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Isolation footers for amps

I'm looking for advice/recommendations for isolation footers for my amp -- an Audio Research D300 (solid state). Currently I have it mounted on a free-standing 4" thick maple block, with spiked-tipped brass footers anchoring the base to the carpet on top of a basement (cement) floor. Would I obtain any additional sonic benefits by placing after-market isolation devices between the amp and the maple stand? I should add here that I'm not looking to spend a great deal of money on this... something more in the range of $100-200. Options in roughly that range I've found on line include Audio Prism Isobearings, Herbie's Tender Footers, and Mapleshape's brass footers. My (perhaps imperfect) understanding is that the first two are meant to isolate a component from vibrations in the room (including those from other components), while the third is supposed to help 'drain" vibrations from the component in question itself, thereby minimizing their transference to the audio chain..

I'd welcome advice from fellow Audiogoners more experienced than I on the extent to which these devices confer audible sonic improvements and, if so, which ones they'd recommend. Thanks

Michael
mross1949
jaybe
386 posts
 
I've used many Herbie's products but didn't get the results that would make me endorse or recommend them. In almost all cases they did nothing to improve sonics and maybe made things worse. I know they have a dedicated fan base, but I don't give my money to some one just cause he's a "nice guy", there needs to be results as well.There may be a lot of "expectation bias" among buyers at work here, if you believe in that stuff. IMO buyers are better to save up for the higher level stuff. Where's the beef?

I was blown away on first hearing Sort Kones and Stillpoints. Definite improvement over stock feet. Different models of each give different results, but even the cheaper ones do what most other other isolation products do not, adding more solidity, impact and resolution to the music. The Symposiums look interesting as well but have not heard them.
lak's avatar
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lak
3,516 posts
 
I still have several sets of Herbie's Tenderfeet and, Herbie's Tall Stiff Tenderfeet. These were the last tweak I was using under the Integrated amp, Transport, and Dac.
At geoffkait's advice, I switched over to the Super DH Cones from Golden Sound. Wow, huge positive difference.
I'm not knocking the Tenderfeet, @dill (above 6/14) might have said it correctly. My two systems are as follows:
#1 Rack sits on carpet, on a wooden stage, on concrete.
#2 Rack sits on carpet on concrete.
andrei_nz
106 posts
 
I'm looking for advice/recommendations for isolation footers for my amp -- an Audio Research D300 (solid state)

Oh well somebody has to say it: Don't Bother.  Isolation from vibration is absolutely critical for turntables.  Less so but still worthwhile IMHO for other spinners - DC players, Hard Discs.  Also a good idea for any electronics that have tubes.  But how this can affect solid state equipment is beyond me.   
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hifiman5
1,611 posts
 
@andrei_nz    Vibration/resonances are the enemy of ALL audio equipment.  Doesn't matter whether tube or solid state.  Don't know if you've ever tried to treat for vibration but if not, why not give it a shot?  Herbie's Audio Lab has a 90 day full refund policy, so nothing ventured nothing gained.  Perhaps try a set of regular tenderfeet and a set of "stiff" tenderfeet and assess the sonic results?
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Vibrapods are inexpensive, many other isolation products are not and I think the pods do the same damn thing as the expensive stuff…had to note that…and one use that actually works is to place them under my speakers (mains, not subs) as I have wood floors and the pods are excellent for keeping the vibes out of the floor. Note also that there are more and more powered speakers systems…are those amps decoupled? They’re in the speaker box so that would be a resounding No. And they can sound fabulous. Concert "phased array" speaker systems contain super powerful Class D amps…seem to work fine. I use 2 amazing sounding REL subs which also force the amp to suffer…*sniff*…it's a cruel world for internal amplification. My "combo" tube guitar and bass amps? HA…another bass amp sitting on top of a 500 watt 15" speaker? Again…well…you get it. Vibration seems to be everywhere, and leave it to audio geeks to be afraid of it…very afraid…or some are simply smart enough to market bits of metal and goo of some sort as "feet for the fearful."
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