Ceramic insulator cone under phono stage shocker!

I've had a set for a couple of years. I hadn't had a chance yet to use them under a component that passes the music signal. Pretty neat design as it allows lots of flexibility. One thing I noticed in my particular use was the springs' slight movement inside the acrylic top/bottom plates can have a slight audible noise. I had always thought of making new ones out of Maple. The price is low enough to be a no-brainer if you like to experiment with such things.

@uberwaltz,

I had an idea a while back I thought about trying, just thought I'd share. If you have a high quality wood store/shop in your area, have them shape a half circle piece of (moulding)(flat on the other side) a little larger than the wooded dowel you'll place in it. These pieces would be about 2" long. The dowel should be of smaller diameter than the channel cut into the "moulding" for movement. I suspect this would sound even better than just blanks. It would be an inexpensive enough project to try anyway.

Is the difference a state secret? Wait..let me guess...."yes"

@geoffkait ,

I own some of your SSS (Super Stiff Springs), I also own a slightly heavier rated spring/s from www.Grainger.com They look similar. Is there any difference?

I also own a set of 4 cryo’d babies, for complete disclosure.

Appreciate the post GK.

@uberwaltz,

I assume you're using 4 springs?

@elizabeth 

I agree and you more thoughtfully explained what I failed to.

The original Stillpoints: delrin housing w/ a ceramic ball
I used these under my EAR 834P and noticed a difference when I put one inverted.
However, when I bought the ss minis, the effectiveness was moved upwards....then using 3 vs 4...another forward progress was made.

It's all about (tuning).

DH  should start an advertising campaign....showing a picture of the (Mediums) along side of Jane or maybe a more recent gal, with a "thought cloud" saying......"the sound you always dreamed about".......

I thought I paid less...recently for a brand new set?

@david_ten ,

Your presence here has seemingly acted like GK's "Dark Matter", it has had a controlling effect on him.

@david_ten ,

Well it seems to be a lot about "tuning" doesn’t it? Of coarse, and correct me if I'm wrong, but here we're talking about using the MIGs inside a system that has been properly decoupled from it's environment?

Thanks @david_ten 

I own some HFTs to level 2. I have currently felt going further with these in my well treated room may not be the best use of money right now. I am impressed with what I heard thus far. I appreciate your feedback.

Geoff, 

The MIGs are a different shape (domed), not sure of the material they're made of. I assume these factors might be different from the usual point/funnel/cone shape. I just think it maybe a possible look to someone who's willing to experiment. There was a set offered here at $100.

Although I’ve never tried them, the Synergistic Research MIG couplers...I find interesting. According to their literature, they recommend 2 down & 1 up or 1 up & 2 down.

@uberwaltz,

Those rubber/cork isolators were trapping vibes just waiting to get out. Those are mostly used for isolating heavy/noisy industrial equipment. The air handler for my HVAC system in my attic sits on 6 of them.

@geoffkait ,

Were you the other one in the van?

I had thought about using springs under the subs for a while but since I already had the Stillpoints, why let that kind of investment just sit around? Additionally the Stillpoints are a ball n' cup device so from my understanding, the vibrations from above and below dissipate at the ball. IMO, this makes the Stillpoints both a coupler & decoupler.

@uberwaltz,

This may be off slightly from the original text of your post but I think serves to give an example of how good/proper isolation can work.

I have (2) Martin Logan Depth i subs in my small listening space. I’ve been using the stock (pretty darn good quality) supplied spikes for years. I have a few sets of Stillpoints Ultra SS that are unused and had always planned on using some under the MLs. I just needed to order some adapters and a few Bullet Spikes and the installation was very easy. I was as you say, "shocked"..... at how much more, clear lower bass info there is now that I really never heard before. The MLs have 3 equally opposing 8" drivers that cancel out almost all vibrations ( the main reason I like them so much in my situation). Having said that and even though they are on a suspended floor, I get this great upgrade in SQ. Oh yeah, the center stage, especially vocals have an enticing new clarity that draws you in.

@bdp24 

Claim your prize and let us all know how it benefits your system.

Who made you the KIng of this thread?

Why put your offer on someone else to notify, then somehow determine what device they have no idea as to what they would want?

You made the offer, you should take care of it!

@geoffkait ,

I read @bdp24  said (Super Stiff Springs) ...HE WON!

@three_easy_payments,

Appreciate your response buddy. I too would like to hear from others more knowledgeable than myself address the issue rather than drag the subject down the drain.

My 2 cents. I felt like this thread would be helpful to some. Now it has become a joke factory of sorts. Very sad.

With all due respect, if @three_easy_payments is still think of decoupling from the floor, I don’t know if the DH Cones are the best solution. I saw, for sale, here, Stillpoints 5...4 for 1500.00. As far as Stillpoints go, that’s a great deal. I pondered buying them myself.

Remember when you decouple your rack, all the other components will benefit as well.

@three_ easy_ payment,

Look at my virtual system page at my amp/rack support for an inexpensive/DIY solution. With the Stabi tt, it shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise the Townshend products are great (based on what I read) and then there’s the Stillpoints stuff....................

@three_easy_payments,

If you don’t mind my asking, how tall is the Symposium rack and what tt are you using?

Remember that acoustic "feedback" for lack of a better term, accentuates the vibrations components see. Is your floor a slab? If not, it should be braced underneath.

The precision couples are doing just as they are suppose to....coupling your rack to the floor...not decoupling thereby exacerbating the issue, IMO.

@three_easy_payments,

To me your situation suggests that your (rack, I assume) isn’t effectively decoupled from the floor or surroundings.

@uberwaltz,

One other thing..... when I was dealing with tinnitus years ago....luckily, mine was more due to impacted wax, I was so distraught because of how much very low bass frequencies hurt me. I was ready to give up listening to music. Just driving in my vehicle on the highway, hurt my ears....driving with the window down, etc.... It was from low frequency noise that humans really don't notice in their daily lives. If we had the hearing that dogs have, most of us would go crazy. All of the seismic vibrations from the earth's crust constantly moving would be....well, I hate to think about it. This is on a different scale but needs to be thought about when trying to isolate or decouple out components.

Yes sir...I love it!

@uberwaltz,

Tubes put out more tenny vibrations than SS in general. They are also more succeptable to taking on vibration from outside sources. A tube is a circuit encased in a glass enclosure. On (top) of that it's just out there, swaying in the wind...... think of a skyscraper and how much they move just because of their height, dealing with, as GK puts it, "Seismic vibrations" & wind etc...This all needs to either be tamed/drained/or both.

@lowrider57 

I was getting ready to post the same/similar words. 

Now, I just can't wait until I get my phono pre decoupled from the room....I expect greater things!

Maybe an additional benefit or way to explain what @almarg was pointing out is the latest orientation is a superior way to funnel vibrations out of the Manley.

Ever tried Herbies tube dampers?