Sharp pointy objects or soft squishy things

[ctor]

I just purchased an XSP-1 Gen 2 preamp a couple of weeks, and so far I'm impressed.  Then again, I'm not really a hardware geek, I'm much more a record collector.  It's the first new preamp I've purchased in over 30 years.

So I'm just putting my system back together after having it in storage for too long.  I reclaimed my mancave (now work from home office) and am putting my vinyl system back together.

My question is, as far as isolation is concerned, what is the collective thought on this for the XSP-1?  Spikes or vibration absorbers (like sorbothane), or maybe something completely different?

Thanks.

ctor

[AudioHTIT]

Aug 13, 2020 9:32:40 GMT -5 ctor said:

I just purchased an XSP-1 Gen 2 preamp a couple of weeks, and so far I'm impressed.  Then again, I'm not really a hardware geek, I'm much more a record collector.  It's the first new preamp I've purchased in over 30 years.

So I'm just putting my system back together after having it in storage for too long.  I reclaimed my mancave (now work from home office) and am putting my vinyl system back together.

My question is, as far as isolation is concerned, what is the collective thought on this for the XSP-1?  Spikes or vibration absorbers (like sorbothane), or maybe something completely different?

Thanks.

ctor

Welcome to the Lounge ctor, I think you’ll like your new preamp!

I’ve only used the feet that came with my products, but other options should work well too. I’ve been spinning a lot of vinyl lately myself so I hope you enjoy getting things out of mothballs!

Have fun!

[vcautokid]

Been a big fan of leaving the electronics alone and isolating where all the mechanical stuff is happening. The turntable. Your flavor on what works. But gear placed in a quality furniture is just fine.

[ctor]

Aug 13, 2020 9:38:30 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Welcome to the Lounge ctor , I think you’ll like your new preamp!

I’ve only used the feet that came with my products, but other options should work well too. I’ve been spinning a lot of vinyl lately myself so I hope you enjoy getting things out of mothballs!

Have fun!

Thanks!

Well, it's been a semi expensive proposition.  My old PS Audio 5.0 preamp died, and when I inquired with the manufacturer, they couldn't repair it anymore.  Then my Bryston 3B (original 80's model) blew a channel.  I bought the XSP-1 as a dealer demo because I liked the features, especially the built in phono stage and sub crossover.  PS Audio offered me a very generous trade-in on the floundering preamp so I wound up with an S300 amp.

My tonearm from my main table is back at the manufacturer for a rewire among other upgrades, but secondary table is still working fine, so at least I don't have to listen to digital stuff.

Right now I'm using the stock feet too, but I'm wondering if there's something better.

ctor

[ctor]

Aug 13, 2020 9:42:41 GMT -5 vcautokid said:

Been a big fan of leaving the electronics alone and isolating where all the mechanical stuff is happening. The turntable. Your flavor on what works. But gear placed in a quality furniture is just fine.

Thanks for your comment.  Turntable isolation isn't an issue, and I don't have anything other than speakers that are mechanical.

ctor

[mgbpuff]

I've never heard a difference with isolation devices on electronics. Just use common sense - soft absorbing feet on a hard surface that allow some air flow under. You might get a little fancier with things that move like CD players and turntables.

[lehighvalleyjeff]

I also owned an XSP-1, a good sounding preamp with a better than average phono stage.

Isolation has many forms.

The ones I’ve used with either poor (sounded worse) or nuetral (no sound change) results are Vibrapods, Sorbothene Feet and the normal feet attached underneath the components (stock feet)

Nordost Sort Kone’s. One that I have had ok sonics but was a bit pricey for the slight improvement In sound that they made.

The two that I use in my current system I can recommend confidently based upon are StarSound Technology’s Audio Points and Isoacoustics Orea line. Both have proven effective and are permanently residing in my reference system based upon the sonic improvement they provide.

[garbulky]

Use isolation for things that shift turntables, tubes (microphonics). MAYBE.
Solid state...don't worry about it

[cawgijoe]

Sorbothane works great on a Directv DVR. Spinning disc makes a shelf vibrate, with the Sorbothane feet, no shelf vibrations. Great for this purpose.

[ctor]

Ok, nothing mechanical except my turntables and speakers, All of which are not an issue isolation wise.

What is this CD thingy you speak of? 

I currently don't have any tubes in the system but I have an old self built tube preamp I may get back into service, and a pair of 60's era 80 watt tube Conn organ amps I've fantasized about rebuilding for a lot of years.  But my speakers don't take well to low powered amps. 

Thanks everyone for your responses, I'll leave well enough alone, at least until I get my tonearm back from the manufacturer.

[leonski]

Vibes and isolation is one of those 3rd rail topics. If I say the wrong thing and step outside, I'd expect to be struck by lightning.

I've seen and heard of everything from Tennis Balls to those VERY high durometer balls (remember superball?) to Hockey Pucks being used.

Users start layering stuff up. Sometimes they start with a Boos MAPLE cutting board.

www.kitchensource.com/cutting-boards/jb-ra01.htm

Tubes are Known to be 'microphonic' but solid state?