack. The are not cheap, but nor are they any more expensive than the Grand Prix racks mentioned.
... it fits your budget, and they are expensive, the GP Racing racks are outstanding in their ability.
You will NOT be able to reproduce this degree of quality at home.
As ever, the final 20% of quality takes 80% of the budget.
"I'm not convinced that isolation will work, but I have an open mind and want to try it. What I do find is that there is a good amount of bass resonance where I'm sitting and I'm sure it's the floor. I'm wondering how this feeds into my equipment and back into the speaker. The tighter the bass control on the Verities, the better."
I would recommend U start with addressing your room acoustics if U haven't already. ASC is one of the top leaders in room acoustics solutions with a myriad of products that are quite harmonious in the home environment.
Take care of the big problems first as they will mitigate alot of the smaller problems such as component isolation.
JMHO of course,
~kenster
Kenster arises a good point: if you are able to try some Acoustic Treatment first, that is the way to go. Although initially skeptical, I began hanging some GIK Acoustic Panels on my walls, the improvement was so spectacular as nothing else before, so I continue experimenting and getting more of those panels. I have now 7 GIK Acoustic Panels including two Monster Bass Traps. The most effective improvement ever in my ten years as a dedicated audiophile. As Kenster appropiately states "Take care of the big problems first as they will mitigate alot of the smaller problems such as component isolation". Isolation and damping systems work, no doubt about it. But Room Acoustic Treatment will be a better star (a) bigger improvement and (b) probably much more affordable than some expensive Damping/Isolation Systems. Good luck, let us know your decision/experiences. Best, Antonio Machado.
kenster,
I can't argue, it's very, very important. I don't have a dedicated listening room and none of their products will work in the living room. I'm focused on finding good art on canvas - that's my acoustics! And leather couches :).
Thanks for the input.
Cheers
Good art on canvas won't do anything for your acoustics and the leather couches may be a problem because leather can be reflective at higher frequencies. Having said that, both can make a room more pleasant and welcoming which will affect your mood, and your mood affects your enjoyment. I've got a leather chaisse for a listening chair in the dedicated room where my audio system lives and several original woodblock and lithograph prints framed under glass on the walls, along with acoustic treatment. You can have both and I'd suggest you should.
Regarding the isolation, however, you didn't mention a budget but you did mention the Pagode and Grand Prix Audio racks. I use a GPA Monaco under less stellar equipment than the Levinson and I can strongly recommend it, especially when fitted out with the Apex feet and the composite shelves. I haven't tried the Pagode so I can't comment or compare.
Get one of the top level racks. Since room decor appears to be of some value to you, pick one which complements your room but make sure you get one of the better racks which has some serious thought and scientific method behind it's construction. You won't regret it, either for it's benefit to the sound or the aesthetic contribution to the room.
David Aiken
David Aiken
... I am seeing double.
Dave Aiken
Dave Aiken
I thought canvas was good to have - better than glass covered art. Oh well, guess I shouldn't listen to an art dealer for acoustic advice. My room is prone to echoes, so I thought more absorbing furniture and a rug would help. Seems to sound better. But we're off topic.
Yes, will look at GPA, Finite Elemente and Rix Rax. All are suitable looks wise, but are expensive indeed. I just can't test these racks out - so all I've got is opinions and feedback from others.
Many thanks. Cheers
the AS series, specifically. You could get into a 3 shelf setup for about 1/3 the cost of the Finite or GPA racks. There's a review in Positive Feedback from about a year ago.
Art on canvas isn't good, but it isn't particularly bad either. There's nothing in the canvas itself to offer any real level of absorption, and oil paint could prove reflective at high frequencies where the canvas may offer a small amount of absorption. In fact, if the oil pain is laid on thickly, as in some modern paintings where variations in thickness of the paint add some texture to the surface, then it probably will be reflective to some degree, but probably not much more than a hard wall.
Keep the art work but place it in places other than early reflection points. If you can arrange the speaker and listening position layout so there's absorption, such as curtains, at the early reflection points, then try that. It may not work because you may end up with the listening position in a bass null but if you can get good bass with such a layout, the rest may work quite well also.
Absorbing furniture and rugs will help. Leather upholstery, however, is a bit on the reflective side so you're better off with furniture covered in fabric and upholstered in foam if you're after absorption. If you've got a comfortable leather chair that you like listening in, keep it since you cover a lot of the leather when you're in it and listening. If you can put fabric covered furniture elsewhere, do it. If it has to be leather, then try and keep it out of the early reflection path.
We all make compromises somewhere in our systems and rooms. Even dedicated rooms have compromises. You don't have to get everything perfect and don't forget that rooms have to be lived in. You want a room that you're happy to spend time in. You don't want a room that's all attention to sound but is uninviting and that you regret having to use. Those negative feelings will interfere with your enjoyment no matter how good the sound is in absolute terms. Make it your room, one you're happy with. You don't have to give up anything but if you're going to have something that can cause problems then simply be aware of the fact and place it so it has minimum effect. Find out what is acoustically beneficial in your room and try to place it where it will be most beneficial or move the speakers and listening position to take advantage of it if you can and the object/feature is immovable.
We're all in this for enjoyment so ensure that you do enjoy listening, and that includes making it enjoyable to spend time in the room.
David Aiken
That's very helpful. I appreciate the detail.
Cheers
... is one of those rather cleaver repros done with that process Graham Nash developed, then it may well be stretched on a frame.
If that is the case, you could easily line it with acoustic foam.
Any prints treated like this will give at least some (mainly high frequency) absorption if placed either very symmetrically or very unevenly round the room
But the largest art I have in the room is canvas stretched on a frame, but lining the back with acoustic foam can't hurt - great idea! I'll do that.
Thanks
... well, within limits... it isn't canvas, but ti is stretched on a frame.
It's just over a metre square and as my house is very open plan, I get a lot of boominess round the house.
Placing the picture at different spots noticeably changes the acoustic of the place.
for many cotton or silk fabrics, the nature of the material won't detract from the absorption behind it to any noticeable extent.
Depending on your decor, some of the those fabrics from Marimeko are very popular as wall decorations and make great absorption panels being available off the roll and at 1.2M wide.
Hello,
Saw this post....and infact came across this site yesterday....looks interesting...
http://www.fastaudio.com/INT/absorber600.html
hope it helps...
Teck5
I wonder if they have a version that accepts normal latex paint - then it can be painted to match the wall... can't be too many issues with the decorating police on that.
Thanks
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