Anti-Vibration pads: which component most?

what pads? Usually I'd start at the source or a tube pre amp (if that's what you have)

thinking the sq isol-pads

Source then pre-amp. I am guessing your amp and speakers are probably well isolated due to their weight and positioning within your system.

Make sure you have your signal and power cables up off the floor and separated as well. As usual YMMV.

Agree with Tom6897, source first. Try Black Raviolis, they worked best for me after having tried lots of others

I am not familiar with those..there are lots on the market...I"ve tried Symposium Fat Padz before...easily can hear. I suspect once you start, you'll be buying more ;-)

The moment I put them under my pre amp Jolida 5t, I noticed an immediate improvement.

And: What pads are the best? Are some pads better than others? Do some components respond to pads better than others? Do some pads work better on different shelf materials? All these questions are the same. There just ain't no way in HAYell of knowing the answer until you try it for yourself and see. Not trying to discourage you - on the contrary, feel free to jump right in. BTW, welcome to the Kingdom of Tweak!!

Regards. John

This type of pad is offered by various retailers and the price varies quite a bit. I believe they get them from this manufacturer:
http://www.supersoundproofingsales.com/products.asp?dept=25

For the price, you can't go wrong when experimenting.

All the best,
Nonoise

I forgot to add that all I use are Herbie's Tenderfeet under everything and they work quite well.

All the best,
Nonoise

A suggestion; Why are you seemingly trying the most marginal, minimal tweak in an effort to gauge effectiveness?

Consider that by limiting the extent of the utilization you are preparing for a failed test. If you are going to test, why not test with anti-vibration under all components? If you are worried over the cost, then choose a complete set which is no more expensive than a smaller number of more "refined" ones. Even better, why not try some home-made devices (i.e. foam or rubber) to see if you can detect any difference, and work from there?

Your experiment seems congruous to someone saying, "I want to determine if cables make a difference," then setting up the conditions such that only one wire is changed.

Well, under such conditions you may or may not have success. But it diminishes the efficacy of the test, because the influence of the device may be subtle enough that unless used througout the system it may be undetected by your ears. Consequently, you may determine that all such devices are a waste of time, or that all cable changes are a waste of time, etc.

So, if you are going to conduct a test, why not go all out to see if the concept applied on a grand scale works? Usually this can be done without overextending one's time/budget.

OTOH, it may just not matter at all! ;) I have used various anti-vibration devices and "points" etc. under digital components in the past and judged them typically to be a waste of time relative to the gains to be had with changing elements of the system proper.

My suggestion when it comes to digital is to spend your efforts on influencing the signal path, not the external conditions of components.

Happy New Year, Everyone! :)

Douglas_schroeder wrote,

"My suggestion when it comes to digital is to spend your efforts on influencing the signal path, not the external conditions of components."

The use of pads, cones, springs, bladders, etc. under the component does influence the signal path, you silly goose. :-)