What is vibration isolation for?

I will be more specific - I can understand the use of isolation with mechanical things like turntables(of course), cd players, and speakers, - but people are doing this to amplifiers and pre-amps. I understand the concept of microphonics and that sort of thing, but my point is wouldn't most of the vibrations be coming via the chassis of the component itself - not the table it is standing on?

After reading Pbb's thread I couldn't help but think of the old tale 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. I think that pretty much sums it up.

Albertporter, back to my original point. Anything UNDER the component is not isolation. Isolation would mean putting the components in another room - away from the air movement caused by the speakers. I don't care what you put under your electronics - as long as the bass is pounding on the chassis like a tin drum, aint no rack gonna fix that problem.

Albertporter, where are the vibrations coming from that audiophiles are trying to cancel/alter. The music within the room? Or is it something else?

Pbb, the reason that active speakers are not more popular is because they would preclude the use of esoteric cables, isolation devices, etc. There would be nothing to tweak, audiophiles would not be able to experience the sonic virtues of various tweaks because they would be redundant. Now that's no fun is it? ;-)

Once I am settled into my new place and I have a more controlled listening environment... I herebye solemnly plege to invest the time and funds (2.25$) to invest in some bubble pack (maybe even some other freebies) in order to try to discern differences resulting from vibration isolation. (though logic and common sense STILL tells me stands ARE NOT ISOLATION when the room is filled with vibrations - but I will cast aside common sense ;-) and give it a shot.

My perspective going into this is as follows:

- that isolation for speakers is a given (though differences may be very subtle depending on set-up)

- isolation for turntables? Naturally. - well, according to Ivor (at Linn) and REGA - a lightweight wooden IKEA table is perfect. But that is because the engineers have already solved isolation issues in the design of the table itself.

- isolation for CD player? - Well.., theoretically I guess because things are moving in there.

- amplifiers/ preamplifiers? Ha! - er, I mean, I'll find out for myself when I do the test.

I do admit that I used to be skeptical about speaker stands for bookshelf speakers - until I tried them. They did (he says sheepishly) make a noticeable difference - but the concept behind speaker stands is much easier for me to get my head around. They stabilize the speaker as well as place it in the best location in the sound field - away from sound refracting objects and things that will resonate. Basic stuff.

My present place is cluttered because I'm getting ready to move. I also have an nearly-finished pair of floorstanding speakers that I am building that are standing next to my Keilidhs. They look a bit like frankenstein in their present state - wires and crossovers hanging out all over the place. I think this is not the best scenario for doing an experiment such as this - not that I would be doing this test using my homemade speakers, but they say passive transducers muck up the sound quite a bit. - this too, is a concept I can believe.

Despite the occasional mud-slinging I think this is a very good thread. Toodles.