IsoAcoustics zaZen I Isolation Platform - Black

Expensive but well worth it. Any reduction in microphonic vibration is helpful. This sits under my streamer. That sits on proper Hifi stands. And to my ears, it makes a difference. Some say it’s ‘snake oil’ but if you don’t believe me, ask most of the designers of top end Hifi equipment. Some go to extraordinary lengths to isolate the sensitive electronics from vibration. It is that important. A lot of folks put their turntables on this and appear to be very happy with the results.

I purchased a zaZen 2 & placed it under my LP12 & it outperformed everything I’ve tried in the past 43 years, it even outperformed my Mana stand. So impressed with the results, I purchased 4 more for my CD, Streamer, Pre-amp & Power-amp.Overall effect, is a far more natural, detailed & enjoyable sound that is calmer & less aggressive but more dynamic.In the crazy world of ‘HiFi tweakery’, this is an absolute bargain! Looks cool too👌

Used under turntable. Looks good for price and does the job.

Certainly can hear more from my vinyl since placing my turntable ontop of this shelf

Very impressed with this isolation platform!Used it to sit my high end streamer on, which was already on a dedicated Hifi rack.Immediately noticed improvements in all areas i.e. bass response, micro detail, clarity & silence between tracks.Top notch platform at it's price point and would imagine it would perform even better with a TT or cd player.

I bought this platform for my Rega turntable which sits to close to my speakers. One of the feet on the platform sticks out more than the other three, so was unable to get it level. The sound was better without the platform in place.

I didn't buy this from Amazon, but bought it from a hifi dealer. I took a lot of reviews into account before my purchase.I've been using this for about a year, and honestly I believed that it was making an improvement in the sound.I recently bought a vinyl record that sounded a bit flat... like the top end and mid range had been turned down in the mix, and it didn't sound as good as steaming the same album via a hi-res Qobuz file.Of course it could have been a bad pressing but, for no other reason than curiosity, I removed this platform and played the same record and it sounded lighter, the flatness had improved. Some details emerged that weren't apparent in the higher frequencies. The vocals, mid range sound, were better, clearer and more defined.So I started listening to other records and they all sounded lighter and more energetic.To be fair, for me, it did change the sound. Bass was certainly more pronounced and defined, and I think that's what must have made me believe that it was an improvement.Since I bought this I have made other upgrades to my system including new speakers and some changes to the turntable, and I truly believe that those changes have highlighted the way the ZaZen 1 affects the sound.It's not a bad product, it looks good and is well made, but I've only been able to give it 2 stars after a year of use because it's adversely affecting the sound I like from my system. I've now permanently removed it from under my turntable.

Context:5 level rack with spikes on a wooden sprung floor picking up some vibrations from doors closing elsewhere and movement in the room.Previously used isoacoustics bronze - excellent, SolidAir Audion magnetic levitation feet, and Pro-Ject Ground IT Deluxe, all of which worked well, the Pro-Ject probably the least effective.Reason for changes:I used the other isolation on a Pro-Ject Carbon DC which had upgrades and no adjustable feet. Also have the Pro-Ject Ground-It E plinths on all other shelves on the rack.New Turntable the Pro-Ject Classic Evo has adjustable feet but was still picking up movement type vibrations. As the Isoacoustics Orea Bronze were really good previously thought I would try the Zazen II having read some reviews, and liked the mass of the plinth.Shelf of the rack is glass so the feet will also act like suckers (see below) and provide a good base.Fitment:The Isoacoustics feet are like suction cups so if putting this on glass or smooth surfaces be aware they will stick solidly so get your position right.I fired the platform on over Christmas, but when repositioning in the New Year decided to take it off to clean the whole setup.Because of the suction a couple of feet came out - I did get these back in and Isoacoustics responded to my query so.....NOTE: if on a smooth surface gently pry an edge of the foot with a card or something flat and not sharp to break the suction and repeat until platform is able to be lifted off easily. User ignorance rather than product fault, it could be said it validates how good the feet are.Results:Little or no vibration during normal day to day lifeLittle effect from people banging doors elsewhere in the houseSonically seems to have improved slightly, soundstage, noise floor, detail, but my turntable has a suspension system as well so the improvements would be more marked for anyone with a non-suspended plinth construction.Any niggles:Apart from better instructions about lifting the platform (above) wish the Isoacoustics logo was smaller or only on one side (front/back) but it's a premium product, so some people like to show they have good kit.Buy it and enjoy the benefits