Stillpoints vs Symposium Rollerballs

I never said asking questions and offering opinion and insight on
discussion boards was a waste of time. My point is that it's a bad idea to
buy with only that info and without doing any first hand listening.

With that said, I stand by my recommendation to try both the Stillpoints
and Symposium Rollerblocks in one's own system. There are just too
many variables from system to system to make a good decision based
solely on discussion board opinions. The same idea applies to cables.

I have used Aurios, Symposium Rollerblocks and Audiopoints under my
CDP. I didn't like the Audiopoints as they
exacerbated a vibration problem I had with my Denon 2900. I prefer
Rollerblocks to Aurios because Rollerblocks don't get out of alignment
like Aurios. I have settled on a Neuance shelf under my CDP and use
Rollerblocks under my preamp and amp.

Three week old corn rye works great under my CDP, but it has to be
consantly changed out every sixth week...gets too stiff and the highs get
brittle. Cryo'd Wonderbread works nicely, too.

Stevie buys bread based on touch and smell, and if he read some of the
posts on Audiogon he'd surely smell fish.

hi

yes, of course, i would never buy anything without auditioning (especially at these prices) but i am always interested in other 'phile's experiences. it's one of the reasons i read audiogon. so, if anyone would like to share, i'd certainly be grateful. many thanks.

I agree Tvad, asking "which isolation device will work best" is an unanswerable question. For example, I have set up my TRL modded Sony 595 in 4 different systems over the past 3 weekends. Two of the systems liked the Stillpoints, one liked Rollerblocks, the other was happy with a HRS Nimbus/Stillpoints combo.

My point is that there is no "One" single isolation device that will "fit" every system. Anyone thinking so is in for an education ...

Jack

If you want only to "drain off" internal vibrations created within a piece of equipment, then you need a "mechanical diode" like cones, rollerballs or graphite bags. (A "mechanical diode" BTW is something that lets the vibration travel in one direction but not back the other way.) Assuming a steady, rock solid surface on which the equipment sits, this works pretty well for both transports and electronics (i.e. amps that sometimes have transformer or tube vibration.)

If you want to protect a piece of equipment from external, non-airborne vibrations that are transferred to the equipment from whatever it's sitting on, then you need a vibration damper or shock absorber like Stillpoints, Sorbothane pucks, or springs. These can make the equipment somewhat more susceptible to airborne sound energy (-- not generally a problem I've found, unless it's sitting right in front of a loud speaker.)

So, except for turntables, which in my opinion always need both type of treatment (diode at the shelf, and squishy between the diode and the plinth) most situations only require the diode (again, assuming a rock solid non-vibrating surface on which the equipment sits.)

If you feel your situation requires both types, you could try at least 9 combinations of devices picking one from each category, and then multiply by 2 to allow for the squishy-over/under-diode variation and that gives you 18 ways to Sunday. My personal preference, if anyone gives a rat's a**, is cones under sorbothane, with Stillpoints replacing both for heavier equipment (rated at 200# capacity each I believe.)

My point remains ... There is no one isolation device that will work in every system. I personally have multiple cones (brass, aluminum, maple), 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" maple blocks, Roller blocks, Aurious, Stillpoints, and HRS Nimbus discs. Some work well (sound) in one area but not another.

If you'd rather not buy them all, join an audio club. Perhaps other members will have the various isolation devices available for you to audition in your system?