Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

It seems to me that the Gold Note amplifier’s DF switch is actually manipulating the level of NFB. As NFB is increased the DF increases and the output impedance and gain level decreases.

I have no experience with the Townsend isolation platforms but I do not doubt their ability to improve the performance of speakers and audio components. Effective management of resonance and vibration is definitely worth pursuing.

I can attest to the considerable positive attributes of the Star Sound Apprentice platforms beneath speakers and components. These are excellent well engineered products. Their impact is undeniable in my audio system.
Geoffkait's  explanation for the necessity of a wide/large footprint to ensure good isolation  makes much sense to me.
Charles

Hi David, I remain to be convinced by the benefit of spikes generally. I’m in the Max Townshend, Barry Diament, Peter Bizlewicz, Geoff Kait camp of isolation control.

Pity Munich is cancelled, I was looking forward to meeting up with Cube.

david_ten
How are your speakers setup on the Townshend platforms? Stock spikes / similar to @toetapaudio ’s OR some other arrangement? Did setting the speakers on the platforms ’force’ changes in positioning / placement? Thank you.

David--I am using the stock spikes in front and rubber feet in back. I centered them on the Townshend Podiums then leveled them on the side to side access by adjusting the Podiums’ feet. I used the placement I had found optimal before, about 36" from side walls and 20" from front wall (measured from back of speaker). I asked Jon what impact it might make to raise the drivers 1 3/8" off the floor using the Podiums. He said I might need to angle the speakers slightly more towards the listening chair, but I haven’t found the need to do this. (BTW I have found the angle of the speakers toward the listening chair to be the most critical set up adjustment. Very slight adjustments will impact tonality: the more toed in the more emphasis on higher frequencies. Since my listening is fairly near field (8’ from speakers 7’ apart) I don’t find the toe in impacts the soundstage as much as tonality. Even with the speakers facing straight ahead I get a strong, well defined central image.

I have noticed using other speakers on the Townshend Podiums that I could hear no difference between placing the speakers without feet on the podiums (Townshend’s recommendation and obviously not possible with the Nenuphars given it’s bottom port and back slant) and using feet, whether they be spikes or cones. But that may vary by speaker.

An interesting early impression of the Nenuphars on the Podiums makes them sound more forgiving of recording technique, although there is no doubt they are also more resolving. Kind of a conundrum. The entire presentation is just more relaxed and open.

While I'm at it, I'm also going to post the results of the amplifier shoot out between the LTA Ultralinear and the PL SIT-3.  Yes, I know, the Nenuphars are probably not fully broken in, but at around 75 hours I think the changes from here will be subtle and not alter the difference I hear between these two wonderful amplifiers.

Both these amps display terrific synergy with the Nenuphars.  The difference being a matter of taste.  To borrow from Srajan when he compared the Bakoon to the SIT-3 on page 6 of his Cube Audio Mini Basis review, the LTA was "a Nordic summer day" and the SIT-3 a "Tuscan afternoon, early fall."  Which translates to many things having to do with detail, mid range, base and tempo.  The LTA rendering detail more prominently, with a leaner mid range, a slightly more refined base and PRAT that was quicker, more forward.   It made me sit up and take wonder.  With the SIT-3 detail was more in balance, the mid range richer, the base deeper and rounder, and PRAT, well this is where it gets tricky, because there was something that made the SIT-3 more engaging, that pulled me into the music more, sometimes to a very emotional degree.  My suspicion is it had something to do with PRAT, although none of those ingredients really called attention to themselves. Maybe it was greater second harmonic distortion?  Bottom line: it would be nice to keep both amps to enjoy Nordic summer days and early fall Tuscan days as the mood struck me.  But that seems a little excessive. I'm very happy here in Italy where "The light is softer.  Edges are gentler. The breeze is warmer.  Lunches are far longer."