Isolation Platforms, etc

interested as well. I consider the SSC Solo Base to put under each piece of my equipment. I am very interested if others use the SSC's and how they feel about them. They seem to go well with a TurnTable too.

I have my LP12 on a Custom Design wall shelf with a Tiger Paw Vulcan board on up turned spikes this arrangement makes a very big difference to sound.  I used to also have Naim spec glass and Naim cups and balls on top of the board under the deck but the change was minimal and a couple of scary moments convinced me to remove the glass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

If you can accommodate a wall mounted shelf (and have a solid wall to take it) then that might be the best idea. I have always rather liked the Audiotech wall shelf for the LP12 - and indeed, that's what Naim have used in the factory - as it was specifically designed for purpose.  Of course, it's long out of production but I think that the Tiger Paw Vulkan took its inspiration from that design, so may well be worth investigating.

Otherwise the old Target wall shelf is a good cheap option s/h and works well with the LP12 so long as the spikes and board are still in good condition (the latter un-warped and un-nibbled by spikes).

Or..  if a wall mounted shelf is out of the question, what about a dedicated table for the LP12?  A s/h Archidee or Audiotech table - again, designed specifically for the LP12 - would be a great choice.  Or how about a Mana table?  Too much?  SO tables are cheap and plentiful s/h and a great entry level choice.

Mana wall bracket with 3 mana sound frames under the lp12, or if you have a good solid floor a mana table with 3 sound stages under it then flat top and ref top on the table.

Golden imo.

Here in Asgaard we use audiotech table, Naim glass shelf and Torlyte platform. However, you need to inspect the underpinnings of the LP12. Does it have a hardboard base, solid base or Trampolin? These will all affect and, therefore, determine your choice of shelf/table. Fettler Swain has just been over the rainbow bridge and solidified the base on mine and thus tautened the sound significantly.

Loki posted:

Here in Asgaard we use audiotech table, Naim glass shelf and Torlyte platform. However, you need to inspect the underpinnings of the LP12. Does it have a hardboard base, solid base or Trampolin? These will all affect and, therefore, determine your choice of shelf/table. Fettler Swain has just been over the rainbow bridge and solidified the base on mine and thus tautened the sound significantly.

My LP12 has a Trampolin and was assembled by Peter Swain a couple of weeks ago so everything is as it should be. As for a choice of shelf v table, my Quadraspire rack is nestled into an alcove with a wall-mounted tv above. There's no room for a dedicated shelf and even if there was, it's a cavity wall which I simply wouldn't trust to support an LP12 with all the trimmings and even if it did I'm pretty sure it would sag.

I appreciate the advice on tables, I'll check these out - there's a myriad on the market with some costing nearly as much as the TT itself, so easy to throw money away in the name of audio excellence so the recommendations are very much appreciated folks.

I have unorthodox stands and an Origin Live Resolution non suspended TT on top. Underneath the TT are Townshend Pods, which  do indeed totally isolate the TT from  the environment around, I can even tap the stands whilst playing without any hint of feedback to the TT.  The bass quality is even cleaner than that delivered by the NDS.

GerryMcg posted:

I have unorthodox stands and an Origin Live Resolution non suspended TT on top. Underneath the TT are Townshend Pods, which  do indeed totally isolate the TT from  the environment around, I can even tap the stands whilst playing without any hint of feedback to the TT.  The bass quality is even cleaner than that delivered by the NDS.

I was looking at these exact Pods today as a potential option, along with ISOAcoustics who market something very similar. Having done a trawl on the internet today, there are masses of products out there to choose from .Me being me I'm now looking at isolating the speakers as well with something better than the blu-tac I'm currently using!

It's good that you've stepped forward to vouch for them because £300/£400 is a fair chunk of change to spend if they don't work effectively.

I use 3 IsoAcoustic 'Orea' pods under a toughened glass shelf with LP12 on top. Sits on a solid

HiFi Racks unit and gives a significant improvement in sound quality. Isolates the 'buzz' from the HiCap!!

Jonners posted:

GerryMcg posted:

I have unorthodox stands and an Origin Live Resolution non suspended TT on top. Underneath the TT are Townshend Pods, which  do indeed totally isolate the TT from  the environment around, I can even tap the stands whilst playing without any hint of feedback to the TT.  The bass quality is even cleaner than that delivered by the NDS.

I was looking at these exact Pods today as a potential option, along with ISOAcoustics who market something very similar. Having done a trawl on the internet today, there are masses of products out there to choose from .Me being me I'm now looking at isolating the speakers as well with something better than the blu-tac I'm currently using!

It's good that you've stepped forward to vouch for them because £300/£400 is a fair chunk of change to spend if they don't work effectively.

I also have Townshend isolation bars under my speakers to great effect. 

As you note there are alternatives which I have never tried. When I first came aware of the Townsend isolation products, the company offered a trial free period, if they still offer this it will be worth as punt.

For Quadraspire racks you can buy a set of bronze spike upgrades and an extra shelf which together provides an effective degree of additional isolation at the top of the rack where I presume you have your LP12. You don't say what sort of Quadraspire rack you have but I think the bronze spikes are available for SVT and Q4.  You might also want to think about swopping the top MDF shelf for a bamboo one. They are a bit thinner and have a different grain to MDF but you have to get quite close to notice so work visually.   A browse on the Quadraspire website might be worthwhile.  

Jonners posted:

I've recently re-joined the vinyl resurgence and re-acquired an LP12 which is the crowning glory on my Quadraspire rack. I've teamed it up with a Stageline to compliment the rest of my Naim-based system and all is sounding rather good but I'm wondering if it could sound better.

Has any Forum members opinions on whether "isolation" products (platforms/"feet") would yield a sonic improvement and even if it's worth swapping out the stock Naim cable supplied with the Stageline for something a bit fancier?

I love a good tinker as much as the next man but I want to avoid falling victim to snake oil purveyors!

 

No fancy cables... buy a used Naim Prefix instead of the Stageline ,if you use a MC cartridge...it´s much better, I think.

And much more important a Lingo 1 power supply for the LP12.

Jonners posted:

Loki posted:

Here in Asgaard we use audiotech table, Naim glass shelf and Torlyte platform. However, you need to inspect the underpinnings of the LP12. Does it have a hardboard base, solid base or Trampolin? These will all affect and, therefore, determine your choice of shelf/table. Fettler Swain has just been over the rainbow bridge and solidified the base on mine and thus tautened the sound significantly.

My LP12 has a Trampolin and was assembled by Peter Swain a couple of weeks ago so everything is as it should be. As for a choice of shelf v table, my Quadraspire rack is nestled into an alcove with a wall-mounted tv above. There's no room for a dedicated shelf and even if there was, it's a cavity wall which I simply wouldn't trust to support an LP12 with all the trimmings and even if it did I'm pretty sure it would sag.

I appreciate the advice on tables, I'll check these out - there's a myriad on the market with some costing nearly as much as the TT itself, so easy to throw money away in the name of audio excellence so the recommendations are very much appreciated folks.

 

Do you mean cavity wall or stud partition?

Loki posted:

Jonners posted:

Loki posted:

Here in Asgaard we use audiotech table, Naim glass shelf and Torlyte platform. However, you need to inspect the underpinnings of the LP12. Does it have a hardboard base, solid base or Trampolin? These will all affect and, therefore, determine your choice of shelf/table. Fettler Swain has just been over the rainbow bridge and solidified the base on mine and thus tautened the sound significantly.

My LP12 has a Trampolin and was assembled by Peter Swain a couple of weeks ago so everything is as it should be. As for a choice of shelf v table, my Quadraspire rack is nestled into an alcove with a wall-mounted tv above. There's no room for a dedicated shelf and even if there was, it's a cavity wall which I simply wouldn't trust to support an LP12 with all the trimmings and even if it did I'm pretty sure it would sag.

I appreciate the advice on tables, I'll check these out - there's a myriad on the market with some costing nearly as much as the TT itself, so easy to throw money away in the name of audio excellence so the recommendations are very much appreciated folks.

 

Do you mean cavity wall or stud partition?

Stud partition 

MDS posted:

For Quadraspire racks you can buy a set of bronze spike upgrades and an extra shelf which together provides an effective degree of additional isolation at the top of the rack where I presume you have your LP12. You don't say what sort of Quadraspire rack you have but I think the bronze spikes are available for SVT and Q4.  You might also want to think about swopping the top MDF shelf for a bamboo one. They are a bit thinner and have a different grain to MDF but you have to get quite close to notice so work visually.   A browse on the Quadraspire website might be worthwhile.  

Sorry for the tardy response MDS, just seen your helpful post! The rack is about 12 years old, I think it's the Q4 EVO with oak shelves, it certainly looks like it and the shelves aren't slatted. I have it on a laminate floor with spiked feet BUT they sit on some "shoes" for protection. The laminate is on chipboard screwed into wooden beams as I live on the second floor in an apartment block.

On reflection I think I have a bigger problem than mere tinkering because last night, instead of putting an LP on and retreating quietly to my chair, I walked around a bit. Once I got within 2' of the turntable it started to jump tracks. 

So, I think I need to look beyond relatively subtle changes like change shelf material to finding something which actually stabilises the LP12! 

Most laminate flooring is laid over a thin layer of underlay, anything from 2mm to 12mm thick, often made of soft, spongy material. This may not help the stability of the rack above. Maybe worth screwing the laminate to the boards beneath to see if it helps. 

One of the best platform for turntable is from HRS.   Townsend audio or acoustic revive.   But these are costly.

I use personally a 5 mn black granite base under my rp10 , bought for around 200 euros, and find it very positive.

Where did you get your 5 mm granite from, I have been trying for ages for a piece for an additional shelf for my stands which have granite shelves.

GerryMcg posted:

Where did you get your 5 mm granite from, I have been trying for ages for a piece for an additional shelf for my stands which have granite shelves.

Any place that does granite or marble kitchen counters should be able to knock you up something from an off cut 

GerryMcg posted:

Where did you get your 5 mm granite from, I have been trying for ages for a piece for an additional shelf for my stands which have granite shelves.

In shops or societies who are working with granite for cemeteries or bathrooms....I have a shop like that near Paris.

5mm sounds a bit thin?

It does but I have one stand with 5mm granite shelves supporting 7 Naim power supplies.

Jonners posted:

MDS posted:

For Quadraspire racks you can buy a set of bronze spike upgrades and an extra shelf which together provides an effective degree of additional isolation at the top of the rack where I presume you have your LP12. You don't say what sort of Quadraspire rack you have but I think the bronze spikes are available for SVT and Q4.  You might also want to think about swopping the top MDF shelf for a bamboo one. They are a bit thinner and have a different grain to MDF but you have to get quite close to notice so work visually.   A browse on the Quadraspire website might be worthwhile.  

Sorry for the tardy response MDS, just seen your helpful post! The rack is about 12 years old, I think it's the Q4 EVO with oak shelves, it certainly looks like it and the shelves aren't slatted. I have it on a laminate floor with spiked feet BUT they sit on some "shoes" for protection. The laminate is on chipboard screwed into wooden beams as I live on the second floor in an apartment block.

On reflection I think I have a bigger problem than mere tinkering because last night, instead of putting an LP on and retreating quietly to my chair, I walked around a bit. Once I got within 2' of the turntable it started to jump tracks. 

So, I think I need to look beyond relatively subtle changes like change shelf material to finding something which actually stabilises the LP12! 

Well, I think the Bronze spike upgrade would probably be compatible with your Q4 but, as you say, the bigger problem needs addressing first.  Hope you can sort it.

ChrisSU posted:

5mm sounds a bit thin?

5 cm,  error typing Chrissu.

ChrisSU posted:

Most laminate flooring is laid over a thin layer of underlay, anything from 2mm to 12mm thick, often made of soft, spongy material. This may not help the stability of the rack above. Maybe worth screwing the laminate to the boards beneath to see if it helps. 

Thanks Chrissu, that seems a pretty pragmatic idea!