With a variety of turntables, I like also like the basic Mapleshade isolation system, but with the 4 Isoblocks replaced by 3 or 4 cryo'd mini-springs ("Baby Promethean Mini Isolators" from Machina Dynamica) supporting the thick piece of maple.
An occasional turntable/plinth design like B&O doesn't allow for easy positioning of footers against the turntable/plinth itself.
Many a turntable can be directly supported by the thick piece of maple, which in turn is directly supported by the cryo'd mini-springs.
This abbreviated approach is easy, low cost, and audibly beneficial. |
Ah, the age old question: is it isolation or coupling? The big boys couple to the isolation stand with cones and also couple the isolation stand to the floor. To make things much more complicated, there is a hierarchy of cone materials, in order of desirability something along the lines of ceramics, steel, aluminum and brass. Generally speaking of course. |
I really Like the Isolation system from mapleshade. It uses 4 Iso blocks and a big 2" thick piece of maple and 3 brass footers. All for around $130. I love this under my REGA. |
After 20+ years of trial and error with over 15 TTs owned I've come to the following conclusion, 3 adjustable brass cone footers sitting on top of a sandbox. I made my own sandbox for $22.00 and I currently use Dyton Audio adjustable brass cone footers that I bought on eBay for $35.00 including s/h. |
Yeah... they are small brass compression rings. Ideal as they have low mass but are rigid and have relatively sharp edges. And they are brass which can sound good. |
Noromance (funny name)
Can you be more specific regarding the brass bushing rings you used. I searched but everything looks like a pipe fitting... |
Turntable sitting on 3 feet made up of a brass plumbing bushing ring sitting on a granite sample block. 2 at the back, 1 at the front. You could also place 3 of the rings under each block. Almost free and very effective. |
The Vibrapod Cones work very well with the points facing up. The addition of Vibrapods below the cones can help, but the results are variable. I use CD "coasters" between the base of the cones (or the Vibrapods) and the surface to provide the ability to adjust for level.
Make sure to use paper between any of the Vibrapod products and the surface against which they rest since the black material can interact with surface finishes. |
Johnnyb53,
I too am interested in trying a maple block under my TT. Where did you find your northern maple block, and if you do not mind, what did you pay for it? |
I just installed bearpaws on my classic 1. I haven't had a chance to do a sit down and really listen. I just spun a couple of tracks but, I can hear a difference. I can't put my finger on what I hear different just yet but, it does sound good. I also glued up a 2" maple butcher block today. I am finishing it tomorrow. I will report back when I have everything setup and get to listen extensively. I will say the build quality of dan's bearpaws is impressive. Very good quality. They are heavy weight solid brass. I'm not sure if he CNC cut these or did them on a lathe but, his machine work on these footers is great. Nice product. |
Musicfile, i haven't seen the add with your bearpaws. |
I use Boston Audio's Tune Block with upgraded Tungsten Carbide (original ones were steel) ball bearings under my Kuzma Stabi Reference TT. |
Just switched to Edensound's TerraCones for my Scoutmaster. This was a significant upgrade. Immediately I noticed an increase in clarity. The soundstage became more three dimensional and the presentation more forward. I also made the switch with my speaker's spikes to his TerraCones with similiar results. I can't believe this guy's stuff. |
I have 3 bearpaws Large that I'm selling take a look at my ad |
When I upgraded my butcher block from a 1-1/2" "hardwood" board to the 3-1/2" thick norther maple board I use today (with the Vibrapods and cones), I got a noticeable improvement that even my wife could hear right away. |
I'll give a try to viropods. I had used a bike tire once. With an inch thick wood chopping board. I will also try it and see if there's any difference.
Thx |
You can try a tube from a small bike below the Platform of the Turntable ... |
09-11-12: Stringreen
You don't mention what turntable you have. I have a VPI, which was greatly
helped with the addition of Bearpaws...Vermontaudio.com If you want to find Bearpaws, go to edensoundaudio.com. The Vermontaudio site has been decommissioned. You can get similar items from Mapleshade. Still, for my money I'll take Vibrapod Cones and Isolators. |
09-12-12: Tbromgard
I put my TT on a wood platform supported by Vibrapods and cones, which cost about $8 each. Its very effective.
Me too! I'm listening to my TT sitting on Vibrapods and Cones as I write this. The cone-on-pod comes to $14 per unit (the isolator pucks are $6 ea), but I challenge you to find *any* footer that comes close to what these do anywhere near the price. They have a 30-day money back guarantee. Why spend more before you ascertain that you *need* more? If you can't quite level your rack to use them, you can always place file cards under the pods until you get the platter level. I went it even one better and placed the whole thing on a 3-1/2" thick maple butcher block cutting board with silicone gel pads underneath. Those extras helped, but the Vibrapod cones and isolators do the heavy lifting. |
I put my TT on a wood platform supported by Vibrapods and cones, which cost about $8 each. Its very effective. You can call the manufacturer and tell them what TT you have and they will set you up with the appropriate pods and cones (they have different levels of stiffness depending upon the weight of the gear to be supported). |
I have Thorens TD145, Clearaudio Bluemotion, Dual 1019, and Garrard 309. Garrard is with an old plinth and I am replacing it a new plinth. I will use Ortofon RMG 309 arm, and in the future, I will have an SPU cartridge. All other tables are with stock plinths and feet, and I don't worry about them, but I need to install new feet to the new plinth for Garrard.
Many forum posts suggest to try a few different feet and see which works best for me. I may do that by myself in the future, but I am interested in what other people are using and what is best from their own experience. |
I also use Herbie's tall Tenderfeet under my Linn, which is a suspension TT. No more footfall and the sonic benefits are tighter bass and a more open sound. |
As mentioned above, you didn't name the TT you have. But I use Aurios under my LP12 and they work fine. Before I had an rega P25 and used AQ Feet. |
A turntable is a complex system and any vibration can affect the sound. I also found that VPIs were improved by adding brass cones; I used a different brand but would expect to get a similar result from the Bearpaws. Any table will be affected by external vibrations whatever the drive mechanism but there are differences. A massive table like the Aries Extended worked very well on a very heavy Star Sound rack but the LP 12 works better on a very lightweight torlite stand. |
I would save money to eventually buy Stillpoints Ultra SS feet. You only need 3. |
You don't mention what turntable you have. I have a VPI, which was greatly helped with the addition of Bearpaws...Vermontaudio.com |
I use Herbie's tall Tenderfeet under my non-suspended TT. I've also used the ball/isocup combination. They only work if your platform is level. |
