I own Transparent Audio REF XL speaker cables. Someone suggested that I experiment with either raising the network boxes up on spikes or isolating them from floor born vibrations. I am a firm believer in isolating components and own three Vibraplane platforms for under my turntable and each SS amplifier. I have been exchanging emails with a fellow in Hong Kong who has DIY amp stands which involve a sandwich platform with bubble wrap as one of the layers.
So the other night I constructed a rather crude DIY isolation solution made up of stuff I had lying around the house. I placed my two network boxes up on a paperback book and bundle of bubble wrap and then placed a heavy book end on top. I listened to some of my reference LPs and can report the following:
The difference is subtle, but audible and repeatable. There is a slight increase in perceived detail, overall clarity and dynamics. It is not nearly as significant an improvement as when I added the Vibraplanes to the system or even later added the steel ballast plates to preload the Vibraplanes, but the areas of improvement are quite similar. The signal is cleaned up a small amount and as a result, I hear more contrast in dynamics, a bit more depth definition and overall information. Thus encouraged, I plan to experiment a bit more and perhaps find a way to support the networks on my Vibraplanes. Has anyone else tried to deal with vibrations effecting these network boxes?
Here are some photos of my DIY contraption:
View attachment 10964
View attachment 10965