SRA VR vs. Ohio

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!).

Frank,

Thanks for your input. I've been talking with SRA and will definitely have to stay in the VR series but won't be able to do all the components at once because the prices are higher than I thought they would be. I'm not sure what component would cost only $350 as listed on their website, but none of my components are near that. So it looks like I'll have to start with a set of VRs for my amps for now and go from there, or look into some less expensive alternatives like Neuance or the like.

I thank everyone for their thoughts and as always appreciate the info.

I have 2 Ohio Class XL+ for my monoblocks...I have a granite floor and thought that it was free from vibration..boy was I wrong...

Once they were installed, the sound just tightened up (bass was no longer loose and the rest began to focus better)...Sure there is residual boomyness in my set up, but this is due to the fact that my room is untreated.

If anything, go for the amps first, this way you can figure if you want to do the rest..

As Slowhand says, these units are built specific to your amps or other components..

I have not tried other isolation bases...but using HRS Nimbus (muddied the sound), ceramic cones kinda thin out the sound and Cardas blocks dont do anything much...

In fact, after putting these XL+ in, it showed up the weakness in my source...sound was not so alive as compared to before...

Hope this helps....

Larryi, your experience with an Ultra under an AA Cap begs further information, i.e., what electronics/speakers were downstream - not to mention what music was being played. In my system the results are a polar opposite to your observation. The sound is readily more articulate, yes, but the music is much more liquid and the soundstage is immediately larger and more transparent - certainly not dry and analytical. The AA Cap NEEDS to be isolated...IMO. Further, just as there is a greater tendency to achieve system synergy by employing components/cabling from the same manufacturer, there is a distinct advantage to using (in this example) devices from the same manufacturer; Rollerblocks and Ultra -or other - platform from Symposium. I would recommend that the next time you attend CES or RMAF you find the time to visit Symposium's room and arrange to hear an A/B session...WHOA, I won't go there...

Would have been wise to qualify that observation with a YMMV...

I don't recall the specific associated electronics, but the system had Avantgarde Duos and tube electronics. The Ultras and roller balls worked well under everything, except the CDP. It's not that the system sounded bad, just leaned out the sound a touch too much. I think results are system specific and a matter of "tuning" the sound. It is BECAUSE these things are so effective and they do substantially alter the sound that results will vary substantially.

I personally use Ultra platforms and rollerballs under my amp and linestage. I also use Svelte Shelves under my speakers. With my current CDP (Naim CDS3), these devices help a little, but I actually cannot practically use them because there is not enough room in my rack (the player is a top loader).

I have seen the Symposium demonstration at a dealer and at CES. It is quite impressive.