Isolation devices and CDPs

Thanks. What about vibration from within the CDP itself and not from outside sources? Some manufacturers of isolation devices claim that their products act as sinks to bleed vibrations from within the CDP itself. My floor is 12+" thick concrete; and the CDP is housed within a cabinet that is built-in, made from solid cherry, and has a soapstone top.

While one may not actually hear a difference in very rare cases, virtually all components and turntables do benefit from properly engineered isolation and damping.

At minimum, prospective buyers of vibration control products should know the basic definitions of, and the distinctions between ISOLATION and DAMPING to enable them to make informed purchases.

ISOLATION refers to the process of preventing (minimizing) externally generated vibratory energy from reaching a component. Although this includes acoustic or air-borne vibration that is difficult to manage in exposed audio/video equipment, we are primarily concerned with the transfer of mechanical vibration. And, it is essential to understand that there is no significant mechanical isolation possible unless there is relative movement between the component and its supporting structure, to prevent sympathetic movement with the supporting structure. Therefore, only a device or material that can compress like a spring or deform like an air-bag or a viscoelastic part, or “roll” like a bearing, can be an isolator. Exceptions to these “passive” examples include “active” systems that have electromechanical “self-leveling” capabilities. Obviously, hard “spikes” are not isolators! And, bearings only islolate in the lateral plane!

DAMPING refers to the process of removing (minimizing) internally generated vibration that is inherent in a component AND any external vibration that, for lack of adequate isolation, may enter the component, by converting the mechanical vibratory energy of solids into heat energy - a process called hysteresis. Damping is generally accomplished by the bonding or coupling of viscoelastic sheet materials to the (vibrating) surfaces, mechanisms and parts of a component. There MUST be direct contact to provide damping!

I recommend that individuals intent on understanding the fundamentals of vibration control seek information outside of the audio arena by reading "white papers" online and books in libraries to become self-educated. Once the actual facts are known, one can evaluate products by their inclusion or lack thereof of properly engineered designs.

Discalimer: I manufacture vibration control devices.

Nice piece of equipment that deserves special attention. What we all need is what Equa is referring to, namely a device that isolates and dampens. The latter is oftentimes forgotten. I have used many expensive isolation devices over the years and typically there is an improvement in clarity. However, the greatest improvement I have experienced to date is use of EquaRack footers which isolate and dampen. Bearing footers are the best for front end equipment like your CDP. I use them under my transport. I use regular footers under the rest of my equipment. The improved resolution and inner detail is amazing. I like you have my equipment stand sitting on a concrete basement floor and my transport is built like a tank weighing 65 lbs. Yet the bearing footers created a marked improvement. So isolation, though important, is not enough. Don’t forget about dampening.

My Acute sounds best with a large buckwheat pillow under it (also under my EAR 324 phono stage). However, I would eventually like to use a Townsend Seismic Sink. Otherwise, the Acute (and most of the 100+ CD players I've tried at home from the 80s) sounded worse on their own legs/feet, best with the buckwheat, sometimes better on navcom or silicone types and worse with Aurios. Stillpoints were okay but buckwheat (inexpensive but uglier) beat them all. Ask Tom Port of Better Records-his top choice.

This is a great topic. I thoroughly enjoyed Equa's technical explanation of damping and isolation. Very well done. I realize these are not on the same par as Equa's "Footers" but I've invested in Vibrapod Isolators. I have 3 sets in use (two CD players and one DVD player). No question they make a sonic difference (improved soundstage and more defined bass) as well as eliminating skipping and jittering. More of a budget isolator.