Preamp Deal of the Century

I got a platform from Larry 15 years ago. Countless components have come and gone in that time but I won't let go of my platform. Every year or so I decide I don't really need this thing and take it out from under my cd transport. When I do, the images shrink. The music is not as open or dynamic. Needless to szay it goes right back in the system. I think it sounds more musical and is better in every way. Unfortunately I only have one so I can't multiply the benefits by using one on the amp or pre-amp. You don't need to be an audio pig to hear the huge difference this thing makes. I'm not at all technical so I can't really speak to how or why it works but it does. If Larry ever finds a couple in his basement, I'd buy the damn things right now!!

Theaudiotweak said he had no need for his 80 pound platform. He wouldn't take any money, but gave it to me. It was a very nice thing for him to do, but 1 man's trash is another man's treasure. I had 1 of Larry's smaller platforms and I am ecstatic about having a larger one. I'm not very technical but this thing works!! The music is smoother, richer, fuller with more low level detail and much less microphonic hash. My guess would be that what you really hear is the absence of that microphonics that makes everything better. When I got Tom's platform home, I noticed that the feet were recessed in to the platform. No suspension would account for much less improvement. The object of the game is to shunt the energy in to the platform and have it suspended on feet with a very small surface touching your shelf. Without that suspension I would guess you lose most of the benefits. I hope to fix the feet and invite theaudiotweak over to listen to the difference.

The world is full of isolation products. The Still Points do a great hjob and I'm sure others work well. My 30 pound platform is a big step up from the Still Points, and I can't wait to see how much the 80 pound platform makes when set up correctly. My experience has been that this thing makes everything better! I would strongly recommend trying to make one if possible. If not, I'm sure there are many other choices for isolation. I think the Still Points are good, and I'm looking forward to hearing theaudiotweaks device of choice.

Thanks to the tweak for the platform, and to lrsky for sharing a great design which can cure microphonic problems, and make your system sound much better for a small investment.

I'm always open to new experiences. It's fun to hear new components and devices. I have tried a lot of tweaks over the last 15 years, and none have been more effective than the platform, but it needs to be set up correctly. The feet need to be engaged to provide suspension or you lose the benefits.

Got the platform working! The screws were embedded but we were able to get them loose enough to make it functional. I placed it under my Berning amp and it made a huuuuge improvement. I have used Still Points under my Berning for some time. I thought this helped but while following this thread, I thought I would try my 30 pound platform under the Berning instead. The little platform is clearly better than the Still Points under the Berning. Thanks to theaudiotweak, I now have the 80 pound platform. After playing with the screws, I put it under the Berning. Wow!! Everything got better still!! There is an absence of microphonic hash which results in more low level detail. The soundstage is bigger, images are better, much better dynamic contrast, the top end is much smoother, and the bass is signifacantly better. I can't overstate what an improvement this 80 pound platform made. I hope to get some replacement teflon screws soon and I expect that will also help.

As i said in an earlier post, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Again, I owe theaudiotweak big and can't thank him enough.

Everybody's ears are different and tastes are all over the board. I think this made such a difference on the Berning because it is so light, and Dave pays no attention to isolation. I would think the platform would be especially good on tubes.

This thing outperforms the Still Points which retail at about $275. If you can build or find one I think you will notice great improvement in your system. All this technical talk makes my head hurt so I'm going to fire up the Berning and have some fun!! Thanks again to Tom for the platform that he didn't want, and to Larry for the design.