John D. purchased a GP3 Isolation Platform after experiencing the difference it made with his own ears. His eloquence with words and his ability to capture what he was hearing convinced us to also send him home with a GP2 Isolation Platform as a loaner, so that he could review that as well!

Here is what John D. had to say:

“Thought I’d finally drop a word…on the GP3 platform. What I’ve heard and noticed in a comparison of the GP3 and the GP2 platforms.

As you know, I’m not a professional reviewer or writer…I’ve included photos of my Audiomat Arpége Reférence integrated amplifier which sits upon your Toughnut GP3 platform. I will point out the Audiomat is sans case as with my tube rolling, I now have installed the Sophia Tubes EL34 power tubes which stand about 1/2” proud and the case no longer fits. A new custom case however, will be planned in the future.

First, what was obvious when we had our little listening session with the GP3 under your turntable was the added life to the recordings to which we listened. It’s hard to explain to anyone who wasn’t there and it is hard to express in words however, we three heard it. It was there and impossible to unhear once experienced. I continue to jot down my thoughts but, will only comment on the first four records tested.

My overall impressions were surprising given one would expect quieter backgrounds etc. from an isolation platform or rack; not some of the changes I noticed whilst playing music. Of course, any positive change toward that end would offer up more detail. What I never considered was by reducing or eliminating vibrations – macro and micro – also would affect other areas. Please note again, the GP3 platform is under my tube amplifier, not a turntable or CD player and I accordingly, expected a difference but not as great a difference as one would get under the front end. The GP3 seems to take away negative audible detritus that gets in the way of the music that was being amplified through the tubes, or caps (which can be affected by micro-vibrations or so I’m told). I’m curious what your friend Jay’s observations were with the platform compared to my own.

My impressions with the GP3 are summed up in one word – life. All recordings had an added naturalness from high to low; better fluidity; increased focus and depth of sound-stage. The highs had a touch more sparkle; added air and character in the mids; solid, controlled and impactful bass with added texture and life coming through in the lower registers. This last point was surprising given, as good as the GP2 is, I hadn’t registered this much of a difference whilst playing some challenging recordings.

I started off with my go to reference recording , The Chieftains – Tears of Stone (CD) which I use for system set up. I noted more subtle details were revealed and some definite surprises. All the tracks had a common thread; deep, precise and forceful bass. Upper mids were rich, warm, precise and well formed. The highs were sweet, melodic and involving. Enhanced realism – life comes to mind as mentioned at the top.

These attributes were well defined by the first track, Barbara Fricker and Anuna, Never Give All the Heart my immediate impression was the precision with the upper mids. Bass had rock solid control and was impressively sonorous. This was especially notable on later tracks as I could now feel the woodiness of a double bass top plate (when played) or the traditional drum skin on the bodhran. I use the word “feel” instead of hear because my gut reaction was emotional. Sounds positively corny: a little pretentious.

Bonnie Raitts’, slide guitar on A Sigh and a Carol sparkled with passion and Joni Mitchells’ vocals on Magdalene Laundries, had the passion with an additional dose of melancholy. Grace notes played by Joni Mitchell, were heretofore not obvious now danced and added to the mix. Wow, outstanding. The GP3 has shown a knack for adding life to the recording space wherein the confines of the space picked up through the mic placements. It felt very personal.

A later track by Akiko Yanos, Sake in the Jar, highlighted the Japanese drums – Wadaiko – of Chito Kawachi. The drums in this recording was always a bit flabby in my room but, were now had far better control and improved decay. There was a better sense of the skin too as I noted with the Irish bodhran.

Bottom line Deirdre and Derrick, I generally do not listen through complete songs on this CD as I’ve stated, I generally use snippets however, I found myself breaking the habit and listened to all of them all the way through.

Listening to my original Reprise LP first pressing from 1966, of Frank Sinatra and Count Basie – At the Sands was always a great recording full of personality showing a man at the height of his game. This felt more fun which I believe is due to the added realism offered up by the GP3. Like with the GP2, the character of Sinatra’s voice was there yet now with the GP3 the performance gave more space between Sinatra and the orchestra. His voice was airy, focused and had greater presence and scale from the very first note. I’ve Got You rim shots were prominent yet clearly at the back. They were always there but, now more obvious. The Shadow of Your Smile, there was a guitar in the band! I’d never noticed it before.

Rather than repeating myself, I thought I’d give simple impressions for the following recordings:

Santana – Abraxas (original Dutch pressing 1970):
Se a Cabo – soundstage was deeper, congas really propulsive
Chepito Areas – bass descending notes were more precise on the opening 8 bars with firm control and went very deep. Kick on bass drum snapped and crackled.
Samba Pa Ti – Beautiful! I could definitely hear Carlos’ pick on the strings. The Hammond B3 was more forward in the mix. Glorious.
Hope Your Feeling Better – with hand claps on the break I could hear the reverberation off the studio walls. It wasn’t there before.
El Nicoya – drums and congas were ever more involving.

On to the next recording, Milt Jackson – Moonflower on CTI:
– rich, lush, voluminous
– Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Milt Jackson vibraphone: clear, precise, ethereal, depth

Next recording, J-jazz, Deep Modern Jazz from Japan Vol. 3 BBE (compilation)
Koichi Matsukase Trio feat. Ryojiro Furuzawa – Acoustic Chicken – bass resonates under the deft, agile hands of Koichi Yamasaki can hear the wood and every note with dynamics. Ryojiro Furuzawa on drums can feel the skins, power, realistic cymbal decay.

Next recording, Dinah Washington – Late, Late Show Mercury/Wing (mono original 1963 pressing):
– deeper clarity, deeper sound-stage and separation of all instruments, spacial placement
– added realism adds greater swing
– Washingtons’ voice dynamic, sensitive and bluesy

Guys, I’ve been lost in spinning records flitting between multiple genres enjoying what the GP3 has brought to the table. I’m now throwing in classical recordings in my evening listening sessions which, I do very seldom.

I’ll be trying it out under my turntable in lieu of my Symposium Ultra out of interest but, not now. I’m having too much fun.

For your information, my system comprises:

Audiomat Arpége Reférence integrated amp. Tubes Sophia EL34, pre-amp section a single old stock circa 1960 Mazda Triple Silver plate 12AX7; phase inverters a pair of triple screened Grant Fidelity/Psvane 12AX7; power chord Luna Orange
Phono stages Emotive Audio Circa, power chord Luna Orange; Electrocompanient ECP-1 for mono playback
Two turntables were used:
1/ J.A. Michell Orbe SE, Origin Live Illustrious Mk IV with the Origin Live Hybrid Silver S tonearm cable. Cartridges used Shelter 7000, Thomas Schick/Ana Mighty Sound modified Denon DL103R re-housed in a malachite body.
2/ heavily modified Thorens TD160B, Origin Live Encounter Mk2 with HANA SL mono cartridge
CD transport Vecteur L-3.
Speaker cables Actinote Aria, interconnects JPS Labs Ultra
Speakers Duevel Bella Luna Diamentes, two REL Britannia B3’s sub-woofers
Miscellaneous: Acoustic Revive RR-77, Synergistic Research Blue fuses, Symposium Ultra”

John D.
Scarborough, Ontario
March 9, 2025

Thank you John for this fabulous description of your experience with our Isolation Platforms!
Derrick