Vibration isolation


Looking for feedback.  I have a very resolving system with Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 IC's and SC and all Elemental Tungsten power cords....McIntosh 601 Monoblocks, MCIntosh C2300 Tube pre, Lumin A-1 streamer with upgraded Kenneth Lau Silver Edition Power Supply all on 3" solid Maple stands / rack.  All this drives a pair of Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolutions mated to a pair of REL G-2 subs.  I have been experimenting with different vibration / isolation control from Herbies soft feet to Rollerblocks to VooDoo Iso Blocks
as well as Synergistic Research MIG 2.0's.  I've discovered that with most of the "bearing" type systems, while I like the pin point accuracy and detail, they make to system so bright that I can't listen to it....and my gear isn't typically associated with "brightness".   The VooDoo Iso Pods are the least bright with the MIG 2.0's falling in between.  The best sounding, detailed but not teeth grinding bright appear to be the Herbies soft feet.  They also seem to produce a soundstage with more body, highly detailed without the ringing brightness.  Results seem really odd to me with much that I've read.  Has anyone else had these sorts of results?  I'm really pretty stunned....my listening room is acoustically treated by GIK, so that's not the issue....would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!
ptrck887

Showing 3 responses by bdp24

It is not the speaker’s vibration that roller bearings are dealing with, it is the vibrations traveling across the floor upon they are sitting. The bearings prevent those vibrations from being transferred into the speaker cabinet or planar frame. At least, that’s my understanding. I’m looking at using the Townshend Pods or Geoff's springs (much cheaper than the Pods!) on my speakers though, not roller bearings. Isolation in ALL planes!
Ha, good point Kenny! I'm not comfortable with the idea of putting roller bearings under my 5' tall planar speakers for the same reason, though recording engineer and roller bearing proponent Barry Diament has his 6' tall Magneplanar MG3.7's sitting on them. 
Kenny, the Townshend Seismic Pods are also available as a model name the Seismic Corner---two Pods on a metal plate that is placed under each corner of a rack. With them in place, anything sitting in the rack is isolated from vibrations coming up into a rack from below. Individual Pods under each component may be the most effective, but that can get expensive!