As An Experiment I Stuck A Few Things Under My Pre-Amp And Am Now On A Quest
My system is built out, got the pieces I want in place, and struggled a bit with how it sounds. With certain recordings it was sublime and with others it could be a bit sterile or mechanical sounding. These are all solid state components in a Salamander cabinet, and up to this point I have never been a fan of isolation devices with SS gear. Now with tube components I did use spike type devices under amps and preamps, so I have had a bit of experience.
Last night I rounded up a few wayward isolation devices I had from previous systems and thought I would experiment a bit. The pre-amp contains the DAC also, so I thought I would start here. Put in some Wagner type pads, and got a different sound with some improved focus but the bass was lean and a bit odd. But things changed. I tried some magnetic pods I had, no change with them.
Then as a whim I cut two sections of foam pool noodle I had laying around and put it under the front and back of the preamp. I oriented them lengthwise. Something fantastic happened here! I got spooky precise focus to instruments, the bass response became impactful, the sound is more relaxed...perhaps a bit too smooth but I will take this over that mechanical presentation any day. This is sounding very nice.
So, after dinner I decide to cut a third one and perhaps the bass gets better. I put it in and all the gains are gone, it sounds worse than the first set of Wagner pads I put in. The bass literally vanishes and the soundstage collapses. Pull it out and things are good again. I listen to disc after disc last night and am pleased with the sound. I am spinning vinyl this morning and still feel the same way.
So now I have a plan of action. On one hand I am content to leave the noodles in place and roll with that for awhile. It would be nice to have a permanent solution though. It seems like I am looking for a compliant solution. I remember Brightstar used to build a little shelf that housed a bike inner tube in it, and I think Townshend Audio also had a bladder type platform.
It would be interesting to know what products folks have used that functioned in a similar manner.
Thanks for sharing any thoughts or experiences.
OP,
Just out of interest did you adjust the weight capacity of the NobSprings such that the components on them compressed them half way? They must be adjusted to each component. Yes, a fascinating and informative investigation. That is why there are dozens of different products on the market… elastomer pucks, half domes, wood blocks, Black Racing cones and carbon composite shelves, many different spring formula… etc. I remember I used these small platforms with bicycle inner tubes in them about 40 years ago. I got tired of reinflating them each week. |
@ernstmach ”I use a laser pointer to check for vibration…”
That is brilliant. Great idea. Although I will not be taping anything to my speakers. However, I have on my list of things to get include a seismometer. I plan on using that for everything from monitoring seismic activity of the earth, trucks and cars.. and the results of sound. But I have other reasons to get one… they are over $1K. |
