@gmdodd Thank You! I’m very happy with my system now. As to CSiB vs. 866…two different amps, both awesome. Coda is actually amazing. It has amazing clarity, speed and is very articulate. Boulder is slightly warmer, a bit more set back and sophisticated in the way it presents music. I can happily live with either of the amps and I wish I could keep both but one of them had to go.
@gmdodd Thank You! I’m very happy with my system now. As to CSiB vs. 866…two different amps, both awesome. Coda is actually amazing. It has amazing clarity, speed and is very articulate. Boulder is slightly warmer, a bit more set back and sophisticated in the way it presents music. I can happily live with either of the amps and I wish I could keep both but one of them had to go.
Great setup- I’m sure it sounds wonderful. I have a similar setup - Boulder 866 & SabrinaX. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the Coda vs Boulder - did you A/B them? What are the main differences in your room. I know that the SabrinaX are meant to be a little warmer than the Sabrina’s. Anyway - great system - I wish I had a dedicated room like that but I’m stuck with the living room for now - still sounds great to me though!
I use the Nobsound springs under many of my components, but not the amps. The amps are considerably heavier than everything else- even my 86lb DAC. But I found the Nobsound springs are not as effective when placed directly under a component. I found they work better under a shelf and the component then sits on the shelf. One of the problems with the Nobsounds is that I cannot get the Fn below about 7-8 Hz regardless of the weight of the component. And that’s with as few springs as possible in the assemblies such that the two halves are almost touching. They can still be effective but the ideal range is 3 Hz. Maybe try the Nosounds under the component platforms and then damping materials between the component and the platform- or just use the factory feet on the components like I do.
The McMaster Carr coil springs worked out nearly perfect for my amps as well as my subwoofers in my HT system. The subs also sit on big butcher block platforms supported by the coil springs. Weighing over 120 lbs each they put the Fn at about 3.5 Hz. The subs sound amazing being isolated from the floor.
Sure thing. Metal springs are linear- F=kx. K being the spring rate which is constant for a metal, coil or leaf spring. That makes the spring/mass system frequency response easily predictable using Fn= sqrt(k/m), m being mass of the system. So with the 48 lb/in springs under our amps only frequencies around the resonance point, Fn= 3.8 Hz give or take, will pass through. That’s what makes springs great isolators.
Rubber can be a good isolator too and rubber also dampens, ie. It absorbs energy turning it into heat. The problem with using rubber as an isolator is that it is non-linear meaning the spring rate changes with load. Coupled with its damping properties rubber often adds coloration to the sound. It‘s non-linear properties make it harder to predict how it will affect the sound of a component. It‘s mostly going to be trial and error. I find metal springs with some dampening material is the best combination for isolation and minimize coloration. The hysterisis inherent in metal springs also provide some dampening on their own, but it doesn‘t hurt to stuff some dense foam inside the coil springs.
One more comment. I know your system rocks. I think you also seem to have the room set up well. It looks like you have the side absorbers set at the first reflection point which is same as me. I just wanted to mention that one way to find that first reflection point is to put a mirror on the side wall. When you can see the tweeter from your listening position in the mirror, that is the reflection point- same with the ceiling absorbers.
Very nice rig. I have the same amps. A couple of things I did was isolate my amps with springs and I put a large patch of constrained layer damping material on the inside of each of the top covers. The damping material eliminates that ting ting sound when you tap on the amp covers but also has a positive effect on the sound. I bought 48 lb/in springs from McMaster Carr and put them under the feet of my amp stands. That isolates them down to about 3.8 Hz or so. The result is more detail and better imaging. It’s worth a try.
I did have the XA30.8 and the X260.8 at the same time. I sold the XA30.8 and am just using the X260.8 right now. The monoblocks retain all the awesome sound qualities of the XA30.8 but have more /better control over the Sabrinas.
@jafant thanks! I am using Furutech FP-S032n on DAC and FP-S55n on preamp. Still undecided on the power cords for the X260.8 amps so for now using Audience Forte f3.
The MoFi UltraDeck is a really nice table. Look into it. You won’t go wrong.
The weights are actually door stops. They have rubber bottoms and don’t scratch. The added weight helps keep the components in place and also looks cool.
Pure and simple system, yeah you have some room treatment, decent components and it looks well thought out. I'm digging the TT, I'm going to look at their product range to learn more. I love my PSM-156 too.
What are those weights (one of them on your DAC) I am curious?
Thanks for sharing your system page, I'm sure you enjoy your music.
