Best wood for an isolation platform

I use 3-inch custom-made maple platforms under my Audio Space tube monoblocks. I ordered them unfinished from Arcadia Audio at what I think was a very reasonable price, then finished them myself.

I set my amps on EdenSound BearPaw heavy brass cones, again a very reasonably-priced product. The cones alone improved mids and definition, but add the maple blocks and triple the effect. The image is very much better defined, timbres truer across the spectrum.

Listener57, this is my second set of monoblocks and second set of maple platforms. I haven't tried the edge grain vs end grain comparison but don't you have to have an end grain somewhere? My blocks are made of three pieces glued edge-on so that there is end grain at front and back. I like the look and think the sonics superior. Could there be room for improvement?

Yioryos, thanks for the carpentry info. The maple is really worth doing IME. For platforms your size I would go the same route as you, I think. Mine are a lot smaller, at 12.5" x 17".

Ay ay ay, Scott, I beg your pardon for not keeping you updated, I seem to have convinced myself I had told you already. Actually I am not perfectly happy... with my finishing job. First time I've used polymerized tung oil and it really shows up the three scratches I left after sanding. However the resolution of my amps is very much improved (and the amps hide the scratches anyway). I'll be back for more.

Tung oil from Lee Valley, yes indeed. The high-lustre finish is IMHO very gorgeous.