Isolation suggestions for amplifer

I think the best isolation from airborne vibration is to pour concrete over the amplifier. This can, however, create some maintenance issues.

I am currently experimenting with an airborne isolation system involving helium-filled balloons tied to each of the 4 corners of the amplifier. At the moment, I'm having a problem with the cat, who likes to ride on it (because it's warm), and has figured out that by manipulating the balloons, she can guide it around the living room. Guests find this disconcerting. I guess I will have to try shorter interconnects.

Isolation devices can make you crazy. They make me crazy. One of my audio gurus said of them, "they often impart to the gear something of the sound of whatever they're made of." And, indeed, some of the devices made out of various metals can lend to one's gear a bit of a "cold" or "hard" sound...by which, I mean, you may get a top end that seems cleaner, and bass that seems better controlled (but could also be described as "leaner") and yet, like me, find that fatiguing after a while. That's how I hear Symposium isolation units, for example, used with the metal "pucks" that come with the bases. I've been able to alleviate that by using fairly hard rubber feet instead, marketed by BEL (Brown Electronic Labs). (I also tried some wood pucks, but didn't care for them either.)

Now, I use a Symposium isolation platform under my amp and under my turntable, but without the Symposium pucks/feet. I just use the feet that the manufacturers put on their units. (I figure Linn and CJ must know a little bit about how much isolation they want for their gear, after all.) I use some of the BEL rubber feet under one of my CD players. Otherwise, I quit using isolation doo-dads (other than that provided by the manufacturer of the gear). And I'm happy. I like the sound of my system (relatively well--better than I ever have before, in fact). I sleep at night. True, I know I'm a dinosaur, and pretty soon the Audiophile Police are going to come around and revoke my license, but, until then...

Oh, yes, Galen Carol's website has a very good discussion of the sonic effects of a number of isolation devices. One thing I like about the discussion is that it acknowledges that some people may like the effects of certain types of isolation doo-dads better than others. Watch out for anyone who insists that their isolation device is "the best" for all purposes.

Uh-oh, sounds like a race to the patent office is taking shape...