In the resolution/Gitzo Traveler test I was just trying to see how to use the new tripod. I used a heavy one with the camera in the landscape orientation just to get a baseline for how good the image could be, and that heavy tripod did result in the best image -- but very slightly. So, I would say that there is not evidence from my experience that would indicate that a heavier tripod would, all else being equal, result in more of a problem.
What I have heard and maybe experienced with some of the testing is that hand holding absorbs vibrations rather well. I have tried a few experiments with my hand laying on the camera or tripod, in hopes it'll absorb and dampen the vibration. So far, I see no effect.
In the past with shutters like this, I found that pure mass right under and in line with the shutter movement did the most good. For example, on an "L" bracket to hold the camera in portrait orientation, I put a rear lens cap opposite the camera. A large Canon lens there did materially reduce the shutter shock from that Canon shutter. (I am not currently use an "L" bracket with the Sony, but for those who are, this hack may be worth trying.)
Carbon tripods are also supposed to absorb vibrations better than aluminum. It may be that some of the results are consistent with the carbon fiber pole absorbing some of the vibrations.
I think most of the serious vibration complaints are coming from people who use longer telephotos that I generally carry. I tested with a 75mm because that is what I generally carry with me (along with the 35mm and soon, I hope, a super-wide).
The test shots that produced worse results with the pole down when the camera was in portrait orientation are odd. It may be that the vibration is a "ping" sound wave that travels down the leg and bounces back to the camera. I don't know how to explain that result.
By the way, I put a Leica M9 comparison show -- re-sampled to match the Sony size -- on the Jpeg
<http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Sony-a7r-Vibration-GitzoTraveler-75mm.jpg>. Note also that all sharpening was turned off in raw conversion for these shots.
Paul
www.PaulRoark.com