2. misc-audio
  3. 133056-76532

Mapleshade Isolation: Does Nothing?

Okay guys. I built a Mapleshade-style isolation platform out of a 3” thick maple butcher block and Mapleshade footers (also Isoblocks). This was originally to isolate a SET amp, but after moving to solid state amps and trying to get into vinyl, I used it to try mounting a MoFi StudioDeck, figuring this would benefit the most from the Mapleshade-style isolation system.

Turntable -> Mapleshade Heavyfooters (3, not threaded) -> Butcher Block -> Mapleshade Iso Blocks -> Pangea audio rack (spiked through carpet).

When using headphones and turning up the gain on my preamp, I can clearly hear the sound of lightly dragging a fingernail across the butcher block. I can also clearly hear it when going across the rack shelf the butcher block in sitting on. So, the vibration is being transmitted up through the Iso blocks, through the butcher block, up through the Heavyfooters, up through Derlin platter, and into the needle.

Placing the turntable directly on the butcher block using its built-in spring loaded feet, vibrations are still transmitted but are much attenuated. So, this experiment leads me to believe that the Mapleshade system does JACK ALL. Am I doing something wrong that could lead to this result? Am I misunderstanding something basic about how this system is supposed to work?
madavid0

Showing 1 response by bsimpson

bsimpson
167 posts
 
Here’s my $0.02 from my use experience: Other than those ridiculous big and heavy brass footers, virtually all Mapleshade product I tried did nothing, as if my ears are soaked in snake oil for too long.

The brass footers did many things in my room. Left bad scratch marks on my equipment, scratched my racks, damaged my carpet, one of them landed on my foot (stitches @ ER, thank you for asking)

The saving grace was when I was using the impossibly heavy and stiff NBS cables. The brass footers helped to keep the equipment stationary.

If you ask about sound ... those heavy footers improved the imaging/focus of the speakers when they were put on top (not as footers) ... but that’s a real hazard. (see foot above)

The footers made some preamps sound much worst when they are put on top of the cover (see "keep the equipment stationary" comment above). I cannot explain it and didn’t remember which one (likely the BAT vk3i, the tube one? and VAC Standard SE I think). They made the sound dull. I cannot explain it nor care to find out.

I like roller balls way better. The improvement is considerable (then again, the hassle and high cost may not justify such). Nowadays I am using all Herbie.

Almost universally, my audiophile friends love their tables on the Mapleshade (platform, footers etc). So that’s that.

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