That's an intriguing subject Ketchup. Some pure objectivists would tell you that this phenomenon simply does not exist. There probably has not been enough scientific research in this area to explain the phenomenon as you have requested.
Yet, in my own trial-and-error testing in my own systems, it is clear to me that certain components clearly sound different with different supports (feet) and isolation materials.
I once took part in a scientific experiment to see if this phenomenon could be measured in electronics. What we did was to point a speaker directly at a preamp, subject it to loud sound and see if we could measure differences in its performance based on what type of bases and feet we had it sitting on. Based on that experiment, I wrote an article entitled, "Electro-Mechanical Convergence: How can it affect your audio gear?" for stereotimes.com. It can be accessed from the archives page under the heading "Commentary" or by following this link: http://www.stereotimes.com/comm050102.shtm
Not surprisingly, we did see some differences in performance when using a tube preamp. But the differences were much harder to pin down when using a solid-state preamp.
Still, in my own listening, I feel that certain feet and platforms alter the sound of electronics, whether they are tube, solid-state, or digital.
Tweak companies seem to be approaching the problem on a haphazard, trial-and-error basis. I would certainly like to see some comprehensive scientific testing in this area that would yield some more concrete and predictable/repeatable results.
I think the problem is related to many variables in consumer audio products. In addition to the variability of the precision of the individual electronic components themselves (capacitors, resistors, and active devices), there is much variation in the types of materials used in chassis', the physical size and gauge of the chassis', mounting of the components within the chassis', etc. All these variables (and probably more) can affect the resonant nodes and effective resonant tuning for each individual component.
Yet, in my own trial-and-error testing in my own systems, it is clear to me that certain components clearly sound different with different supports (feet) and isolation materials.
I once took part in a scientific experiment to see if this phenomenon could be measured in electronics. What we did was to point a speaker directly at a preamp, subject it to loud sound and see if we could measure differences in its performance based on what type of bases and feet we had it sitting on. Based on that experiment, I wrote an article entitled, "Electro-Mechanical Convergence: How can it affect your audio gear?" for stereotimes.com. It can be accessed from the archives page under the heading "Commentary" or by following this link: http://www.stereotimes.com/comm050102.shtm
Not surprisingly, we did see some differences in performance when using a tube preamp. But the differences were much harder to pin down when using a solid-state preamp.
Still, in my own listening, I feel that certain feet and platforms alter the sound of electronics, whether they are tube, solid-state, or digital.
Tweak companies seem to be approaching the problem on a haphazard, trial-and-error basis. I would certainly like to see some comprehensive scientific testing in this area that would yield some more concrete and predictable/repeatable results.
I think the problem is related to many variables in consumer audio products. In addition to the variability of the precision of the individual electronic components themselves (capacitors, resistors, and active devices), there is much variation in the types of materials used in chassis', the physical size and gauge of the chassis', mounting of the components within the chassis', etc. All these variables (and probably more) can affect the resonant nodes and effective resonant tuning for each individual component.