Skylan Isolation Platform review

[LuSh]

Well I did it. Based on the repeated advice from the person that modded and co-designed my DAC/Transport combo I went out and bought an Isolation platform. I had been looking at Symposium Ultra Svelt Rollerblocks w/ platforms but I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on something so unproven. I had spoke with two gentlemen, both with Symposium designed isolation plateforms. One person suggested he heard no differences but thought he probably would if he had spent a ton more and went with their reference. The other person was using the Ultra Svelt and found them to be invaluable. Either way I couldn't afford the Symposium and opted to stick to something more local and cheaper.

After talking with a few people I went and contacted the good people at Skylan stands. It's pretty much a one man operation. A Scottish immigrant from Canada, Noel, answered all my questions. He explained how it worked, what the keys were and cheap ways in order to provide better system performance via isolation. I always thought isolation platforms were intended to prevent vibrations from introducing themselves into the playback chain. They are, but there is a much more important use. Noel informed me the key is to take existing vibrations that are created and exist within the unit and to find a better way of filtering them out. Bascially you have cones or rollers ontop of a plateform. This is where the black magic comes in, and the patented substance fallen from Mars allows vibrations to escape from your transport and allow for a much more stable and noise free play back of your system.

Well, he sent 3 cones and a platform. The cones are actually ceramic feet and the board is basically 2 slabs of MDF with a substance inbetween. Noel chuckled when I proposed that he probably used normal cocking between the MDF, "oh we've come up with a much better material in the last couple of years". That's all he'd tell me, and his promises of better sound weren't as flambouyant as I would have expected. He was almost uneasy in telling me what I'd hear. "You really have to just try it, it can work very well with the right system".

I received the package a few nights ago. I decided to order one set for my transport. Noel told me it would work quite well with amps as well because of the vibrations caused internally when played back, but I had reservations. I have the ceramic feet in a triangle formation, with the platform underneath, my transport rests ontop of everything. I fired up a CD...Gun's and Rose's "Patience". To my surprise there was a difference, which was a blacker background and less grain. I'm not going to suggest everybody here would hear it. I know some people have a hard time accepting Powercords let alone vibration control but it did seem to make an impact. It was very subtle. Placebo effect? I don't think so. I would be interested in a double blind test with this thing underneath my DAC for a month straight. It does appear to make everything seem more detailed and stick out from the background. I doubt one would hear a difference if they don't sit down and focus while listening. But if you're into sitting down and focusing on the music I'd be surprised if you didn't hear a difference or smoothness. I guess smooth would be the best way to describe it. Smooth and black.

An interesting side note. I have a couple CD's one in particular "Groove Armada: The Best Of" that would quite often not load properly in my transport. Since the addition of the platform it loads everytime. I Have no idea how or why. The same happens with "Crash: The music soundtrack". It use to have problems tracking now it loads up no problems and much faster. It certainly was bizarre.

[jmierzur]

Thanks for the review.

As these are made locally, I have noticed them a quite a few of the audio retailer, but never stoped to examine one. Next time I will have a closer look.

Skylan Manufacturing

[dorokusai]

Bright Star Audio has been making isolation products since 1997. I definetly think it's a worthy tweak. Good review.

Here's some in-depth discussion on isolation theory and application from Barry Kohan, CEO of BSA.

Isolation FAQ

Ultimate Isolation Theory

[schwarcw]

Has anyone tried using Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts underneath the feet of their components. I haven't tried it on my system. Some claim these things worked as good as any isolation pods or platforms. Cut out a circular piece to match your units feet. Slide them underneath and away you go. Don't laugh!! I hear this works, anyone tried it?

I haven't tried them on my system, but they do a great job on my feed. I run about 20 miles a week and they definitely dampen the impact on my feed. I can tell when the pads are wearing out when my knees and thigh muscles start to ache after a run.

[Gaara]

Skylan makes a great products, I got speaker stands from them for my 9s and absolutely loved them.

[steveinaz]

Isolation is very important, especially when it comes to transports and other vibration creating devices. I experimented with Mapleshade's brass cones and heavy hats on my (then) Cambridge Audio D500SE with some pretty discernable results. Even my wife, who calls my preamp "that silvery thingie" could hear tighter bass and more detail in the treble. To my ears, the heavy hats had more of an impact (for those who don't know, heavy hats sit on top of equipment) than the cone points did, and they needed "tuning." If you put too much weight up top, the music can begin to sound flabby, just the right amount of weight does the trick--and this is accomplished by moving around the 3 heavy hats in different positions, or removing some, until you get the sound you want.

However, I could not hear any difference when used onb my power amp, BUT, we have concrete floors, so transferred vibration is minimal, though airborne vibration is still present.

Cool review.