Ceramic insulator cone under phono stage shocker!

FWIW, under my phono stage (a Herron VTPH-2) I use and have been pleased with an Adona Multi-Element Platform, with attached cones that point downward.  I installed it at the same time as the phono stage, though, so I can't comment on how much of a difference it is making, or on how it may compare to something else.  In the 12 x 18 inch size I required it cost about $260 plus shipping.

The craftsmanship that went into it, btw, in the cherry trimmed configuration I ordered, is something to behold.  My wife, who is something of an artist among other things, commented that it is truly an "objet d'art."

Regards,
-- Al
 

I suspect it's more than coincidental that the PH-10 is solid state while the Chinook uses tubes. Probably having the cones in the new orientation lessens vibrations that previously were affecting some or all of the tubes.

It might be a good idea to try to determine if any of the tubes are excessively microphonic, in which case they should be replaced. You can do that by removing the cover of the Chinook, and while it and the rest of the system are operating **very gently** tapping each tube with the eraser at the end of a pencil. If you do that with the volume control set at or a bit below a setting you would normally use, and the tapping results in a particularly loud noise, it would signify a problem in the particular tube.

Best,
-- Al