Stands and sound quality

[bobbasrah]

It is based on the knowledge and experience I've gained from the above experimentation that is the reason why I place all my equipment on Mana stands, to the substantial benefit of my appreciation of recorded music. Others here, with similar experience, have chosen the same or different paths, in terms of their choice of stands, but which have led to achieving the same result.

I can't put it any better than that

Marco.

Accepted Marco, from your trial and error you deduce that Mana stands are the answer for your listening levels, environment and equipment, but that neither means that a specialist stand is essential nor that the "kitchen table" would not necessarily suit another situation.

One lad back home is using the same cut down oak dresser on castors (retrospective sacriledge) because it is vibration free on his carpeting almost 30 years after I cut off it's barley twist legs. Equipment, decorations and carpet have all changed, the customised dresser remains.

Perhaps in the transition from vinyl/valve to digital/ss, vibration has perhaps been too readily overlooked, as has been equipment placement and listening room dampening/attenuation. No two scenarios are ever the same, and neither are the solutions.

However, it is not beyond the wit or capability of anyone, to make their own custom stands to minimise vibration, and tweak the kit with replacement feet, glass coasters, or squash balls, etc to take out that nth effect. A well made stand is a joy, but not the sole preserve of mass manufacturers.

[JJack]

I think that, like anything else in audio, you just have to try things and see what works (or doesn't) in your own environment, and with your own system. Quite simply, in any area of audio, there is no substitute for practical experience.

What I dislike are conclusive (rigid and inflexible) opinions being formed about stands (or anything else, for that matter), which are based merely on idle theory, scientific or otherwise, or plain bias, thorugh ignorance. You have to try things for yourself and listen. Then let your OWN ears be the judge. *That* is the only way which GENUINE learning and discoveries are possible. And if you can't trust your own ears, then take up a different hobby!

As far as my own experience is concerned, I've been experimenting with various specialist equipment stands, which have been designed to optimise the sonic performance of audio equipment, since around 1990, and over that time have learned much in this area; an example of such being that the effects of microphony in audio equipment are very real, and these are not addressed effectively by placing equipment on commercial furniture.

It is based on the considerable knowledge and experience I've gained from this experimentation that is the reason why I place all my equipment on Mana stands, to the substantial benefit of my appreciation of recorded music. Others here, with similar experience, have chosen the same or different paths, in terms of their choice of stands, but which have led to achieving the same result.

I can't put it any better than that

Marco.

I use good stands, but honestly I do it more to remove gross variables than because I can hear any difference (maybe all the stands I've tried are good?).

[JJack]

I think that the key to building the best system is in having an inquisitive mind. And also in always striving for excellence, seeking to get closer to one's idea of 'perfection', whilst simultaneously expanding one's music collection, and so therefore always remaining focussed on what is the means to an end.

It's about dotting the I's and crossing the T's, attending to the (seemingly) small details, which often turn out to have a large sonic influence, adopting lateral thinking in the process and being willing to experiment, using the knowledge gained to form valid opinions, and not simply having the mindset of buying the best equipment one can afford and assuming that this alone will guarantee the best sound, which rarely proves to be the case.

I've always said that I'd rather have a £5000 system, where genuine sonic synergy has been achieved, through judicious equipment selection, and the optimal set-up of the equipment used, via the use of specialist cables (which need not be stupidly expensive), stands and power management (optimisation of how equipment is powered from the wall socket), than a £50,000 'badge-fi' system, simply plugged into a noisy house electrical ring-main (or whatever), connected together with bell-wire and plonked on an old coffee table.

And from experience, I can virtually guarantee that the former will sound much more enjoyable and musically convincing!

Marco.

But that's a little like saying a good system is better than a bad system, notwithstanding price. No argument with you there.

Instead, let's assume the cables, power supply (I have a dedicated 20 amp line), system synergy, etc. are held constant ... if that's the case, how much more would I need to spend over your 5,000 to get your performance, assuming that I rest my amplifier on a bookcase and you have yours on a bespoke stand?

Is it like the difference between a Shure 97 and a Shelter 501?

I hope this isn't coming across as argumentative, but I find your 5,000 vs. 50,000 comment fascinating and I'm trying to quantify it in a way I understand.

[chelsea]

Other than a good shelf for my tt i've found racks to make no difference.
Usually just gone for the one that looks the nicest.

[goraman]

Stands can make no difference or a huge difference.
If you are using book shelf monitors and want clean tight bass you had better have solid coupling to the floor or wall.
A 120 lb. stand filled 50/50 with very fine lead shot and white sand spiked to the floor will give you far better bass than a wooden stool.

If you are running tube gear or a turntable and unsheilded interconnects you need heavy stands that dampen micro phonics.

If you have a Bose system you got at Costco with your club card,aluminum patio furniture,cardboard boxes and folding TV trays are highly recommended.

The whole thing is not about price but need according to the physical weakness in the gear your using.
Some gear can with stand a good degree of vibration and even shock(consumer grade black plastic electronics).

Some gear is more sensitive and depending on environmental conditions my need a supportive foundation.

The thing is you could spend a pile of $$$$$$$ and buy the finest equipment in the world but unless you tune it to the environment (the room) and match for synergy with the music you like, spend some time sorting out little nodes and artifacts it's just a waste of money.

It's not unlike buying a E type Jag and driving it 12,000 ft. above sea level with out adjusting the air /fuel mixture, re syncing the carbs, adjusting the timing maybe even spark gap and expecting it to run like a Jaguar E type.

You just have to work it out for your self at the end of the day, that is what makes your system special and unique to you as it is more than just the sum total of it's parts.

Or this over size glass of crown Royal has screwed my brain and then ignore this post, Well let the moderators and members weigh in.

[JJack]

Stands can make no difference or a huge difference.
If you are using book shelf monitors and want clean tight bass you had better have solid coupling to the floor or wall.
A 120 lb. stand filled 50/50 with very fine lead shot and white sand spiked to the floor will give you far better bass than a wooden stool.

If you are running tube gear or a turntable and unsheilded interconnects you need heavy stands that dampen micro phonics.

If you have a Bose system you got at Costco with your club card,aluminum patio furniture,cardboard boxes and folding TV trays are highly recommended.

The whole thing is not about price but need according to the physical weakness in the gear your using.
Some gear can with stand a good degree of vibration and even shock(consumer grade black plastic electronics).

Some gear is more sensitive and depending on environmental conditions my need a supportive foundation.

The thing is you could spend a pile of $$$$$$$ and buy the finest equipment in the world but unless you tune it to the environment (the room) and match for synergy with the music you like, spend some time sorting out little nodes and artifacts it's just a waste of money.

It's not unlike buying a E type Jag and driving it 12,000 ft. above sea level with out adjusting the air /fuel mixture, re syncing the carbs, adjusting the timing maybe even spark gap and expecting it to run like a Jaguar E type.
You just have to work it out for your self at the end of the day, that is what makes your system special and unique to you as it is more than just the sum total of it's parts.

Or this over size glass of crown Royal has screwed my brain and then ignore this post, Well let the moderators and members weigh in.

I think it's more like whether a black Jag drives better than a silver Jag.

As an eloquent bit of serendipity, the current audio buying spree I'm on is being funded by the sale of a silver Jag.

[goraman]

A black Jag absorbs more heat making the motor run hotter affecting performance,silver reflects heat also black paint is applied after a heavier coat of primer adding weight affecting the horse power to weight ratio.
Black cars attract more women so there is at least 110 extra pounds unless your into plus size gals then it's even worse,and you would need to add a turbo charger and heavy springs.

Did you sell an E type if so I'm sad for you,if you sold an S type (Ford Taurus) smart move.

[JJack]

A black Jag absorbs more heat making the motor run hotter affecting performance,silver reflects heat also black paint is applied after a heavier coat of primer adding weight affecting the horse power to weight ratio.
Black cars attract more women so there is at least 110 extra pounds unless your into plus size gals then it's even worse,and you would need to add a turbo charger and heavy springs.

Did you sell an E type if so I'm sad for you,if you sold an S type (Ford Taurus) smart move.

Excellent points all.

[goraman]

Place a couple of these under each amp they work wonders.
They weigh nearly 552 U.S. pounds each so get help from a friend and lift with your knees.

[JJack]

Place a couple of these under each amp they work wonders.
They weigh nearly 552 U.S. pounds each so get help from a friend and lift with your knees.

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