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WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU? ISOLATION PLATFORMS, FOOTERS, ETC. for a DAC?

What is reasonable to expect in SQ gain with respect to a DAC, since there are no actively moving parts?

Footers only? Platforms only? Or is a combination of both best?

Keeping this open ended (as well as budget wise) to see what Audiogon Members recommend and advise.

However, thoughts on Gains v.s. Spend with the specific products you are recommending are welcome and will be very helpful.

The only footers I have used in the past are those from Herbie's Audio Lab.  I have used two different 'audio' racks (which have been dismantled) and I am using their shelves as isolation platforms for my speakers and other components (but not the DACs).

The DACs in use are a Schiit Yggdrasil and an Exogal Comet Plus. The stock rubber footers with the Yggdrasil are as basic as they come; The Comet has an acrylic plate with rounded metal screws.

THANK YOU!
david_ten
david_ten OP
2,509 posts
 
@btw22  and @goose Thanks for the additional info on Symposium's tungsten balls/bearings and their roller blocks. 

@bdp24  Thank you for bringing Ingress Engineering to my attention. And yes, less expensive! Always a good thing. 

@tecknic Great to hear that you have had very positive results with the Alto Extremo line of products. 

@tommylion I'm using Herbie's Tenderfeet under some of my secondary components. Have been a fan of Herbie's products for quite some time and have used his tube dampers as well. Currently, I have his Giant Threaded Stud Gliders for my primary speakers and the Giant Gliders under the platforms supporting the speakers (a doubled up solution) to very good effect.
david_ten OP
2,509 posts
 
A general shout out of Thanks and Appreciation to all of you that have posted information in this thread. It has been very helpful and of great educational value to me. 

But I believe I've cracked open the proverbial box on this. : )

It's a good problem since it appears that there are a number of very good choices. But a difficult one in terms of trying to figure out which one or ones to go forward with.
steakster
720 posts
 
Anticipate the long haul. Over the years, I’ve accumulated many of the above recommendations. They all work - differently. Vibrations are insidious - both macro & micro. Every once in a while, I will swap isolation devices under various components to see if my ’sonic tastes’ have changed. Especially, if a tube or cable was replaced. I can easily detect any change - for the better or worse. Probably, the constant has been Symposium shelves or Fat Padz or Point Pods. Above & below them, I’ll experiment with rollerblocks, tuneblocks, aurios, audio points, stillpoints, rubber mats, etc. Have fun!
david_ten OP
2,509 posts
 
@steakster  Sage advice. Thanks. 
tweaknkeep
35 posts
 
In addition to clean electricity (think dedicated lines, good receptacles and power cords), room acoustics (think ASC Tube Traps and quadratic diffusors), footers are indispensable for addressing microphonics. I've tried Herbie's footers and they are okay. Better yet are those made by Bruce McDougall of anvilturntables.com. They look like hockey pucks and have a number of magnetic balls underneath. I use them under all of my components. I hear better bass, cleaner highs, and improved pace (I'm a drummer). Music sounds sluggish now without these footers.
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