I think that the Dalby D7 Vinyl Stabiliser is the best for a table with no spring isolation. In my experience The Stillpoints LPI is quite different and works on a broader range of turntables.
I don't think much else can be said. Try it and buy it if you like it, but given the expense of the Dalby, you better like it a lot. I do! |
This is by far my favorite forum thread. Don't get me wrong I love Stillpoints. I have ultra 5's under my speakers and turntable. I have the LP1 record weight. They are made extremely well and great looking. Do they transform my system to another level? I think not. Although my wife puts the LP1 on my chest while I am sleeping. Says it stops my snoring. Another usage.
I'm just say'in ✌️ |
The Dalby D7 Vinyl Stabiliser is an example of everything that is wrong with audio today. The kings new clothes. If you examine the bottom you will see that it cannot improve the coupling of the record to the platter unless the platter or record mat is slightly concave. If the platter/mat is flat then it is effectively putting a little mass on the record label and nothing else. It does not change one iota the behaviour of the section of vinyl under the stylus. And yes I have heard it. Its value lies entirely in the bling bling world of exclusivity. No doubt you will hear a difference, but its minor and there are better ways to spend the money if improving your system is the primary goal.
In my experience if you want to deal with vinyl resonances then either
1) A well designed reflex clamp that is designed to couple the record to the platter via either a washer under the record ( e.g. Sota system ) or slightly concave mat ( Goldmund system )
2) Use a peripheral ring ( eg Micro Seiki, Clearaudio, TT Weights, VPi )
3) Use a heavy stabiliser in conjunction with a concave mat or a stabiliser that only contacts the outer edge of the record label and is designed to work in conjunction with a washer under the record.
4) Use a vacuum turntable system. |
Dover, you are an example of what wrong with audio critiquing today. There is little science pertaining to audio design. You state that There is little coupling of the record to the platter. This would suggest that you have some reason to believe that a record that is permanently bound to the platter. Is there some science that would suggest this is true? I think not. I compared the screw down system on the Bergman Sindre versus the Dably. The Dalby blew the screw down away. Incidentally, although I think rim weighting the record is helpful, it is a pain in the a--.
In the absence of any real scientific research, I think listening is ones only recourse. I have compared the Dalby against many other record weights. The Stillpoints is the second best in my opinion and is certainly a best buy. |
I haven't had an opportunity to audition the Dalby D7 vinyl stabilizer, but at a reported price of $6,380 I would certainly expect it to be great! It appears to be beautifully finished like a piece of fine art. |
Bill_k, yes, isn't that ridiculous? It does use expensive materials and does sound very good. It is widely acclaimed. I bought mine used. |
Agree with you Whatthe. The LPIs I have are by means transformative of the sound from my very refined VAC integrated amp which is essentially responsible for an outsized share of the great sound I enjoy. But the two SP LPIs on top of my amp's chassis do give a lift in the sound which I am hoping/thinking is qualitatively/quantitatively similar to that of putting Stillpoint 5s one by one under the chassis as well. I currently have SP Aluminum Ultras and various SP bases under key components, and I like these a lot too. So I have thought of the SP LPIs as a stealthy way to build my way up the SP ladder. The fact that my LPI turned out to have this benefit meant that I didn't have to take a bath on the LPI that I had mistakenly purchased for my Linn LP12. |
Agriculturist, try a SP Ultra Five on your amp. |
Yes, tbg, I hope to try that or the Ultra 6 sometime. |
Agriculturist, the Ultra Sixs make no sense on top a component as one side has five of the "technology" and the other side one.
The only addition that the Five offers over the LPI is greater weight. The heavier weight was evident, but sometimes it was good and some times not. UMMV. |
I see what you mean. I thought you meant under the amp. |
That is definitely interesting to hear about the weight making a difference. Thanks. |
Agriculturist, it makes a big difference but it tarnishes something. Try it. |
TBG, actually based on your suggestion I got three Mapleshade weights (two .75 lbs and one 1.5 lbs) and put them on top of the three SP LPIs I have on the preamp section of my VAC integrated. So far I am loving the difference the extra weight makes. What did you find gets tarnished or spoiled?
Thanks for the ideas. |
Tbg, I have to say that after a couple hours of listening to my system using three LPIs each augmented by Mapleshades on the VAC chassis, I find I am substantially better off than without the Mapleshade weights. No downside so far. The upsides are: more body and color, better voice and instrument separation, better bass, less edge on vocals and even instruments, i.e., more rounded and natural. That is to say I am finding that the benefits of using the LPIs are magnified. Of course, without a doubt and in line with Whatthe suggested earlier, these benefits are possible primarily because of the very high quality circuits and parts of the VAC 160iSE. What I am assuming the SP LPIs do is eliminate chassis resonance, which probably leaks into the amp circuits and even perhaps the tubes. I am curious to hear what you didn't like with the extra weight of the Ultra 5s versus the LPIs, as I will keep a watch for that.
Thanks again. |
Tbg, I could be missing something that you noticed, and it will strike me later. This has happened to me before. Or perhaps the SP Ultra 5s are too heavy, while the Mapleshades I have are just heavy enough but not too heavy. |
Agriculturist, basically it robbed the music of pace (or toetapping) and dynamics |
Agriculturist, I suspect that you are right. I have many of Lloyd Walkers lead centered brass ring pucks and could have tried this, but alas I lost interest. I once made power cords out of two, four and eight lengths of speaker wires. The greater the number the better the sound.
One can do countless experiments. |
You are right about experimentation. One has to stop somewhere, I suppose. |
Audiophlia is like any other addiction , you need ever more
to get the initial thrill . |
SLAW
"Wow! I was listening to the 1st pressing of Jimmy Page/Robert Plant "No Quarter", (which is an excellent sounding lp), and since it was in need of flattening, I put the Stillpoints LP isolator onto the top of my McCormack DNA 225 (Platinum) that is sitting inside (on the bottom shelf) of a Solidsteel 5.2 rack, the amp's shelf, which is a BDR, "shelf-for-the source" platform that is itself, sitting on three original Stillpoints isolators, the amp is isolated more by Symposium Rollerblock Jrs. w/ ceramic ball upgrade. Whew!"
Sounds like you need to send that DNA-225 Plat into SMc Audio and have the StillPoints Standoff treatment done to your amp. It will put the vibration reduction right where the source of the problem is happening, preventing any vibrations from reaching the circuit boards.
Steve has mentioned many time at how much these make a such a hugh difference when installed |
