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Please help me choose CD isolation

I am suffering from a mild case of Audiophile burnout this week and need advice in choosing effective CD isolation relatively inexpensively (under $150 ). I put my CD player on top of my rack in order to make room for a new tuner. I have some Vibrapods underneath, and they are doing a nice job, but honestly want something more appealing visually that doesn't change the tonal balance too much, and maybe adds a touch more detail. I am listing my system in order to get the best advice possible, THANKS in advance for taking the time to read this and helping me out. Martin Butler.

* Musical Fidelity HT600 5 channel amp w/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference interconnects,Yamamura Quantum power cord.

* B&K AVP3090 pre-amp w/ Harmonic Technology Pro-11 AC power cord)

* Sony DVP-9000ES SACD/DVD player (w/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference interconnects, and an Acoustic Zen Tsunami pc)

* B&W Nautilus 805 speakers w/ matching stands, HTM-2 center, LM-1 surrounds (w/ H. Tech Pro-9 plus bi-wire cables)

* REL Strata III subwoofer , XLO custom Neutrik Speakon conector and DH Labs BL-1 for 5.1 out, and H. Tech Pro-11AC pc)

* Denon MD-1000 Minidisc recorder (H. Technology Truthlink interconnects, and Audio One "Reference" toslink cable )

*Musical Fidelity A3 Tuner

* Toshiba 40X81 Widescreen HDTV (Monster component cables)

* Monster HTS-3500 power center

* Salamander Synergy Systems rack

* Hubble 8300i outlets

* Cardas RCA caps
bmpnyc
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Mapleshade has Isoblocks. They're made of rubber/cork/rubber laminate "carefully tuned by ear to give just the right vertical, horizontal and torsional resonant frequencies for optimum sonic isolation." A set of four (weight up to 99 lbs.) cost around $25 and for weight up to 199 lbs, a set of four is around $50. They recommend using them with a maple platform. According to Mapleshade, "maple sounds noticeably better than oak, cherry, walnut or mahogany—and far better than MDF, graphite, marble, corian, or glass." I have the Isoblocks and I have had Vibrapods. IMHO the Isoblocks sound better than Vibrapods.
bmpnyc OP
713 posts
 
Hi Angela, I am still using my Monster HTS3500 power conditioner, but will eventually switch (or add) a PS Audio power generator. Good to see you around as well! Whatjd, thanks for all of the helpful tips, I'll certainly double check some of the things you mentioned. Thanks to you Hdm also. I may eventually try a Vibrapod sandwich, but would like to check out something like Black Diamond Racing cones first. Hope I'm not headed down the wrong path with metal cone type of isolation. Haven't tried any yet, but they do look cool under the CD player. Ultimately, I don't care what it looks like if it sounds good, but given a choice between similar tweaks, I'll pass on the ugly one. Any other suggestions? Can someone pass along their experience with differences types of "cone" isolation products. What are the characteristics of Brass, Titanium, whatever?
rcprince
3,061 posts
 
I have been very impressed with the results of putting my SCD777ES on a silicone and air-filled inner tube/sand/lead base made by one of the members of the NJ Audio Society, a similar concept to the Seismic Sink I have used but a little more effective because you don't just use air and don't have the metal plate of the Sink, which compromises it a little. Not as nice-looking as the Sink, although I don't they're bad-looking. Also, another of our members makes a set of three rounded supports called Pon-Tunes, which are not isolation devices but do improve the sound of the CD players I've put on them in that they seem to make things a bit cleaner and livlier, at least in my system. Their chief disadvantage is that, like the rollerblocks and similar devices, the equipment on them can slide around, not the greatest thing when you use audiophile-approved garden hose type cables. I prefer all of these to the Vibrapods, although for their cost the pods are tough to beat. As far as visual appeal goes, the Seismic Sink is the most polished looking product, and it works quite well too. By the way, I live just over the river, if you want to see any of these things or try them out.
vader007
121 posts
 
BDR cones, #3 for solid state components. You will need three at about $30.00 each. (Black diamond Racing) These things rock! Good luck!......Vader
franklapdog's avatar
franklapdog
103 posts
 
Take Vaders advice and get 3 BDR cones.They are the best....If you have the spare cash,the sink does a superb job as well...
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