I recently upgraded my amp stand to the very nice Grand Prix Monaco pieces. The upgrade did allow me to hear more resolution over the old stands ( pretty easy to hear...although some ???'s still reside in my memory). Now, these stands allow for a few upgrades themselves. The upgrades consist of different feet ( called Apex, which substitute the stock excellent spikes for a compound carbon fibre foot) and the shelf that the amp rests on ( stock is an excellent lexan shelf) for a composite carbon fibre/ kevlar shelf called the F1. Upon replacing the feet, I thought I heard some differences in the presentation, not all positive...as I wasn't sure, but I did think that the Apex feet added a very very slight loss in the bass resolution...BUT overall I think ( key word being think!) added more information across the rest of the spectrum. ( Now we are talking minimal differences here).So, next up was to replace the stock shelf with the upgraded Formula 1 shelf.....
Here's the thing of it, unlike swapping cables or a major component-- we are talking of a shelf under a component! ( and one that sits one another stand itself). To accomplish this, I have to move my amp off the stand ( an interesting choice in itself, why...because I own two (2) different amps. One tube...and weighing a measly 60+ lbs and the other a ss amp, which weighs in at a more robust 100+ lbs!) Which one do you think I chose to move, LOL. Nonetheless, moving the chosen amp was not an operation that occurred in five seconds or less! Are we getting at my dilemma here?? I have just listened to the lexan shelf and want to now AB it with the Carbon shelf. My aural memory is pretty good...NOT that good!!!!!
So here is my point. Put yourself in the poor audio reviewer's shoes, he has to do a write up of the latest upgrade from company A ( you name it) and he has to write several paragraphs on this item. Poor guy has to compare the differences between the shelf ( or you name it component) and the old shelf...Yikes!!
Anyone else have a dilemma like this one. ( BTW, the new carbon shelf is not by any means a cheap upgrade on the system!).
Here's the thing of it, unlike swapping cables or a major component-- we are talking of a shelf under a component! ( and one that sits one another stand itself). To accomplish this, I have to move my amp off the stand ( an interesting choice in itself, why...because I own two (2) different amps. One tube...and weighing a measly 60+ lbs and the other a ss amp, which weighs in at a more robust 100+ lbs!) Which one do you think I chose to move, LOL. Nonetheless, moving the chosen amp was not an operation that occurred in five seconds or less! Are we getting at my dilemma here?? I have just listened to the lexan shelf and want to now AB it with the Carbon shelf. My aural memory is pretty good...NOT that good!!!!!
So here is my point. Put yourself in the poor audio reviewer's shoes, he has to do a write up of the latest upgrade from company A ( you name it) and he has to write several paragraphs on this item. Poor guy has to compare the differences between the shelf ( or you name it component) and the old shelf...Yikes!!
Anyone else have a dilemma like this one. ( BTW, the new carbon shelf is not by any means a cheap upgrade on the system!).