New audio component coming in!
Comments
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Alright, I did listening last night. Stayed in the room for 3 hours, for some reason I was still up at 6am.
I didn’t really expect anything other than maybe some breathing room for my components.
I don’t know why but what I noticed was a very significant improvement in imaging (and sound stage details and clarity).
But really imaging. Vertical imaging and density. Normally I have tried to mitigate any unusually tall imaging with ceiling traps, and improved wire (wel) and equipment (arc pre, etc).
But even at its best I still noted a slight diffuseness to the vertical height of let’s say, a vocalist/singer.
But with the rack, I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that track after track, the imaging is tighter and the vertical image errors that I have heard is no longer present.
I have no idea how it is doing this and I have no idea that this was going to be the result of the scuttle.
I advise people who are looking at isolation components, to make sure pursue it. It reminds me of the cable debate. Once you hear it, you know.
It really is that significant.
And I had a VTI rack which utilized some isolation pads between the steel shelf and mdf shelves and used spikes between all shelf levels.
Very odd.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Going from a VTI to this is like going from a Honda Civic to a Ferrari 458, so yeah I would hope there would be a noticeable difference!
Thanks for the mini review and do keep us updated as to how it sounds in the coming days/weeks. Since it's a natural wood product I assume it will take some time for it to settle/adjust to the humidity, etc. -
Going from a VTI to this is like going from a Honda Civic to a Ferrari 458, so yeah I would hope there would be a noticeable difference!
Thanks for the mini review and do keep us updated as to how it sounds in the coming days/weeks. Since it's a natural wood product I assume it will take some time for it to settle/adjust to the humidity, etc.
I’ll take some better pics and I’m going to do some experiments with vibration control.
The way it is constructed is very interesting.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
From a rack ?
Dang !
😊
Bk
I don’t know why but what I noticed was a very significant improvement in imaging (and sound stage details and clarity).
But really imaging. Vertical imaging and density. Normally I have tried to mitigate any unusually tall imaging with ceiling traps, and improved wire (wel) and equipment (arc pre, etc).
But even at its best I still noted a slight diffuseness to the vertical height of let’s say, a vocalist/singer.
But with the rack, I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that track after track, the imaging is tighter and the vertical image errors that I have heard is no longer present.
It really is that significant.
Very odd.
PS Audio S300 , WiiM Ultra , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 48” - BEDROOM
B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL
Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system
Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sony 65” TV - PATIO -
Now that you’re getting so many “end game” pieces, I’m going to convince you to get into cycling so that you can start all over with a new obsession.
I’m going to enjoy watching it, from NY, FAR away from your wife. -
From a rack ?
Dang !
😊
Bk
I don’t know why but what I noticed was a very significant improvement in imaging (and sound stage details and clarity).
But really imaging. Vertical imaging and density. Normally I have tried to mitigate any unusually tall imaging with ceiling traps, and improved wire (wel) and equipment (arc pre, etc).
But even at its best I still noted a slight diffuseness to the vertical height of let’s say, a vocalist/singer.
But with the rack, I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that track after track, the imaging is tighter and the vertical image errors that I have heard is no longer present.
It really is that significant.
Very odd.
Yeah. Weird. I expected nothing except maybe a better rack with more space. I expected it to aid analog (turntable), but not help with the other up streams.
It is very discernible, very easy to hear. I went through so many tracks and it was consistent.
The only thing I’m a little worried about is that I got used to the distortion from before that I’m needing to reorient myself again.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
It's probably isolating your equipment from room vibrations.
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I was just looking at the SRA website because of this thread, and they make some cool stuff!
Their isolation bases under the speakers seem interesting.
What've you got under your speakers now? -
spongebobsquarepants wrote: »I was just looking at the SRA website because of this thread, and they make some cool stuff!
Their isolation bases under the speakers seem interesting.
What've you got under your speakers now?
Under his speakers? Cheerios and sunmaid raisins -
spongebobsquarepants wrote: »I was just looking at the SRA website because of this thread, and they make some cool stuff!
Their isolation bases under the speakers seem interesting.
What've you got under your speakers now?
Under his speakers? Cheerios and sunmaid raisins
Everybody needs a stash.
Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!! -
spongebobsquarepants wrote: »I was just looking at the SRA website because of this thread, and they make some cool stuff!
Their isolation bases under the speakers seem interesting.
What've you got under your speakers now?
I didn’t know they made speaker bases.
I have SRA Ohio class XL amp stands for my old Cary monoblocks. Sold the Cary and kept the amp stands cuz they were awesome.
I would love to have a stand made for the Boulder...
... but take one look at the price and it makes me have palpitations.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
It's probably isolating your equipment from room vibrations.
Yeah, I just didn’t understand what kind of difference that would make. I’m still befuddled.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Every bit of vibration affects the sound. The better the gear, the more this can be heard. My 400 pound rack certainly helped the sound by reducing vibration. Using Mapleshade brass footers under the gear reduces even more vibrational energy.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Can someone ‘splain to me how isolating solid state gear (amp , pre, streamer , etc.) from vibration ( turntable , I get ...) Improves the sound ?
I mean , what are these vibrations doing to my amps and streamers ?
Serious question , btw ...
BkPS Audio S300 , WiiM Ultra , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 48” - BEDROOM
B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL
Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system
Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sony 65” TV - PATIO -
@gyosa
I wanna know too. I had zero expectations and it just jumped out at me. Either I’ve gone crazy or...Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
. Very cool stuff! -
Just got home from work
Took some photos showing the detail.
You can see how the edges don’t actually touch. There is also this odd jelly like spacer between the shelves and a blue absorbent unit between the vertical and horizontal supports.
In the rear there is this granite like horizontally oriented support across.
The shelf is not wood, it’s a composite.
The ply supports are rounded off in each of the peekaboo views from the side. It feels smooth to the touch, I believe there’s a poly finish on it.
It moves side to side, up and down, back and forward if you push on the individual racks.
It’s impressive. Almost makes it worth the asking.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
The footers are not rubber. Seems like a composite unit.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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Doing some crude tests. Water bottle on Scuttle, water bottle on 250lb Boulder, water bottle on SRA Ohio class XL amp stand.
You can see vibration based on clarity of the water surface.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I also placed the sra stand on the top shelf.
No scratch on the composite shelf, mdf would have shown a divot.
Did the water bottle test.
I had Emma jump next to the stands/rack.
Looks like:
Boulder worst isolation, then sra amp stand (unit weighs about 50lb), the scuttle has least water reverberation and the water ripples was not rapid but more of a wave.
I could not see a significant difference between scuttle on its own and scuttle plus sra amp stand.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
In comparison:
Vti rack had absolutely minimal isolation. Each step vibrated.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I wish I was in a class that I had to worry about micro vibrations. Well done man. Hope you enjoy your audiophile journey 100% I look forward to your future posts?
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Then tried carpet floor only.
Appeared better than VTI rack.
I wonder if the vibrations are attenuated by the height of the rack.
Would need to do measurements with time to decay and maybe a laser vibrometer to be more accurate.
Needless to say: conclusion, vti rack did nothing.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I wish I was in a class that I had to worry about micro vibrations. Well done man. Hope you enjoy your audiophile journey 100% I look forward to your future posts?
Thx man.
Next adventure stop is a full on table. I have heard it and I am ruined.
After that some tweaking with an outboard analog JL CR1 crossover and finishing up the room treatments, maybe some interconnect upgrades.
Then sit back and see if there’s anything else. It is possible I could change speakers if I find something I enjoy more - would definitely attempt a push at the Magico M series.
Hopefully I still have some years left of audiophilia. HahaMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Joey why are you running Canare XLRs out of the DAC to the pre, and from the pre to the amp instead of AQ WELs?!
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Joey why are you running Canare XLRs out of the DAC to the pre, and from the pre to the amp instead of AQ WELs?!
It’s the final frontier. Having a hard time finding wel xlr and every time I find one, it’s $4,000 for a 1M pair. I had purchased some AQ Wind (silver)... and I didn’t like it, sold it. Was thinking of buying some Colorados or Earth but I don’t like to take baby steps so I’m just biding my time.
I was just about to install some Cardas into the pre to amp tonight, that was my project. I wanted to see if I could hear a difference.
Good eye! Still a work in progress!Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Also gotta be careful buying online, lots of Chinese knock-offs like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audiophile-WEL-Signature-HIFI-XLR-Audio-Balance-Cable-with-72V-DBS/264791255249
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Also gotta be careful buying online, lots of Chinese knock-offs like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audiophile-WEL-Signature-HIFI-XLR-Audio-Balance-Cable-with-72V-DBS/264791255249
I would think the price is a pretty good indicator here. Too good to be true.Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
Discogs -
Can someone ‘splain to me how isolating solid state gear (amp , pre, streamer , etc.) from vibration ( turntable , I get ...) Improves the sound ?
I mean , what are these vibrations doing to my amps and streamers ?
Serious question , btw ...
Bk
Microphonic components. In the old days, mostly vacuum tubes. Heck, some of 'em would make respectable microphones. The 76s in a preamp I've been fiddlin' with are a good example -- I should make a video
Nowadays, if I had to guess, mostly capacitors. The magnitude of the microphonics will be very small. Nonzero, though -- especially in high-gain circuits.
Solid state devices could be microphonic, as well.
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My ears are not that good me thinks.... Well then again I have crappy gear so there's that.
