Another HUGE sound improvement

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

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[@vinylrulesok8470]

Absolutely Rick, vibration is the number 1 enemy of vinyl replay. The best thing i ever did for my turntable was place it on a wall mounted shelf. Also, i placed my speakers on sprung supports and that was also amazing

[@ChuckCelticCarNut]

Hi Rick. I made my own isolation table. One of my hobbies is wood working (I have been at for 40years). I designed the table with 3 plies bonded together to mitigate vibrations. I also used IsoAcoustics feet. I have also sold two of this same designed table at an auction at my church (money went to the church $300). Take care Chuck

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That sounds great, Chuck. I'd love to try that myself.

[@MrAustrokiwi]

Currently doing the same( building an isolation platform). In my case the platform consists of 18 mm thick MDF on top of 27mm thick spruce (Laminated) board. I hollowed the center of the spruce and filled it with sand. The sand is deliberately loose so that it can move( dampening vibrations). Instead of IsoAcoustics feet( Which I use on my subs, main speakers, and a 38Kg TT) I am using Isonoe Isolation feet. IMHO the Isonoe feet are better for low weight components, like the 7.5kg CD player( with tubes) that the platform is being built for.

[@ChuckCelticCarNut]

@@MrAustrokiwi The sand does not need to be loose. If the sand is to loose it will make a resonance chamber when the sand settles and an air chamber is created above the sand. Sand does not carry sound because it doesn't have structure between the sand particles

[@MrAustrokiwi]

@@ChuckCelticCarNut Its a matter of balance. My understanding is Packing the sand in too tight does not allow the sand grains to move against each other. That movement turns some vibrations into heat absorbing some vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted back to the component. The Spruce "hangs" off the MDF and I have cut holes completely through the Spruce so that the Isonoe feet screw into the MDF not the spruce( creates a much lower profile). As for resonance the platform rings like a lump of wet clay when I knock on it. Currently its at the stage of coating in Tung oil. its veneered in Bubinga Pommele( its very old veneer: Pre 2017)

[@badvinyl4531]

Absolutely!! I was considering getting a couple of these for each of my turntables before our move. Now that we've moved I may start looking into them again. There are a few different manufacturers.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

If you do, let me know what you end up with, Brad. Cheers 🍺

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

I've conquered the vibration / feedback problem with a much less expensive route It's not for everyone. My system is in a separate adjoining room and the speaker cables run through the wall. It helps the setup is on a basement floor too. My Sabrinas can really pressurize the listening room with sound but no worries about vibration effects. Plus the savings on special racks and platforms are substantial 🎉. More rekkids please. Full disclosure; I have installed the Gaia ll feet on the speakers with great results. Happy listening 🎶.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I think you mentioned that before too. Really is a cool idea.

[@SimonMackUK77]

Isolation bases work! I ve experimented with different materials over the years and my current isolation base is a concrete paving slab under my turntable and ?... Greatly improved deeper bass response! A general improvement to the entire sound I found it. Costs? Free. Found in my flats back garden.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Awesome, Simon. Cheers! 🍺

[@russellparker4568]

I made mine from 2 Ikea chopping boards sandwiched with 5mm of putty tape, felt pads on the bottom, works great and cost less than £30.00

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That’ll work!

[@russellparker4568]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords I wonder if I used some fancier feet that it would improve it a bit more? Probably splitting hairs at this point. I use a suspended sub chassis like you, always fancied trying the shelf approach.

[@arnebhle8806]

I did the same. Two IKEA chopping blocks. 4x speaker spikes under the bottom block, 4x isolation pads between the two blocs and then the turntable on top. It made a real difference to the sound.

[@russellparker4568]

@@arnebhle8806 yeah I thought the same. I’m thinking of staining them in black wood stain too. A video of mine in action 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/apqzpXmjoZ6Nqck

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

@@russellparker4568 The shelf is great!

[@Jeep_on_audio]

The best way I found is simple and not expensive. And; variable frequency damping. I found this out when I had a wooden floor. And a door that produced a big 'whomp' when closing, making the stylus jump. That's a specific, low frequency. What I did is use a pendulum idea to tune that frequency. Take a big slab of stone or glass. Something really heavy, a butcher block is not enough. Place under it 2 spikes (point up) in the front and 2 springs or rubber/foam blocks towards the back. Now the mass will pivot around the spikes and get dampened by the springs or rubbers. Or any fancy dampers you like. Now the further you push the spikes to the middle, the lower your frequency to which it resonates. Simple, cheap and easily adjustable. These platforms are nice, but very expensive. And not adjustable.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

The inability to adjust the height and level was the only drawback for me

[@tictocbang7443]

In my 20 years of experimenting with a lot of tube equipment, I have always found that the harder the platform, the more the component sound is projected through the speakers. The isolation feet help isolate the component from the vibration of the music output, but they don't seem to help isolate the component from itself, especially with tube amplifiers. The now defunct Neuance shelves (developed by a geologist) work like a high-end Ikea table, with layers of internal platform absorption that maple, marble, concrete or cast iron platforms cannot absorb. With the more absorbent shelves, the music sounds more focused, with a much quieter background.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Just looked up the Neuance shelf. Too bad they aren't still around. Found on US Audio Mart for about $350

[@pieterlloyd8635]

I note you have isolaters under your muarak TT, and then have the Delos under that. Is that no overkill. ??

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Pieter! I wouldn't say the platform is needed with the Muarah, but you can never have enough isolation. The Muarah happened to be in the review room when I received the Delos, so it was worth trying out.

[@pieterlloyd8635]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Thanks for taking the time to respond. I enjoy your channel and am always looking for ways to improve the sound without necessarily investing more in expensive components. I use the quadraspire rack, looks a lot like what you have ?? Also use the quaraspire opus isolater feet under the TT. I am not sure that including a platform under my TT, The opus feet on top of the quadraspire rack will make much of an impact?? Any thoughts??

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

@@pieterlloyd8635 The Quadraspire rack does look a lot like my Pangea Vulcan rack. I'm not familiar with the Quadraspire isolator feet, but I know they are respected. I don't think you need to invest in a platform too. Not unless your record skips when walking by the rack.

[@adsph]

I believe these products do help. At different levels depending on application.

[@Phil-pq4ks]

They do help but not at the astronomical cost they're trying to sell these at. $400 just for the small one? Even after you factor in the cost of development with the parts it's just not feasible. $250-275 would be more in line.

[@stanleycostello9610]

And $600.00 for the walnut. Ouch!

[@madteam3parents773]

100% agree. The Zazen line is more affordable

[@larryshaver3568]

i put a felt mat on my platter since the tonearm started to bottom out with the rubber mat

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Yikes! Glad that helped.

[@bluebussdriver]

Guessing the wall mounted shelf is better?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It is - always will be - at least in my use case.

[@ronrutstein3440]

Which is better, this, or the pangea shelf?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hey Ron. If the focus is on mitigation of vibrations to the turntable - the shelf hands down. For general use, the Delos platform. It also helps with vibrations to turntables, especially for folks who do not have the space or area for a shelf.

[@ronrutstein3440]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Thanks, I believe the shelf will fit nicely where I want to set up! I'll use your link!

[@thomosburn8740]

My Rega P6 has a foam-core plinth. If I am playing bass-heavy music in that room the phantom center can get a bit fuzzy and the bass loses control - but four 18 oz food cans, one placed at each corner of the plinth during playback, effectively squash that unwanted resonance/wobble. so those cans "live" next to my stereo for when I need them. Unfortunately you can't clamp the record itself on a Rega w/o the phantom center in the music sounding like it's in a tunnel.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Interesting- never knew that about the Rega. Great thinking on the cans by the way!

[@cesargutierrez4999]

I have 3 of those isoaciustic footers under a maple plinth under my jailers initial turntable

[@simonhickie7589]

For a cheaper DIY solution, the Ikea Aptitlig butcher's block has gained some traction amongst DIY tweakers. Resinated bamboo has very good damping properties (much better than MDF or plywood). One of those with the isolation feet used in the reviewed product could be a cheap(er) solution for the DIYer.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Very good point, Simon!

[@bradrapp3697]

Nice product and review! I’ve used butcher blocks before, I may try DIY-ing a butcher block resting on a studio monitor isolation pad…for 1/4th the price. Might be close.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I've seen folks use DIY butcher blocks with isolation feet, Brad. I think Jays Iyagi's channel has a video on doing just that.

[@johnvincent4048]

Great review. I've been thinking about a butcher block base for my turntable for a long time. Side note. A few weeks ago I picked up Acoustic Sounds 45rpm Yes-The Yes Album and Bad Company-Straight Shooter. Absolutely stunning sound quality! If anyone wants unbelievable sound quality, check out Acoustic Sounds vinyl.

[@pnichols6500]

You are absolutely right about Analog Productions and Quality Records pressings, have a good handful of them including the fantastic ones you mentioned. If every company pressed like Quality Records, it would be nice.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I completely agree on the quality of Analog Productions. Recently heard their pressing of "LA Woman". Incredible.

[@TheLightAhead]

Besides the IsoTek Aquarius Evo 3 mains filter the IsoAcoustic Gaia for my Dali Epicon 8 have been the best improvement to my system's performance. And these weren't small improvements - they were both extremely noticeable.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you for weighing in! Cheers 🍺🍺🍺

[@justinrun100]

I personally Love ISO Acoustics products . I use the AzZen platforms under my amps and I replace my turntable feet with Gaia 3 feet and I use Gaia 2 feet for my speakers. They’re awesome almost a must.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Cheers, Justin! ❤️

[@larryshaver3568]

i never knew what is meant by microphonics, can you clarify this?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Sure. Think of the tube like a microphone. If you bump a mic you'll hear it through the speakers. With tubes weird sounds can happen when the vacuum tube picks up vibrations. It could be direct vibrations or a strong bass signal that vibrates through to the amp, and it turns those into sound signals that mix with the music.

[@chrislj2890]

I'm on a concrete slab foundation and I've never had any known issues with this problem. I'm more intrigued by the tube amp you are considering. I recently swapped out the KT88s in my R8 for EL34s and I really like them as they sound great with a lot less heat. The only other amp I'm interested in at this time is the Luxman SQ-N150, but since I have the Cayin MT-12N it wouldn't make sense to spend $3,500 on another EL84 tube amp. Then again I've never been known for being logical in these matters.

[@dougdavis8986]

Your system sits on the slab itself?

[@chrislj2890]

@@dougdavis8986 No, one system in a Salamander Designs cabinet and the other on a Pangea rack.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

😂😂😂 Logic never figures in when it comes to audio matters 😂😂😂😂

[@peterbigblock]

You’re right, the pronunciation is “DEE-los”. Δήλος in Greek.

[@JermaineJagger]

The thumbnail for this video could be an 90s album cover ha, very handsome! I enjoy your videos just wish I could afford the products youve been documenting lately😢 Still enjoyable though as a fan of records & audio equipment my entire life. Keep up the great work!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you, Jermaine! Cheers 🍺

[@JWD1992]

I think isolating and dampening vibrations should be one of my next moves. I do have a Technics 1200, though, and those things are pretty beefy. They already hold up well against vibration, which is part of why they are loved by club DJs (not that I have ever used it that way). But I do not doubt improvements can be made. I feel like the "veil" analogy applies perfectly here. Sometimes clichés are clichés for a reason (and yes, that statement applies to itself, haha). I like your tip about using Zep II as a test disc. A have a rather clean RL Zep II, and I don't know why I never thought to use it as such.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Whole Lotta Love is one of my favorite test songs. BTW - the Technics 1200 is a great turntable!

[@DevanSabaratnam]

Interesting. I live in an elevated, wooden floored tropical house, so simple thing like walking, or a cat jumping off the table will cause strong vibrations that can be felt even in another room. I upgraded my Rega turntable with isolator feet to try and reduce needle skip issues caused by this, but am wondering if mounting it on a wall shelf like you did might work better here, or whether adding another layer of isolation with this block would still be OK - I don't know if 'stacking' layers of isolation on top of each other actually has an effect or is just moot.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

The wall shelf was the best investment I've made for isolation.

[@carminedesanto6746]

I hope you got my email.. But yup isolation especially for tt is an absolute necessity. Have a great evening.☕️

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I did! I also responded this morning . If you do t see it can you check your spam?

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords got it ! Have great evening.

[@BradyJohnson1]

Interesting video! I enjoy your channel and look forward to your videos coming out. Im not trying to knock your video, but I have the Delos little brother, the IsoAcoustics ZaZen II and I find it very underwhelming. It did very little to nothing to help with my vibration problems. Albeit, my hifi stand is very prone to vibrations and should be replaced or beefed up considerably. But, I spent 250€ (Euros here in Madrid, Spain) on the ZaZen II and noticed basically no improvements. The Delos costs about 430€ here, which seems very expensive for a block of wood and some rubber feet. Being the stubborn engineer that I am, it makes me wonder if I could just build one for around 30€ :) My hifi stand looks great (wife approved), but is a thine cheap metal frame with VERY light wood boards (not sure what wood it is, but its incredibly light). I replaced the top shelf with some thick oak reinforced with steel. It helped a bit, but it still vibrates a lot, as in I can slightly tap the top shelf and hear it in the speakers. I think I will have to replace the entire cheap 1 mm thick metal frame with some thicker steel frames... Maybe then the ZaZen will help more.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Brady. Check this out, it describes what you suggested about building one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZvKnqd9ZZJ4sLc

[@spda242]

I did notice that Daft Punks Human after all and Alive 2007 was good for testing…thought my equipment had broken 😂 i bought Soundeck products based on other reviews. Unafortunately I haven’t installed them yet ofc…because procrastination…

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I should get a t-shirt for myself that says "procrastinator"

[@raybudau9920]

For cheap get some Dow styrene Styrofoam. Perferably the 2 inch thick. Or 2 pieces of 1 inch thick the size of your turntable. You will be surprised how well this works. Also works under other equipment. You can get it at places like Home depot. Don't get the one with anything on it. Usually is a blue or pink in color.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

A really heavy benchtop stone offcut suspended on a semi inflated bicycle tube, it might cost you $20 all up

[@bonalba20]

Way back when , there was an isolating platform that used the idea of an inflatable rubber inner tube. Never tried one, but always thought the design had potential.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@bonalba20 They probably filled it with magical air and charged 3k for it too 🤣

[@toanduong]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 no magic air needed. Partial fill the tire tube with fix a flat gel.

[@thortruvandi8844]

I wall amount mine recordplayer and electronics. Regards thor sweden

[@rofgabor]

is wall mounting basically a shelf?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Wall mounts are the best

[@thortruvandi8844]

Rigid aluminium 20x20mm and 30mm oak plates for each equitment, wich i could sent a picture.regards thor

[@rofgabor]

I wonder how it contributes to the overall sound improvement. It costs as much as a nice cartridge. I also couldn't look at it and would be worried my wife would mistake it for a cutting board. I think engineers can be oblivious to aesthetics. But the real question is: does it solve a problem when there is one. I haven't had any vibration issues, being in a single level house on a concrete slab. My son however lives on the second floor in a shaky house. When he walks around the room, the turntable bounces and is pretty much useless. Would this platform eliminate that much vibration. Because it sure is cheaper than moving :)

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

The cutting board comment cracked me up 😂😂😂 I'm not sure how much the platform would help if it's extreme vibrations. The wall shelf solved it for me in the main room. In the review room it worked with minor vibrations.

[@rofgabor]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords looking at your (sophisticated) sense of aesthetics, I cannot not criticize you for using a butcher block :)

[@FrightfulMess]

Yeah, but $400? We're gonna have to start calling you the "Not so Cheap Audio man"

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I’ll have to change my KZbin handle 😂😂

[@barneyrubble9309]

4 Oreas with a chopping board works our cheaper..even more so if you only use 3 Oreas.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I read that as "Oreos" first. made for quite a vision 🤣

[@GiancarloBenzina]

It works and it‘s not voodoo and you can do that yourself, DIY, experimenting with different forms and materials and industrial shockabsorber feets, heck even squashi elastomeres of any kind. Or you just buy it and be done with it. Then you should ask yourself, oh, I just spent thousands before on the device to manage the resonances it creates and receives, now I add a rubber suspended butcherblock to fix with much simpler tech what the precisely configured turntable couldn‘t? Who is fooling who, here?

[@NateEll]

Would not use that with a suspended turntable

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi, Nate. Curious as to why?

[@robbiecasablanco]

I do not agree at all. Most semi decent turntables already have cushioned feet. There’s many other things you can do to improve sound that cost nothing or very little.

[@nasdkhan254]

A chopping board

[@DJWerkz]

Exactly, with vibration damping feet screwed on the bottom. Easy to make something like this yourself plus there are other free design options on the Net with better damping properties