2. misc-audio
  3. 133056-76532

Mapleshade Isolation: Does Nothing?

Okay guys. I built a Mapleshade-style isolation platform out of a 3” thick maple butcher block and Mapleshade footers (also Isoblocks). This was originally to isolate a SET amp, but after moving to solid state amps and trying to get into vinyl, I used it to try mounting a MoFi StudioDeck, figuring this would benefit the most from the Mapleshade-style isolation system.

Turntable -> Mapleshade Heavyfooters (3, not threaded) -> Butcher Block -> Mapleshade Iso Blocks -> Pangea audio rack (spiked through carpet).

When using headphones and turning up the gain on my preamp, I can clearly hear the sound of lightly dragging a fingernail across the butcher block. I can also clearly hear it when going across the rack shelf the butcher block in sitting on. So, the vibration is being transmitted up through the Iso blocks, through the butcher block, up through the Heavyfooters, up through Derlin platter, and into the needle.

Placing the turntable directly on the butcher block using its built-in spring loaded feet, vibrations are still transmitted but are much attenuated. So, this experiment leads me to believe that the Mapleshade system does JACK ALL. Am I doing something wrong that could lead to this result? Am I misunderstanding something basic about how this system is supposed to work?
madavid0
uberwaltz's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
I just built a new rack using 24x18x2 maple blocks and allthread for the columns. Absolutely nothing special for sure but my music has never sounded so good.
Have I tried running a fingernail across the block the tt sits on while listening?
No, but I know what I hear from my seat.
Better focus, tight basslines, vocals and strings more defined.
I know I need to work on the isolation part at the base of the columns at the floor as they are sitting on industrial 1"thick rubber blocks for now but I am still very happy with my homebuilt rack for the dollars and time invested.
Merry Christmas to all and enjoy the 🎶
mr_m
1,087 posts
 
Madavid0,

Some years ago I talked to the owner of Mapleshade. I believe his name is Pierre Spraig, (not sure of spelling his name correctly). I talked about the maple blocks he used as support for his systems. I mentioned about butcher block maple and he said to stay away from it as it sounded horrible under components. The reason why, he said, was butcher block maple is kiln dryed which is by a large oven the wood is put in to dry out and cure the wood. He said the maple he uses is air dried and cured which can take years in my estimation.  He claims the sonic improvement  is quite large. Not sure of this as YMMV. Take it for what it's worth.
Cheers,
Tim
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,298 posts
 
Good point @mr_m. Also madavid0, is your butcher block made from smaller laminated pieces or a single block of wood. I have found that a single chunk of wood is more effective at improving sound than laminated butcher blocks which are more commonly available. I would assume because a single piece of wood more effectively dissipates vibration than smaller pieces glued together.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Anybody know whether the maple or bamboo boards sound better with the grain vertical or horizontal? Also, anyone ever cryo his maple or bamboo board? Just curious.
madavid0 OP
127 posts
 
It's made from several long pieces (not the many blocks you often see). I think I'll just contact mapleshade and ask them for a recommendation for my specific setup.
More to discover