Halcyonics under my tt. Wow

Here's an option for under $3000.

It'd be quite an ear-opener if you added some basic room treatments at the first order reflection points and on the hard glass/plaster wall behind your speakers.

Minimum results likely on an order of magnitude equal to the $8000 Halcyonic platforms.

Inexpensive, too.

07-05-08: Tbg
Nowhere near the magnitude of the Halcyonic even using the best treatments I have found, the Acoustic Revive QR-8s.

If you say so.

I have never in your system photos any real room treatments of the type that are commonly found in studios, dedicated listening rooms and theaters: baffles, diffusers, drapes, etc. Look at Mikelavigne's system, or others for examples.

Just think of the possibilities if you were to try some treatments of the standard variety; the level of detail, nuance and resolution you'd gain by knocking out the spurious back wall and side wall reflections.

Wall hangings, baffles and the like can cost in the hundreds, not thousands.

You have certainly invested large sums in esoteric room tweaks, and that's your prerogative. You should certainly spend your dough how you wish.

But your real argument is that I have failed to focus on what has the biggest effect.

Yes.

I would say that the Halcyonics is far more important than any of the above in their impact on my sound.
Tbg (System | Threads | Answers)

I wouldn't expect you would say otherwise.

I think also that you grossly underestimate the Halcyonics for whatever reason.
Tbg (System | Threads | Answers)

Not true at all.

However, seeing your room and the hard surfaces that surround your components, I cushion your revelations with the belief that you could reap significant benefits through substantially less expensive measures.

Were you to treat your room with basic acoustic treatments, perhaps with the guidance of a professional such as Rives Audio (no relation...just comes immediately to mind), I suspect you would reap stunning benefits from your more esoteric tweaks. That's the bottom line.

I suspect you are accustomed to, and enjoy, the live, "bouncy" sound of your room, and subsequent adjustments improve what you hear in the present paradigm. I also suspect that traditional acoustic treatments likely shift the paradigm to something that's unfamiliar, less bouncy, and less enjoyable to you.

Thus enters YMMV.

Bouncy, as in the sound waves bounce off hard surfaces thus creating a very live sound, versus a room utilizing acoustic treatments resulting in a more controlled sound.

Just an observation. No hidden meaning or disrespect intended.

Tbg, I wrote what I meant. No disrespect intended.

Thanks.

07-06-08: Tbg
Tvad, as we know from previous exchanges, I proceed by trying things and you persist with a theory of what works.

I utilize the techniques I have mentioned, so it's not simply theory but rather practical application of established acoustic engineering principles that are explainable and repeatable. No magic. No mystery. No quasi science.

I respect your process even though I have no confidence in it.

No confidence in science-based design principles? Your Halcyon is designed using proven, explainable engineering. It's why it works so well.

07-06-08: Tbg
...you should know that I do not feel "established engineering principles" are adequate.

Yet Halcyonics utilizes established engineering principles to design their isolation solutions. You have heard amazing results from a product based on science and engineering, yet you dismiss science and engineering as inadequate.

A conundrum.

They hardly reflect your position for utilizing established engineering principles. They went where no man had gone before.
Tbg (System | Threads | Answers)

You're wrong.

They utilized principles of problem definition, solution using computer aided design and prototypes, performance testing and product refinement, and production planning.

Established engineering. Check their website for more info.

Innovation comes from knowledge of what has gone before, and applying that knowledge to create something better.

I never said Halcyon followed the well trodden path. I said they utilized science, math and engineering to produce an effective product that works. Fortunately for you, you tossed a dart using your methodology of trying many products, and you hit an excellent product that had high probability of working for you...just as it will have a high probability of working in most rooms and environments.

Halcyon uses engineering to solve problems and create solutions.

07-06-08: Tbg
As I said you are wrong about the lack of total scientific knowledge and it mere proper application.

Huh? When did I discuss lack of total scientific knowledge?

I support the Halcyonic unit as being innovative and effective, but the designers did not come upon it by divine intervention I can assure you.

I encourage innovation, and despite what you write about my recommendations, I have never suggested that all should follow only your so-called well trodden path, but I do encourage folks to consider proven techniques.

The well trodden path of acoustic treatment seems to work pretty well for professional sound and film studios. If you've tried the techniques, then you can certainly dismiss them as unappealing to your aesthetic.

I thought you were no longer going to participate in the discussion?

When did I say I wanted people to follow "my so-called well trodden path?

Apparently we both need to work on our syntax.

What does my "aesthetic" mean?

It refers to your personal perception and judgment of how you see and perceive the world.

Why am I supplying definitions to a Phd?

Is using tried and true "professional sound and film studios" the only aesthetic that people should consider.

This is not an aesthetic. This is a technique. It's not the only technique that should be tried, but it's one that should be high on the list.

What happened to science?

Acoustic treatment used in professional sound and film studios is all about science. Acoustics: the science of sound and vibration.

Here's a primer from Nagata Acoustics, the acoustical engineering firm of Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

Halcyonics is ALL about engineering. Check it out.

Halcyonics uses modern design tools, e.g. 3-D CAD modeling software. The key components of the active isolation system, sensors and actuators are positioned in the mechanical setup according to the modular design concept. Simulation tools are used to adapt controller parameters to the customized configuration.

How about that Wimbledon men's final? Phenomenal!

Headquartered in Goettingen, Germany. Second facility in Menlo Park, USA.

So much for a bad economy.

Some of you folks are loaded.

08-19-08: Theaudiotweak
You need to try the non fuse repalacements from Rick at Virtual Dynamics.

Fuses provide protection from damage, and they're installed for a reason by the manufacturer. Isn't replacing them with non-fuse magnets placing one's amps at risk of serious damage...which will not be covered under the manufacturer's warranty?

I recently owned a well regarded amplifier that blew five 8A fuses within six weeks (primarily because I didn't wait long enough after powering down before powering back up).

So, admittedly blowing fuses was due to my knuckleheaded errors, but if it were not for the fuses, the amp would have been toast.

BTW, I went through two $35 upmarket fuses in this time period. I soon went back to the garden variety fuses.

The fuses I blew were Isoclean.

This is not a commentary on the quality of the fuses. They did what they're supposed to do.