First , I just picked up Critical Mass as a line for my company as I am in the initial stages of cherry picking lines for my new business Rainwater Audio . I pick lines I want to own in my reference system . My thoughts are that if the lines are good enough to satisfy me then they should appeal to others with good systems as well. My comments should be taken for what you feel they are worth. Having traversed through the minefields of isolation I have come to realize how important vibration control is . I have great respect for many of the companies out there as I personally own nearly a dozen lines that I have in 3 systems at this stage. David Elrod of Elrod power systems is a genuine person in audio and I listen with respect when he speaks. At CES , I went to the Elrod , Joule Electra , Critical Mass room at the Alexis. Both Mr Barber as well as David spoke very highly of Critical Mass isolation platforms. When I settled in back home I researched the company . Joe Lavrencik owner designer was pretty hush hush about the design but offered to let me try 2 Master Reference Platforms for my Conrad Johnson LP 140 monoblocs. Packed very well and beautiful built , I placed them in the system and heard nothing . I had replaced top of the line Sistrum for these. It actually sounded worse than the Sistrum . I called Joe and he said to wait 160 hours for break in . He explained that since the component sits on the :inner: platform , I should expect it to " settle " . I was told that the sonics would swing wildly and I possibly might have to adjust toe in of the sppeakers as a result. I have been to new Orleans and I know VooDoo when I hear it so I chuckled and went to the beach and when returned , there were 200 hours on the stands. That Monday I fired the system up and let it burn for a couple of hours before listening . To say I was astonished at what these platforms had done for my system would be a serious understatement. At this stage , this sounds like a pitch for the company but I am not shilling anything . I will say that the platform turns floor , airborne and component mechanical vibration into heat and dissapates it inside the platform draining it in effect if I understand him correctly . Personally , this is one of the few times I would gladly descend in to "hyperbole hell" and paint myself into a corner . They are that amazing . Every one of you that value isolation platforms owes it to yourself to try these components. He has recently made a significant improvement over earlier designs so I am told and they surpass in performance any previous model he has made up until now. I am sold completely . Brent Rainwater Rainwater Audio .
