SRA VR vs. Ohio


I'm on the verge of investing in some vibration isolation platforms for my system. I use one digital box, a two chasis tube pre, mono SS amps, and speakers that have an outboard bass control so I would need 6 pieces in total. That would be some serious $$ if I went with all Ohio Base plus. I'm sure there are plenty out there who own the VR series and the Ohio Plus, so my question is, what differences do you notice between the two, and what components do you use with which?

I'm thinking about starting with all 6 VRs initially then trade up to a Ohios one at a time, starting with the mono amps, in a year or two but welcome any comments or suggestions.

Thanks.
speeddeacon
Speeddeacon,

I have twin Craz plus racks and a pair of Ohio Class XL plus2 isoBASES for my amps. This was way more money than I ever believed I would spend to support and isolate my components, but these SRA products and my dedicated AV electrical circuit system are the best money I have ever spent on audio and video. Other components may come and go in my system, but these are here to stay.

I researched audio isolation platforms from January to May last year. In the course of that research, I not only combed through the available threads here on audiogon and manufacturers' websites, but I spoke by phone with the manufacturers on my resulting short list. I also talked to some of my engineer and physics professor friends for help on who really knew what they were talking about.

It became apparent to me that Kevin Tellekamp knew more about audio isolation than all of the others combined. Besides that, he is a total perfectionist and a really great guy.

SRA is at the top of the food chain of audio component isolation. For sure, there are less expensive alternatives to SRA. I have not heard any of the SRA products other than the Craz plus racks and the Ohio Class XL plus isoBASES. However, personally I would prefer an entry level SRA product over any of the competition because I trust Kevin's science and art and I trust Kevin's character.

If you can swing the VR series over the Tremorless series of isoBASES, I would recommend that you do so because SRA's component specific platforms like the Ohio and VR classes are significantly better than the nonspecific platforms like the tremorless isoBASES.

Some SRA products are upgradable to support a variety of components and some are not. SRA products with the squared option are upgradeable. This includes the Ohio Class XL plus2 and the Craz racks. I don't know whether it includes the VR class, but you should ask Kevin.

It appears to me that you have reached the point in your research at which you should speak directly with Kevin Tellekamp if you have not already done so. Whatever you finally decide, I guarantee that you will be happy that you spoke directly with Kevin.

By now you can see that I agree with most of the comments made by others on this thread who have SRA products.

Best wishes for satisfaction in your component isolation search.

Ed
Ed

your dualing SRA Craz custom racks are producing major component envy. I'm in the process of a major analog upgrade of similar price. I'd love to get a craz 8 down the line and kick myself for not jumping on one I saw listed used here last summer

Tom
Tom,

You have an excellent system, and I'd be interested in your comments on the Zyx Universe. I must tell you, I swallowed hard when pulling the trigger on the Craz Twins as we refer to them. But the sonic and artistic results are worth every penny. Wife and her friends love the look. I love the sound and the clean organization of the gear.

Also easing the burden on the cost was the realization that I can and will keep the Twins for the rest of my life and probably pass them on to my kids, a fairly unique statement about audio gear in my experience.

Ed
Ed

I haven't heard the Zyx Universe in it's final state yet but it's fabulous - very resolving, tonally accurate, great detail and neuance

can't wait to place it in my new triplanar vii arm
I hear it plays well on the graham as well
Mehran of Sora Sounds is great to deal with and found me a lightly used one
I have a galibier table coming next month - then the analog front end will be complete

you have a great wife for her to understand your 'isolation' quest considering the mega$

I still kick myself - I saw a craz 8 rack here on agon for $4k used back in the fall - wonder if he ever sold it

I could spring for a craz rack a little way down the road
single divorced so my only big itmes are kids tuition (gotta love State schools) and audio habit

I'm looking at a Moscode 401 hr amp next
read somewhere on agon of a guy who upgraded his whole system from 20 years ago and his most significant upgrade from a sound improvement end was the craz rack
peaked my curiosity
too funny

found the post

it was your's ed

11-23-06: Cipherjuris
The Silent Running Audio Craz rack costs more than $5,000 but INMO is the best high performance audio rack on the planet. I have upgraded my entire system during the past year, and after my speaker upgrade from my 20-year old Thiel 3.0s to Wilson Sophias and speaker cable upgrade from 16-year old MIT Shotgun to Transparent Ultra MM, the Craz rack made the biggest difference in my system -- bigger than upgrading my amps from ML 20.5s to Lamm M1.2s, my preamp from ML 28 to Ayre K-1xe, CD player from 16-year old Esoteric and Theta to Ayre C-5xe.

And you won't find a nicer or more knowledgeable guy to deal with than Kevin Tellekamp.

Best,

Ed