Stillpoints - snake oil?

Years ago, I lived nearby an audio reviewer. He had an outstanding reference system. The sound stage was so huge - wide & deep - that you could get out of the listening chair and walk a few feet into the 3D space. It was quite amazing. It took years for him to figure out how to make that happen. Various forms of isolation devices - coupling & decoupling - were utilized, depending on the component. Of course, he had high quality electronics and cabling in his rig - along with a good room - and clean power.

His goal was to review tweaks that were affordable to shallow-pocketed music lovers. Not only did he try the gadgets as the manufacturer recommended, but he also tried them upside down - or in combination with other gadgets. He was extremely creative in exploring how to maximize any benefits of whatever gizmo he was reviewing. It definitely wasn’t a ’set & forget’ approach. And there was never a ’silver bullet’ that was a miracle cure. Some tweaks showed a significant improvement, some not at all.

Frequently, he invited me over when new gadgets arrived. One day, we removed every single tweak from his system and listened. The sound stage collapsed to 2-D. The music was okay - but, the nuanced magic was gone. Over several hours, we listened as we re-installed each tweak - one by one. After being completely rebuilt, the magic was back. The vocals had emotion and sound stage was huge.

After that learning experience, I’ve take the time to experiment with different footers and devices. As with any endeavor that strives for high performance, usually it’s an accumulation of lots of little stuff to maximize the results. When I used to crew on high performance ocean-racing sailboats, that certainly was the case.

I agree experimentation is a good thing. Then YOU actually get to know, and somewhat understand what is happening. Plus folks who say it can't be, well, not gonna bother you, since you actually did it.

It's a bit mind boggling that some of the measurements or die crowd here don't believe in vibration control and isolation? That's pretty solid science what's the objection exactly?

Guys I will post an intersting demo protocall I designed when I worked at Innovative Audio in NYC.

The store has a whole bunch of solid steel racks which are a metal frame with little tiptoes and mdf shelves.

I would do a demo comparing a $995 Rega Apollo CD player vs a $3,000 Classe CD player.

Started with both players on top of their racks connected to the same integrated amplifier and speakers.

I would play the  $1k Rega which sounded good and then the more expensive $3k Classe player.

Then started by adding a set of $60 Black Diamond Racking Cones under the Rega, and the Rega improved in focus, macro dynamics. Still not as good as the Classe but audibily  better.

Then added a Black Diamond Racing Shelf which was $900 slab of carbon fiber and other damping materials and another set of cones and boom the Rega sounded way better than the Classe, the sound stage was wider, details were clearer, macro dynamics were improved. The $995 Rega now outperformed the $3,000 Classe, then at the last part of the demo took the Rega off the isolation base and put on the Classe and boom the Classe was now sounding again far better.

The demo was so conclusive than in one year I sold $60k worth of Black Diamond Racing product.

The moral of the story is that removing vibrations from both solid state and tube gear makes that gear perform better it is really that simple.

With all of these devices it is not hard to arrange for an in home demo.

We had a similar experience now with the Isoacoustics pucks a set of their $20 pucks made a very audible improvement under a set of ATC SCM 19 we just lifted up the speaker put down three pucks and listened to the same track, the importer’s rep heard it, I heard it and two customers in the shop heard it. So it was either mass hypnosis or these devices do tend to work.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ