[Ricjor1]

I've made several changes during 2017. I've changed DACs, interconnect cables, speaker cables, and experimented with power cords. I couple of days ago I replaced the spikes on my Monitor Audio PL500 speakers with IsoAcoustics GAIA Is. I want to put my latest change in context. In my system the most significant change has been adding the Chord Dave DAC. Changing the interconnect and speaker cables provided incremental improvements in clarity and a noticeable difference in how instruments/vocals are placed in the soundstage.
The GAIA Is are very well made and a bargain compared to the price of some footers. I used the following CDs to evaluate the GAIA Is: Kirk Whalum-For You, Norman Conners-Eternity, Marcus Johnson-In Concert For a Cause, Erykah Badu-Live, and Bob James/David Sanborn- Double Vision. Overall my first impression has been added clarity that allows you hear more details deeper in the soundstage. When listening to Kirk Whalum's Going in Circles the percussions to the right of the stage appear deeper and more pronounced with the GAIAs. Erykah Badu's Ye Yo the backup singers sound clearer with slightly more separation and Badu 's voice is more dynamic. Marcus Johnson's Me, Myself & I the piano takes on a liveliness that I've never heard before. It's weird, the music has additional clarity/detail, but at the same time sounds more relaxed. The best way to sum up my thoughts are the GAIAs brings serious "FOCUS" to the music and the illusion of music being totally disconnected from the speakers.