SRA VR vs. Ohio

Hello Speeddeacon,

Yes, I am using the Supratek Cortese preamp. The VR bases made a huge improvement in an already wonderful sounding preamp. The music has more impact and the space between instruments is more defined. Bass has a more solid feel and is more tuneful. The individual bass notes can be clearly heard even when the bass is further back in the mix. The music also flows better. I find that I can play music at low volume levels and still get the impact and feel of the music. I don't know the price of the Ohio class bases, but you could probably put VR bases under your entire system for the budget you have. Talk to Kevin at SRA, as he is a wealth of information. He will not steer you wrong.

speeddecon

the craz is $4k - 10K
I've seen a double setup here with $15k in craz units
the Ohio grade is pricey as well and sometimes shows up on audiogon used

I forgot to mention that the SRA bases are custom made for each piece of equipment. It is not a good idea to buy a used one that is not meant for your particular piece of gear. Kevin has a huge data base of equipment. he takes into account the size, weight, and weight distribution of each piece. The bases for my Cortese look exactly the same, but they have different weight to them. On the back of each iso base is a label stating the piece of equipment it was made for.

Yup, the SRA products are designed for components of specific weight, including a consideration of distribution of that weight. Still, one can get a rough idea about how additional dampening will affect particular components, by trying another component on a similar platform.

I have personally found such platforms useful for most components, particularly, my amplifiers (tube monoblocs). But, I have found that for some CD players, some platforms altered the sound too much (most well designed systems are, in a sense "tuned" so any drastic change is not going to be good). For example, when a dealer friend tried a Symposium Ultra platform under an Aero Capitole player, the sound became WAY too dry and analytical.

Speeddeacon,

First, the CRAZ is not completely component specific like the VR or Ohio Class bases are. The isoPods under the shelves are customed designed for the weight of the components you are planning on putting on each shelf and can be replaced at no cost if you change components. The CRAZ, however, will not attenuate resonance/vibration quite as well as the VR or Ohio Class especially under the amps. My CRAZ was made so that I could use the VR bases with it if I wanted to, with the CRAZ addressing part of the frequency spectrum and the VR bases the other - but you do not have to use VR bases with a CRAZ.

All of that said, your budget will necessitate using the VR Series. This is no problem as they are incredibly effective in addressing vibration the proper way.

In MY system and experience, the Ohio Class bases basically just gave me 15-20% more of everything the VR series did. With SRA platforms - either VR or Ohio Class - you can expect the bass to get more defined but extend deeper and with increased harmonic richness, the mids to get clearer and more natural and the highs to extend higher but with less grain and glare. The other noticable effect is this feeling that you have just unleashed a retaining wall around your music - everything seems less "hi-fi" and more expansive but in a natural effortless way. As I said, these traits apply to both the VR and Ohio Class but you get a bit more with Ohio Class bases (e.g., even cleaner and deeper bass etc.). Since I type so slowly, I again refer you to the reviews which will give you more detail.

Hopefully this will help but call Kevin and get his input and don't forget to tell him I said he is NUTS (in a good sort of way!).