Harbeth 40.3 XD + Ton Trager First Impressions

@macg19

You are very welcome, and well done! 👍

I really wasn’t trying to push you into anything, but your open mind and perseverance have apparently paid off. And your relatively simple solution seems very clever!

It’s interesting how systems can sound so good when you don’t know that you are missing anything, but then a small tweak may make a noticeable difference. It took me a long time to take vibration control seriously, as for decades I hadn’t ventured beyond inexpensive Herbie’s Tenderfeet on a few components, and with only some modestly positive results.

But as I upgraded my system substantially over the past couple of years, and moved into a newly renovated home, I was tempted to try to refine the sound further, and did a fair amount of research on various well-regarded devices.

The first that I bought was a set of Stillpoints Ultra SS V2, to try under my amp. I did this partly because it sits not on a dedicated stand, but rather in the middle of a (low) sideboard between my speakers. Note that I have never used any such devices under an amp previously, but lo and behold, there was a very audible difference with the Stillpoints. I do not assume that the Stillpoints are necessarily superior to other similarly well-designed devices, as I haven’t compared them, but decoupling (to some degree) my amp from the furniture had a very positive impact, not least of which being a tightening up of the bass. I frankly have no idea why vibration control would be effective under an amp, but it certainly was in this instance.

After that experience, I bought a set of Stillpoints ultra minis, and tried them under my DAC. If there was a positive change, it must have been quite subtle, and the explanation is likely that the DAC sits on a Quadraspire rack, which does, at least, provide some vibration control on its own. Or perhaps vibration control under a DAC is less important.

Finally, I chose to replace the spikes with IsoAcoustics Gaias on my stand mounted speakers, and, like the experience with the amp, the results exceeded my expectations.

None of the brands/models of VC devices that I recently acquired are cheap, even used, but within the context of the value of my system, and given the improvements in sound, I would say that they represent excellent value.

So, congratulations on having taken a big step in the decoupling direction! 😀 It is very satisfying when one is able to squeeze the best out of high-class components.

@whipsaw Thanks for the reply. You didn't push me at all. The solution cost around $350 - huge price/performance ratio compared to what I spent on the speakers. I'm stoked.

I’ve been using Symposium Acoustics platforms and Rollerblocks under my tube integrated, tube DAC, and their sprung platform under my TT for quite a while and had good very results.

Lot’s of good gear out there, and some not so much of course.

Have an awesome weekend.

If you use Gaia feet or Townsend stands, does it make using Tontrager or Resonant Woods stands less critical , or is there a synergistic affect using both.  Just wondering if decoupling devices with less expensive metal stands would still be very effective and save some $. 

If you use Gaia feet or Townsend stands, does it make using Tontrager or Resonant Woods stands less critical , or is there a synergistic effect to using both.  Just wondering if decoupling devices with less expensive metal stands would still be very effective and save some $. 

@paullb I don't know, and have no way of testing this. Esthetically, I think both are really nice, with TT having a slight edge, but the other factor is these are made specifically for the model so right-sized. 

Resonant Woods are not being manufactured atm, so you are stuck with the more expensive TTs unless you get lucky like I did and find something used/open box.