Popular Post wdw Posted January 25, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 25, 2019 We don't have a forum for Isolation/Support equipment so am posting here. I recently installed a series of ISoAcoustics Orea isolation footers below my Devialet equipment. (integrated DAC/Pre/Amp in a milled aluminum case) Due to the extremely rigid milled enclosure of the Devialet I had limited expectations that these footers would offer much, if any improvement, but the opposite was clearly audible without much needed for back and forth A/B comparisons. Sound was more energetic with sharper musical definition between massed instruments and, surprisingly, cleaner and more articulate bass lines. IsoAcoustics is a Canadian firm which has, historically, served the Pro market and are now moving into the home audio market and happily their price points are quite sane. Not the range of the Ted Denny magic bean stuff. They also make speaker footers and are now releasing set for a series of Titan footers for heavier speakers such as B&W and Magico. I've used the Indigo at the base of the lower D440 and the Bronze in-between the two units. The Bronze sells for $69 CAD and $50 USD with three required as a minimum. I highly recommend that you have a listen if you have the opportunity . I am confident they offer improvements. Still surprised that mechanical isolation of relatively massive electronics can produce a more coherent sound. Link below: http://www.isoacoustics.com ferenc, Blake, Monge and 4 others 3 4 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 22 minutes ago, Blake said: Warren, have you compared these IsoAcoustic footers to any other footers in your system? I did have a fairly extensive set of Sort Kones sprinkled throughout my system but they never did offer the level of improvement the Orea have. It was immediately obvious to my wife and me that these little guys were a very clear improvement. At their price point there is so little to lose if you give 'em a try. On line at Amazon and Cruthfield...in Canada, Audiow3.com I am confident the solutions offered by IsoAcoustics are more highly engineered and tested when compared to the various audiophile offerings. Check out their site and some of the YouTube videos. These guys are data based engineers, no magic dust nor unobtanium materials used. I am truly interested in their new Titan series for my Magicos. Link to comment
wdw Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 4 hours ago, rando said: Have you given the Barry Diament air/roller bearing system a try? No haven’t but there are shared modalities....well kinda.....maybe ! 😌 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 27 minutes ago, Axial said: I like their look, their big affordability factor, their Canadian heritage. They are worth trying them IMO, worth comparing with cheaper (squash balls) and much more expensive ... They look like hi class record weights...clamps. No clamps...two outer rings of stainless steel with some kind of internal elastomeric surfaces of varying density which, I assume, do the work of absorbing/translating the energy from the device at hand...each end has a rubber concave surface which does seem to attach easily to each surface, top and bottom. Smart mofos. Link to comment
wdw Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 11 hours ago, Blackmorec said: Hi wdw, Just like to point out that the sound changes you get from footers of any kind depend entirely on what the treated device, in this case Devialet amps are sitting on. If they are sitting on something resonant and highly coloured the changes will go in one direction. If on the other hand they are sitting on resonance controlled shelves of a optimised rack with properly engineered vibration grounding and isolation you’ll get entirely different results. In one case you may get solid improvements, in another you may just get exaggerated frequency extremes, depending on how the footers interact with their support base. I believe your comments may be self-evident although your scenario seem to offer only two conditions....one dire, the other positive. I know the Orea siting on a solid table but not an “optimized rack with properly engineered vibration...” are producing extraordinary improvements in my system. Sure there will always be degrees of improvement in any setup but do not hear any of the “exaggerated frequency extremes” predicted in your post Link to comment
Popular Post wdw Posted January 27, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2019 1 hour ago, fas42 said: Isolation feet, all sorts of fancy support mechanisms, are just means of post-engineering electronics components that are not built well enough to be insensitive to vibration effects, whether internally or externally originating. Best solution is to find equipment that doesn't change its sound, irrespective of how it's supported or stabilised - it's "robust". Next approach is to 'fix' what you have, by adding those isolation feet, etc, that best match the needs of the particular components - this is very much trial and error; I can't see a way of ensuring that the first item used to tweak with will be the "best" - only by going inside the component and working out where it's sensitive will the best 'solution' be arrived at. Often wondered about all these threads and comments that appear to hold your opinions in some disbelief or mockery but not having read any of your posts I merely wondered why but in your response above I can easily why. Have you ever seen the make-up, internal composition and milled chassis of the Devialet? If you had you couldn't have made your statement with a straight face. Clearly my wife and I were astounded by the improvement, as it was unexpected in some sympathy to your position above, but never would have had your particular conceit on the subject. IMHO you are clearly wrong on this one. audiobomber and 4est 1 1 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 6 hours ago, Dutch said: I agree with WdW. Considering how its built one would not immediately think (not intuitively anyway) the Devialets would be very much susceptible to vibrations. But of course anything receives outside and generates its own vibrations. For any layman it’s impossible to say how/what, which and where. The 250 Pro I own and it is very similar to the 220/440 model looks like this. Milled from a single alu block, no wires inside (none!), height 4 cm so relatively small caps and everything mounted on a PCB. The bottom plate is pure, thick copper. Mine is on a ‘plate’ support containing layers of ‘sand like’ minerals, some type of EMI blocking plate, ceramics all encased in wood. Yet I have not experimented much on this subject. Reading WdW’s experience tells me I perhaps should! Considering the low price of entry, I suggest you give them a try. Link to comment
wdw Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 6 hours ago, ferenc said: I am using Isoacoustics stands and Pucks everywhere on my desktop system. They work very well, there is an Iso Puck set under the Roger Mayer pre/tape simulator. Usually even the most affordable Iso-Puck works very well, the only exception is the Holo Audio Spring 2, where the original footers works roughly the same way as the Pucks. No real difference with or without. Impressive....their YouTube videos showing the positive influence of these stands was compelling Link to comment
wdw Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 7 hours ago, Blackmorec said: Devialet components include a DAC which of course requires a quartz crystal oscillator. Depending on the oscillator’s design, vibration can cause increased jitter with the corresponding impact on sound quality. Bingo ! Link to comment
wdw Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 R 9 minutes ago, Ralf11 said: has anyone done a blind listening test on their electronics with/with out isolators?? (not cone speakers - just ny electronic device) Rumour has it that Stevie Wonder uses them in his studio😉.....wondered when you get around to this....no blind testing at this end Link to comment
wdw Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 52 minutes ago, fas42 said: As a serious answer, no. The industry doesn't take engineering components to a sufficient degree seriously enough, hence the abundance of audio forums and websites suggesting and selling a vast array of fixes, many of the Harry Potter standard. An automotive design from the 1960's for an advanced vehicle would be laughed out of the room, if proposed today - because the standards considered acceptable back then now look ridiculous. But audio in many ways has not advanced for decades - because the required standards have barely moved. If a car is driven faster, over a tremendous variety of road conditions, people expect it to behave in a completely predictable way - not so for audio; rigs have 'fragile' sound, and nominally the better they are, the more sensitive they become to almost everything. I think you are mistaking these threads as an appeal to authority and you are willing to take up that mantle...but, unfortunately, this has to be deserved/earned, my friend. Link to comment
wdw Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Just now, fas42 said: How you wish to consider my posts is up to you. My interest is in hearing what's on the recording, not how playing with various devices can decorate the sound to suit one's preferences - since this is posted in General, seemingly the main place to discuss methods for improving system capabilities, I felt it might be useful for people to consider why these various toys have an effect; rather than simply engage in Toy of Month activity. from what I read from your posts and your page you have no stereo of any worth to mention...so I will not accept some room temperature IQ Aussie mocking my simple and helpful post....I do not have toys in my system... Link to comment
Popular Post wdw Posted January 28, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2019 18 minutes ago, fas42 said: No point in engaging beyond this point - what I currently have is quite irrelevant to where I've been in this audio game - I got lucky 30 years ago, and have been waiting for the audio community to catch up, ever since ... and am still waiting ... Devices used without considering where the positive benefit is coming from, is a form of "playing with toys" - once you realise that a component is sensitive to vibration, then there are all sorts of approaches that can be used to eliminate that 'weakness' - that's when it's called engineering, say. likely to get me banned but you are a serious asshole Ralf11, AudioDoctor, MetalNuts and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 3 hours ago, One and a half said: @wdw, stick to your guns and please ask C. Connaker to remove @fas42's worthless posts. Not my fight but Chris could look at stuff like this...I have the greatest respect for him and his administration of the site. Not sure how he can judiciously deal with these time wasting mofos. Isn’t around 49C all day long in Aus? So there may be an excuse for this particular loopy Aussie. Perhaps he has a similar disagreement with AC and won’t just turn it on. Perhaps it is so just too fxxking hot for our dear boy. daverich4 1 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 On 1/28/2019 at 2:09 AM, Blackmorec said: ..... it has become clear that fast42 believes that...... In some respects, he’s right in that a...... His position is that if you are..... His assumption is that... ......"but it is why you’re getting so much push back. So you are the fas42 whisperer? I see a pattern here where he will post a comment which is a best obtuse, if not divisive and insulting then you show up to attempt an explanation of his true intentions. Easy to simply assume you one and the same person. Further to the “push back” you mention, just from you two so far. sandyk 1 Link to comment
wdw Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 7 hours ago, ralphfcooke said: It does seem a little strange that whenever someone make a change to their system, especially one with a significant cost involvement, that the result is almost always positive. Wouldn't it be more reasonable to assume the manufacturer has gone to some lengths to ensure their product performs at something approaching its optimum, in which case it would seem to me that there would be an even chance that changes would be negative? The cost of the items I am recommending are in the range of $60 each with a minimum of three required. Are you suggesting $180 is a significant cost when discussing audio gear? Hell, it is a bargain. Link to comment
wdw Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Blackmorec said: Hey WDW, I was looking at my system the other day and it occurred to me that one of my power supplies is poorly situated on the glass shelf of a large TV stand. The power supply replaced a nasty little SMPS brick, so of course it sounded a lot better, but as I stated in my posts, all components’ sound is coloured by their support. I remembered your post about the IsoAcoustics Orea Bronze and their excellent value proposition, so I’m going to give them a try under my PS. Thanks for the heads-up Will be interested to read your observations following the install. I have an SBooster PS used with my ROON ROCK and have been wondering about the efficacy of a set of Bronze underneath that power supply. Cheers Link to comment
wdw Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 On 4/14/2019 at 2:18 AM, shtf said: Interesting product. I'm curious about: 1. Whether the performance gains were instantaneous or if the products first had to go through a settling in period of time? 2. What platform (shelf, rackiing system, grandma's coffee table, etc) the Devialet is placed on? 3. What footers were you using prior to the IsoAcoustics, e.g. stock footers, etc? 4. I viewed their website but I couldn't find anything describing specific materials used in their products? Do you happen to know the various materials used? Thanks, Check out the thread on Devialetchat.... Tweakers Corner, for a four or five page acknowledgement to the efficacy of these footers it is refreshing that this very professional group doesn’t lower into the mythos/mystery of the Ted Denny stuff (Hello Mr. Scroggie) and their obscene pricing strategies https://devialetchat.com/ Link to comment
wdw Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 18 minutes ago, Ralf11 said: https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Isoacoustics-Gaia-Isolation-pods For the Oreo here’s the link: https://devialetchat.com/Thread-IsoAcoustics-OREA-isolation-footers You betcha...these performance points are repeatable and even testable. A nod to you doubly blinded testing advocates. 😄 Link to comment
wdw Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 On 4/14/2019 at 4:01 AM, Confused said: I too have speakers that sit on carpeted concrete flooring. I use the Isoaccustics Giai II's and agree that there is a definite improvement over the original spikes. I understand they offer carpet spikes that are fitted to sit under the lower ring of the Giai and the spike to the concrete below. Link to comment
wdw Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 2 hours ago, tims said: Hi wdw I've read the devialet thread and note that there is discussion of using just two (or one?) of the footers under components. I guess balancing is achieved by using a spike(?) for the third position. Have you tried this and found any difference compared to using an all footer setup? Thanks Those posts that suggest using two or one are, IMHO, coming from someone missing the point of these devices. Three are required for general stability and the suspended equipment must be free to "move" within the tolerances offered by the Orea. A spike would defeat that design intent coupling the equipment back to the support shelf. One decided to use four heavier Orea with a design load capacity far greater than the load he placed on them and so likely will never really enjoy the full design isolation offered by the use of a correctly sized Orea. Dunno. Link to comment
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