Isoacoustics Orea vs Townshend Seismic Pod on Components

@ryder I ordered the Nobsound springs, arriving tomorrow. I have a few questions …

1. Which component stands to benefit the most? Dac, amp, or streamer? Eventually I might get more sets but want to start small.

2. My amp is the Audio Hungary a50i. It’s about 55 lbs and like many tube amps, it’s much heavier in the back due to the transformers. Is there any specific configuration I should start with?

3. Do I place the springs under the existing footers on my component or underneath the chassis itself? If in case it’s the latter, do I need to remove the factory installed footers?

@arafiq sorry for the late response.

1. I have only tried the Nobsounds under the amp and DAC. The Nobsound will have an effect to everything that’s being supported. However, it is crucial to experiment with the number of springs to find the best configuration. This is the only disadvantage of the Nobsounds. I removed the Nobsounds from the DAC as the optimal compression of the springs could not be achieved due to the light weight of the DAC. The Nobsounds currently remain on the amps in my main and second systems.

2. The key is to get an almost similar compression for all footers ie. same gap between the top and bottom pieces. You may start with 2 springs at the front, 3 springs at the rear then slowly increase to 3 springs front, 4 springs rear. If it is a lot heavier at the back, you may try 2 springs front, 4 springs rear etc. Personally I prefer a larger gap which is about 50% compression of the springs. There is no other way than to try and listen for yourself as everyone hears differently and has their own preferences.

3. Below chassis is the recommendation, 3 or 4 footers for each component. Having said that, I placed the footers directly under the feet of the Luxman as I’m afraid the chassis could not support the weight of the unit. (> 60 lbs).

Thanks all for the responses. I've ordered the Nobsound. They will be used on the amps as I don't use subs.

The Townshend Pods are a bit rich for me with their premium prices. Perhaps next time.

The Nobsound springs arrived yesterday and I put them under my Audio Note Cobra. This amp has been sitting on an Ethan Allen wooden cabinet, beautiful, but not an audiophile accessory. The change is pretty dramatic- more dimension, better focus, just more of a "right" spacious feel to things. I’ll do some blind tests over the next few days if the family is up for it. I should be getting the Oreas today but don’t know if we will have power back in our region from the storm today.

May I ask if there’s any update on the Nobsound springs vs Isoacoustics Oreas on the Audio Note Cobra? Did you use all 4 Nobsound units on the Cobra and how many springs are installed on each Nobsound unit? I checked the weight of the Cobra and it’s 13.6 kg which isn’t too heavy.

Thanks Whipsaw. Short version. Just marvellous. The Nobsound was supposed to be used with the Naim pre/power in the 2nd system. I wasn’t expecting much from the Nobsound when they were installed in the main system since the components are already supported on a good rack with isolation feet.

The sound quality has improved after a set was installed on the amp. I have another set which I will try on the DAC later.

Good times ahead. Most importantly these things work. I will post more impressions after few days.

The current set up, front 2 footers have 5 springs each while rear 2 footers have 4 springs each. The gap at each footer is approximately 7-8 mm (Gap without load is 15 mm). I read somewhere that the optimal gap with the Solid Tech footers is 1-3 mm. The design of the Nobsound is based on the Solid Tech so the current compression of the springs in my set up is not optimal. I will need to reduce one more spring from each footer to reduce the gap.

Tonywinga, thanks for the advice. I just read your message after I posted mine above. Will reduce the springs in due time. Yes, you are correct the optimal set up is to have the two metal ends almost touching each other. 1 to 3 mm is the recommended gap between the metal ends which is very small.

I appreciate the advice. It makes sense to stay with fewer springs.

Audio Research Ref 5SE. Nice.

Similarly I didn’t want to place the Nobsounds in direct contact with the chassis so I put them directly under the heavy duty cast-iron feet of the component. Due to the nature of the rack I can’t introduce an additional board between the feet of the component and Nobsound footers. My amp also has unbalanced loading, compensated by reducing the number of springs at location where the load is lighter.

Gents,

I have found the best spring configuration after 5 days of experimentation. In brief summary, the Nobsounds have brought an appreciable improvement to my system. They are used on a Class A integrated amp, 4 footers under the component's feet. I have another set of Nobsounds which will be tested with the DAC and pre/power amps in another system in due time.

I initially started with 6 springs on each footer. Due to the unbalanced loading of the amp which caused an uneven compression of the footers (the amp is heavier at the front), I later switched to 5 springs @ front, 4 springs @ rear. For ease of illustration, here’s the configuration I’ve tried in chronological order with their corresponding gap between the top and bottom aluminium alloy pieces;

6 springs @ front and rear (8mm gap)

5 springs @ front ; 4 springs @ rear (7mm gap) = 50% compression

4 springs @ front ; 3 springs @ rear (5mm gap)

3 springs @ front ; 2 springs @ rear (3mm gap)

I was expecting the best result with the smallest gap but that didn’t work for me. I then slowly got back up to 6/5 before finally settling with 5/4 which is the best sounding set up to my ears, in my system. Coincidentally, this configuration gave a 50% compression of the springs.

The sound quality is noticeably different with each spring set up. In brief summary, too many springs (low compression) will produce a sound that is lean and light with reduced bass weight. Too little springs (high compression) reduced the airiness and 3-dimensionality. When it sounds right, you will know it and everything just sounds great.

Impressions as follows;

6 springs @ front ; 5 springs @ rear,

- overall presentation is lean and light with certain hollowness to the sound

- bass weight is reduced as it lacks punch and drive

- slight smearing in the midrange

- percussion sounds soft and lacks bite

5 springs @ front ; 4 springs rear (best sound)

- best sound from this set up with the springs at 50% compression

- everything just sounds right as music just flows out freely from the speakers

- notes have more energy with a tube-like quality

- treble sounds airier and has better extension

- improved macrodynamics, airier and 3-dimensional sound with space between instruments

- thwack of drums and percussion all sound snappier and real

- bass weight is back with improved definition and punch

4 springs @ front ; 3 springs @ rear

3 springs @ front ; 2 spings @ rear

- reduced airiness and 3-dimensionality as the sound is slightly dull and flat

@astolfor , getting very technical there but rather useful to know the Gaias are more effective than the Oreas with lower figures in the decay. I have the Gaia and Nobsound but do not have experience with the Oreas. The Gaias work well under speakers, ditto Nobsound under components.

As for the Townshend products, I wished I could try them but at their current prices, a bit too rich for me at the moment.

Ordinary springs like Nobsound are more sensitive to loading. They tend to sound full and warm when compressed a lot, thin and extended when not loaded enough.

Very good description, I couldn't agree more.