SRA for Opus MM2

number95 said:

I concur using better isolation below Transparent networks make a quite dramatic impact. Lower noise floor, better tone color, crystal clear highs and better bass articulation (not stronger but clearer bass tones with much less artifacts). I first tried wooden blocks to keep the networks at a bit higher to floor, the net impact was arguably better but with reservations. Then decided to put Acapella bases (were spare at the time) this time much better with no ifs no buts. Unfortunately used to order a pair of SRA for the networks before trying Acapella, hope they raise the bar or are at least at par with Acapella. I will update this thread after SRA getting delivered.

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number95 said:

I just found time to update this. The impact of SRA bases is hard to believe. I have thought previously they would only make a subtle difference compared to Acapella bases, I was very wrong and SRA one more time has succeeded to surprise me. I have never thought Ref MM2 would be that good. With SRA under networks and Shunyata DF-SS elevetors, I bet my Ref MM2 may beat Opus MM2 without any cable elevetor plus network base in some areas. So, treatment of network with best possible effort is essential to get maximum of Transparent. Ok, if I need to mention a few sonic improvements, the most vital one is clarity, lack of noise, especially high frequencies are crystal clear, those improve transparency and resolution. Fatigue is completely gone, even the most complex musical passages are delivered w/o any stress or harshness. Bass texture is better and lower frequencies are stronger, helping to a more realistic and 3D presentation.

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Frank750 said:

I agree. When I used MIT cables, I placed Stillpoints under the network boxes with remarkable success. Results just as number95 suggests.

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mcduman said:

i told you man. looking forward to hearing your system soon....

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LL21 said:

Hi Frank,
Which Stillpoints did you use? Or do i need to even ask? eek...Ultra 5s?

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Frank750 said:

Lloyd, you should no better than to ask, of course Ultra 5s. I tried some other types I had lying around but the Ultras worked best.
I even tried the Ultra 5s under the MIT boxes placed on Finite Elemente amp stands but it was overkill.

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LL21 said:

Yes, i should have known better indeed! OKAY - so lay it on me. Exactly how did you set these up? One Ultra 5 underneath in the midde of the network box? Or two per network?

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Frank750 said:

Actually, the Oracle MA-X SHD boxes are very large. I used 3 Ultra 5s per, 2 on the back end and one in the middle of the front end. Ridiculous I know. Long gone now along with the Stillpoints.

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number95 said:

I just found time to update this. The impact of SRA bases is hard to believe. I have thought previously they would only make a subtle difference compared to Acapella bases, I was very wrong and SRA one more time has succeeded to surprise me. I have never thought Ref MM2 would be that good. With SRA under networks and Shunyata DF-SS elevetors, I bet my Ref MM2 may beat Opus MM2 without any cable elevetor plus network base in some areas. So, treatment of network with best possible effort is essential to get maximum of Transparent. Ok, if I need to mention a few sonic improvements, the most vital one is clarity, lack of noise, especially high frequencies are crystal clear, those improve transparency and resolution. Fatigue is completely gone, even the most complex musical passages are delivered w/o any stress or harshness. Bass texture is better and lower frequencies are stronger, helping to a more realistic and 3D presentation.

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PeterA said:

I tried a similar experiment with pretty good results, so I have no doubt you hear improvements. In my case it was fairly subtle:

REF XL on a Vibraplane:
View attachment 18614

REF XL on a DIY bubble wrap:

View attachment 18615

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treitz3 said:

Hello and good morning to you blackhawk6969. Please allow me to offer you a warm welcome to the WBF. Glad to have you aboard sir and thanks for sharing your observations.

Tom

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number95 said:

I just found time to update this. The impact of SRA bases is hard to believe. I have thought previously they would only make a subtle difference compared to Acapella bases, I was very wrong and SRA one more time has succeeded to surprise me. I have never thought Ref MM2 would be that good. With SRA under networks and Shunyata DF-SS elevetors, I bet my Ref MM2 may beat Opus MM2 without any cable elevetor plus network base in some areas. So, treatment of network with best possible effort is essential to get maximum of Transparent. Ok, if I need to mention a few sonic improvements, the most vital one is clarity, lack of noise, especially high frequencies are crystal clear, those improve transparency and resolution. Fatigue is completely gone, even the most complex musical passages are delivered w/o any stress or harshness. Bass texture is better and lower frequencies are stronger, helping to a more realistic and 3D presentation.

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microstrip said:

It is known but not proved that the mechanical properties of cables are responsible for a significant part of their "sound" . Changing the support of the cables will naturally make it sound different, but whether it is an improvement or a step back will depend on system and room mechanical properties. I have seen the Nordost Sort Kones or Finite Element ceraballs making significant improvements in systems, but sometimes they make it sound even worst. My listening room floor was built using "audiophile" techniques taken from the description of Winston Ma listening room and the cables spikes of the network boxes seat on soft wood - the effect of using mechanical isolation devices under the Opus networks is not significant.

Curiously I remember that Shunyata Orion speaker cables benefited a lot form using the cable elevators.

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blackhawk6969 said:

Hi Peter,
Just wanted to say thank you, for posting your DIY bubble wrap pic. I tried the tweak underneath my Transparent MusicWave Ultra MM network boxes. The improvement aren't just subtle but clearly audible...increase in overall resolution and better tuneful bass

Many thanks

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Frank750 said:

Lloyd, you should no better than to ask, of course Ultra 5s. I tried some other types I had lying around but the Ultras worked best.
I even tried the Ultra 5s under the MIT boxes placed on Finite Elemente amp stands but it was overkill.

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LL21 said:

Because my Zanden Transport is in for repair, i have 8 Ultra 5s just sitting around along with a number of HRS DPXII plates...

...so i went ahead and did the 'unthinkable' and put 2 each under the TA RefXL MM2 network boxes...and then eventually 3 under each network box. Definitively better, clearer, etc...everything people here have pretty much been saying. I would say it is not equivalent to an upgrade of 1 level up on TA, but it is noticeably better.

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jfrech said:

Damn you guys...now I am going to have to try something soon . Lloyd thanks for posting...a lot of feedback here saying it's better...from guys I trust...

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