Seismion - new active isolation platform from Germany

[Seismion]

This idea was from the distributor, I was using without before, just tried to see if it makes difference or not, but with or without did not make any difference, thanks

We are sorry to hear about your issues with the isolators. Obviously they are not working correctly, since nobody has ever reported such a behaviour to us. Also from the reaction of the other users in this thread you notice that this is not common.
Most likely, this is a result of a transport damage. Strong shocks or impacts can cause damage to the internal sensors, which are not visible from outside.
Even though we don't know exactly where and when this happened, we would like to offer you a free check and repair of your units. The satisfaction of our loyal customers is our top priority.
Let's continue this in a PM, and we will arrange everything with your distributor.

Seismion

 

[Jazzjunkie]

I've tried few high quality linear PSU with my seismions. However, I realized that peak current delivery is very important. I ended up using LHY Audio LPS80VA and LPS160VA models, because despite their modest price the peak current delivery being 5A+, made the Seismion sound better than other more expensive linear PSU I tried which were 12V/3A max.

So far I assumed a linear PS for the Seismions mainly makes sense for those who don't have a dedicated power cirquit for the setup, as then a SMPS would pollute the setup's cirquit more than a linear PS.

Is there any theory (from a user or Seismion) why a different PS than the one supplied should really help the platform to work better (and why)?

 

[Zeotrope]

I think it comes back to the fact that the component is working with the quality of power that comes in. The motors that adjust the Seismion are going to have some 'noise' based on the quality of the incoming power, and that noise will be transferred to the base.

 

[TLi]

So far I assumed a linear PS for the Seismions mainly makes sense for those who don't have a dedicated power cirquit for the setup, as then a SMPS would pollute the setup's cirquit more than a linear PS.

Is there any theory (from a user or Seismion) why a different PS than the one supplied should really help the platform to work better (and why)?

Better power supply improves the performance of Seismion. I have tested this issue again and again.

The important thing is to have enough current for transient delivery. Reactio draws current when needed to counteract incoming vibration. The attack of a drum strike requires quick action to stabilize. Most HiFi linear power supply focus on clean DC power and not quick transient response. To tackle that, one needs a high current power supply for say 10A or more. It doesn't mean Reactio will draw this amount of current but the high current supply capacity improve the linearity and headroom. This gives better sound that you can easily notice. I tried many times already.

 

[Zeotrope]

Makes sense. It's one of the reasons I love the Farad Super series of power supplies - they have massive supercaps that can deliver current much faster than a traditional PSU.

I am just about to install the Super6 for one of my Seismion units this week, replacing a Teddy Pardo PSU. The Super6 has 2.3-8.3F (depending on voltage) of capacitance.
EDIT: The 12V has 4.2F (4.200.000uF) effective capacitance on its working voltage and around 48.000uF of low ESR conventional electrolytics, and 150uF of foil capacitors in the output stage.
The Super10 has even more, but is probably overkill for this task.

Super6 - Farad

faradpowersupplies.com

 

[Zeotrope]

Farad Super6 now powering the Seismion base for the Wolf von Langa Field Coil PSU. Wow, I was not expecting this level of improvement!
There is more “grip” on each note, especially low end. Vocals sound more “rich”. I know it's cliche but it really is closer to live music.

I love and hate this about this hobby: a better power supply for an active vibration platform under another power supply (for a field coil magnet) can improve the sound significantly! Note that I was already using an LPS, I never used the 'wall wart'. Absolutely incredible!

I think Farad makes the best PSU for the money right now. I have not seen anything else with this level of technology and such a large supercap storage. I have no affiliation with them, just sharing what I think. They are also a pleasure to communicate with.

 

[Jazzjunkie]

The motors that adjust the Seismion are going to have some 'noise' based on the quality of the incoming power, and that noise will be transferred to the base.

I’m really interested for what reason the sound gets better with an LPS attached to the base as you say. There can be various reasons, one of them, that the base itself performs better.

In no way I’m someone who asks for measuring proof of sound quality differences, but it would be very interesting if and in which way and magnitude Seismion can measure isolation performance differences of the base by changing the SMPS to an LPS.

 

[jbrrp1]

I’m really interested for what reason the sound gets better with an LPS attached to the base as you say. There can be various reasons, one of them, that the base itself performs better.

In no way I’m someone who asks for measuring proof of sound quality differences, but it would be very interesting if and in which way and magnitude Seismion can measure isolation performance differences of the base by changing the SMPS to an LPS.

I second this! As an owner of multiple Seismions, I would urge @Seismion to undertake comparisons and publish the results.

 

[TLi]

There are over 20 pieces of Seismion in my system and the corresponding number of linear power supplies for them. Better power supply does give better sound. The result is very obvious.

The main reason is the spontaneous power draw drops DC voltage in any power supply. The drop is less significant in high current LPS because of better headroom and improved linearity. I now use many LPS's with 10A or above for Seismion and the result is much better sound.

I highly recommend Seismion users to try this out, in fact most high current LPS is not that expensive compared with the price of Sesmion.

 

[Lee]

Shane at MIBS, the US distributor, sent me a Reactio 2 which arrived yesterday. I am still experimenting but right now it is under my modified Revox PR99. It definitely has solidified the imaging and there seems to be more weight to the bass. The cymbals on Waltz for Debby have more clarity.

Impressive device so far. More resolution, more relaxed sound.

 

[Lee]

P.S. We will be placing it under line conditioners and my phono stage.