Vibration Isolators

Vibration isolaters come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. They will all change the sound. If it is better or not can only be judged by you. I only have experience with mid level cones and less expensive rubber footers, sorbothane, etc. Of the cones I have tried I prefer the Soler points. They have much more detail and speed than Black Diamond Racing or Mapleshade cones. And to me sorbothane sounds muddy or slow and veiled. Not even in the same league. It all depends what your tastes are and what you system sounds like now. But to answer your question, YES. In my system, to me, they make a huge improvement.- John

I had a local cabinet shop make some sand boxes which I put my cd player on top with the aide of BDR #3/4 cones. Plus put a ziplock baggy with sand on top of the unit to stablize. It does help smooth out the sound and expand the sound stage. Total cost for the box $35 sand $8 BDR cones $50. Not bad for the results.

The best I have heard is the Symposium Rollerblocks and Ultra Shelf. check out symposiumusa.com
Amazing stuff that is easy to point to when you do an A/B with the shel in and with the shelf out. I dare anyone else to do a similair test with their favorite isolation product. I nailed the symposium difference every time. The stuff is expensive but its the best in my mind. I have and do own Vibrapods, DH COnes (Jumbo and Large and Medium) and DH squares. Thes cheapes result that added the most improvemt was a DIY sand box. MDF box with sand inside. Easy to make even for somebody like me. I urge you to try out Symposium. It works especially well under anything tube and front end gear. I have stopped fooling around with cheap tweaks that get me almost there and now know that Symposium is where I want to be. Maybe it will work for you as well. Happy listening

Yes, they make a big difference, and yes, you need to experiment. I've had the best results with my CD player by supporting it on a maple cutting board with Aurios 1.2s beneath, used with their matching 7/16" tungsten carbide balls (the 1.2s are richer sounding than the 1.1s, and less bass heavy and clearer than the Pros). Aurios are relatively expensive, but they're worth trying, particularly under CD or DVD players-- they make as much difference as a good cable or component change.

You cannot isolate vibration. It's everywhere. The music, itself; vibrations in the air. Sound is vibration. It's ok. Let it vibrate and send the resonances to the floor. I do not understand the hoopla with these vibropads. Man, I hate to leave.. I'll be back for more, but I'm on a prep, and my students call.