I have been listening around and was fortunate to audiotion Barefoot sound Micromain 27. I think this is a very good speaker. All in all, this is no doubt, the best value for many i have encountered during my 16 years in this hobby.
There are really so much they've been proving with this, i must say this is a superb set for the money.
If you have a room which is as typical rent flats, this is a must hear. I am really amazed how it performs with only my Wadia. Thomas Barefoot suggested the lowest setting of output voltage. This is only 0.25Vrms. It works great.
I wonder what preamp i need to get even more of this system.
Amazing... I love this strange little robotic looking speaker:-)
I doubt not the all new Musicstack Barefoot sell. Had i the room and money i would buy them. I am certain they would shake around big names and grinding teeths would just be the begining if audiophilers opened up there eyes and ears.

inpieces January 27, 2012 19:55

Still working on a system change towards nearfield.
PL 300, Harmonic Tech Magic and JRDG C-500 will be sold.

inpieces December 31, 2011 15:12

Implementing full BDR to Wadia (mk4 set, LM pillows, cones and LM pillows/ for spikes ) and C-500 (mk3 set, Racing pits, cones and LM pillows for spikes) and running floating in the rear of speakers bottom and Catfeets in front. What a swing, more air and a even better coherency and calm sense/ flow. Wadia now uses triple sets to void disturbance and the C-500 uses two. I would actually like to try a more calm PC for C-500. The Burly PC would probably make tube owners cry out in happiness. I would like Audio Sensibility Signature PC. It seems good value for money. Hm....

inpieces September 13, 2011 12:42

Burn in, is complete at 72 + hours at CC of Wadia.
I'll let it run atleast 100 hours anyway:-)

inpieces July 12, 2011 12:57

I have been doing a slight mod for the ribbon. Nothing much really. I guess some has noticed ribbons can at times, be very much (tweeter) axis-responsive. My idea is to make this of lesser impact without losing resolution or becoming damped out. I have made a attachable felt to use. I use pool table cloth. This is cut, so it fits over the mounting plate. An opening for the ribbon, but with a slight string in the middle. As for now, it is attached with neodymium magnets. Four of the screws are magnetic, and the felt is attached over the mounting plate, and over the felt you simply attach the four neodymium magnets. Or, you could use glue or addhessive dual layered tape.
The thing you'll notice directly is as follows.
If you move back and forth towards or away from the speakers, the sound is same. When heavy crescendos burts, you'll have no excessive (harsh peaks) output in the top end. A more calm, less upfront response, but with same resolution if something, less prone to be axis-bound and excessive. I find no audible loss at all. As mentioned, just a more releaxed, less axis-responsive nature of the ribbon. Very much like a dome-tweeter but more open and resolving. At the moment, i have a company cutting out precise metal templates. These will be two templates and they will be put over the cloth. Then you either cut or draw (at the cloth pieces) and use a scissor or sharp knife.
The pool table cloth, i have found in two colours. Either green, or grey. Grey looks rather good. Small neodymium magnets are cheap and easy to find. This way you can try this and also undo it very easy.

I have also changed position of speakers. They are now mounted at shortwall. I have them tighter positioned with slightly longer distance from listening point.
A good choice it seems so far. I use four Entreq Catfeets underneath speakers. The original feets are taken off. The Vibb eathers (cones on top) is also taken off now.

inpieces June 30, 2011 09:58

No it is not! The conveyors should affect pretty much everything since it is analogue parts. I will also use new algorithms software. So i guess it is not an S7i, but neither will it be a typical 381. I don't know of Acapella platforms. I should probably try an HRS if i'd try a platform. Remember, all these affects sound very much. Some actually is no no no.
I know of one brand, but i will not mention it here. HRS i have only heard superb things of. Expensive, but they've got a new version out which is less expensive. I am awaiting an answer for HRS Nimbus decouplers. If i'd buy them, i will use triple devices of decoupling.

inpieces June 11, 2011 15:58

Hi Boso27,

well, the granite is only to add weight to the stand all is placed on. I really took it off now. So i use 3 Entreq Catfeets under an Oak-flatform. The String Suspension Concept Basic Classic at this. The AS pucks is not good under Wadias tip toes spike cups.

I will try another approach when the 381 is ready.
Maybe Black Diamond Racing cones mk3 and the BRD new LM pillows. I will try 3 of these, directly underneath the chassis. Even so, i would really rather try the Harmonic resolution Nimbus decouplers (3 units) under chassis (not under original feets) and then just use these at the SSC platform. The Entreq Catfeets makes the vibrations go away.
The platform alone, will not.
Even so, you can use just 3 Catfeets directly under the 381.
It is better than spikes and rubber feets.

Oh, Wadia is in for an upgrade. Yes, i bought the S7i gen 2 current conveyors. These are the analogue parts from S7i.

If anything is unclear, or if you'd like to ask more, just do so;-)

inpieces June 10, 2011 14:42

Luna,

the larger the Vibb eater, the larger frequency spectrum is controlled. What is a significant step up with these, are the way the dynamics is more "in control". That is, macrodynamics could at times be overwhelming. In a manner, they shade the microdynamics. With Vibb eaters/ cones, you do not sense overpowering/ shading. The microdynamics and sense of depth and resolution appears much greater.
If you'd place speakers at Catfeets and use Vibb eaters, you will steadily increase PRAT and start/stop of each individual note/sound.
The chassis has lower impact of the sound you actually hear.
If you use these and take them out, system sounds more diffuse, boomy and slower.
When these are placed at speakers, and you lay your hand at them, there is a lot of energy felt inside. This is otherwise what is rumbling around inside speakers chassis.

If you tweak the sonics, these will help you actually notice what each individal cable, or platform ect really do (or do not do).
If you notice a to prononounced top end, i guess this is not your first choice. You know, some feets (isolation, damping) aswell as platforms tends to give a more prononounced top end, but some gives a more calm and hefty response. Not untill i had all my units (amp, cd and speakers) properly setup, i noticed what the system really could do.
Some of these feets/ platforms could take you in correct direction (of your preference) and some in the opposite. That is why you need to try a few and not detest, if you try some that simply is not for you.

There is also another thing you could overlook!
For example, ceiling reflextion and side reflextion. Ceiling, if concrete, could actually give the most crude top end.
If you find where the first and second reflextion is, you can also see where these are in the ceiling. Try to damp these in the ceiling, with, for example Gik Acoustics 242 panel or the new GridFusor(s).
If something can be disturbing, it is the ceiling reflextion. You know, many Audiofreaks do not overlook this. It is not a case of changing cables or units. The acoustical term, has a large impact!
Perhaps this is best to start with!
I had the same problem with my system, or more correct, my ceiling.

inpieces May 03, 2011 08:45

Hi Luna,

yes ofcourse.

Have a look
(i did not like looks of mices, so i bought cones):
http://www.entreq.com/default.asp?PageId=1924

Feets used are (Catfeets):
http://www.entreq.com/default.asp?PageId=1923

Feel free to ask if something comes to mind!?

inpieces May 02, 2011 22:21

Wadia is in for an upgrade.
This will be interesting.

inpieces April 28, 2011 09:15

For all those looking at Wadia.
I know not as much how the older units work, but i must say, this 381 unit, is very much positive to tune with PC's/ platform/ feets and ofcourse IC's.
I would say, the sonics of the unit changes incredibly much more than many units i have had. This with platform/ feets and powerchord changes. It can be very fast and tight sounding, even mechanic. But, you can just aswell give it a hefty fat sound with deep thunderous bass.
I prefer algo A, without question. This gives a far better coherency and it is very much noticed if you listen to speaker left and right. With algo A this becomes very evident.
The mirror image, not listening to two speakers, becomes very much approved.
As is, i use MAC-Burly, Bybee technologies AC Quantum charger and Wireworld Gold Eclipse 6 (xlr IC).
For support:
* 3 Entreq Catfeets (Oak flatform at feets)
* Oak flatform (SSC Classic at Oak flatform)
* SSC Classic (platform) larger version for Wadia
* SSC AS pucks (under Wadia original spike cups)

The AS pucks, actually give a weight and midrange body.
Ofcourse, the Perfectwave AC-12 powercord give similar effect. But not exact. The Burly PC, is more tight and offers more sting and resolution. It is not round and smooth. The Quantum charger helps putting more softness around the edges. Even so, the AS pucks gives more body and roundness. The top is still very nicely laid out with spaciousness and air. You just find a more dense physical body with help of AS pucks.
I guess using Catfeets, which drains the Oak flatform from floor born vibrations seems over kill together with the SSC Classic platform.
The Wireworld is very open and in my opinion, it does not colour or add any signum. With this IC, tuning very much is heard. I don't know if this IC could be too much for some. I would probably not like it if i refused to tweak. It is quite cruelly exposing, for good or worse.
I repeat myself, most cases people that have a pronounced top response (in their system), even disturbing. Well, just try to damp a spot in the ceiling. Often this reflection is very disturbing. Don't blame speakers, electronics or cables. Try damping this first, it is very much cheaper than changing gears.
How do i find this (reflection) spot?
Have a friend hold a mirror at the sides of listening position and speakers. If he walks at the right side, and you view the right speaker (in the mirror), it is first reflection. If he still walks at the right side, and you view the left speaker, it is the second reflection. Now you know where first and second reflection are located (at the sides). But also, in the ceiling (use this!).
This might be one of the largest changes!
So, try damping this out. A good choice for damping, is GIK Acoustics 242 panel. Use 1,2 or 3 for ceiling.
Some claim a room can be overdamped if only using damping.
I will not deny that!
Some times diffusing is the better choice.
Flutterecho and bass peaks, should be absorbed/damped though!
Low bass must be absorbed.
Best way is sadly very heft boxes.
Look at www.diffusor.com
V-6 (20-60hz), V4 (45/50-100hz).
These are locked onto one frequency and does not suck/absorb uneven as most bass absorbers does (sad truth!)
If you like to play quite loud, damping is not necessary bad.
The risk is ofcourse, you crank it up higher;)

inpieces October 18, 2010 16:30

Alton, sorry, i missed this.
I would guess this is a bit late?
For a starter, i would say they work on a broader spectrum of musical genres/ preferences. More so, than some others do.
Second is, i would ask what size your room is?
How far from corners (rear wall and side walls) can you place them?
What do you intend to use in terms of electronics?
I would like to ask what you prefer in terms of "signum"?
I would say they can give a fast punchy sound with very good resolution.

This is also a bit pending, what kind of electronics you will use. Ofcourse, you could go further in quest for the extra % of sonic signum, resolution and speed/weight. This is were tuning comes in.

inpieces October 18, 2010 15:52

A few days ago, i bought a bamboo rug/ screen. It is 8 foot long and 6 foot high. I use this behind my listening position.
It works as a light diffusor and is set up a bit wavy.. Towards the wall i have damping, but my listening position is very close to rear wall and the absorbing material tend the deaden to soundfield a bit. As the Bamboo is not as hard and not completely flat, it has the effect that the sound is more lively and the soundstage actually seems wider and more open and fast. I moved sofa more out in room and the bass build up is lesser.

As is, the Bybee Quantum purifier is a spot on addition to the Burly after all changes. Cables and chords are very much dependant of the acoustical surrounding. It is ofcourse possible, to tweak the acoustical surroundings in themselves. Many audiofanatics tend to use cables and feets/ platforms alone for this.

As i have time (vacation), i also worked on even further better setup for my speakers, listening position and how to place acoustical treatments. During 2 days and 25 hours later, approximated, i think i have find what is optimal with what i've got now.

It takes a lot of time to learn each component and overlook how speakers really work in the acoustical environment.

There are terrible many bits and pieces to work with before changing or judging the electronics or speakers. I suspect, far too many part from very good units here, without fully learning what room/ acoustics/ positioning, PC's/ feets & platforms really do.
As is, the room is just another box, just as your speakers.
All surfaces and reflections - what do they do and how does it alter what you hear?

What i find a bit awkward, was when i called two different acoustical companies and they told me things that was the straight opposite. Luckily, i am not completely off and realized that one of them had unwise suggestions. I had tried out what he told was great and it was rather opposite.

Don't give up when it seems hard, go back and restart.

I read at Agon, some are very skilled and some seem not even doing the most basic before they talk of gears and changes. It is a bit sad.

Some speakers are built for ordinary untreated rooms, most are not. Same with cables. The cables we buy, are they for a damped room or an untreated with concrete or what? Purist Audio are very good at addressing these circumstances. Many companies just not respond to this. That is weird!

Setting electronics at glass racks, using spikes (or similar. Even spring loaded), using speakers built for damped rooms and with cables that are neutral most likely will be bright or harsh, if electronics are very revealing and neutral.
In my room, with all gears i've got, i can totally alter the sound from overdamped and dull, with heavy bass. Or bright and harsh. Oh, many things are possible. It all depends on how the rooms acoustic and devices are coupled and setup. An ordinary living room, is mostly not so good as is.
I stay open to learning all the time. It is a vast and complex matter, it is a chain. System and room, decoupling and the power we feed our gears with.

inpieces July 18, 2010 21:43

This is awkward.

I tried changing the Vibb eaters. I really found the larger, to damp the weight/ body and the bass too much. So, i used a smaller version. Since i have changed speakers setup, this after my room was measured, i did not try the larger versions again. When i changed to the Bybee tech Quantum charger and SSC Classic sound became more calm and smooth. I listened to records with heavy deep bass rhythm. Quite complex. I did find a colouration. I decided to change and try the larger Vibb eaters again. The largest they have. At this moment bass does not suffer from to much damping and is no longer over damped. Very weird. I can now, with ease, feel and sense the totalt weight, and the impact, start stop and decay with no remarks.

I am more or less forced to admit, this is needed to be tested by each and every one.

What can be told. The PL 300 changes beyond words with Entreq Cat feets in conjunction with Entreq's Vibb eaters.
Chassis is drastically more silent and also is the actual sound we hear, not coloured by the chassis.
Not that many seem to notice any chassis colouration of PL 300. But again, when you hear what Entreq do, you better realize this. It is heard from the very first strokes.
I have even contacted Montor Audio regarding this. This is also very much same with speakers costing way more than PL 300.

To fully understand this, it has to be heard. The degree of perceived detail is very much heightened.
I guess, this is hard to fully cope with. But if we say you change cables, and do not realize what your cables really do, or you feel/ hear a box sound. Your speakers could be set on Cat feets. Also a must, is to use the Vibb eaters. This will void any chassis sound/ colouration. A Vibb eater is made in many different sizes. From quite small to very much larger. The larger, the heavier, the more heavy, the more drain. When chassis is drained, the detail increase enormously. The inner detail, the depth and control. Bass will have nuances you did not believe you could hear from same speakers. A high end cable now shines. To realize sonic benefits, you work with different feets, platforms and power chords. Also speaker setups. You will more realize, when chassis no longer affects to such degree, how a slight change of speakers toe in, or changing distance to side and back walls, will improve your soundfield. This effect, is at such level, you will find your speakers way better.
This is like looking through a window, or just getting rid of the same window and view straight out in the open. A fresh breeze. Do not think bass becomes shy, on the contrary. You will feel/ hear the impact and very nuance of bass material. Mid bass becomes tighter and the top is remarkably clearer. This is no expensive upgrade. So if you are on budget, try this. Even so, for those people which money is no object, this is an upgrade well worth trying. You will most surely use it even if you buy new speakers.

inpieces July 13, 2010 19:20

Some edit of pictures.

Tried the Bybee Quantum charger. I had in mind, it should be best used were PC's are most important (most difference noted), the Wadia. The Wadia reacts more on PC changes than C-500. So, i used it here.
I find it better at the C-500 after a few listening runs.
As another user mentioned, if searched at Agon. The Quantum charger do make you crank up volume. It is a slightly muted sense around the edges. Not in a bad way. Though, i find that the Burly/ wireworld combo together with the Wadia at it's new base/ platform mixture, sounds slightly more lively and distinct (- not sharp or harsh).
Quantum charger makes the whole more calm, round and if there has been any signs of glare, well, they are gone with only one unit.
The Quantum charger works very nice coupled to C-500 with PS Audio Perfectwave AC-12.
This combo (Quantum + Perfectwave AC-12 ) gives a more analog relaxation and weight to the C500.

I doubt i should even use two Quantum chargers if i had.
One just for amp, is well sufficent and enough.

When PL 300 are used with Entreq Cat feets and mini cone (Vibb eater family), the sound is more precise and the slight boom in upper bass, is gone. This is a question of taste. I sense a slight boom, some of my friends like this. The upper mid and ribbon is smooth and very open and more sensed, as more revealing with the mini vibb eater. A clarity and the precise start/stop and decay makes dynamics and impact more distinct. The larger, jumbo cones are in direct compairson damping too much. The useage of Cat feets in addition with vibb eaters must be tried. What weight is best for your speakers. No question, this has a huge impact on the system. Cables do not address this area in the same manner.

With the Bybee, a more round sense is observed. It is maybe to polite when used at the Wadia.

I did not think the C-500 would benefit so much from Quantum charger. This due to the built in PFC inside the unit. Well well, obviously i was mistaken.

I also found that Wadia sounds, IMO, better with it's own original feets (once set up at the SSC Classic/ oak flatbase with Entreq Cat feets) than in conjunction with additional SSC AS pucks. The Classic is a nice platform.
I keeps sound open, gives a more deep bass without woody or bloated or hollow bass.

If i also use SSC AS pucks, sound is too dense, it is more pin point with great sonics like this.

I am still amazed, mixture of damping/ isolation and draining affects so much.

If i had used euphonic cables, i doubt very much i could have got to this point. The PC's mix with decoupling+drain devices is the way for sonic perfection and balance in bass, mid and treble response. Atleast in my room and my system. This together, has a very huge impact from the lowest low to the very top.

As is, i am longing to try the SMT (diffusor.com) varitune V6 and V4 in this system. That is now last piece.

inpieces July 11, 2010 18:00

Some small changes, photos will be changed.

I tried the all new, broadband bass absorbers protypes, from SMT. They do not work for me. I will see, if i might have the V4 and V6. If not next week, after vacation. The company have vacation from tomorrow. I hate to wait.
My room was measured. The varitune V6 and V4 are the last things i need to perfect this system as much as i can afford. Acoustics are the key.

inpieces July 08, 2010 19:02

The Gold Eclipse 6 has calmed down after a few days of run in.
It proved extremely responsive to the decoupling of especially amplifier. I reworked the decouplling with a mixure of 3 feets and a granite stone.
I now use the Disc's of silence with an addition of Novibra dampers. These make the Disc of silence less responsive to floor bound vibrations. Also, the Disc of silence are used to level the weight of the one Entreq Cat foot carrying the weight of amp + granite stone. On top of the granite is use SSC AS pucks and the amp is placed on these. This seems to give tremendous ambience and resolving power. The AS pucks actually works when the stone is drained from vibration. AS gives relaxation and weight without being boomy. Actually i will use an extra addition of Entreq Vibbeaters (2 units). These will be for electronical devices and do not only fix the weight more propperly centered above the one Cat foot.
These are also made to reduce RFI and EMI around apparatus.

Mm.. next week, it seems my new Bass absorbers will arrive. Custom set to 40-80Hz.

Disc's of silence works as level tools with Novibra underneath. They are far too sensitive for vibrations on their own. I would not use them as stand alone feets for units. In my case, as mentioned, they do not carry weight in a manner they are ment. The Cat foot is totally bound to drain and rid the apparatus platform from any moving (vibration), floor or air born.

As is, it is fully possible to tweak the balance of the system only with feets and decoupling.
that is not voodoo. Actually it works better, than one might be even near to realise.

The Wireworld Gold Eclipse 6 is revealing the chain. Careful approaches are essential.

Acoustics, decoupling and cables seems to give tremendous input. My guess is that many audiophiles do sell and change cables and even units too fast before using more time and input to these corner stones of changes.

Some cables are that revealing, i am convinced that speakers and electronics decoupling, placement of speakers and acoustics, really should be considered as essential as the cables themselves. Decoupling can be tricky, it can give totaly opposite sonics so it must be handled with care and many tests might need to be done before any high end cable is discarded or seen as improper.

inpieces June 18, 2010 15:46

I have worked at the decoupling of C-500, so many changes.
It is absurd.
When i got Wireworld Gold Eclipse 6, i surely noticed a difference. It even shows better how all things work and interact. I can't say it is a cable that i just throw in.

Just focusing at the C-500 and how it is decoupled, the Gold Eclipse respond directly.

In itself it opens up especially the top end. Very detailed... and top end is extremely ambient.
Some recordings have the bottom end and body, many do not.

I tried to use my granite stone drained from floor with only one Entreq foot. I use Solid tech Disc's of silence to level out and center the weight onto the one Cat feet.

On top of granite i place SSC AS pucks.

These works, but, the surface must be vibration free.
This is really important.

On top of AS pucks i place C-500.

That seems to get me both weightand control, ambience and resolving but in a quite relaxed and firm manner. Changes of how this is all set up (feets mixture/ bench/ rack or stone), can make it boomy, bright and thinned out.

The cables and decoupling are in some way a bit like hand and glove. I still have a hard time seeing how apparatus can change balance when it is set at vibration free surface. A totaly floating solution sounds as a good idea to me. But IMO, it does not do well in Audio. In some way, i find it should be a fixing point that is firm (not all floating). Weight and bottom end is very "floaty" or not ear-friendly otherwise (thinned out and pronounced treble).

The Wadia still holds it's best with Entreq Cat feets - no doubt.
The C-500, i think this might be they key.
I notice significant gains.
But who knows, i stay open to ideas.

The last bit in the puzzle is the new broadbands absorbers.

My room proved two slight peaks noticeable. 40-45Hz and 75-80hz. And a smaller, slight remark of 100Hz.
Anyway, either i use 4 units of Varitune. They are named V-4. Or, as Mats now told me. I can try the all new broadband set to 40-80Hz. In my case it will be 160cm high.

This will be very interesting. If this works, i just need 2 units instead of 4 units. That is nice.

inpieces June 15, 2010 11:00

I better correct myself.

Burly at Wadia is superb, PS Audio works great at C-500.
The Burly is both open and has body and weight. The silence and resolving is really really great. This must MAC's gold piece. It is so good.

inpieces June 13, 2010 19:30

System updated:

New sets of Cat feets for Wadia, slightly lower (3 feets).

PL300 use 4 Cat feets instead of 3.
Before, feets were under plinth of PL300. Now it is 1 feet under each original feet. Vibbeaters are positioned further back at top of PL300 to put weight on the rear.

First reflections cotton drapes with Golden Age Music's Pyrapanel 50. 3 panels at each drape. One at the listening room door (first reflection left speaker) and one curtain hanging drape at first reflection of right speaker.

The Gik Acoustic 242 panel on stands, are now positioned (instead of behind speakers) at first reflection of opposite side speaker. That is, 1 242 panel at left side to pick up right side speakers first reflection and vice versa at other channel.

New PC. MAC Burly. As is, Burly suited better at JRDG C-500 and PS Audio Perfectwave AC-12 at Wadia.

Speakers repositioned slightly for more depth and focus.

The MAC Burly is a stunning power chord. It is superbly resolving and gives tremendous silence. For integrateds or power amps this is superb. Without the burn in that Steve claims should be around 200 hours this do marvelous things.
A great advancement of resolution and silence is stunning.

I am, if i may say, very impressed with this system.

I now await my Wireworld Gold Eclipse 6 IC.

The final upgrade that i dream about would be 4 units of Varitune 4 from (www.diffusor.com)
These are maybe the only basabsorbers that you can tune at specific frequencies. The Varitune 6 even goes down to 20Hz.

As is, i would like to work 40-45Hz and 75-80Hz.
I would use 2 for each frequency and position them on top of each other, behind speakers in corners.
the lower 2, 40-45Hz, the 2 on top, 75-80Hz.
I do not suffer from very high peaks, never the less, i have small and they could be absorbed.

With or without i must say a serious workover of acoustics and position of speakers make a world of changes.

Doing so, proves that cables and isolation/ damping will release the utter pin point focus. Control of dynamics will be in for a drastic change.

Just the side reflections and ceiling reflections makes incredible sense when you hear what it does. PC's and isolation/ damping (draining apparatus and bench from vibrations and resonances) proves to show what your other cables really do.

This is my second system 2010 and it has becomn very much more expenses. Looking at just speakers, cd and amplifier and that cost. Looking at acoustics and all other tweaks is very high in compairson. It is no way one is even close to releasing the potential not looking over this.

inpieces June 10, 2010 16:29

System edited: Quick update: Only Cat feets with a slight level adjustment. No Disc's of silence to use for level anymore. Disc's of silence proved to do benefit under Terminator. I am quite estranged here. How to heck can these do what they do under the mains purifier (for Wadia). As is, a liquid mer clear soundfield was the result. Midrange has improved mostly. A background silence appeared to further develop rendering of detail and more roundness. The start/ stop and decay improves and also and enhanced depth and air. Oh, this starts to sound like voodoo, but it is not. I tried an older recorded cd which surely is benefitting greatly. As is, i must admit here the Disc's of silence did only good and no minus points at all.

inpieces May 29, 2010 17:09

System edited: Please view the photos of feets (isolation/ damping)

inpieces May 29, 2010 14:32

Looking a bit more into damping and isolating Wadia 381 and JRDG C-500.

Damping and isolating seems very critcal and it is likely best to try a few things instead of buying manufacturers "we are better than the rest"!

I have tried:

Solid tech - Disc's of silence.
Basically a base with springs. A screw with a cork surface.
The unit is set for a weight that is making it floating.
As is, if you just touch the unit, it moves.
Set of 4 feets can carry up to 45Kg's.

SSC AS.
A foot with somekind of damping underneath and a kind of cloth at the apparatus side.
Each foot can carry 15kg's.
Set of 4 feets.

Entreq Cat feets.
Mineral loaded with a tunnel inside.
These are blocking vibrations from both ways and they are both damping and isolating.
These are for loads over 20Kg's.
Set of 3 feets.

I also use a granite stone under the amp.

The Solid tech feets is always doing one thing.

Bass become lightweight and mid thin. The top is very open and detailed as never before.
I would only recommend these in system very boomy and compressed.

SSC AS, give you weight and bas (reminds me of a vinyl sonics), but not as extremely open as Solid tech.
These feets work IMO, best if you sort out floor bound or rack born isolations first.
They do work good, even with Solid tech's Disc's of silence carrying the weight of the granite stone.
However, Disc's of silence is beaten by the 4 feets i now use. (Dual cnc cups with rubber tube fixing them, rubber spike resting on self adhessive compound)

Entreq's feets stop all vibrations the other two is not as good at this.
Unit is very good isolated and damped. A smooth/ relaxed and very detail sound. No pronounced monster bass, but very good. It offers perfect balance and IMO, very linear.

As is. I found C-500's best isolation and damping to be in conjunction with the granite stone. The stone is resting at four feets. These feets are CNC milled cups, two and two. They are put together with a rubber tube. Inside the tub is a rubber spike. The stone is resting on the rubber spike.
Between the head of the rubber spike and CNC cups, is another layer of damping compound.
On top of the stone and underneath C-500's original feets, i place SSC AS.

This gives the best balance and linear response.
Bass is very deep and full with great impacy. It does not suffer from bloat. Mid has a nice full and rich tone. The top is smooth and detailed.

Wadia 381 rest at the 3 Cat feets from Entreq. As is, since these are mineral loaded, it is hard to get Wadia totaly in line. So, i set the Solid tech feets Disc's of silence for very low damping. The Solid tech feets does not carry the Wadia, they merely evens Wadia so it is in line.

This gives Wadia a very open and relaxed sound with good punch. The depth and control is really really good. Very rhythmical and complex material is rendered with great PRAT and no bloat, no swollen or wooden bass. Bass is full of weight, impact and nuance, mid is a fine balance of weight, breast tone and detail. The top is open, revealing and smooth.

I detect no typical pronouncings. If so, a very slight sense of weight and body.

I found, it is easy to get isolation/ damping to thin out the sound.

Even so, a very pronounced top or upper mid seems very usual.

Soft feets/ rubber etc, can be nice in the warm sonics. But bass often become un-nuanced and not in control or detail.

The most difficult is to get a deep bass with imapact, control and nuance. Followed by the sense of organic warmth in the mid and top.

This has taken a long time with lots of small changes.

Wadia changes alot with damping/ isolation and different PC's.

The C-500 changes to. Maybe not as much as Wadia but close.
It is very obvious that some of the things here, are probably things people try to solve with interconnects and speakercables. I can say that damping and isolation yields results that in some areas are so big, that it is more obvious than interconnect and or speakercables changes.

My next piece in this system is the MAC - Burly that i will use for Wadia.

I also will try Wireworld Gold Eclipse 6 xlr.

I intened to try "musical interconnets". But i am no so sure, this is just not a wise move. Damping/ islolation proves to me, sonics in this system, will not be done with euphoric chords.
I have high hopes for the 2 expected cables that i await.

First, i will run the Burly in the system.
Next will be the WW GE6.

English is not my main language, so i find at times, words are hard to find.
Sorry for that.

inpieces May 29, 2010 14:27

This thing regarding Isolation/ damping is not to be taken lighly upon.

I have read alot lately. To find what might be the units for me and what i should not consider.
As is, i do not wish to buy devices making sound harsh, thin, glass-like. Correct or not, devices making these sonic attributes can't be considered nice upgrades.

I've seen some interesting companies.
Mostly i like Equarack MF-1.
Even so, the SSC Classic platform.
(can be custom ordered for larger size)

As is, i have been delighted by Entreq's feets and cones.
Entreq's feets, are not only made for speakers, on the contrary. They work great under all electronics.

As is, i talked to P-O today. So i will try the Cat feets underneath my Wadia. Lion feets are higher and larger, but they are told to work best for devices carrying weight up to 20Kgs/ 44-45Ibs.
Over this weight, they suggest Cat feets. These are same i use under my speakers.

Basically, all feets do alter sonics etc.
So , what is correct talking sonics is up to each and own.
I personally like the sense of analog's relaxation. Smoothness/ calamity, weight and highten sense of opening the recorded space.

The SSC AS pucks has been tried in 3 and 4 and with different cup-spikes.

All in all they give a musical sound. However, i feel the height especially in top and mid is not on level with Solid tech. Though, they give weight and smoothness aswell as a further nuanced bass.

SSC feets prove to have something going on, but as is i will try Entreq before any purchase of a platform.

I like the idea of a platform, but some are very expensive and some custom tuned for specific weights (nice, but less nice if changing equiptment).
The Entreq feets have done great things with the PL 300 and my former speakers.

I await this package of Cat feets and hope to be able to find what i look for..

For US or any abroad parts innterested:

http://www.entreq.com/default.asp?PageId=1921

inpieces May 24, 2010 10:37

I started off with some isolation feets.
First on the Wadia 381.

I begun with Solid tech's - Disc of Silence.
Basically, a spring loaded set of feets.
This is the kit of 4 feets.

As is, i believe the Signalcabel combo of IC and PC is a bit thin and laidback/ shy in bass.

I also use a budget PC, Jorma JPC.

Changing only to the JPC at Wadia, yields in a more relaxed, slightly more diffuse image.
Balance is better in treble, mid and bass.

Setting the Disc of Silence for the weight of Wadia.
This came out very different from what i though and expected.
The first thing is that treble is very much extended and the whole balance changes. Mid is thinner and bass super tight. Almost like the music is carved out in glass.

Even so, with the JPC PC. I did not even bother to use the Signalcable PC as this was very much the wrong direction.

I took the Solid tech feets of and put back the ones i used before.

Next i set the Disc of silence under my C-500.
Expecting smaller changes and no good ones, since Wadia reacted as it did

How wrong.

Supporting C-500 proved a even better image. More defined and clear. No over exposed treble, no thin mid.
Rather as if it came through with a better silence and further improved definition.

How weird that the C-500 and Wadia could differ so much in results.

Next set of feets i used.

German SSC AS pucks.
A set of 4 feets.
SSC also makes platforms.

I tried using 4 feets, one under each of Wadias feets.
That is, spikes and cups.
AS pucks put under these.

I also decided to use, only 3 of AS under the Wadia.

To support this, i used 3 units of face to face spikes.
These are in cups.
In reality, it is 6 feets and they are supported face to face.
I set these on top of the SSC AS pucks and Wadia supported on top.

This yield a more relaxed in linear overall balance.
I noticed a more smooth top, a slightly richer mid.
Bass goes deeper with slightly better impact and weight.

All in all, a more composed and relaxed balance, with better weight. A sense of harmoni.

Wadia and C-500 likes different supports it seems!
Wadia seem to better like solid contact and not floating/ elevated supports in terms of feets.
On the contrary, the C-500 seemed to gain from this support. An even better openness, image and defintion.

As is, i don't doubt that the Wadia is even further enhancing it's qualities with a platform.

Just changing/ leveling with feets and PC's seems like using tone/ balance controls.
A bloated bass, shy mid or over exposed treble could be changed for the better by no small margins.

Now, i just wait and see what a new PC can do for Wadia.

inpieces May 21, 2010 13:29

What is appearant with the Wadia and settings.
I use Algorithm A as first choice due to the better focus and image depth.
IF, if (when) playing an older (or newer but harsh) cd that is a bit harsh. I tried using Algorithm C. Clearly smoother but not same coherency of image/ soundfield. When changing back to Algo A, turning volume down to 97 instead of 100. It becomes smoother.
Even so when i turn up volume (compensate) of Continuum 500.
As is, i find it a better choice using Algo A all the time.
This is lead me to conclude, that Wadia is better used as cdp only. Not using Wadias volume (pre) as pre amp into a power amp without a separate pre amp.

However, if used in conjunction with an integrated with a inferior pre-section, it might yield other results!?
Some integrated allows users, to use only the power amp section and bypassing the pre-section

As i have been informed, right or wrong? The C-500 houses a pair of 501 mono's and the capri pre amp. On top of that a PFC.
All separates are shielded inside the C-500 chassis.

inpieces May 14, 2010 18:22

Today i used Wadias own spikes. I did so with and without an extra set of rubber feets.
These were inserted under the Wadia cups.
I heard that sound became harder in tone. Less smooth and lacking a bit of width and weight.

I thought it was my ears ringing.

I disambled them and inserted the ones i did.

Bass deepens and weight is more full, and a smoothness and more liqud sound with a highten sense of micro dynamics is the result.

These are two metal cups, inside is a rubber coated insert.
The spikes rods never touch the cups holes.
In this is a spike, the whole spike surface is of rubber.
Between the spike and metal cup it is self adhessive damping material.

I now will try another set of feets.

I hope they are even better. In worst case they are worse and thinn sounding.

I also built a hanger for my 242 ceiling fixed panel. Now it is hanging horizontal. It is a 1-½ inch air gap between ceiling and panel.
I must say. Side reflections are easy to block with furniture or thick curtains. Ceiling is doing a greater effect than we might want to believe.

I had a discussion with dealer, regarding Furutech line-flux IC and PC.
I guess i can not afford this. They seem very good. Dealer bult own Furutech after all rules. H etold me he could just not understand what Furutech did. The ready made was so much better.

Still, HT Photon-link II (xlr) and battery pack 4 is on top of wish list.
It would be wise as Wadia is set at 2.13 v output.
Photon-link need 2-2.5 v. Optimal is 2.5v.

I belive one thing that makes 381 and C-500 soundng so great might be the superb match of input and output impedance. 48 K ohms at C-500 and 51 K ohms at 381.

Now, i just have to work out more at farting money:)
No results so far:(

inpieces May 14, 2010 14:28