Fine tuning your hifi - Isolation Plinths, anti vibration nodes etc..

[Lewisimo]

As above please, just trying to see what methods others use for tuning their system. I've been trying to find some of those little solid discs that people place on top of their equipment to absorb vibrations etc - any ideas?

A few good sites are as follows:

Guizu



Synergistic Research

[dyazdani]

Is your room treated?

[Lewisimo]

No unfortunately not as it's a rented appartment so cannot really install any permenant fixtures as such, hence my interest in these kinds of items. I will try to fond an example pic of the things I mean and post it up

[dyazdani]

THe most bang for the buck will be in room treatments, they do not need to be permanent. Most hang on the wall, no different than a picture. In fact, I don't even have them hung in my room now, just supported from the bottom.

I have had experience with the things you mention, and while some work, you can spend a lot of money for a very small improvement, if any.

[Lewisimo]

Ok thanks for the tips - do you have any pics of your set up at all - thanks.

Here is a pic of the 'nodes' I mentioned (gold discs in the pic)

[dyazdani]

Ok thanks for the tips - do you have any pics of your set up at all - thanks.

See this thread for pictures of my system. I have a few treatments on the sides (leaning against the wall) that you can't see in the pics.

[dyazdani]

I believe in the isolation platforms to set equipment on, there are quite a few manufacturers. The discs and the goofy "art" sculptures on Synergistic's website seem a little out there for me.

It's a personal choice and if you think the vibration discs, etc will help, go for it. These things are much like cable discussions and can go anywhere quickly. Half the fun of tweaking is trial and error. I used to do it, but no time for it now.

[Bob]

The best speaker placement for your room followed by room treatments are infinitly more important than spending time or money on isolation tweaks.

[numberoneoppa]

Terribly sorry but what on earth is the advantage supposed to be of setting little metallic disks atop your components?

[Lewisimo]

Ok thanks for your comments guys

I think the discs are supposed to 'absorb' unwanted frequencies and clean up the sound, it's probably a load of pish though but it's nice to buy gizmo's that look nice and you imagine make your hifi sound outstanding!

[dyazdani]

I noticed in the bottom left of that picture, the person is using cable elevators. I like these (don't use them now though). Audio shops sell them for very high prices, but they are actually just insulators used in electrical service. You can get them very cheap.

My dad has a set in his 2-ch system, bought all of them for a fraction of the "audio versions"

[Lewisimo]

Where an you get those then?

[Lewisimo]

like these....

http://cableisolators.com/esd/

[wettou]

The best speaker placement for your room followed by room treatments are infinitly more important than spending time or money on isolation tweaks.

By all means, get your room calibrated with equipment like these.

http://www.sencore.com/products/audio-acoustics/

and then apply the right acoustic treatment

That will make a lot more for your sound than snake oil and silver cables

[wettou]

Pass lab how do you like it!

[Victor]

Here is the direct quote from the Synergistic research site. It appears under ‘technology’ heading:

“…By applying a two million volt signal to a cable at a specific pulse modulation and ultra high frequency for an exact duration of time we transform the entire cable at a molecular level through a phenomenon called Quantum Tunneling. This process is performed on all TESLA Series cables from Accelerator to Apex and can be applied to models below Accelerator for an additional charge. The before and after is startling with a lower noise floor and improvements in inner detail, air, low frequency extension and overall transparency and signal speed. This formula was not perfected until February 2007, however any TESLA cables Accelerator through Apex purchased before February 2007 can be returned to our factory for a free treatment...”

All I can say is WOW! A high frequency 2 million Volt ‘signal’! Another WOW! Molecular transformation due to Quantum Tunneling! A third WOW! This is not even a PH.D. level material, - it is way beyond that, - a Star Treck comes to mind here, “fascinating captain”….

At the very least, I wonder about radiation at such a high voltage level, - x-rays anyone?

If this quote is not sufficient to form an opinion regarding the usefulness of any products that Synergistic research makes, then I do not know what will convince anyone to take this topic with a grain of salt so to speak.

[dyazdani]

Pass lab how do you like it!

He started with a BAT VK-500, upgraded to a Levinson 333, and then to the Pass. It is a great amp, maybe slightly warmer than the Levinson. Both are good...

[wettou]

He started with a BAT VK-500, upgraded to a Levinson 333, and then to the Pass. It is a great amp, maybe slightly warmer than the Levinson. Both are good...

Did you compare Classé CAM400?

[dyazdani]

I've heard the CAM400 with B&W, but not a direct comparison in that system...

[wettou]

I've heard the CAM400 with B&W, but not a direct comparison in that system...

And what did you think?

[bigburner]

Terribly sorry but what on earth is the advantage supposed to be of setting little metallic disks atop your components?

It's all about faith because sure as hell there isn't any science about it.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Audio shops sell them for very high prices, but they are actually just insulators used in electrical service.

Wash your mouth out with soap Danish. Those cable elevators eliminate a splashy overemphasis from the leading edges of hard transients.

Nigel.

[Lewisimo]

To be honest I know the elevators probably do diddly squat, but they look cool as hell!

[dyazdani]

Wash your mouth out with soap Danish. Those cable elevators eliminate a splashy overemphasis from the leading edges of hard transients.

Nigel.

Must be the special paint! :lol:

[dyazdani]

And what did you think?

Excellent amps, all 3 brands, actually. I was happy with all of them, though you can definately tell sifferences between them.

[Lewisimo]

Does anyone happen to know where you can buy these cable elevators then?

[Glen B]

Precision Audio Products LLC is the distributor of cable elevators. The Audionut was the only retailer I know of who sold cable elevators. The business closed following the accidental death of the company principal Bob Williams earlier this year.

Audionut was a great source of DIY parts and supplies if you wanted to make up your own power cords, interconnects and speaker cables. IMO, having a notable audio retailer close up shop like that because of the death of one man is a poor way to operate a business.

[Lewisimo]

Sad about that guy dying. I found their site and it said the store had closed Nowere else seem to sell them, even the proper electrical insulators are all made in chinca so no way to get them!

[Glen B]

Shunyata Research makes a cable elevation/vibration control product, but they're even more expensive than the porcelain insulators.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/81176

[Lewisimo]

thanks. I managed to buy some ceramic one from here:

http://www.oregondv.com/

Now I just need to wait for two weeks until they arrive in the uk! I'll let you know how they fare once they arrive.

[Hammie]

I'm considering these for my speaker cables:

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/cablelifts.php

[numberoneoppa]

I actually prefer my cables to take the stairs instead.

[Lewisimo]

Gee you are a fuuuunny guy! :rofl:

The first place I tried had no stock of these, so i've purchased them from here instead:

http://cableisolators.com/esd/press/

Now I just need to wait a few weeks for them to arrive to 'sunny' england from the good ole USA :T

[David Meek]

Rather than moving out toward the "fringe" products, initially I recommend that you first get your L&R speakers located optimally (don't forget toe-in, boundary spacing, etc.), second place acoustic panels at the primary reflection points (no you don't have to mount them permanently), and third place your components on a good isolation rack and/or platforms. These steps will take you much further towards proper sound than all the weights, wood blocks and incense you can ever buy.

P.S. FWIW, I'm pretty sure that many of the things you can buy are snake oil, but I do like to keep an open mind on things.

[Lewisimo]

Hi Dave - thanks for the tips. I think my speakers are positioned well (or as well as I can given my room size/space etc). I intend to get some/make some bass traps as my next port of call - been reading up on it and roughly know what I need to do now. Hopefully that will make a good improvement also. I'm happy with the sound now, but there are always ways to improve it like you say

I agree about the snake oil, most things do seem to reach the realms of far fetched when it comes to the described improvements, but the gadget freak within me can't resist some of them!