Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[jandl100]

Hi Steve!

'mornin' Jerry

I use Vibrapods under a Vertex Targa distribution block, where despite the unit's instruction to be sited on it's rubber feet they transform the presentation. They give me more "out of the box" air and a freedom to the sound. This can be at the expense of some directness and perceived attack, but when the balance is right with other system settings then this decoupling performs a function that I haven't been able to reproduce any other way.

Yes, "out of the box" describes the Vibrapod improvement well, but in my system it goes too far with full 'podding (is that a new verb?) and it becomes vague and amorphous, definitely a case of one step forward and about 5 steps back!
It's quite like taking a seat at the rear of a concert hall - I prefer to be a lot further forward.

I don't think you'll keep the partial decoupling under your speakers once you get used to it though, you tend to notice the benefits first and then the negatives later.

Well, time will tell - the partial 'podding is working very well for me at the moment. It's just a matter of perceived balance and personal preference. I can well imagine many folk enjoying the full "out of the box" airiness, but I like things to sound more focussed.
But yes, I agree, often the positives can get outweighed by longer term irritations that can develop with any change.

[electric beach]

I find vibration control on the power supply to have a similar effect but in a more balanced way. Try your AG, you might like it in your system. I remember being shocked by the Stillpoints treatment Shuggie posted under his power conditioner, but I've heard for myself now. My presentation is distinctly and sometimes frighteningly Front Row

[brian2957]

Steve , I have an AG500 . Can you please tell me what you are using to support it at the moment and what are the improvements / benefits . Ta .

[electric beach]

Brian, I use 3 RDC cones. As we are talking about vibration effects here, it is quite system dependent. Vibrapods may well suit you, as Jerry has illustrated you can have too much of a good thing and I haven't tried mine under the AG but without those under the distribution block.

Valerie summed up the effect as being more 3D.

[brian2957]

Thanks Steve , I tried some Foculpods under my gear and didn't like the effect . I was just wondering as I have some oak cones lying around somewhere . Think I'll leave things as they are for now Ta.

[MartinT]

Jerry - I won't change my speakers from cones because I love the impactful presentation they give. I was just interested in how they work for you.

Steve - I'm looking for supports to go under the P10 regenerator but I have very little room so am looking at RDC3 or possibly RDC5 (I'll have to measure how much room I have in its current bay). What do you think?

[electric beach]

Vibrapods for sure Martin, especially as your unit has a bit of weight. And you know someone with a few spare!

[jandl100]

Vibrapods for sure Martin, especially as your unit has a bit of weight. And you know someone with a few spare!

Hey, hang on -- I'll be trying them under my AG1500 later.

I've now tried the Vibrapods under power amp, cdp - and nope, I don't like the changes. They send me further back in the hall, which is not where I want to be.
To be fair to them, I think my system sounds pretty damn stunning at the moment! - so any changes may will tip the overall shebang away from near-optimum, even if they are technically beneficial.
It's the sound in the room that matters - and that results from all the interactions leading up to it - all of that is just a means to an end!

[brian2957]

Can you please let us know how you get on with the AG1500 Jerry.

[Yomanze]

Hey, hang on -- I'll be trying them under my AG1500 later.

I've now tried the Vibrapods under power amp, cdp - and nope, I don't like the changes. They send me further back in the hall, which is not where I want to be.
To be fair to them, I think my system sounds pretty damn stunning at the moment! - so any changes may will tip the overall shebang away from near-optimum, even if they are technically beneficial.
It's the sound in the room that matters - and that results from all the interactions leading up to it - all of that is just a means to an end!

Interesting perspective I prefer coupling strategies with equipment, which is why I use Mana and light spiked speaker stands. I find the sound is more 'live' and in the hall as you put it. Squishy things deaden the sound for me...