The Best Isolation/ Vibration Footers per component - what's your experience?


Hi everyone,

There are probably a dozen of threads out there on Isolation/ Vibration footers out there, but there hasn't been thus far one been that combines the following two assumptions:

1. Isolation/ Vibration effectiveness differs per type of component (from source to speaker).
2. The above with Most Popular brands available as per July 2020.

Some of the most recognised brands thus far:
  
  • Arya Audio
  • Artesania Audio
  • Aurios
  • Black Diamond Racing
  • Critical Mass Systems
  • Gingko
  • Harmonic Resolution Systems
  • Harmonix
  • Iso-Acoustics
  • Shun Mook
  • Silent Running Audio
  • Star Sound Technologies
  • Stillpoints
  • Symposium
  • Townshend

The reason for starting this thread is that in the past few months I have been reading that the Critical Mass Centerstage 2 footers are beating all or most of the above solutions from the other named brands. However, it seems that the Arya Audio Revopods are also beating most of the brands in some high-end select forums and groups as well. 

Do you use and or have/ had any experience with the above and where did you place them and why?

Here is my setup currently.

1. Source/ Network player: Star Sound Technologies Sistrum platform
2. Pre-Amp: No footer yet (Artesania Audio rack)
3. Amplifier: No footer yet (Artesania Audio rack)
4. Power conditioner: Harmonic Resolution Systems Nimbus & HRS platform footers
5. Power supplies for source: Stillpoints
6. Router: Stillpoints
7. Speakers: Stillpoints

I found out that this works the best in my system, but would like to know your experience as I found that using these footers and their effectiveness really depends on the component. Specifically, I would like to hear your experience with Arya Audio and Centerstage 2 footers?
richardhk

Showing 3 responses by vinylvalet

You're welcome Mitch. I heard of them initially from Jim Smith of Get Better Sound, one of the best ears and setup guy on the planet. He uses them under all his components (at least, last time I visited with him) but was particularly impressed with the 4" square models under his subwoofers. He said, "“I was frankly amazed – especially at the huge improvement from my REL 212 SE subs. Countless audiophiles said that the bass here was the best, most natural they ever heard” That's serious praise from a guy who can get pretty much anything he wants.
You're absolutely correct about suspended wood floors. I never understood why on earth anyone would couple speakers or subs to a large diaphragm. A friend of mine in Little Rock had exactly the same situation with large, expensive ProAC speakers with a mega Naim system. Going from direct coupling to the 4" HD EVPs under the ProAcs was a game changer. Icing on the cake was that when he played music loud, it was less annoying for his wife since the sound level was decreased significantly in the rest of the house; all that energy was no longer coupled into the structure. There is still an improvement on on concrete slabs but to a much lesser extent. I also like the value proposition; much less expensive than the shiny stuff. The only product that I've compared these with are Herbies, a noticeable improvement. With that said, in certain applications, Herbies Tenderfeet are a super value, especially for those on a very limited budget.
A/V RoomService EVP (equipment vibration protectors) are very effective and less costly than most of the commercial products listed in this thread.

I haven't tried many of the products listed above but I've found the EVP to work well in all the applications I've tried.

Jim Smith (Get Better Sound), Tom Gibbs (Positive Feedback) and Neil Gader (TAS) have praised their performance in their systems. TAS 2020 Editors Choice Award for what it's worth.
I agree. You've done a great job with your system. I also agree that the 4" EVPs aren't as good a value as the 2" ones. I'm guessing with everything you've already done with your subs, there may be an improvement but it probably would be minimal, not worth the additional expense.