Isolation Feet for Laptop


It seems fairly common knowledge that vibration is a form of distortion in many electric components, not just for turntables and speakers. Isolation feet seem to work well in most applications.

I searched around and I didn't find any information to suggest that folks are using isolation feet on laptops or desktops, despite increased streaming usage. In a great many cases, there are indeed heavy vibrations coming from within the computer.  Whether it is the fan for the CPU or even GPU to the all the various chips/transformers, etc or even power supplies and batteries. If adding isolation feet to a streamer, DAC or power supply makes sense, then wouldn't it also make sense to apply isolation feet to your laptop; if you use it for music?

Well, I am going to find out. :)

I ordered some IsoAcoustics Orea Series Audio Equipment Isolators with a max weight of 16 pounds. The laptop weighs about 6.7 pounds, so it shouldn't be that much strain, even with all the cables creating some measure of down force as they dangle over the edge.

My expectation is that the DAC will be able to perform slightly better due to reduced vibration across the USB port and power filter. The DAC is a USB stick (Dragonfly Cobalt) so it has a very rigid hard connection to the laptop; so vibration is very easily transferred.

Has anyone else tried this?

128x128guakus

@tomic601 

You definitely hit upon some good areas to check with the limitations I currently have. I like the idea of finding some FEP heat shrink to seal the FMJ to the Dragonfly Cobalt. 

In regards to surgery on the computer's power supply and cable, that becomes more problematic because the connector is proprietary.  The seals on those connectors are difficult to cut through without cutting into the thin copper strands that are likely there. I think I would rather find a way to get a linear power supply that could power the laptop rather than neurosurgery. ;)

The one positive thing I did with the electric panel was discover that there were two 50 amp breakers that used to power a water heater and A/C fan that were closed off and no longer connected, yet were still pulling current. I turned those off and it did offer some overall electrical improvement to the entire house.

UPDATE:

I decided to get the Townshend Air Platform. 

Thanks for everybody's positive input.

Peace.

 

gaukus, everything electronic or acoustic can improve through vibration management.

This information is taken from a website: 

Electricity is a noise generator. The energy from electrical flow causes vibrations that generate amplitudes of resonance. Resonance is like a slow-moving thickening substance as it builds upon all electronic parts and equipment chassis’ clogging every mechanical, electromechanical, and acoustic signal pathway. These unwanted properties negatively affect your sound and video quality, limiting the “operational efficiency” of everything in the system’s entirety.

Why use an Audio Point™ under computers? The thirty-year-old Audio Point is being studied and tested in a few industries outside of audio. Their mechanical grounding process reduces heat. When the temperature is reduced in any electrical device, performance increases in all aspects.

Once the noise and resonance are transferred out and away from the equipment sources, anyone can see the increased video resolution, feel the chassis become cooler to the touch, and hear the sonic quality improve in a dramatic fashion. Another benefit is where the electronic parts’ longevity is increased over time so the computer will last well past its warranty period.  

All Soundstage products reduce the operating temperature in everything placed onto them. The added benefits from temperature reduction allow the signal and noise associated with electricity to become less noticeable producing a cleaner sonic and a higher picture resolution. 

The smallest platforms adapt to computers, laptops, compact speakers, power supplies, radios and transform video quality under TVs and cable boxes while expanding measurable sound frequencies under any digital/analog playback or recording system equipment. 

 

Noise and vibrations are a physical part of electricity. If you cannot clean up this interfering energy, the outside disturbances such as mini-earthquakes, trains, and traffic zipping by are not your only issue with sound equipment. Electricity is the initial and primary pollutant. 

Robert

Disclaimer: I am a retired sound engineer who is working part-time for a vibration management company involved in building products for high-end audio. I studied vibration in electronic components, loudspeakers, and structural surroundings for three decades. The information posted here is not a commercial advertisement or is meant to generate sales using this forum as a vehicle. I would rather explore other opinions, learn about various applications, and increase knowledge. 

 

OP, high end DACs, preamps, phono stages, CD players, and streamers are over 30 pounds each. Amps over 100 pounds.

Title of this thread like what happen to me tonight after I pick up Tokyo girl for week to help me find best tube and horn system in Japan.