2. misc-audio
  3. 997821622

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
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Bmp; As Phild notes above, not all tweaks are beneficial. I put seismic sinks under my ML transport and DAC and was rewarded with tremendous detail-- but it almost made my ears bleed. PRaT also suffered significantly. At that point I was disappointed, but then put one of the sinks under my tube pre-amp, and Viola', greater detail, improved transparency, smooth, liquid, and excellent PRT. It's all so component, system, and room dependent. Don't get discouraged, and Happy tweaking. Craig.
bmpnyc OP
713 posts
 
Wow! I've got a bit of research to do, and a few great suggestions to try out. You have all really helped point me in the right direction, and I can't thank you all enough for taking such care in your descriptions. By the way, I recently bought some sound proofing foam for a different purpose, but had two small pieces left over, so I put them where the first reflection hits my side walls, and "Abracadabra", my speakers dissapeared, voices became twice as intelligable, and the bass snapped into focus. After all that money and time spent who woulda thought that $40 worth of soundproofing would bring such such magic. Can't stop diggin' on those grooves now. Ag member "Yeastguy" Mark Brodsky was kind enough to send me the Keb Mo' DVD from the "Sessions at 54 Street" to check out, and if you ever want for perfect 5.1 channel demo material, this is the right stuff! Definetely the best I have heard yet.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Martin: many good suggestions above! For your budget range probably stick with a piece of 1/2" or 3/4" MDF (medium density fibreboard at your local lumberyard) or maple. Set that shelf on top of the vibrapods (allowing for the additional weight) & then use brass or Black Diamond cones (try both kinds &/or others too) under the player. I have had very bad-sounding experiences with glass & recommend strongly against that route, although your experiences may be different of course. When you come close to the sound that you like, you can further tune it by moving the cones around under the player in 1" increments. Closer together is warmer & rounder, further apart is more detailed but can become edgy.
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