Quote Originally Posted by MartinT View Post
I noticed a dramatic improvement in isolation when I fitted Isonoes in place of the Foculpods I had previously been using. Not only do they look good, but the sense of the Techie being perfectly isolated from the real world is impressive. This is further helped by my system rack being suspended on sprung feet.

Bass weight was slightly reduced compared with the Foculpods, but tightness and extension improved.
I have tried to like the Isonoes, but they seem to make the music sound like the musicians have ramrods up their arrses, in comparison with more 'direct' supporting methods, eg it's a rather contrived and polite performance. The same goes for the Herbies mat, which I really don't get on with (anyone want to buy it?). I know that Marco will disagree, but he has characterful cartridges, amps and speakers, which I reckon paper over the Isonoe shortcomings, or maybe in his case isolation really was needed above all else. Only this morning I had a listening session with the Isonoes and removed them again with some relief. The Technics does need some isolation - and the Isonoes certainly provide that - but I find you need to be careful that the cure does not kill the enjoyment of the music. Hence my wood block experiments, which will be complete only when the eBay seller of the Foculpods needed to isolate the block finally bothers to send them!