Yes, they certainly benefit the manufacturers. Do you, personally, think that shoving anything under solid state components produces any kind of change in the sound? Obviously, nothing can stop people from believing anything they want. Audiophilia is ripe with delusional behaviour. So long as you believe, you will hear. Can anyone prove in any valid way that solid state circuitry is microphonic? Plenty of replies that no proof other than your own ears is required is the usual rebuttal. So be it. Don't sell the farm (hi-fi or otherwise) to procure vibration dampening materials or stands and such. If it's cheap, use it, can't oit.
Do isolation devices really help?
I am curious about your thoughts on isolation devices--cones, pads, etc.. Do they really help? I can maybe understand how they may help with a CD player because you have a rotating disc moving picking up signals. But for solid state equipment like the preamp and amp I really don't understand what they would contribute for improving sound quality. I'm thinking about cones, etc for my CD transport. Any advice and comments about effect on other components?