Self Medicating > General DIY
Add spikes to your Pangea Vulcan rack shelves
Nick B:
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:45:05 AM ---
--- Quote from: Nick B on November 24, 2023, 09:14:04 AM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:06:27 AM ---I'LL chime in, if you don't mind. IMO *in general* spikes are no good. And I've done a fair amount of googling this subject and speaking with colleagues. I also had a bad experience of my own. As you only spent $25 it's no biggie one way or another (i.e. whether I'm right or wrong or whether you care or don't). Spikes, IMO, *couple* whatever is connected to the spikes. If coupling is what you want then fine. In my use case, I needed to *decouple* (my speakers from the floor). Spikes did not do that.
Long story short I installed IsoAcoustics GAIA footers and haven't looked back. They're not cheap. Townsend platforms are supposedly better and even more pricey.
YMMV.
Best
Hal
--- End quote ---
I’ve heard very good things about the GAIA and no negative comments yet. Haven’t been willing to spend the money…yet. But will post for the forum if I do. Hal, have you used the GAIA in multiple locations?
--- End quote ---
Hi Nick. I agree they are pricey. In my case I could actually hear the sonic benefit, which is usually the point of any audio change. I'm using GAIA 1 footers on my Triton Reference speakers. Four are needed per speaker. I did not change the location of the speaker before/after installation, so in that sense, no, I have not used them in multiple locations.
It's worth noting that GT Audioworks (I think Greg and Steve are on this forum, but I haven't read any posts of theirs here) have the GAIA 1 installed on their $50+k planar magnetic reference speakers . And they do move them.
If you get the GAIA, they come in six different sizes. What to get depends on the weight of the speaker. What I did (and I've had a few conversations with Sean Morrison of IsoAcoustics to which he stated "bravo, correct thing to do") is if you determine the size needed falls between two sizes, get the higher model (more weight capacity) version. Yes, the higher weight capacity footers cost even more.
Also worth noting, more so than spikes, is that installing the GAIA's on speakers (they have the same type of product known as a "puck" for components) raises the speaker approximately 1.5 inches higher off the floor. Conceivably that could be concerning depending on where the tweeter is situated in relation to your ears, and the vertical dispersion pattern of your particular tweeter. Good thing for me is I realized that in advance and contemplated the affect raising the speaker would have. Fortunately for me even that aspect worked in my favor.
I presume I've answered your question.
Best.
Hal
--- End quote ---
Hi Hal and thank you for your detailed and very helpful response. I was just on the Gaia website to see all the products they have. My speakers, which I love dearly and are the best by far that I’ve ever owned, have non adjustable gliders, so a no go on the threaded type. These isolation pucks are something I’ve wanted to explore for a long time. As I’m still finishing up my house from having moved one year ago, the Gaias will have to wait. But if I buy, then a Thanksgiving or holiday sale would be when I’d likely buy.
If anyone has used Gaias or a less expensive substitute that works equally well, I’d appreciate your thoughts.
Nick
GDHAL:
--- Quote from: Nick B on November 24, 2023, 10:41:20 AM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:45:05 AM ---
--- Quote from: Nick B on November 24, 2023, 09:14:04 AM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:06:27 AM ---I'LL chime in, if you don't mind. IMO *in general* spikes are no good. And I've done a fair amount of googling this subject and speaking with colleagues. I also had a bad experience of my own. As you only spent $25 it's no biggie one way or another (i.e. whether I'm right or wrong or whether you care or don't). Spikes, IMO, *couple* whatever is connected to the spikes. If coupling is what you want then fine. In my use case, I needed to *decouple* (my speakers from the floor). Spikes did not do that.
Long story short I installed IsoAcoustics GAIA footers and haven't looked back. They're not cheap. Townsend platforms are supposedly better and even more pricey.
YMMV.
Best
Hal
--- End quote ---
I’ve heard very good things about the GAIA and no negative comments yet. Haven’t been willing to spend the money…yet. But will post for the forum if I do. Hal, have you used the GAIA in multiple locations?
--- End quote ---
Hi Nick. I agree they are pricey. In my case I could actually hear the sonic benefit, which is usually the point of any audio change. I'm using GAIA 1 footers on my Triton Reference speakers. Four are needed per speaker. I did not change the location of the speaker before/after installation, so in that sense, no, I have not used them in multiple locations.
It's worth noting that GT Audioworks (I think Greg and Steve are on this forum, but I haven't read any posts of theirs here) have the GAIA 1 installed on their $50+k planar magnetic reference speakers . And they do move them.
If you get the GAIA, they come in six different sizes. What to get depends on the weight of the speaker. What I did (and I've had a few conversations with Sean Morrison of IsoAcoustics to which he stated "bravo, correct thing to do") is if you determine the size needed falls between two sizes, get the higher model (more weight capacity) version. Yes, the higher weight capacity footers cost even more.
Also worth noting, more so than spikes, is that installing the GAIA's on speakers (they have the same type of product known as a "puck" for components) raises the speaker approximately 1.5 inches higher off the floor. Conceivably that could be concerning depending on where the tweeter is situated in relation to your ears, and the vertical dispersion pattern of your particular tweeter. Good thing for me is I realized that in advance and contemplated the affect raising the speaker would have. Fortunately for me even that aspect worked in my favor.
I presume I've answered your question.
Best.
Hal
--- End quote ---
Hi Hal and thank you for your detailed and very helpful response. I was just on the Gaia website to see all the products they have. My speakers, which I love dearly and are the best by far that I’ve ever owned, have non adjustable gliders, so a no go on the threaded type. These isolation pucks are something I’ve wanted to explore for a long time. As I’m still finishing up my house from having moved one year ago, the Gaias will have to wait. But if I buy, then a Thanksgiving or holiday sale would be when I’d likely buy.
If anyone has used Gaias or a less expensive substitute that works equally well, I’d appreciate your thoughts.
Nick
--- End quote ---
You're welcome, Nick. Because you mentioned "gliders" , I can tell you I know of, but have no personal experience with, a product called "Herbie's Gliders". They purportedly do the same or similar function as IsoAcoustics products.
https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/cone-spike-decoupling-glider
Perhaps that would be better for your application.
Best.
Hal
malloy:
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:06:27 AM ---I'LL chime in, if you don't mind. IMO *in general* spikes are no good. And I've done a fair amount of googling this subject and speaking with colleagues. I also had a bad experience of my own. As you only spent $25 it's no biggie one way or another (i.e. whether I'm right or wrong or whether you care or don't). Spikes, IMO, *couple* whatever is connected to the spikes. If coupling is what you want then fine. In my use case, I needed to *decouple* (my speakers from the floor). Spikes did not do that.
Long story short I installed IsoAcoustics GAIA footers and haven't looked back. They're not cheap. Townsend platforms are supposedly better and even more pricey.
YMMV.
Best
Hal
--- End quote ---
Hi Hal,
Thanks for the insight. The question of coupling vs decoupling, draining energy vs. anchoring, etc. did cross my mind.
Those GAIA footers were actually what I first wanted to try. But they cost more than the rack itself and I wanted to do a cheap experiment to hear if I could detect a difference before spending any more.
The $25 I spent was small enough to warrant the experiment.
I was thinking of buying some of the IsoAcoustics footers and either:
a) Using them to replace the stock feet of the amp and source, or
b) Using them instead of the spikes as 'feet' under each shelf.
What I really want to try is buy a better rack or board that doesn't cost more than the gear that sits on it.
Any experience with any of their isolation shelves like the Zazen boards they have?
Paul
GDHAL:
--- Quote from: malloy on November 24, 2023, 09:20:10 PM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:06:27 AM ---I'LL chime in, if you don't mind. IMO *in general* spikes are no good. And I've done a fair amount of googling this subject and speaking with colleagues. I also had a bad experience of my own. As you only spent $25 it's no biggie one way or another (i.e. whether I'm right or wrong or whether you care or don't). Spikes, IMO, *couple* whatever is connected to the spikes. If coupling is what you want then fine. In my use case, I needed to *decouple* (my speakers from the floor). Spikes did not do that.
Long story short I installed IsoAcoustics GAIA footers and haven't looked back. They're not cheap. Townsend platforms are supposedly better and even more pricey.
YMMV.
Best
Hal
--- End quote ---
Hi Hal,
Thanks for the insight. The question of coupling vs decoupling, draining energy vs. anchoring, etc. did cross my mind.
Those GAIA footers were actually what I first wanted to try. But they cost more than the rack itself and I wanted to do a cheap experiment to hear if I could detect a difference before spending any more.
The $25 I spent was small enough to warrant the experiment.
I was thinking of buying some of the IsoAcoustics footers and either:
a) Using them to replace the stock feet of the amp and source, or
b) Using them instead of the spikes as 'feet' under each shelf.
What I really want to try is buy a better rack or board that doesn't cost more than the gear that sits on it.
Any experience with any of their isolation shelves like the Zazen boards they have?
Paul
--- End quote ---
Hi Paul.
You're welcome. And I noted that your $25 expenditure on the spikes is a can't loose situation. I surmised you're in a trial phase of sorts. I have no experience with any IsoAcoustics product other than GAIA 1. I just read their marketing literature about the Zazen board. I think (just my gut intuition) that would be better than replacing the stock feet of any of your components with GAIA footers or pucks. The proviso there is that whatever gear you intend to place on it "fits" from a dimensions perspective and remaining mindful of the resulting height increase of doing so.
If you want to change the cabinet all together, I'm using Salamander. The materials that they use and the weight of the cabinet is such that it decouples itself, so to speak, from the floor without the need of having to add anything else.
My opinion only is that decoupling adds the most value with turntables, followed by speakers. Other gear like amps , preamps , dacs, phono stages , those sorts of components I don't think benefits enough by decoupling to justify any expenditure. But that's only my opinion.
If I had turntable (but I don't ) I would use the Zazen board or something very similar.
Best.
Hal
Nick B:
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 11:24:02 AM ---
--- Quote from: Nick B on November 24, 2023, 10:41:20 AM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:45:05 AM ---
--- Quote from: Nick B on November 24, 2023, 09:14:04 AM ---
--- Quote from: GDHAL on November 24, 2023, 09:06:27 AM ---I'LL chime in, if you don't mind. IMO *in general* spikes are no good. And I've done a fair amount of googling this subject and speaking with colleagues. I also had a bad experience of my own. As you only spent $25 it's no biggie one way or another (i.e. whether I'm right or wrong or whether you care or don't). Spikes, IMO, *couple* whatever is connected to the spikes. If coupling is what you want then fine. In my use case, I needed to *decouple* (my speakers from the floor). Spikes did not do that.
Long story short I installed IsoAcoustics GAIA footers and haven't looked back. They're not cheap. Townsend platforms are supposedly better and even more pricey.
YMMV.
Best
Hal
--- End quote ---
I’ve heard very good things about the GAIA and no negative comments yet. Haven’t been willing to spend the money…yet. But will post for the forum if I do. Hal, have you used the GAIA in multiple locations?
--- End quote ---
Hi Nick. I agree they are pricey. In my case I could actually hear the sonic benefit, which is usually the point of any audio change. I'm using GAIA 1 footers on my Triton Reference speakers. Four are needed per speaker. I did not change the location of the speaker before/after installation, so in that sense, no, I have not used them in multiple locations.
It's worth noting that GT Audioworks (I think Greg and Steve are on this forum, but I haven't read any posts of theirs here) have the GAIA 1 installed on their $50+k planar magnetic reference speakers . And they do move them.
If you get the GAIA, they come in six different sizes. What to get depends on the weight of the speaker. What I did (and I've had a few conversations with Sean Morrison of IsoAcoustics to which he stated "bravo, correct thing to do") is if you determine the size needed falls between two sizes, get the higher model (more weight capacity) version. Yes, the higher weight capacity footers cost even more.
Also worth noting, more so than spikes, is that installing the GAIA's on speakers (they have the same type of product known as a "puck" for components) raises the speaker approximately 1.5 inches higher off the floor. Conceivably that could be concerning depending on where the tweeter is situated in relation to your ears, and the vertical dispersion pattern of your particular tweeter. Good thing for me is I realized that in advance and contemplated the affect raising the speaker would have. Fortunately for me even that aspect worked in my favor.
I presume I've answered your question.
Best.
Hal
--- End quote ---
Hi Hal and thank you for your detailed and very helpful response. I was just on the Gaia website to see all the products they have. My speakers, which I love dearly and are the best by far that I’ve ever owned, have non adjustable gliders, so a no go on the threaded type. These isolation pucks are something I’ve wanted to explore for a long time. As I’m still finishing up my house from having moved one year ago, the Gaias will have to wait. But if I buy, then a Thanksgiving or holiday sale would be when I’d likely buy.
If anyone has used Gaias or a less expensive substitute that works equally well, I’d appreciate your thoughts.
Nick
--- End quote ---
You're welcome, Nick. Because you mentioned "gliders" , I can tell you I know of, but have no personal experience with, a product called "Herbie's Gliders". They purportedly do the same or similar function as IsoAcoustics products.
https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/cone-spike-decoupling-glider
Perhaps that would be better for your application.
Best.
Hal
--- End quote ---
Thanks, Hal.
I’ve used other Herbies products, but not these. I am a bit skeptical that these might make an improvement to the extent of the Gaia, but I’ll see if I can find some comments online.
Nick
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