Isolation: What are you guys using under your Directstream?

[brett66]

I found an iOS app that allows quantification of single digit vibrations.

Search VibroChecker. It allows output of the raw data for analysis in CSV and produces these graphs. Here are on top of my AV cabinet that houses my preamp and monoblock amps along with on top of one of my amps isolated with a 16" bicycle tube. I would say this is a significant reduction in vibration. Whatever error or standard deviation, I performed each measurement identically so they should be the same. The app waits 5 secs before measuring and measures for 5 secs. One can pick the Hz to display, I didn’t in these but you can see a 3x reduction at the selected frequencies and since the graph is fairly distributed, I would say this 3x reduction pretty much applies across the frequency spectrum measured.

Note the significant resonance at 18Hz in the top graph. I’ll experiment changing the psi in the tube to see if I can move it.

[dancingsea]

Aloha From Maui,

In regards to the iKea bamboo cutting boards. iKea does not ship to Hawaii. Is there something particular to the iKea boards that improve isolation, or can one assume any similar sized bamboo cutting board would to the same?

The iKea is 7 lbs. Amazon sells bamboo cutting boards the same size and weight for $34. And another with about the same dimensions but weighing 11 lbs for $43.

Thanks!

[watchdog507]

Go for the most mass that you can source.

[brett66]

I’ve asked Isoacoustics for any supporting data/measurements regarding their products effectiveness as isolation devices that damp (convert to heat) vibration. I would have thought they would be happy to supply the graphs showing how effective they are, and publish them on their website. I’ve only received more marketing fluff in return (quote below).

So, I searched out their patent information. The only patent number I was able to find is for their speaker stands circa 2009. Armed with this, I found the inventors names and searched.

Here is the single patent that appears to cover the Gaia speaker bolt-on, Orea and Iso-puck devices. Patent 9,920,811 Patent.

I’m somewhat disheartened to read these are dampening devices and not damping devices. I really don’t want to get my equipment damp . The same error is throughout the patent application. Probably a spell-check error, but still, it’s the entire focus of the product and the applicant and the Patent and Trademark office both missed it.

Regardless, I’ve got some Iso-pucks on the way to try. You guys have bought up all the Oreas, although based on the patent, it doesn’t appear any of the three devices differ significantly in design or function. In fact, Isoacoustics replied when asked as to the difference between the Iso-puck and Orea Indigo:

‘The ISO-PUCK was originally designed for the pro audio and Musical
Instrument (MI) channel, and used with studio monitors, guitar/bass amps, DJ
turntables etc. The OREA, on the other hand is designed for home audio. The
performance curve for the OREA models are narrower in weight range and will
provide a slightly stronger sonic benefit in it’s range than the ISO-PUCKs.
The more effective isolation results in more sound clarity and focus.’

Keep in mind the Iso-puck is 1/2 the retail price of the Orea Indigo. I’m not bashing anything or anyone, just sharing what I’ve learned so we can all make more informed decisions and purchases. I believe they are simply different price points aimed at different markets. The Oreas do look flashier than the Iso-pucks.

I will be trying them under my DS and BHK pre as a start, then under my stand mount speakers.

[cxp]

Interesting. Thanks for digging this up.

Doesn’t surprise me with dampening vs damping.

After being involved in the patent process, the lawyers write up most of it.

[brett66]

I’ve been reading the patent in more detail. There are occurrences of damping, but many more dampening. I’m not a fan of attorneys.

This patent details a single internal design for damping and describes 3 or more ‘embodiments’ covering the different applications. My interruption of the info is: Gaia with threaded post to screw into speaker stands, Orea and Puck for use under speaker stands or components.

I get that we do not have the technology to measure many of the aspects of what makes a component or system sound good but we absolutely have the technology to measure at what frequency and by how much a device converts vibration into heat. I’m disappointed with manufacturers that a) don’t measure their inventions, b) don’t disclose these measurements even when requested directly, or c) believe we are idiots and will just buy what ever crap the marketers feed us.

I will try them, and probably keep them, if they equal or surpass my homemade solution, it will be a bonus that they look better doing it. If they don’t equal or beat, back they go.

[Elk]

Keep in mind the language of the patent also made it past the client(s). And then the PTO examiner. Everyone understands what was meant so it matters only to the nit-picker in many of us.

It is a common mistake on this board, as well as other audiophile boards.

[RonP]

Somebody really brilliant on this forum once said that we hear what we believe we will hear. But I would be amazed if you don’t hear a marked improvement using Oreas under your components. I reduce cost by using three where the weight spec allows.

[brett66]

The question for me is the Orea worth twice the price of the Iso-puck as they are the same insides. Received this a bit ago from Sean at Isoacoustics regarding the differences.

'Thank you for your interest in our products. We are working summarizing some data that we can share, but we don’t have any detailed performance data to share at the moment. Feel free to follow up with me in a few weeks if you like.

Some of the cost difference is a result of the material and finish. The OREA has a stainless steel outer body that has a more classy appearance. But in addition to the appearance they are also tuned slightly differently so you should find slightly different results between the different models.’

[alaint]

i have tried (and try yet when i have opportunity) many materials for the DS, especially types of wood. Each give different colour to the sound, but favorize some frequencies. the most neutral and natural is for me: on the ground (room 50m2 in concrete floor), like my amp blocks which are also at their best on floor…
i think the solution is not to isolate but in contrario, to couple the device with the more heavy and inertial mass.
At a moment i liked the bamboo sound (2x40mm crossed fiber) for the medium density (mellow voices) but the extreme frequencies are too congested .
i tried also place a bamboo on the top of my tube preamp (i noted that the effect of wood is also perceptible when it is placed ON a device).

[brett66]

Unfortunately, I don’t have a mass to couple. My house is a raised wood floor. Glad to hear you’ve found what works for your setup. Vibration mitigation is definitely system and circumstance specific. I would bet no two structures experience the same frequencies and magnitudes of movement.

[jonm]

I changed out the cheap square rubber-and-cork vibro-things for Orea’s under my amps and can’t really say I hear a difference. If there is one it’s very subtle. Given I can’t see them under there not sure I’ll keep them long term.

I have the Isopucks under a granite slab my monitor speakers sit on, and those make for a discernible improvement. When I inquired on the difference, Sean at Iso replied something along the lines of “pucks are designed for under speakers, Orea are designed for under components.” Snake oil? Who knows…

Under my DS I put some Stillpoints Ultra Mini’s, sitting on Herbies soft fat dots. Seems to be some improvement but again, pretty tough to be sure. Looks nice though.

[coltma]

Great idea! Just built my bicycle tube desk with 18" tube($2 in China) & IKEA ALGOT board($8, 3kg, nice painting).
No bearings have yet been used to isolate horizontal vibrations. But it’s already the best thing I’ve ever tried.
Some pics here. Doesn’t look cheap at all!

[brett66]

Looks good! A little MTB tire sealant or Slime will keep the tube from losing air.

[Paul]

Nice!

[RonP]

Could be my imagination, could be my system, I don’t know, but my P5 is now resting on Oreas and there’s a very pleasing improvement in clarity, etc. Color me surprised.

[RonP]

PS----the only component not improved even a little bit is my power amp. But even the power cord barely phases this weird little thing.

[roninaudio]

So I got my Evas and placed them under my DAC. My DAC and amp are on either side of my main rack as I had mono blocks prior to my BHK 250. Anyway I immediately noticed a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency in the bass. My sound stage had intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. It was amazing.

Actually, so far I can’t tell a difference. But I know the speakers are close enough to vibrate the DAC especially at higher SPLs so it’s all good. Money well spent. Tomorrow I’ll try the pre amp as I got 8 of these guys and then have fun listening this weekend… Cheers!

[brett66]

I just swapped my bicycle tube for 3 Isoacoutics iso-pucks under BHK pre, will try under DS tomorrow. After initial listen, no change. They sure are less compliant than the tube though, meaning I don’t believe they will absorb very low frequency vibration as well but they do look nicer.

You might try cutting the eva blocks into 1/4 , they are wildly overrated for this use.

[roninaudio]

Not sure I understand " wildly overated".Seems like folks were trying them so i thought why not. Just trying to reduce any vibration caused by close proximity of speakers. Kinda looks like the DAC is levitating…lol. Also I put them inside center of the feet, not under the feet?