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HRS M3X isolation base or Minus-K?

Hi All,

I'm looking for some input about these two platforms under a non-suspended turntable. Anyone have experience with both?

I have a Brinkmann Oasis on the way, for which HRS makes a custom platform. I could buy a Minus-K MB100-8 at roughly the same cost.

Minus-Ks are a known quantity to me because I've used them under two non-suspended decks with great results. I have no experience with the M3X. Either platform will sit on an Adona rack, spiked to a concrete floor.

Minus-K does a great job of isolating from external resonance, especially in the vertical plane, but does nothing for self-noise from the turntable. I found that an additional shelf is needed between the turntable and top-plate of the Minus-K, both to damp this source of resonance and to add enough weight to reach the upper range-limit of the suspension for best performance. An Adona multi-element shelf (granite bonded to MDF) resting upon Vibrapods works very well. (Vibrapods, believe it or not, were better than anything else I tried, including myriad combinations of sorbothane disks, Herbie's Big Fat Dots, etc.)

My sense is that the multiple damping layers of the HRS would address this self-noise better than the Minus-K in combination with an Adona shelf and Vibrapods, but I'm not sure. On the other hand, the HRS almost certainly will not be as effective against external resonance as the Minus-K.

I'm kind of tempted to go with the HRS because Brinkmann recommends it, and because HRS told me in an email, "We know the Oasis table very well. Our custom designs...are based on direct experience with this turntable. Our chief engineer is currently using this table as one of his test turntables."

It's a conundrum.

I welcome any suggestions but I'm especially interested in direct experience comparing these two platforms.

Thanks,
Bill
wrm57

Showing 2 responses by syntax

syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Forget the Vibraplane or the HRS platform; go with the Mapleshade Vibration Control System (brass footers, maple block, and Isoblocks). I quote from the Mapleshade catalog: "In independent head-to-head listening tests, the Mapleshade [VCS] invariably sounds better than $5000 Vibraplane air suspension platforms-much warmer, more detailed, and more naturally dynamic at less than 1/20 the cost. Ditto for expensive composite platforms, sandboxes, and air tube/bladder suspensions from Symposium, Ginko, HRS, Seismic Sink, Bright Star, Nuance, Sistrum, and Silent Running.

That sounds great :-)
I bet, this Mapleshade "solution" is a result of endless research, sleepless nights and a deep understanding in technical knowledge. Real Engineering. Just the best after sliced bread.

The Mother Of High End
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
No Patents pending....?
(This is normal in this "Business). I think, the Ikea unit is the best deal, threw some spikes in it, think you spent $3495,-- instead of $34,95 and it will sound better immediately.
I doubt that these guys have any idea from what they write, a VP has no sound ...what a nonsense. They also have no idea about what-is-responsible-for-what in damping. When a piece of wood is all they have to offer ... Maybe they were in real life some clever guys, here they simply show that they are among hundreds of others who offer some 'ideas' branded with the High End Label.
And the reviewers (let's replace them with Product Placement supporters) normally switch their brain totally off in the hope to get something for free or ads. But this is my private opinion of course :-)
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