Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Anyone have any experience with the IsoAcoustics ZaZen isolation platform?

The new Hana has been VERY prone to footsteps on my hardwood floor lately and I’m worried about the stylus getting tweaked. What’s my best bet for shielding it from bouncy foot steps. Turns out my rottie doesn’t care to tread lightly around the turntable lol
I'm intrigued by this company's acoustic platforms, although I have no personal knowledge as to their effectiveness
 
I'm intrigued by this company's acoustic platforms, although I have no personal knowledge as to their effectiveness
Hard to see how you could go wrong with these. Solid wood should be effective, and even more so with the feet they offer. I put a 14' x 14' x 3' block in my cart, without the feet. It was $117. And I was quite surprised to see that shipping would be free (the block is 17 pounds!).

As a bonus, this seems like a cool company: About Us
 
I'm intrigued by this company's acoustic platforms, although I have no personal knowledge as to their effectiveness
I have one. I really only bought it because I bought one of their racks - after much (TOO MUCH) research they had the best cost and specs/spacing I was looking for.

So I have it on one of their 4 shelf Rigidracks (rack is maple shelves and walnut legs) and the platform is walnut. The platform looks really sharp on the lighter shelves but with the matching legs of the rack.

I have it with the IsoBand feet. They have a couple foot options and, after getting a prompt reply from (I believe) the owner regarding pros/cons between the diff feet, I thought the isobands were the best option for me.

Again, I really only bought it bc I was buying the rack and I thought it would be a sharp look. I've never really had foot fall issues and I have hardwood floors. Even with a cheaper LinePhono rack I never really had any issues. FWIW, the platform sits under a Technics SL-1200G.

I can say I am happy w the platform. It looks great and gives a little more "presentation" to the TT on the rack. I don't know if it will help with your issue - but if you believe any wood iso platform will, then I don't see why this wouldn't and the price and looks are nice.
 
I still don’t think they even do it for the OG Orbit.
Confirmed only base model AT cart for a custom. I ran through a quick exercise and a Custom build with walnut plinth, acrylic platter, cue lever, and Ortofon Blue came out to $638. So for the upgraded arm, motor, feet, and whatever other slight upgrades they made, the difference to the consumer is about tree-fiddy.
 
Has anyone had experience of the PS Audio Stellar Phono? Seems like an interesting piece.
I'm pretty intrigued by it as well. The price is on the low end for what it offers, esp for the easy, accesible flexibility. The Fremer review doesn't hurt either. Can be very easy to come by in the States for $1800 used. I dont think it would best my Manley Chinook, but I would love to test that theory out.
 
Has anyone had experience of the PS Audio Stellar Phono? Seems like an interesting piece.
I currently have the NuWave Phono and have used it the last few years. Really like it.

I like most of the things about the Stellar. The loading and impedance switching have a lot of utility.

There is only one thing is dislike - going between MC and MM is two actual inputs rather than, say, a switch. I'll assume there is a design reason for it. But, for me, I use a MM stereo cart and MC mono so unless I want to fumble in the back of the unit everytime I think it would be a deal breaker for me.

The reviews are really good and the price is nice.
 
That is correct!
guessing an integrated amp with pre-out and a built-in phono stage is best path forward for you if you plan to eventually get passive speakers but are using powered speakers now! someone smarter than me may have a better opinion/recommendation though!
 
I'm pretty intrigued by it as well. The price is on the low end for what it offers, esp for the easy, accesible flexibility. The Fremer review doesn't hurt either. Can be very easy to come by in the States for $1800 used. I dont think it would best my Manley Chinook, but I would love to test that theory out.

Yeah I’d read that and few other reviews and they all seem really positive. I like the fact that it seems to be from the reviews really transparent and to have a really quiet, black backdrop for the music. The custom loading for the MC’s is definitely a plus too.

Also having a Stellar preamp the symmetry of them matching on the shelf is a definite bonus!

I currently have the NuWave Phono and have used it the last few years. Really like it.

I like most of the things about the Stellar. The loading and impedance switching have a lot of utility.

There is only one thing is dislike - going between MC and MM is two actual inputs rather than, say, a switch. I'll assume there is a design reason for it. But, for me, I use a MM stereo cart and MC mono so unless I want to fumble in the back of the unit everytime I think it would be a deal breaker for me.

The reviews are really good and the price is nice.

I get that but it’s not so much an issue for me. I tend to run one cartridge at a time so if I did change from MC to MM, or visa versa, swapping the leads every 18 months isn’t that big a deal. I think even if I got a new table to run a mono and a stereo I’d be looking at having a matching pair like the Hana SL or the Ort Quintet etc so that I wouldn’t be doing anything other than exchanging the pre mounted headshells.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I’d read that and few other reviews and they all seem really positive. I like the fact that it seems to be from the reviews really transparent and to have a really quiet, black backdrop for the music. The custom loading for the MC’s is definitely a plus too.

Also having a Stellar preamp the symmetry of them matching on the shelf is a definite bonus!



I get that but it’s not so much an issue for me. I tend to run one cartridge at a time so if I did change from MC to MM, or visa versa, swapping the leafs every 18 months isn’t that big a deal. I think even if I got a new table to run a mono and a stereo I’d be looking at having a matching pair like the Hana SL or the Ort Quintet etc so that I wouldn’t get doing anything other than exchaning. the pre mounted headshells.
I don’t remember where, but I’ve seen multiple reports of reliability issues with the Stellar.
 
I don’t remember where, but I’ve seen multiple reports of reliability issues with the Stellar.

Oh that’s a pity, I really like the two PS Audio pieces that I have and I hadn’t come across anything like that in my investigations so far!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top