While one may not actually hear a difference in very rare cases, virtually all components and turntables do benefit from properly engineered isolation and damping.
At minimum, prospective buyers of vibration control products should know the basic definitions of, and the distinctions between ISOLATION and DAMPING to enable them to make informed purchases.
ISOLATION refers to the process of preventing (minimizing) externally generated vibratory energy from reaching a component. Although this includes acoustic or air-borne vibration that is difficult to manage in exposed audio/video equipment, we are primarily concerned with the transfer of mechanical vibration. And, it is essential to understand that there is no significant mechanical isolation possible unless there is relative movement between the component and its supporting structure, to prevent sympathetic movement with the supporting structure. Therefore, only a device or material that can compress like a spring or deform like an air-bag or a viscoelastic part, or roll like a bearing, can be an isolator. Exceptions to these passive examples include active systems that have electromechanical self-leveling capabilities. Obviously, hard spikes are not isolators! And, bearings only islolate in the lateral plane!
DAMPING refers to the process of removing (minimizing) internally generated vibration that is inherent in a component AND any external vibration that, for lack of adequate isolation, may enter the component, by converting the mechanical vibratory energy of solids into heat energy - a process called hysteresis. Damping is generally accomplished by the bonding or coupling of viscoelastic sheet materials to the (vibrating) surfaces, mechanisms and parts of a component. There MUST be direct contact to provide damping!
I recommend that individuals intent on understanding the fundamentals of vibration control seek information outside of the audio arena by reading "white papers" online and books in libraries to become self-educated. Once the actual facts are known, one can evaluate products by their inclusion or lack thereof of properly engineered designs.
Discalimer: I manufacture vibration control devices.
At minimum, prospective buyers of vibration control products should know the basic definitions of, and the distinctions between ISOLATION and DAMPING to enable them to make informed purchases.
ISOLATION refers to the process of preventing (minimizing) externally generated vibratory energy from reaching a component. Although this includes acoustic or air-borne vibration that is difficult to manage in exposed audio/video equipment, we are primarily concerned with the transfer of mechanical vibration. And, it is essential to understand that there is no significant mechanical isolation possible unless there is relative movement between the component and its supporting structure, to prevent sympathetic movement with the supporting structure. Therefore, only a device or material that can compress like a spring or deform like an air-bag or a viscoelastic part, or roll like a bearing, can be an isolator. Exceptions to these passive examples include active systems that have electromechanical self-leveling capabilities. Obviously, hard spikes are not isolators! And, bearings only islolate in the lateral plane!
DAMPING refers to the process of removing (minimizing) internally generated vibration that is inherent in a component AND any external vibration that, for lack of adequate isolation, may enter the component, by converting the mechanical vibratory energy of solids into heat energy - a process called hysteresis. Damping is generally accomplished by the bonding or coupling of viscoelastic sheet materials to the (vibrating) surfaces, mechanisms and parts of a component. There MUST be direct contact to provide damping!
I recommend that individuals intent on understanding the fundamentals of vibration control seek information outside of the audio arena by reading "white papers" online and books in libraries to become self-educated. Once the actual facts are known, one can evaluate products by their inclusion or lack thereof of properly engineered designs.
Discalimer: I manufacture vibration control devices.