Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Dodd Audio Levitator Other by Tuckers

Model:	Levitator
Category:	Other
Suggested Retail Price:	$350
Description:	Magnetically Levitating Isolation Platform
Manufacturer URL:	Dodd Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Tuckers ( A ) on March 09, 2003 at 03:44:14
IP Address: 66.167.201.13

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for the Levitator

I have spent a lot of time and energy over the years trying different component isolation tweaks to improve sound. I've tried many commercial products and made quite a few myself. Before I review this, I will give my preferences in this area.
I generally prefer hard feet over soft or rubbery feet. I think Black Diamond Racing cones are the best inexpensive tweak and a good place to start. Brass/steel/aluminum cones tend to sound bright. The exception may be Walker Audio Valid Points. Sorbothane or soft feet under components tend to roll off the highs and loosen the bass, although they can improve the midrange. I have not found a rack, or isolation device that does not lend it's own character to the sound. The best I can do is to find stuff that minimizes it, and then match ingredients to get as neutral a perspective as possible.
I use a Zoethecus stand with Granite shelves (I don't like their shelves). The granite is cut to be wider than the stock shelves so that it rest directly on the wooden struts. I use small clear plastic 'dots' feet between the strut and the stone. This damps the granite a bit, and give some compliance to it. I also apply some damping material under the granite to damp its high frequency vibration. This is a great system that give the benefits of rigid isolation without being too bright or hard.
Into this equation, the Dodd levitator was placed. First off I'd like to dispel some speculation about it's magnetic springs. It bounces a bit without a component to weight it down. But with a ten pound component on it, it is stable, if you push down, you will feel the pressure. When you let go it returns, it does not really overshoot or bounce around. BTW, it was a nice surprise to find that the Levitators size is perfect as a replacement shelf for the Zoethecus, and looks very attractive with the clear platform hovering in the shelf.
Second, contrary what you might think, the unit does not float free of the two pins that keep it aligned. The nature of the magnets is to try to twist the top platform, so the pins have some pressure at the sides. Also, if the unit is not completely level, or if the weight of the component is not distributed perfectly evenly (and none are), there is more rubbing.
So, it is not really a frictionless system, as it is portrayed.
I personally do not adhere to the idea that vibration does not pass through the magnetic force. I think it must damp vibration in some way, and fairly well I think.
So on to use
I used it with a 45 pound Spectral reference transport, and a 25 pound Audio Note 3.1 balanced DAC.
I use Stillpoints with these components now, and sometimes "Feet of Silence". The Stillpoints are the best I have heard to date.
I had to move my transport to a different rack in order to test it at first. This proved unsatisfactory, as I don't like this rack for critical components. Note that I could hear the basic qualities of the rack through the Levitator. So then I put it back in my primary rack and tested it there.
I think I preferred the Stillpoints here, as the Levitator added a slightly bright and lean quality to the sound. However, images more air around them, and the soundstage deepened. I suspect that the spring/damping qualities may change based on the weight and it was close to the limit. There was still a 1/4 inch of air between the magnets.
I then added the Stillpoints under the transport. This sounded very good. More detail, richer textures, soundstage became wider and deeper. Unfortunately, space prevented me from making this a permanent tweak.
Next up I tried the DAC. Since it was lighter, I suspected the levitation might be more compliant and could decouple from vibration better. I had to remove the stock feet of the Levitator (fairly big hard rubber jobbies) due to space considerations. I put my most neutral clear vinyl component feet dots on the bottom of the Levitator in it's place
The Dac sounded good. Wider soundstage, more liquid midrange, more detail, more air. The sparkle had faded from the highs a bit though. Then I added the Stillpoints under the dac just to see. Ahhhh, the sparkle came back, and the detail was even better.
To test the Levitator a bit more, I change the little component dots under the Levitator to a small silicone feet I use occasionally. You could hear the difference instantly, the sound of the feet had shown through. Deeper midrange, shifting of frequencies down a bit, highs loose their sparkle, and the bass becomes loose. Removing them, back to normal.
Now, what all this tells me is that magnetic isolation is less than perfect at decoupling the component from vibration. It did transfer the sonic signature of what was beneath it to the component. However, it did improve the sonics, and adding the Stillpoints went still further.
In terms of price performance ratio, I think this tweak was probably average to above average. The unit did not have an obvious negative sonic signature in my system, and had positive benefits. Probably great with sources including turntables. I don't think it will solve tougher vibration problems though.

Product Weakness: Might not work as well on heavier components, price, doesn't totally isolate components
Product Strengths: In the right situation added dimension, clarity, richer midrange. Did not negatively affect the bass (many isolation products affect the bass)

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ASR Emitter Integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Spectral Ref. transport/Audio Note 3.1 balanced dac
Speakers:	Vandersteen 5s
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research Designers active
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz Classical Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	32 x 25 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	custom built room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Sound Applications latest gizmos, Elrod EPS power cables
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Might not work as well on heavier components, price, doesn't totally isolate components
Product Strengths:	In the right situation added dimension, clarity, richer midrange. Did not negatively affect the bass (many isolation products affect the bass)