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  3. 170384-163

Spring Theory

In difference to all the talk re: springs, I thought I should try them out in my system.  I tried to find a cheap way for my experiment, and found Nobsound springs to place under my components.  I have an all Ayre system...Unniversal silver disc player, amp, preamp.  All these pieces are anchored to their bench with the use of Audio Point solid brass cones.  The Nobsound devices are well made.   I have read the springs were detached, but the 4 units I got had the springs strongly affixed to anti-slide rubber or similar material on both the bottom and top of the units. The first trial was under the CD player.  At first listen, I immediately preferred the springs, but in my experience, any change would elicit a positive experience in my system, so I sat down to just enjoy the music.  The obvious difference was the positive increase in highs which seemed to provide more definition, air, separation of instruments....all good stuff.  In their favor this increase in the high end brought absolutely no increase in fuzz, haze, resonance, etc.  When returning to the Audio Points, after a bit more listening, I found the reduced high end was not a detriment to the overall sound.. it was like a change in venue, but with the same performers.  One of the CD's I used was Dolly Treasures the CD cut 2 ----Today I Started Loving You Again. Dolly's voice can be harsh on some systems....both the Audio Points and springs reproduced it with clarity....until the middle of the song after a key change and a male voice accompanies her.  At this point, there is a blurring of the voices....maybe a 1/2 degree or less of fidelity.  My preamp has 2 outputs....I use one to connect to my main amp, the other to my headphone amp.  When both outputs are connected at once, there is a very minor decrease in fidelity.  When I discovered that and spoke to Ayre, they told me they are aware, so now I disconnect either of the amps.  I suspect when the duet on Dolly's began and the additional mike was switched in the board, the results followed....all the instruments...drums (dead center) etc. remained the same.  Anyway, my takeaway from this experiment was that both Audio Points and Nobsound are excellent at what they do...the AudioPoints provide a more "golden" sound.   I returned the Nobsound because they weren't a definite improvement,,,,,, and are damned ugly in place..   I do recommend them for their excellent performance.
128x128stringreen
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
stringreen,
Thanks for that comparison. I have been curious about the Nobosound springs. I'd like to add that if you upgraded from the brass Audio Points to one of their Apprentice platforms you would notice a dramatic difference, even when used on a good quality audio equipment rack.
ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 
Thanks for your post Greenbean (😊). I just received my first set of Nobosound springs… thanks for the tip MillerCarbon. They had a positive effect under my 36 pound CD player / DAC… quieter background. So, I ordered three more sets. It would never dawn on me to take them apart. In the past, if I saw springs like that… I was really concerned of them comping apart and not being able to put them back together.

So MC…. 3 for 30 pounds, 4 for 45 pounds, 5 for 65 pounds, 6 for 80 pounds, all for 100? You must have a rule of thumb. I have gotten lazy in my retirement. 75 to 95hours of work per week, sometimes more for 40 years… I’m enjoying enjoying the music. Better system is good too.




fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
Rule of thumb is if no improvement YOU are doing it wrong.
dadork
632 posts
 
I don't know where y'all got your Nobsound springs but mine did not come preassembled. If the ones you ordered did they were probably pre-owned and returned, No biggie as far as that goes.

I got 4 sets of four. I had intended to use them under my speakers but even with all 7 springs they are too heavy. I've got a set under my Parasound Integrated, under my Carver 5 channel amp, under my receiver and just for giggles I have a set under my Bluesound Node.

I only need 3 springs in each puck.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
There are a lot of variations on the Nobsound springs. Mine were machined aluminum that came completely disassembled, with springs in one bag, aluminum pucks and rubber adhesive pads all separate. But some use plastic, acrylic, etc and with different pads. The one thing they have in common, being springs they must be tuned to the load.

The OP clearly didn’t do this and so sorry nice try fuzztone but you can’t pre-empt this one it was user error. Complete with the audio description that I spotted fits to a "T" exactly the sound I knew to expect from his mistake.

Amazing how when you know this stuff it is possible to predict these things so easily. Almost like I know what I’m doing.

All springs need to be compressed at least 1/3 to about 2/3 to work properly. Within that range small adjustments allow tuning that when done properly easily bests all other non-spring solutions other than Soundsmith, which are damped. It is the fact Nobsound aren’t damped that makes tuning so important.

It is a shame the OP didn’t bother to do a search and read any of the dozens of comments from people explaining this. Especially since he went and posted his opinion that will now serve to mislead others who aren’t paying attention. Springs will be written off by him and half a dozen others who could have had better sound but listened to the wrong advice.

Editorial standards (the lack thereof) strikes again. DYODD.
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