Need guidance on isolation devices

Would like to know what your system sits on currently?

The general rule is stereo components should sit on something very firm, heavy and solid for isolation from vibrations transmitted via floor, walls, etc.

All my components. including phono sit on a firm, standard issue, very heavy solid oak wood table that I bought in a used furniture store for $30 a few years back. The sound is clean and rock solid at all volumes. I've never detected any need to isolate any further.

Definitely avoid flimsy "audio" stands (Bush, O'Sullivan, etc.)commonly sold in retail outlets like Best Buy or Sears .

Start at the source.

Source components benefit from isolation the most in my opinion but everything does. Air bladders (inner tubes) work well but tend to leak slowly. If you go this route find three of the smallest ones you can find and allow access to the schrader valves so you can periodically level the component. It tends to become a pain in the a** so perhaps this method should be used on components less dependent on being level like your Mac and pre. Don't overfill them. The more compliant the better the isolation. Sand boxes also can be an ear opener. Using a thick glass plate on the sand after sifting it allows better coupling to the component. Use wood or tiptoes (I prefer stainless steel or even better crystal pyramids as brass tends to smear fine imaging YMMV) or even the ball bearing in a cup type (which adds side to side isolation)to drain the resonances and vibration away I've found a mixture of lead shot and sand sounds more articulate but handling lead isn't very conducive to safety so if this is where you head I'd seal around the glass with silicone. As far as the weight on top of the component listen for yourself. it may improve focus but my experience has usually shown a reduction of both air and decay of the notes.

Defintiey Herbies- isocup/balls, Big Fat Dots, etc. all work miracles

I'd suggest reading Art Dudley's article in the June Stereophile. Isolation devices can affect the sound but not always in a beneficial way.