IsoAcoustic Puck Placement

[CounterTenor]

Almost two years ago, I purchased IsoAcoustic mini-pucks to support most of my components. Logic dictated that they should be placed under the footers of the gear, and a fine improvement was to be had in doing so.
I have often felt that while my 242 based system was bass-light, it was very well balanced and had splendid SQ. Paulsurround was visiting last week and he worked his magic to find the missing bass. First, he brought with him a fine gift, a Shunyata E-tron power cable, an upgrade from the Audio Sensibility Testament cable I was using for the Silent Angel F1 power supply. There was an immediate significant improvement to every aspect: clarity, crispness, openness….That was the only addition made.
A perhaps more significant change occurred when we moved all of the mini-pucks from the footers of the gear to the chassis: WOW. The bass became rich, full and resonant.
Next, Paul suggested we separate the video components from the audio components with regard to where they were plugged in. The Linn gear and the Oppo headphone amp are in the Shunyata Denali, and the video components (tv, cable box, Bluray streamer, Apple TV box) were plugged into an Audio Sensibility four outlet box and into the Environmental Potentials wave form correction device. This added even greater improvement to the SQ, and to the quality of the TV’s picture and to the Oppo Bluray.
There is no doubt that electrical interference is the most significant inhibitor to SQ in most systems. Is it any wonder that Linn have finally recognized this, changing the isolation in their new Klimax streamers, and using these improvements as a point of sales feature? Heck, Paul has been making these arguments for years now.
Many thanks to his adept insights.🙏🙏

 

[Ben Webster]

I also tried the IsoAcoustics Mini-Pucks with very different results.

My Solos, my Radikal and also my Preamplifier become worse. It sounds bigger, but not so exact. Also the Timing was wrong. All these cases are placed on TimeTables.

The opposite happens with my four Mutec Reclocker and my Mutec 10 MHz Clock. They don‘t work on TimeTables (very diffuse) but perfect on my wooden floor. With the IsoAcoustics Mini Pucks between floor and my Mutec cases it plays much better.

I‘m no friend of putting spikes or pucks (or IKEA kitchen utilities 😜) under devices, because it changes the character of the devices and in most cases to the wrong side (timing, rhythm, sound, …) But under the Reclocker/Clocks the pucks make everything correct.

 

[CounterTenor]

Ben: Good on you for giving them a try. As with anything, for some the alteration is appealing, for other, revolting.
One can only tell by testing things on their own system.

 

[Paulssurround]

Almost two years ago, I purchased IsoAcoustic mini-pucks to support most of my components. Logic dictated that they should be placed under the footers of the gear, and a fine improvement was to be had in doing so.
I have often felt that while my 242 based system was bass-light, it was very well balanced and had splendid SQ. Paulsurround was visiting last week and he worked his magic to find the missing bass. First, he brought with him a fine gift, a Shunyata E-tron power cable, an upgrade from the Audio Sensibility Testament cable I was using for the Silent Angel F1 power supply. There was an immediate significant improvement to every aspect: clarity, crispness, openness….That was the only addition made.
A perhaps more significant change occurred when we moved all of the mini-pucks from the footers of the gear to the chassis: WOW. The bass became rich, full and resonant.
Next, Paul suggested we separate the video components from the audio components with regard to where they were plugged in. The Linn gear and the Oppo headphone amp are in the Shunyata Denali, and the video components (tv, cable box, Bluray streamer, Apple TV box) were plugged into an Audio Sensibility four outlet box and into the Environmental Potentials wave form correction device. This added even greater improvement to the SQ, and to the quality of the TV’s picture and to the Oppo Bluray.
There is no doubt that electrical interference is the most significant inhibitor to SQ in most systems. Is it any wonder that Linn have finally recognized this, changing the isolation in their new Klimax streamers, and using these improvements as a point of sales feature? Heck, Paul has been making these arguments for years now.
Many thanks to his adept insights.🙏🙏

Thank you Counter Tenor

It was great to visit with you, and glad that we got some significant improvements in your Linn system.

It is always amazing to me that our Linn systems continue to improve over time with upgrades to components and tweaks to our systems.

Whenever I think I have found a new level of performance in my Linn system, something else comes along that reaches a new benchmark.

 

[Paulssurround]

I also tried the IsoAcoustics Mini-Pucks with very different results.

My Solos, my Radikal and also my Preamplifier become worse. It sounds bigger, but not so exact. Also the Timing was wrong. All these cases are placed on TimeTables.

The opposite happens with my four Mutec Reclocker and my Mutec 10 MHz Clock. They don‘t work on TimeTables (very diffuse) but perfect on my wooden floor. With the IsoAcoustics Mini Pucks between floor and my Mutec cases it plays much better.

I‘m no friend of putting spikes or pucks (or IKEA kitchen utilities 😜) under devices, because it changes the character of the devices and in most cases to the wrong side (timing, rhythm, sound, …) But under the Reclocker/Clocks the pucks make everything correct.

Great post

In your case, it would be hard to beat your Time Tables, for their vibration rejection/isolation and timing improvements, as they are well designed for that purpose.

Isoacoustic pucks and Oreas do their magic for people with HiFi cabinets and audiophile shelving that does not isolate vibrations as well as your Time Tables.

I now have all my HiFi components sitting on Baltic Birch 8mm 16 ply aviation plywood, which sits on top of Isoacoustic pucks and Isoacoustic Oreas.

 

[Craigas]

Just moved my pucks from under the KDSM's feet to the chassis and reduced them from four to three. My wife is saying crank this one up, that one...sounds pretty darn good. WOW indeed.

Oh,...and I just found the power switch under the KDSM's front, how ridiculous is that!!! She just gave me that your an idiot look...you mean I've been crawling behind there to unplug it to reboot all this time.... Life can be so cruel lol.

Now for the be-bop girls. (Lou Reed)

 

[Wenge1]

Oh,...and I just found the power switch under the KDSM's front, how ridiculous is that!!! She just gave me that your an idiot look...you mean I've been crawling behind there to unplug it to reboot all this time.... Life can be so cruel lol.

You just have to

 

[CounterTenor]

Given the success of moving the mini pucks, I ventured forth and replaced the mini pucks with Orea bronze (three under each of the AEDSM and the ExaKtbox), and the improvements achieved with the minis were magnified by the Oreas. Today, I placed three mini pucks under the T-251, three under the Silent Angel F1, and two under the Bonn N8 switch: the improvements matched my best hoped-for gains. More sparkle, clarity, definition; richer bass. It is very musical and really enjoyable.

 

[Oscar P.]

Almost two years ago, I purchased IsoAcoustic mini-pucks to support most of my components. Logic dictated that they should be placed under the footers of the gear, and a fine improvement was to be had in doing so.
I have often felt that while my 242 based system was bass-light, it was very well balanced and had splendid SQ. Paulsurround was visiting last week and he worked his magic to find the missing bass. First, he brought with him a fine gift, a Shunyata E-tron power cable, an upgrade from the Audio Sensibility Testament cable I was using for the Silent Angel F1 power supply. There was an immediate significant improvement to every aspect: clarity, crispness, openness….That was the only addition made.
A perhaps more significant change occurred when we moved all of the mini-pucks from the footers of the gear to the chassis: WOW. The bass became rich, full and resonant.
Next, Paul suggested we separate the video components from the audio components with regard to where they were plugged in. The Linn gear and the Oppo headphone amp are in the Shunyata Denali, and the video components (tv, cable box, Bluray streamer, Apple TV box) were plugged into an Audio Sensibility four outlet box and into the Environmental Potentials wave form correction device. This added even greater improvement to the SQ, and to the quality of the TV’s picture and to the Oppo Bluray.
There is no doubt that electrical interference is the most significant inhibitor to SQ in most systems. Is it any wonder that Linn have finally recognized this, changing the isolation in their new Klimax streamers, and using these improvements as a point of sales feature? Heck, Paul has been making these arguments for years now.
Many thanks to his adept insights.🙏🙏

Totally agree about the shocking difference after moving the mini-pucks from the footers of the gear to the chassis: bass becomes richer fuller and more resonant. Voices sounds richer too.

I’m considering changing the mini pucks for 4 Orea Graphite (or 3 Orea Bronze) for my Akurate DSM. I think 4 is a little bit better for the stability.

Isoacoustics is great stuff!

 

[CounterTenor]

I did switch to Oreas (4) for the AEDSM and the ExaKtbox. As I just posted under a year of upgrades, I put SR MiG 3.0s under the three amplifiers: WOW WOW WOW. The Oreas added more clarity and bass, and then the MiGs even more.

 

[garn63]

Think the mini pucks are a v.good upgrade..for some components.
As previously mentioned they don't always work, but was very surprised of the positive improvements under my Dac, Streamer, and USB convertor/reclocker. Not using 4 pucks and 3 where appropriate for weight matching helped & mounting under the chassis does seem the way to go.
A good value for money punt with worthwhile sound improvements

 

[CaptenBonScott]

I have the experience that if you have a bad hifi bench or use a dresser or similar as a stereo bench, iso products help a lot, also other damping products. If, on the other hand, you have a real stereo bench, the difference is smaller, but it is there.

 

[Oscar P.]

My experience is that Linn is not good at everything. I don't think the feet are that good. I think the difference between an Akurate and Klimax is in favor of the Akurate, but not sure.

 

[Oscar P.]

Are you still satisfied with the Mig 3.0s?

Sometimes you hear differences and you focus on the profit, while sometimes it is at the expense of other aspects.
Isn't it at the expense of rhythm and flow or warmth or is everything better?

 

[CounterTenor]

Indeed I am satisfied with the MiG 3.0s. As it stands, I am very satisfied with the system as it is. I have some custom DC cables coming to replace the stock cables that came with the Tranquility Pods. The grounding cable and necessary jumpers were replaced with custom ones to great effect.
I took the primary grounding cable that goes from receptacle to the first Pod to the stereo dealer who sold the Pods to me. We put the grounding cable on his system and his jaw hit the floor: the positive changes (clearer imaging, richer bass and overall sound, louder volume without changing it, the music was more fulsome).

 

[Oscar P.]

Indeed I am satisfied with the MiG 3.0s. As it stands, I am very satisfied with the system as it is. I have some custom DC cables coming to replace the stock cables that came with the Tranquility Pods. The grounding cable and necessary jumpers were replaced with custom ones to great effect.
I took the primary grounding cable that goes from receptacle to the first Pod to the stereo dealer who sold the Pods to me. We put the grounding cable on his system and his jaw hit the floor: the positive changes (clearer imaging, richer bass and overall sound, louder volume without changing it, the music was more fulsome).

Okay, thanks.

 

[JWT]

Hi tried the bronze under all separates and found a nice improvement, especially under the amp and dsm though surprised at the lack of flat surface under the klimax gear. They also raise each unit up quite a bit. I also now have a Zazen II under the LP12 with good results.