Nobsound springs - load range

I decided to give the Nobsound springs a try with my MC275 amplifiers. They were already resting on oak plywood bases (home made). I removed the feet and placed the bases on the springs and made sure it was level. Hooked everything back up, started my system and starting streaming the song "Along in Kyoto" by the group Air. First song and I heard details that I had never heard (maybe noticed) before.

I am trying to be skeptical about this, but the next album I streamed had what I can only describe as more depth. It was as if the sound field had depth below the floor. It’s a strange description, but as I was listening it was as if the floor dropped due to the sound field. It’s a weird sensation. It is really difficult to describe.

Instant success with first installation? What luck! I failed in my first attempt as the sound got worse when I first installed the Nobsounds. It took me about 5 days with arduous trials to get to the optimal spring configuration.

- 4 units, 6 springs each: 60 kg
- 4 units, 7 springs each: 70 kgLoad can be considerably higher than expected (somewhere I read about 36kg, which is presumably for 4 units).

From my understanding the maximum load capacity of 4 Nobsound units with 7 springs is 50 kg. Did you manage to hear a positive change with the Nobsound under your amps? Does the Nobsound sound better with more or less compression?

What does 50% compression mean? Does this mean that the gap between the top and bottom aluminium alloy piece is reduced to half?

After installing the Nobsound springs under 4 feet of the component, I found the degree of compression at all 4 corners to be dissimilar. The gap of the springs at the front appears to be smaller than the rear. This may suggest that the component is heavier at the front thus causing higher compression to the Nobsound springs placed at the front. Lighter weight at the rear thus less compression resulting in a larger gap of the springs placed at the rear of the component.

Is it advisable to remove one spring from footers with larger gaps to compensate for the uneven weight distribution of the component?

Thanks for the prompt response. Will look into it now. I've just removed one spring each from the rear footers and the gap looks even now.  Will do some manual compression after you have made the suggestion.

Alright, thanks for the advice again.  Will not rush it.

Right, I need some advice. No matter how I adjust the number of springs at all 4 footers, the gap between the top and bottom metal pieces of the two footers located at the front will not be the same as the two footers at the rear.

Current Setup

Two Nobsound footers at the front = 3 springs

Gap between top and bottom metal pieces = 3.5 mm

Two Nobsound footers at the rear = 2 springs

Gap between top and bottom metal pieces = 2 mm

Question : Is it better to add one more spring to both footers at the rear or remove one spring from the front footers? I have checked the levels with a spirit level. There is no issue with the leveling. The uneven gap is caused by uneven weight distribution of the component which is heavier at the front and lighter at the rear.

The gap between the metal pieces of the front footers will not be the same as the rear footers no matter how the adjustments are carried out.

I would appreciate any advice.

Bkeske, this is the layout of my amp. Now I realize why it’s heavier at the front. The transformers are closer to the front.

Nobsounds on my amp. I managed to reduce the gap to 3.5mm at the front. 2mm gap at the rear.

Why not try one footer centered at the rear with 5 springs on it? There are manufacturers such as Esoteric that have only 3 factory installed footers under their disc players.

I’m just unsure and a little wary of the potential danger due to the 63 lbs weight of the unit. It has heavy duty cast-iron insulator feet which strongly support the component. The bottom plate at the rear middle may not be strong enough to be used as a support. Furthermore, there are air vents at the bottom which extend close to the rear of the unit. It’s a Class A amp.

If the component is less than 20 lbs I wouldn’t hesitate to use 3 footers as a support. My DAC is rather lightweight at 15 lbs, and 3 footers with 1 spring each may be too much.

I haven’t tried the second set of Nobsound on my DAC yet as I want to evaluate the performance of it on the amp first. I have to say, initial impressions have been very positive although the set up may not be fully optimized.

Right. Looks like there is no easy way out. I will do it by ear also. Not easy since my amp is quite heavy and it’s quite a chore to move the footers in and out.

That may explain why I felt the sound was better yesterday when the springs have less compression

Thanks for the advice.

The gap at the front footers is 3.5mm. The rear footers are worse as they currently have a smaller 2mm gap. If the Nobsounds require a larger gap I’ll add one spring to the rear footers which will probably get the gap up to 5mm.

When I first installed the Nobsounds, they have a large gap between the top and bottom aluminium piece but a member here advised to get them as close as possible. Check out the thread at the Tech Talk section.

I’ll keep this short although I have a lot to write. I am still experimenting with the number of springs on each footer. Patience would be required for this sort of exercise as there are many possible configurations from one to full seven springs with each footer, placed under the feet or chassis of the component, 3 or 4 units for each component etc.

I’m halfway through with the experiment on the integrated amp in the main system. The Nobsounds are placed directly below the component’s feet. In the Solid Tech brochure, 1-3mm gap is said to be optimal for the best sound reproduction. However, this is not the case with my system. Initially I tried 6 springs for all four Nobsound footers and this actually gave the best sound so far, although I later found that I need to reduce one spring each from the footers at the rear due to the unbalanced weight distribution of the component which is heavier at the front. I then reduced the springs to the minimum (3 springs at front footers, 2 at rear footers) and slowly got back up to 4 springs at the front, 3 at the rear, and I’m currently at 5 springs front, 4 springs rear. The current gap with this set up is 7mm which is slightly above 50% compression.

The sound got better when the gap got larger from 2mm to the current 7mm. I’ll add one spring to each footer tomorrow to get the gap up to 8 or 9mm tomorrow. I haven’t tried the full 7 springs but I think I may skip this one.

Improvements with an optimized set up include a sound that has better clarity, air and detail. The tone of instruments sounds more illuminated with a tube like glow. There’s more air between instruments which gave an airy feel and the bass sounds clearer with better definition and control.

I’ve briefly tried the Nobsounds on my Naim amps in the second system. As I don’t have much time to experiment, I didn’t do any adjustments to the springs. When placed on the preamp, I could not hear much difference. When placed on the power amp, the sound got worse. I then realize one cannot expect instant good results by installing these without much effort.

A note is the springs may not be in a perfect vertical position especially when using minimal springs ie. 1 or 2. The springs may be slightly inclined and this can affect sound quality too.

Thanks for the information Noromance. It appears that the Townshend Pod is an advanced or enhanced version of isolation.

Nobsounds installed on the preamp in my second system. Not much difference here.

Nobsounds on the power amp which made the sound worse. After I checked on the installation, I noticed the footers have different degree of compression, some smaller gap and some with larger gap. Also, few springs and top aluminum pieces are in a slant position. When I looked at the internals of the amp, I then realize why the footers at the right have higher compression - a large toroidal transformer is on the right side on the amp.

Need more time and effort to get things right here.

After having some experience installing the Nobsounds, I just wonder how other isolation products such as Isoacoustics Orea or Townshend Pods address uneven load distribution of components. I presume sound quality will be affected if the footers are not properly loaded to their design performance parameters.

@hm9001

I measured the compression of the springs, it takes ~2.5 kg per spring to compress it to 50%. Based on 50% compression target, this yields the following sweet spot configurations (only stable ones, total equipment weight):
- 3 units, 3 springs each: 22.5 kg
- 4 units, 3 springs each (or 3 units, 4 springs each): 30 kg - 4 units, 4 springs each: 40 kg
- 3 units, 6 springs each: 45 kg
- 3 units, 7 springs each: 52.5 kg
- 4 units, 6 springs each: 60 kg
- 4 units, 7 springs each: 70 kgLoad can be considerably higher than expected (somewhere I read about 36kg, which is presumably for 4 units).

May I ask if your Nobsounds are the aluminium alloy versions? I found that it takes 1.6 kg per spring to achieve 50% compression. Have you measured the gap between the top and bottom aluminium pieces? Without load (0% compression), the gap is 14mm. With 50% compression, the gap would be 7mm. Are you getting these same numbers?

Gents,

I have found the best spring configuration after 5 days of experimentation. In brief summary, the Nobsounds have brought an appreciable improvement to my system. They are used on a Class A integrated amp, 4 footers under the components’ feet. I have another set of Nobsounds which will be tested with the DAC and pre/power amps in another system in due time.

I initially started with 6 springs on each footer. Due to the unbalanced loading of the amp which caused an uneven compression of the footers (the amp is heavier at the front), I later switched to 5 springs @ front, 4 springs @ rear. For ease of illustration, here’s the configuration I’ve tried in chronological order with their corresponding gap between the top and bottom aluminium alloy pieces;

6 springs @ front and rear (8mm gap)

5 springs @ front ; 4 springs @ rear (7mm gap) = 50% compression

4 springs @ front ; 3 springs @ rear (5mm gap)

3 springs @ front ; 2 springs @ rear (3mm gap)

I was expecting the best result with the smallest gap but that didn’t work for me. I then slowly got back up to 6/5 before finally settling with 5/4 which is the best sounding set up to my ears, in my system. Coincidentally, this configuration gave a 50% compression of the springs.

The sound quality is noticeably different with each spring set up. In brief summary, too many springs (low compression) will produce a sound that is lean and light with reduced bass weight. Too little springs (high compression) reduced the airiness and 3-dimensionality. When it sounds right, you will know it and everything just sounds great.

Impressions as follows;

6 springs @ front ; 5 springs @ rear,

- overall presentation is lean and light with certain hollowness to the sound

- bass weight is reduced as it lacks punch and drive

- slight smearing in the midrange

- percussion sounds soft and lacks bite

5 springs @ front ; 4 springs rear (best sound)

- best sound from this set up with the springs at 50% compression

- everything just sounds right as music just flows out freely from the speakers

- notes have more energy with a tube-like quality

- treble sounds airier and has better extension

- improved macrodynamics, airier and 3-dimensional sound with space between instruments

- thwack of drums and percussion all sound snappier and real

- bass weight is back with improved definition and punch

4 springs @ front ; 3 springs @ rear

3 springs @ front ; 2 spings @ rear

- reduced airiness and 3-dimensionality as the sound is slightly dull and flat

@hm9001 appreciate the confirmation. Perhaps the springs in my Nobsounds are different, which is certainly weird if that’s the case. Or perhaps there is error in my calculations. My amp weighs 28.4 kg in the spec sheet, and it takes a total of 18 springs to achieve 50% compression (~7mm gap). 28.4kg ÷ 18 = 1.6kg per spring. The gap with 1 spring and 1.6kg load is ~7mm in my system.

Ignoring the discrepancies in the compression of the springs, I presume ~50% compression of the springs is the sweet spot. Perhaps not for all systems as some have settled with 1-2mm gap (>90% compression). The type of component may be a factor too ie. DAC or CD players requiring higher spring compression while amps requiring lower compression, an assumption on my part.

I’ll be testing the 2nd set of Nobsound on the DAC and another pre/power amps soon to find out myself.

Right folks, a little update on the Nobsound experiment under the DAC. This one is a lot trickier as the component is rather lightweight at 15 lbs. I started with 3 footers with 1 spring in each, all in direct contact with the chassis. The springs aren’t compressed enough and the sound got worse. So I did the unimaginable. Guess what, I am now on 2 footers with 1 spring in each. One would think how the component would be stable under 2 footers. In reality it isn’t but the set up is unique since the power cord(which is a very stiff cable) is lending some pull to the DAC which keeps the stability intact. The component is in a near perfect horizontal plane although there’s only 2 footers below it.

Even with 2 footers @ 1 spring each, the gap is rather high at ~7mm (50% compression). This is the maximum compression that can be achieved as it’s impossible to support the component with 1 footer.

Very interesting observations with some very positive results but I still need more time to determine if the 2nd set of Nobsounds will get to stay with the DAC on a long term basis. The Nobsounds are currently up against Finite Elemente Spider footers which use ceramic balls as a form of isolation. So far I would say there’s a difference between the two but will see if it’s significant enough to swap the FEs out for the Nobsounds. I could live with either as the sound quality is already great with either one. More reports later.

Before I wrap up, I have to say that the addition of the Nobsounds to each component in the system has added something to the sound. If I could find the simplest way to describe it, I would say the Nobsounds make music sound more analog. Less digital. They add more body to the sound which makes music sound fuller. If the set up is done correctly, you get this improvement without losing dynamics and bass weight. Otherwise, the sound will get soft and mushy, sounding lean, thin and 2 dimensional with reduced bass response.

In a thread *** Specifically *** to discuss  Nobsound Audio products the usual suspect starts **** Pedalling **** a competitors product 🙄

I'm sure the Townshend Pods are great and superior to the Nobsounds, but at their current prices they only fit higher end systems. They may cost more than the component that they would be supporting in modest or budget systems. 😁

On the other hand the Nobsounds are rather affordable and people can buy several sets to support all their equipment if they want. 😉

Have you tried to stick with 3 units and put some weight on your DAC to reach the desired compression?

No I haven't. Will need to find something suitable to be added as weight. That will come later. 

After hearing the benefits of the Nobsounds in my system, I am now an advocate of good or proper isolation for both speakers and components. The Nobsounds may not be the best product in the market but they certainly have the potential of improving the sound quality of the system when appropriately installed under components. For the price there are no complaints.

Anyone who is having problem with the system sounding bright, hard or digital should give these a try before they change something else in the system to correct the issues.

Most people wind up with a lot of springs left over. They fit perfectly into a 1/4" hole. This makes it real easy to DIY extra ones. Simply drill 1/4" holes in some wood, MDF, acrylic, etc and put em together.

Good suggestion. I entertained the idea of making some using the leftover springs earlier. Unfortunately I have poor DIY skills and don't have the necessary tools to do so.  Also, the different looks of the footers may affect the aesthetics if the components are on the same rack. Will see how it goes.

I agree the only way is to listen with a lot of trial and error.

Folks, an update. I’ll cut to the chase.

Please put some effort in the set up of the Nobsounds as they have proven to be effective, only when properly set up. As mentioned earlier, no shortcuts.

I can confirm that the footers have brought an impact to the system. After getting to the optimized set up of the Nobsound on the power amp, I removed them and listened again. The bass lost definition and sounded smeared. There was bass resonance. Next, percussion sounded soft, subdued and smeared, lacking energy and sparkle.

Now, the interesting part. I reinstalled the Nobsounds but failed to achieve the previous performance. Long story short. Some footers have a larger gap while some show a smaller gap. After some adjustments it’s all glory again. Lesson learned - try to get a same compression for all footers below the component.

The diagram below shows the 3 footers under the amp. As the load distribution of the amp is unequal(transformer is located on the right), all footers have different number of springs.

Notice the footer at the rear is not at the centre but moved slightly to the right. The placement of this footer was painstakingly adjusted several times to ensure an even compression for all 3 footers.

The diagram below shows the transformer on the right which contributed to the heavier weight where more springs are required to compensate.

All of audio is trial and error. Test and evaluate, tweak and evaluate some more. This is no different. Anyone things a system is plug and play, sorry. This one thing more than anything else will hold you back.

On 2nd thought, in this context I presume this trial and error only applies to the Nobsound since they can be run in many configurations, unlike isolation products from other manufacturers. With the Isoacoustics Orea, one can only switch between 3 and 4 footers under a component, that’s about it I guess. In other words, the Oreas can be considered as plonk and play. The Oreas either work or they don’t. If the Oreas don’t work, one cannot do any changes to make them work. With the Nobsounds, if they don’t work, one can change the spring configuration to make them work.

The setting up with Nobsound is also a lot more finicky since adjustments are required with unequal weight distribution of the component. If the springs of the Nobsounds are not adjusted, the component will sit lopsided. With the Oreas (or other isolators), leveling isn’t an issue as the height of each footer is fixed, unlike the Oreas where the height will vary with weight.

I presume the Townshend Seismic Pods are also rather straightforward in their set up without much effort required, perhaps with leveling adjustments they are pretty much plug and play? Assumption on my part.