realysm42
07-04-2013, 12:41
Here is a review of my custom built isolation platforms, by James of J Cube.
Firstly, I'd like to say James has been great to work with; he provided me with advice and explained all of the option available to me.
He also turned the work round in a very short time frame and delivered when he said he would (little things like that count a lot for me).
When I first got the goods, I was surprised at just how well it was packaged!
(I think someone else on the forum has commented on similar attention to detail)
See below:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/1-1_zps25007d4c.jpg
(ABOVE) He actaully created a box to keep it all safe, without dinks (this approach worked). I'm going to keep the packagaing, it's that good qaulity :)
Okay, onto the actual product...
All of the platforms came with immaculately bevelled edges and 6mm thread inserts (as requested). The workmanship was top notch.
All of the wood came 'naked'. James gave me some good advice on how to prep the first coat (mix the Liberon oil 50/50 with white spirit to help thin it, apply with a dust free cloth). Which I did:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/3-1_zps49d2f904.jpg
(ABOVE) On the left, the unfinished wood, on the right, the initial, thinned coat of oil.
Btw, I've not done anything woodwork related (included finishing) since secondary school and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I bought some Liberon '0000' grade steel wool and gently polished the wood between coats and then added another layer of oil (undiluted from now on) and left them at least 6 hours between coats.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/4_zpsb0e58116.jpg
(ABOVE) This is them about 3 coats in.
Please excuse the quality of the above photos, they were taken on my piss poor Nokia phone.
So, 4 coats in, I decided I had a colour and finish I'm happy with (the real temptation is to just carry on, but I stopped at about the right point for my taste).
This is how they look finished:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/6_zps9058facd.jpg
(ABOVE) Close up of the grain, vs the 'grain' of my awful dining table (nb, these oak platforms almost weigh as much as the table itself :lol:)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/5_zps2533cc6e.jpg
(ABOVE) Another detail shot, showing the RDC cones (my choice of insulation throughout my system)
In the rack:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/8_zpscb229dbf.jpg
(ABOVE) I might have to move my amp to the top shelf with these in place, to allow it to 'breathe'. The empty shelf at the bottom impatiently awaits my Isotek Evo3 Aquarius...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/9_zps9dab88d7.jpg
(ABOVE) M-dac, sitting snugly and happily isolated.
These platforms aren't finished, but I'm really happy with them so far; I've got some Liberon bees wax from Amazon, so will add a couple of layers of that to the mix as well, I might take some more shots when I've got them fully buffed up.
I can't comment on how they 'sound' my stereo's out of comission for the time being, awaiting all sorts of upgrades but as I see myself slowly drifting towards valve terrority, I'm extremely happy to be using my once redunant RDC gear and having these excellent oak platforms as the method of doing so.
***One final note*** The camera I used to photograph the latter half of the review, whilst better than my phone, still doesn't capture the true lustre of the wood, especially against my pants dining table, please await my system pics thread to really appreciate just how good the wood looks, properly oiled...
I hope you enjoy the review and if you've got woodwork related jobs, give James at J Cube a shout, he's a top guy to deal with.
Firstly, I'd like to say James has been great to work with; he provided me with advice and explained all of the option available to me.
He also turned the work round in a very short time frame and delivered when he said he would (little things like that count a lot for me).
When I first got the goods, I was surprised at just how well it was packaged!
(I think someone else on the forum has commented on similar attention to detail)
See below:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/1-1_zps25007d4c.jpg
(ABOVE) He actaully created a box to keep it all safe, without dinks (this approach worked). I'm going to keep the packagaing, it's that good qaulity :)
Okay, onto the actual product...
All of the platforms came with immaculately bevelled edges and 6mm thread inserts (as requested). The workmanship was top notch.
All of the wood came 'naked'. James gave me some good advice on how to prep the first coat (mix the Liberon oil 50/50 with white spirit to help thin it, apply with a dust free cloth). Which I did:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/3-1_zps49d2f904.jpg
(ABOVE) On the left, the unfinished wood, on the right, the initial, thinned coat of oil.
Btw, I've not done anything woodwork related (included finishing) since secondary school and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I bought some Liberon '0000' grade steel wool and gently polished the wood between coats and then added another layer of oil (undiluted from now on) and left them at least 6 hours between coats.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/4_zpsb0e58116.jpg
(ABOVE) This is them about 3 coats in.
Please excuse the quality of the above photos, they were taken on my piss poor Nokia phone.
So, 4 coats in, I decided I had a colour and finish I'm happy with (the real temptation is to just carry on, but I stopped at about the right point for my taste).
This is how they look finished:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/6_zps9058facd.jpg
(ABOVE) Close up of the grain, vs the 'grain' of my awful dining table (nb, these oak platforms almost weigh as much as the table itself :lol:)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/5_zps2533cc6e.jpg
(ABOVE) Another detail shot, showing the RDC cones (my choice of insulation throughout my system)
In the rack:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/8_zpscb229dbf.jpg
(ABOVE) I might have to move my amp to the top shelf with these in place, to allow it to 'breathe'. The empty shelf at the bottom impatiently awaits my Isotek Evo3 Aquarius...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/9_zps9dab88d7.jpg
(ABOVE) M-dac, sitting snugly and happily isolated.
These platforms aren't finished, but I'm really happy with them so far; I've got some Liberon bees wax from Amazon, so will add a couple of layers of that to the mix as well, I might take some more shots when I've got them fully buffed up.
I can't comment on how they 'sound' my stereo's out of comission for the time being, awaiting all sorts of upgrades but as I see myself slowly drifting towards valve terrority, I'm extremely happy to be using my once redunant RDC gear and having these excellent oak platforms as the method of doing so.
***One final note*** The camera I used to photograph the latter half of the review, whilst better than my phone, still doesn't capture the true lustre of the wood, especially against my pants dining table, please await my system pics thread to really appreciate just how good the wood looks, properly oiled...
I hope you enjoy the review and if you've got woodwork related jobs, give James at J Cube a shout, he's a top guy to deal with.