Footers- Break In? Such A Change.


So, I know components and cables break in and this has always been a source of mystery, not to mention the EE’s and the naysayers who believe firmly it is just not possible.

I am of the mindset based on my actual experience that electronics need power run through them for a time to perform their best. And that may mean hundreds of hours of electrical energy running through the item to fully form.

So, with this understanding I use this as the preamble to what I will describe next.

Footers. You know those little devices we put under our components, speakers etc., to isolate or stabilize the item.

Well, I must disclose that I have always been a tweaker and have tried many of the accessories we add to get the best out of equipment. I have also tried so many footers, many brands, types, even some DIY etc.

Critical Mass makes racks and footers. I have always wanted their racks, but due to my needed configuration just never have tried a rack. But I have tried the footers. The ones I have are called the Center Stage 2(CM2). I have them in the 1.0 and the 1.5 versions. There is also now a newer version called the 2M.

Anyway, these CM2’s is amazing. When you first place them under the equipment the music becomes dull, soundstage is narrow and the highs/lows are restricted. First comments you will have is; WTH?

But, wait about 7-10 days and these footers really open up and improve in all aspects that is important in sound reproduction.

How the heck a footer breaks in is amazing to me? The only thing that makes sense is that they must be adjusting to the weight that is on top of them and it takes that long to adjust.

Anyway, these are kinda relatively expensive but since the newer versions are now out perhaps you can grab some at a good discount. These will probably be the last footers I will ever own… Maybe?

I highly recommend them, even as strange as they are with break in.

ozzy

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Ok, while I've never heard a footer break in, it could make sense if compression of materials within footer would settle over time. However, based on weight of component footers under, the exact final resting point of these materials would be highly variable. Over compress or under compressing these internal materials could result in less than optimum results.

It’s you that changes from day today. It’s what you believe is going to happen that is the magic. Your ears change every day, different days there’s more earwax or it moves inside your canal. It’s how tired you are that day it’s how relaxed you are that day. If you’re rushing it in a hurry and try to listen to music you can’t relax. If you’re having a relaxing day can you go and sit down and listen to your system I bet you the music sounds more magical then on a day if you try and force it. 

It’s you that changes from day today. It’s what you believe is going to happen that is the magic. Your ears change every day, different days there’s more earwax or it moves inside your canal. It’s how tired you are that day it’s how relaxed you are that day. If you’re rushing it in a hurry and try to listen to music you can’t relax. If you’re having a relaxing day can you go and sit down and listen to your system I bet you the music sounds more magical then on a day if you try and force it. 

raysmtb1,

I don’t agree, you probably should try it before you close your mind.

ozzy