Stillpoints LPI v2 For my DAC! Wait! What??

Audiophilehi

Audiophilehi

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So I was never really satisfied with Mobile Fidelity SACD's but really like their Ultra Disc One-Step Vinyl even though they use the analog master to DSD.

Then I'm thinking both are essentially using the DSD format so why so different? Is my analog setup far superior to my digital setup? I don't think so. I would consider them on par. (See my signature below)

Then it hit me, why not try my Stillpoints LPI v2 on top of my DAC. I'm not using my turntable to play my vinyl so I'm not taking it away from anything.

I was not prepared for what I was now hearing with just placing the LPI on my DAC. The detail that I was hearing when playing the One-Step but missing on the SACD was now there. Most notably what was a bit soft in the upper frequencies on the SACD was now crisp and detailed. Soundstage width, height and depth were also improved and the bass tightened up.

It wasn't like I had to really pay great attention to notice if I heard any changes. Even an untrained ear would hear the improvements.

The best thing is that I can use the 1 LPI when listening to either vinyl or digital as I can't listen to both at the same time.:D

My only thought is do I go down the rabbit hole and get another LPI for my Aurender and maybe my Preamp....I better stop now.:sigh:

Anyway, if you already own The Stillpoints LPI give it a try on your DAC or any other equipment. The below is from the Stillpoints website.

"The LPI can also be placed on top of loudspeakers, components, and transformers of tube equipment."
 
I use a stainless steel doorstop on top of a square of Sorbothane; the doorstops are about 12 bucks each from Amazon.

Weight.jpg


Provides the same function of mass-loaded vibration damping.
 
Thanks Stephen, I just might try one to see if I get the same results as the Stillpoints LPI. I truly hope so due to the price difference but I have a feeling the Stillpoints might have an edge due to their design.
 
Audiophilehi said:
Thanks Stephen, I just might try one to see if I get the same results as the Stillpoints LPI. I truly hope so due to the price difference but I have a feeling the Stillpoints might have an edge due to their design.
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Hi Paul,
It'd be interesting to do an experiment and find out. Here's the link to the SS door stops, if interested.

shorturl.at/ouDM4

Cheers!
 
Paul

I've been using them for several years. I've got several sets of the ones in the link on the amps and a set of the thinner and taller ones in black that I use on the power supplies to the two Supratek preamps. Haven't tried them on any of the DAC's, streamers or transports though may try it out and see if there is any difference.
 
Jack said:
Paul

I've been using them for several years. I've got several sets of the ones in the link on the amps and a set of the thinner and taller ones in black that I use on the power supplies to the two Supratek preamps. Haven't tried them on any of the DAC's, streamers or transports though may try it out and see if there is any difference.
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Jack….This is great news! I can buy a bunch of them and still come no where new the cost of the Stillpoints. My order is in an should have 3 of them soon.

I’m looking forward to the comparison!
 
Yesterday my 3 pack of Stainless steel door stoppers came. Amazon.com

Since I already had my Stillpoints LPI v2 on top of my DAC I started my evaluation with it first. The LPI made a very nice improvement. I moved it around a bit and found the best spot was over the transformer covering about half of it.

The music really came alive when adding the LPI. I never really noticed but gone was a haze that was now lifted. Everything was just better. (Seriously) The soundstage grew in all directions. The higher frequencies like symbols, horns and strings were now clear and crisp. Bass was tighter and better controlled, and the midrange a bit more forward.

After about 1 1/2 hours I moved to the door stopper. The 1st thing I noticed was that the door stopper was heavier. It weights 2.2 lbs. compared to the LPI's 1.6 lbs.

I placed the door stopper in the exact same place as the LPI. It didn't take long to figure out that the door stopper was not in the same league as the LPI. I was hoping it would be especially with the added weight to further dampen the vibrations and its low cost but it didn't. I would have to assume that the LPI's design was the key. Let's face it the LPI was designed to tame vibrations by dissipating the heat. The door stop is just that, a weight that holds a door open.

It's not that the door stopper was bad, it just didn't measure up to the LPI. The door stopper was still better than having no dampening on top. If I didn't have or try the LPI I would be very satisfied with the door stopper. In fact I placed one on top of my SACD transport and one on top of my Preamp and that bumped it up another level. I would have loved to try one on top of my Aurender but due to rack space it doesn't fit.

I did try to use the 3rd door stopper on the DAC with the LPI but more is not better. The soundstage collapsed a bit and some of the sparkle was gone. With that said it appears there is a limit in how much dampening you can do before it starts to work against you.

To sum it up, if you already have the Stillpoints LPI for your vinyl it doesn't hurt or cost you anything to use it somewhere else as a dampening device. The LPI took my digital listening to another level as it did for my vinyl listening.
__________________
 
Doorstoppers- Interesting. Years ago I saw a tweak about adding weight above the CD Drawer. I used a block of steel from the shop I worked at, wrapped it in wood grain shelf paper and placed it above the drawer with sorbothane between. Darn if it didn't make a subtle difference.
 
My money was on the door stopper. At least long term.

You guys want a cheap tweek? All kidding aside.

Put these under your DAC/CD Player. A/B and let me know. I’ve tried. They work.

988df3ed4dd58600b5dd64b760688ac6.jpg



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9bd8a1aeb2911a63092f35736947ebd2.jpg


Here’s another cheap tweek. Get a bag of this and then fill up tiny zip lock bags about 1/2 full, maybe less. Then, look at the schematics of your devices and place the bag of silica quartz sand on top of where the transformer would be. Don’t remove the cover! Just place the little ziplock bag where it looks like it would be from internal pics. Obviously, don’t place them on anything putting out lots of heat like a hot amp or tubes (obviously!). On the power supply part.

Quartz silica sand (the quartz part) absorbs RFI. Results in the system sounding smoother.


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The cork and rubber pads work, but their function for most audio gear is not "optimal". This is because both the cork and rubber pad and the dense blue foam Diversitech pads are designed for mitigating vibration under large, heavy home appliances, e.g. washers and dryers. They work in these applications because the weight of the heavy appliances puts the materials into their "linear spring" range. In motor vehicle suspension design, this is referred to as "spring preload". The key point is the "spring rate" needs to match the mass of what is being suspended. You won't put springs for dump truck on a Honda Civic because it's spring rate is too high; it's optimal for use on heavy truck, but not a small automobile of much lower mass.

Likewise if the audio component is too light, the vibration damper will not function optimally. Most audio gear is simply too light for these cork & rubbber style anti-vibration pads to be "pre-loaded" to function in the optimal range.

A better product, albeit more expensive, are EVPs from A/V Roomservice. These are designed specifically to function as vibration protection for a range of audio component weights, and as such, are made with different "spring rates".
EVP Equipment Vibration Protectors | A/V RoomService, Ltd.

Here's some data: measuring imparted power in the Z-dimension RMS using VibSensor app, measuring vibration imparted to the srack shelf and measured with the VibSensor on top of the DAC, which was resting on the various footers tested: stock feet, Diversitech pads (similar to the cork & rubber ones), Herbie's Tenderfoot, and EVPs. While the Diversitech pads work, they have a big spike of vibration imparted at 46 Hz.

DVT%20vs%20Other%20footers.jpg


You can see very clearly how much better the EVPs work.
 
Cheap tweek. That’s what I said. Not best solution in the world. People can try what I suggested and report back. They’ll be shocked.


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Mike said:
Cheap tweek. That’s what I said. Not best solution in the world. People can try what I suggested and report back. They’ll be shocked.
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Agreed, they help to some extent. For folks what want to try these pads, I recommend they use the Diversitech pads rather than the cork and rubber, as the spring rate is a bit lighter than the cork & rubber pads. You can get 'em here: Amazon.com
 
I've tried the cork and rubber pads and did get better results on heavier equipment like my amps. As far as the EVP's I have 2 sets of 4. One set is under my Shunyata Denali 6000 v2 and the other is under my Phono preamp with terrific results.

Over my audiophile journey regarding Vibration control Stillpoints has worked best for me. I use 3 component stands for my amps and PS Audio P15 and a set of mini ultras under my Preamp. Stillpoints has always been the best that I have tried and obviously I haven't tried most products on the market today. I would have Stillpoints under everything if it wasn't for the high cost.
 
Audiophilehi said:
I've tried the cork and rubber pads and did get better results on heavier equipment like my amps. As far as the EVP's I have 2 sets of 4. One set is under my Shunyata Denali 6000 v2 and the other is under my Phono preamp with terrific results.

Over my audiophile journey regarding Vibration control Stillpoints has worked best for me. I use 3 component stands for my amps and PS Audio P15 and a set of mini ultras under my Preamp. Stillpoints has always been the best that I have tried and obviously I haven't tried most products on the market today. I would have Stillpoints under everything if it wasn't for the high cost.
Click to expand...

Glad you like them. I personally found them to change the sound and then after 3 weeks, the system sounded lifeless. They do far too much isolation and not enough dissipation. I really love the Magico QPOD’s (real sleepers), Nordost SortFut Kones, CMS 2M and the best bang for the buck: ISOAcoustics.


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Mike said:
Glad you like them. I personally found them to change the sound and then after 3 weeks, the system sounded lifeless. They do far too much isolation and not enough dissipation. I really love the Magico QPOD’s (real sleepers), Nordost SortFut Kones, CMS 2M and the best bang for the buck: ISOAcoustics.



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Click to expand...

Mike, gotta agree re: ISOAcoustics. Use them under my phono amp, streamer and soon under my preamp and its power supply. I use their Gaia under my Wilsons. Simply amazed at what they do for the speakers, especially.
 
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