2. amps-preamps
  3. 1142092072

Silent Running VR under tube vs solid-state amp

I'm interested in purchasing a VR Isbase for my system. I've read that the amp is the place to start. In my experience, CD T-port/players seem to benefit most from isolation (Vibraplane, Symposium Rollerblocks, Solid Tech, Relaxa, etc).

While I don't doubt that tube amps would greatly benefit from the VR Isobase as it would isolate the tubes from vibration, I'm not sure that s-s amps are as susceptible.

Any thoughts?
sndsrtaud

Showing 2 responses by fmpnd

fmpnd's avatar
fmpnd
481 posts
 
Normally I don't like to say someone is "wrong", Nsgarch, but you are wrong here IMHO. Why? Because I too just like you thought the SAME THING when I first researched SRA products and Kevin told me to start with the amps first for the greatest result. Like you, I figured, as conventional wisdom always held, that you treat the source first as resonance hurts the source the most.

But, as has been so often the case I WAS WRONG and the improvement under my Lamm SOLID STATE amps (well, OK, they have ONE tube) was simply incredible. I was astounded that the improvement was so noticable considering that my amps were spiked to a concrete slab with Walker Audio Valid Points before that.

I am not saying treating the source will not help, but in three different systems (other than my own) I have heard and helped the owner address resonance with - EACH time - the SRA products under tha AMPs resulted in the greatest improvement. Weird, I know, contrary to the norm, yes, but true. In two of those cases, it was a solid state amp too.

I hope this helps.
fmpnd's avatar
fmpnd
481 posts
 
Nsgarch,

I am sure you are right about your system. I am also sure you could probably figure out from my post that I wasn't doubting you or your experience. In fact YOUR experience is the same as MINE whenever I treated my system in the past with everything other than SRA products. Stated alternatively, with other isolation products I too had the best results and started with my sources and ended with the amps with not as much change at that point.

What I should have been more clear about in my first post is that it was only with SRA products that I heard such a massive and disproportionate improvement treating the amps first. I also tried SRA products under my tubed Tenors but I was surprised that BOTH the SS and tubed gear were improved to the same degree - again, just the opposite of conventional wisdom.

My advice for Sndsrtaud would be to call SRA and ask Kevin why this is so. He is a great guy and will be better at explaining than I am.
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