Introducing Center Stage 2M

joelavrencikCMS

Industry Expert
Jul 30, 2021
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Center Stage2M

Designed by Joe Lavrencik, Critical Mass Systems​



Introduction

We are very pleased to announce a major revision and replacement to our Center Stage2 audio feet. Each Center Stage2 model has been improved and replaced by Center Stage2M.


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There were several objectives behind the development of Center Stage2M. Firstly, we wanted to build upon the proven approach developed for the LS (loudspeaker) series of Center Stage2 products.

Secondly, each new Center Stage2M product had to be a clear audible improvement over its current facing Center Stage2 relative. In other words, compared to the current CS20.8, CS2 1.0 and CS2 1.5, each new Center Stage2M had to be greatly improved across the audible spectrum.

Finally, and most important, we wanted the performance improvement of each new Center Stage2M product to be so great, it leapfrogged its bigger brother in the current CS2 line up. In better words, the Center Stage2M 0.8 had to be better than the CS2 1.0. The Center Stage2M 1.0 had to be better than the CS2 1.5 and the Center Stage2M 1.5 had to set a new standard for audio footer performance in the industry.

Center Stage2M accomplishes every objective we set by a wide margin. We are thrilled with Center Stage2M and we hope you will give them a try throughout your system. The “M” stands for “MAXX”.

What was the Innovative Approach?


Center Stage2M is direct trickle-down technology garnered from advancements made in the development of the Center Stage2 LS series of loudspeaker feet. The LS series of Center Stage2 products reduce stored loudspeaker cabinet resonances and entropy to a vanishing level resulting in enhanced clarity and musicality across the audible spectrum.

Rather than approaching the problem of reducing vibration using new untested methodologies, we decided to “use the advancements we knew worked well with loudspeakers”. We used tested design fundamentals resting within the discipline of material science to determine the correct sequencing of the Center Stage2M materials. We established the proper proportions of the materials. And, we added damping in the very last stage in an amount that would eliminate the internal noise of the product and the component without rolling off the top end of the acoustic envelope.

How Does Center Stage2M Work?


Gain, Relative Permittivity, and the efficiency of electrical devices can be expressed as dimensionless numbers. For a moment, think of electricity as dimensionless energy moving through 3 dimensional pathways; printed circuit boards, resistors, capacitors, inductors, power supplies, wire, transformers, etc. When vibration is introduced into the atmosphere at the front baffle of the loudspeakers, vibration becomes a 3-dimensional form of energy that can only dissipate by permeating into 3-dimensional objects causing an unnaturally high state of mechanical excitation to occur within them; the objects vibrate. They will continue to vibrate when music is playing and eventually establish a relatively constant state of unnaturally high equilibrium that is well known to degrade the performance of audio components.

Center Stage2M helps components reach their engineered potential in 3 ways. First, they mitigate vibration coming up from the surface below them. Second, they cancel out their own noise. This very difficult accomplishment ensures truth to source material and truth to component engineering design. Third, they transfer entropy out of the component. This feature requires time and is the reason for the extended settling process.

It might be more appropriate to view Center Stage2M as the counterbalance to a destructive energy cycle within your components that will greatly reduce unwanted damaging energy and permanently hold a more peaceful state of equilibrium. The pleasant surprise is the wonderful sonic envelope that results.

Audio Becomes Visual - The Total Immersion Effect

The Total Immersion Effect can be described as a highly articulated acoustic sound field that extends from the back of the soundstage and sometimes wraps around the listener. It is crossing the threshold where audio becomes visual and the listener becomes part of the recording.

Center Stage2M suspends disbelief. You experience something on the order of a 4k hi-rez 3D surround-event. You see the image in space, you hear and see the musical event occur inside the image, and then you hear, see and feel the sensory event spread out around you from the soundstage. Audio becomes visual and you become immersed in the sound field.

Knocking down the “wall” that separates the listener from the musicians requires the electromechanical balance inside the components to reach an ultrafine point of equilibrium and to hold that equilibrium point across 20,000+ Hz in a fluctuating energy field so that the component can remain stable enough to create the Immersion Effect with consistency in the listening space.

What to expect during settle in

The settling in period is generally 7 to 10 days, but it can be longer. Because Center Stage2M will dramatically change the current electromechanical equilibrium of your components, you should expect your system to temporarily degrade at the outset. This is perfectly normal. Your soundstage will then begin to reconstruct itself by gently tipping upward and downward as it establishes a new and better equilibrium point.

In the end stage, the oscillations will become ultrafine and be largely experienced in the high frequencies. They will be barely perceptible unless you really focus. It is extremely important to let the system play for at least 14 days before assuming it has reached equilibrium. Playing a system 24/7 is not always necessary, but the more playing time the better. Think of it like running in a brand-new component. Run in time is normal.

Your end of the Bargain, or Making the Experience Better


Center Stage2 is good for beginners and advanced listeners, so long as you exercise extreme patience during the settling period. Sonic fluctuations you may experience during the settling period will subside as time passes. Here’s what you need:

  • Components crafted by a known and reliable manufacturer. Your components do not need to be among the “most expensive” or the purported “best” in the world. You will experience excellent results with low cost components. A host of components were used to design Center Stage2M, some of them very low cost. This was done to assure consistency of performance. It is certainly true, however, that the better your components, the better your results.
  • Neutral wiring crafted by a known and reliable manufacturer. Some wiring is a “tone control”. Tone control wiring is not necessary. The more invisible your wire, the less it makes its presence known in your system, the better your results.
  • A Clean Circuit. It is critically important to make sure that “cheap” power supplies from computers, screens, servers and most turntables etc. are plugged into a circuit separate from the circuit servicing your main components. The dirt from these low-end plug-ins will contaminate your signal. You may not have heard it before, but you will certainly hear it with Center Stage2M.
  • Stable rack(s) and/or stand(s). Home furnishings are fine. Center Stage2M was vetted on various flat wooden surfaces with Janka ratings of 1200 and higher equating to an elastic modulus of 4 GPa or greater. This means that virtually any flat surface will net tremendous results. Having said this, the better the surface with respect to its associated and/or inherent technological properties, the better the results. The results on CMS racks is superlative.
  • Proper loudspeaker set up. This is essential. Center Stage2M was designed to be most effective in 2-channel stereo system listening rooms with conventional loudspeakers of appropriate size and design for the room, and with seating positions reasonable and appropriate for the loudspeaker and room dimensions.
  • When you put Center Stage in, pull every tweak out. Center Stage2M will take about 7 to 10 days to settle. Be slow, careful and cautious about adding any other device(s) back into your system. Adding Center Stage under more of your components is the only means to realizing the full “Total Immersion Effect” so highly valued in high end audio.
 

Mobiusman

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May 24, 2010
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First of all I want to thank Joe for the explanations of how the CMS footers, the CMS 2M footers in particular, work. As I was reading his announcement, I had a flashback to my introduction to CMS footers as one of the 3 beta testers for the first version, thanks to Steve Williams recommending me to Joe. It was hard to conceptualize all of this promised invisible magic, but I put them in my then upper midfi or maybe low high end system. I do not remember how many sets (4 pieces) I had but they were a combination of the 0.8's and 1.0's.

Of course I listened immediately and heard elements of improvement and segments of the frequency spectrum where something was wrong. But what was most noticeable was how fast the nature and makeup of the sound shifted. Some of the shifts had elements of brilliance, that would last from seconds to hours in the beginning, and other shifts were like taking a sledge hammer to my system components. This prompted a number of phone calls with Steve who was several days ahead of me on the break-in path, and could validate the weird experiences unfolding in my listening room. In the early part of the break-in the cycle times of changes were very short, but after a week or so some of the elements started to begin to stabilize. As much as I wanted to listen I realized I should skip listening some days because it was not enjoyable during the early break-in.

Somewhere around 10-14 days there were elements of stability that were good, but there was no cohesiveness of the overall sound, so it still was not fun. By the time I got to 20-22 days of break-in, I was starting to see the picture of what was going on and realized that the end result would be a true major jump forward. At that point, the problem areas sorted themselves out quickly to where I was already pleased the with the sound and thought that the footers were broken in (a common mistake), only to have them go south again after a day or so. This cycle continued with the overall sound getting better than ever after each dip. If I remember correctly, by 28 days they were no longer changing and I bought enough for my entire system. After all were broken in, all I can say was my system had taken a major jump for the better, probably a bigger jump that any single component replacement had ever produced. Going back to not having them in my system was just not an option.

As us audiophiles do, I had contunally made many changes to my system design resulting in a definitely a lower end high end system with sound beyond my expectations. It was at this point that Joe came out with the CMS2 footers and another beta opportunity occurred. The CMS 2 footers were clearly better and even had a faster and smoother break-in than with the original CMS footers, so I was at my next "I can't believe it plateau" by about 18 dsys. But this time the sonic improvement was much greater than with the original feet, that I had to redefine "audio bliss". By that point I considered the CMS footers an essential part of my system, because with the same components, but no footers, it would be so infersior in reality, enjoyability and for me, most important, believeability.

Next it was time for me to build my bucket list system since I was retiring and promised myself as a ten year old that I would create the best system possible with the amount of money I had at the peak of my career. That system is the system I used to evaluate the CMS2M 1.0's and 1.5's. I now have a serious system with ultra high resolving power, and amazing soundstaging thanks to my electronics, superlative speakers and several hundred thousand dollars of what I believe is the most neutral cabling, a full loom of MasterBuilt Ultra, AND my trusted CMS 2 footers under everything. I was a very happy camper, albeit at a very high financial outlay.

And then along came Joe with the CMS2M footers for another beta test. While I already owned 8 LS 1.5 footers for my speakers (Von Schweikert Ultra 9's) they needed to be modified to accept the speaker footers because they have a skirt to hide the Soundcaster rollers, and both Damon and Leif want to be present for the modification, but I live in NJ and they are in Riverside, CA and there was a pandemic going on. So while I the owned grandparent of the CMS2M, I had never heard them.

Joe sent me two sets (4 1.0 CM2SM's and 4 1.5CMS2M's). I had 4 CMS2 1.5 footers under my Taiko Audio Extreme, but Joe asked me to substitue 4 CMS2M1.0 footers for the CMS2 1.5's, something that I thought should have produced either a sonic degradation or maybe a slight improvement. But I believe in Joe's capability and his ethics that he would not come out with a succeessor if it was clearly superior. While the CMS2M 1.0 footer's still needed more break-in, it was pretty clear in about a week that they were better than the CMS2 1.5's, changing the entire sound of my system substantially eventhough they were only under a peripheral piece of gear, with the rest of my system sitting on CMS2 footers. They continued to improve, meaning better sound stage, better articulation, much increased cohesiveness of sound beyond anything that I had heard before on all types of music In fact the improvement was so vast that I even enjoyed listening to music that I really wasn't that fond of because the sound was so remarkable.

I then took the CMS2M 1.0's out of my system and put the CMS2M 1.5 footers under my Extreme, still leaving the rest of my system with CMS2 footers. Put simply, I was not ready for what happened by 8 hours of break-in. I had sound that was so beyond anything I could comprehend or probably anything I had ever heard, and I go to a lot of shows and even heard Jon Iverson's fabled Force Fields. Because I am going to run out of characters soon, let me just say that ALL aspects of my system and the sound it produced were improved from the lowest lows to the highest frequencies and especially with regard to sound stage, imaging, air and once again, most important for me, believeability. Said another way, everything Joe said in the above introduction happened and is still happening and improving, because I have only 9 days with the CMS2M 1.5 footers under my Extreme.

I know this sounds hard to believe, but I am living it and just ordered another 20 CMS2M 1.5 footers so all of my core components will reap the magical benefits that they produce. I live halfway between NYC and Philly and if coming to listen to my system will help convince you, reach and pandemic allowing, we can set up a visit.

I want to finish with a simple point, the introduction of the CMSM series means that there will CMS2 footers on the aftermarket (something that almost never has happened before and they are incredible in their own right and will clearly be a great pathway to dramatically better sound for substantially less money.

Bravo Joe for creating the amazing compoent that I never knew I needed because they produce sound beyond what I thought was possible. Now in true audiophile style, I just have to get Damon and Leif here to modify my Ultra 9's for the LS 1.5 speaker footers, and quite honestly I have learned that I should not even try to project the difference that will make.
 
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joelavrencikCMS

Industry Expert
Jul 30, 2021
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I want to first thank Russ and everyone who participated in the beta-testing of Center Stage2M (CS2M). They put a great deal of trust in me. This is deeply appreciated as they opened their highly evolved systems (and lives) to another round of disruption and degradation on a promise of something “better” down the road. Thank you!

In simple terms, CS2M drops the noise floor to an extremely low level across the audible spectrum. I used techniques learned from the development of loudspeaker feet to revisit CS2 and remade critical elements of the foot. Instead of working in increments of thousandths of an inch, I developed a technique to work in increments of ten thousandths of an inch. I am not saying that CS2M is 10 times better, rather it is ten times more precise in critical areas, and you can hear it.

The object of improving our systems is to achieve suspension of disbelief, as we might experience when reading a great novel or watching a great movie. We step into the moment and become one with it, might be one way of expressing the feeling. CS2M moves us ever closer to that goal.

When noise is removed from the presentation images become denser, more expressive, more articulate, more detailed, and “real”. There is more separation between the images, yet a greater integration of those images into the emotional context and musical brilliance of the recorded piece.

CS2M brings out these nuances in a balanced cohesiveness (to steal Russ’s word) that is wonderful to experience, imo. Components rise to a higher level of performance and that is what it is all about.

All the Best

Joe
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I first learned about Joe's CMS racks when I visited Manila several years ago after the Hong Kong Audio show. Visiting members (JackD201 and brother Jimmy) enlightened me very quickly as to how good Joes racks performed as there was such solid science behind them.....the racks used on First Law of Thermodynamics. When I got home I reached out to Joe who spent over an hour on the phone with me discussing his racks. Needless to say I bought Joe's racks and a great friendship arose between Joe and I. One year later while Joe was at THE Show in Los Angeles( when it was thereat the time) Joe asked to come back to my house for a few days as he was going to upgrade my CMS amp stands to the current version. When The Show ended I brought Joe and his wife home with me. After Joe finished the upgrade on my amp stands, he asked me if he could insert a new product into his system which he was considering bringing to market. When I was told that he had a new footer, my initial response was "not another footer......nonetheless I was interested to understand these new new footers as Joe explained that they were based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Joe explained about the settle in process and that I need to be patient. Well, for me the rest was history as the degradation of sound during the settle in process was real but after the loads parted I was quite impressed. Hence the initial Center Stage was born. About 1 1/2 years later Joe found a way to improve upon the material since used in the production of the feet and after much beta testing and some further improvements his next generation (CS2) footer replaced the original CS footer.
To most who heard the footer and owned the original version, they used the upgrade path provided for Joe and over the last 2-3 years the CS2 footer in its 3 sizes has become more and more used. These CS2 footers have been amply described by my good fried Russ (mobiusman) in his post above.

And as Russ described in his post, in this past year Joe developed and brought to market his LS series of "loud speaker" feet also available in three sizes. What I found remarkable and vastly different than the CS2 series was that in my system the settle in process seemed to be much shorter. In fact both the LS 1.0 and the LS 1.5 settled in 3-7 days (even though other users still found a lengthy break in). For my ears the sonic improvement with a set of LS footers was as good as all of the CS2 feet I had under my electronics

The beauty of this LS series is that it is a different technology than that used in the CS2 series. Through all of this the end user has gained from trickle down technology in the development of the newest CS2M which I have had in my system now for the past 4 weeks.As Joe stated in his White Paper his goals to produce a new and better foot where the newer CS2M would outperform its counterpart in the CS2 series BUT also his goal was to make the new CS2M 0.8 outperform the CS2 1.0 and the new CS2M 1.0 outperform the CS2 1.5. I didn't believe this could be possible but it took me little time to confirm this very point. Let me just say that this is no disparagement of the CS2 series because in my system and for my ears they perform amazing.

So what is it about the CS2M that is different. As always the settle in is system dependent ...what startled me is that I found these to be virtually settled in 3-7 days in my system and what I heard immediately reminded me of the experience I had with the settle in of the LS series.I was so amazed that I wondered to myself if this new series might be as a result of trickle down technology learned from the LS series. I asked Joe and he confirmed that indeed, such was the case

Simply put, as beta testers we were asked to use the CS2M 1.0 where we currently use the CS2 1.5. I placed mine under my Lampizator Pacific where I use the 1.5's ( I also use CS2 1.5's under my Taiko Extreme and under my amp and its power supplies). I chose the DAC as I felt that was where I normally start when I introduced the CS2 footers to my system. These sounded amazing right out of the boxing after only a few days of minimal degradation the clouds began to part and I must admit that I wasn't prepared for what I heard. Joe has tightened things up with the materials he uses such that the sound floor is virtually non existent. The sound stage and immersive effect creates such a "you are there" experience:that the focus was so precise yet so much more of it. The immersive effect as well was far more realistic. In my system, I found myself inside the soundstage as there is music extendinding out along the side walls and sometimes seemingly engulfing me in the music. I think the key to what Joe has done is his ability to lower the sound floor to such non existent levels that I was hearing things in my demo tracks that I truly never heard before, In one track that I always play I could hear the musicians chatting briefly before the music started. I have never heard that in all the years I have played this demo track
What really struck me was the PRAT, dynamics and the density (yet clarity) of the sound stage. I found myself sitting in my room for 6-8 hours a day listening to these new feet. Joe comments that these feet bring our components to a new level and to this I completely agree. There is so much more information in the soundstage yet the imaging is focused and coherent and never smudged or blurred. The feeling of being inside that soundstage creates such a sense of reality that it is easy to suspend disbelief as it is as real as it gets. The listener becomes one with the performance. I believe that this occurs with the immersive effect produced. The sound is everywhere but distinct. Separation is there but so is more density to the sound. If this were video it would be like comparing 8K to a 4K picture. Both are superb but, with the latter, "more pixels" are lit and the aural experience for me is the best my system has ever sounded. I have never found myself so emotionally involved as I felt that I was not only present at each performance but I was also a part of that performance as I was inside it

It would be easy to continue but I would be accused of hyperbole as I find that describing these new footers brings me to those new heights. This is as real as it gets and I hate to use the word "Natural" but in the context of what I heard with these new CS2M footers , the sound I heard sounds Natural. I am sure that comment will evoke a lot of controversy but for me fact is fact.There is no fatigue and no colorization and to hear so much more information in the soundstage which engulfs me in the performance brings me even closer yet to the music.To work in increments of 1/1000 of an inch in developing these is remarkable. Joe even suggested that working on the new CS2M 0.8 he was working in increments of 1/10000 of an inch. I haven't heard the new CS2M 0.8 yet but Joe feels that the mere fact that they outperform the CS2 1.0 should speak volumes.

Finally, to hear the new CS2M 1.5 will be enlightening to all. I always tell people that the 1.5 in all of Joe's series of feet is the "full Monty" or the "Big Bertha"of the line. This new CS2M 1.5 must be heard in one's system to fully understand what Center Stage is all about.Everything is there. So, it's been a month that I have had these in my system and feed back from all of the beta testers has been so consistent in what everyone has been hearing and the price points are so close in the CS2 vs the CS2M that none of us could find justification to have both in production so with the release of the CS2M Joe has rightfully decided to discontinue the CS2 and all new orders will be filled with the new CS2M series

Kudos Joe. We users all thank you for your dedication in bringing the most realistic musical experience to the listener.
 

nonesup

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Will there be an upgrade program from CS2 to CS2M?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Apparently not. No introductory pricing on the CS2M either.
Center Stage2M are individually packaged in attractive boxes and come in 3 sizes:

CS2M 0.8 is 1.5” in diameter with a height of 13/16” (38mm x 20.6mm). +/- 5 microns

· US retail price of $280 each
· 2 ounces, 56 grams
· To accommodate uneven surfaces and components with bottoms that are not level, each foot comes with 3 shims.

CS2M 1.0 is 1.5” in diameter with a height of 1.0” (38 mm x 25.4mm). +/- 5 microns

· US retail price of $545 each
· 3 ounces, 88 grams
· To accommodate uneven surfaces and components with bottoms that are not level, each foot comes with 3 shims.

CS2 1.5 is 2” in diameter with a height of 1.5” (50.8mm x 38mm). +/- 5 microns

· US retail price of $795 each
· 10 ounces, 290 grams
· To accommodate uneven surfaces and components with bottoms that are not level, each foot comes with 3 shims.
 

brodricj

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Mar 13, 2016
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What I meant by "no introductory pricing" was "no special offer introductory pricing" like there was for CS2.
 

nonesup

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Ok CMS, it is not necessary for you to respond, I see that you have done it in Another forum
 

joelavrencikCMS

Industry Expert
Jul 30, 2021
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What I meant by "no introductory pricing" was "no special offer introductory pricing" like there was for CS2.
This is a good question, and it deserves an honest answer. I can’t do it because I painted myself into a corner with the “M” pricing. Material costs are skyrocketing, the Ms cost more to make and the price increase for each is slight in comparison. I can say without equivocation that you are receiving unquestionable value for the dollar spent with the new CS2Ms.
 

Mobiusman

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May 24, 2010
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As I wrote above, my single unit test of the CMS2M 1.0 and 1.5 footers was sufficiently postive that I instantly ordered 20 more 1.5's because the sonic improvement, and perhaps more important, experience of listening to my system was elevated by such a degree that to not make them part of my system would go against all of my tenets that I have used when making expensive changes to my already quite expensive system. Earlier in my audio career I used a vague sonic improvement per dollar formula to justify new additions, realizing that as I improved my system, I had to pay a lot more for each successive sonic increment.

As my system evolved, especially my last upgrade (more of a total redesign) when I built my retirement bucket list system, it took on a different role in my life, thus changing how I judged/projected the value of the increasingly expensive upgrades to my system in exchange for the cost and effort associated with each change But what also changed was the emotional benefit I derived from my upgrades. This emotional benefit had implications well beyond having a better sound system. I started having mental health benefits from listening, which impacted all aspects of my life and my being. Put another way, my system contributed more to my overall happiness

Yes, the CMS M series improves the sound as did the original footers and the CMS2's., but the benefit from the M series is more focused on removing the system from my awareness of it as a system and transforming it more into an all encompassing experience because the overall experience is so much more believable, that it is like the difference between watching something on the best 4k system and wonderful sound system and actually being at the scenario depicted on the system.which produces a different state of mind that is so much more powerful and lasting, because this emotional impact has a far greater impact on my being, life, mood and outlook. It also has much more of a lasting impact.

So while the cost of shifting to CMS M class of footers from my existing CMS 2 footers, is an expense, for me it is one of the biggest values to my overall listening experiences, and much less than what I have paid for recent system improvements, which I did to try to achieve the same emotional and experiential benefits.

But, as I mentioned in my above post, this is a wonderful opportunity for people with more modest "reasonable" systems, because the benefits that their systems will gain from buying CMS2 footers on the aftermarket at greatly reduced prices, will probably produce the best sonic and experiential gain gains per dollar possible.
 

dts-99

Well-Known Member
Nov 15, 2018
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When will these new CS2M footers be available for sale in North America? Really need to plan when to sell my existing CS2. Thanks.
 

nonesup

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joelavrencikCMS

Industry Expert
Jul 30, 2021
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When will these new CS2M footers be available for sale in North America? Really need to plan when to sell my existing CS2. Thanks.
Hi dts-99

They are available now. Thank you for asking. And, they truly are a major step forward.

All the Best

Joe
 

_Alchemist_

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2020
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Hi Joe,

Thanks for the introduction and explanations.
I've only heard the footers once but not in my own system. I'm actually considering them and would have some questions:

-How do you choose which footer to use? Just that it's taller than the component feet? or is there a weight component as well? And about the number of feet (3 vs 4 and placment on the chassis) I suppose you have to place the feet directly in contact with the chassis and not below the existing feet?

-Do you recommend placing these below peripheral components? ie LPSU, Switches, routers, power distributors, Roon Nucleus, etc...then for example, for a light unit, would only one footer work? Do you consider is necessary to isolate as many components as you can or there is a diminishing return? What's your experience?

-The break-in / stabilisation period. Does it apply only to new feet or every time you place it below the component? ie - is it possible to do A/B trials or every time you remove it, it takes a long period to come back into equilibrium?

-My components are placed in a room adjacent to the room where the speakers are, so the vibrations caused by the speakers are not a factor in my case. Would I still benefit from the footers?

Thank you,
 

joelavrencikCMS

Industry Expert
Jul 30, 2021
155
57
33
74
Hi Joe,

Thanks for the introduction and explanations.
I've only heard the footers once but not in my own system. I'm actually considering them and would have some questions:

-How do you choose which footer to use? Just that it's taller than the component feet? or is there a weight component as well? And about the number of feet (3 vs 4 and placment on the chassis) I suppose you have to place the feet directly in contact with the chassis and not below the existing feet?

-Do you recommend placing these below peripheral components? ie LPSU, Switches, routers, power distributors, Roon Nucleus, etc...then for example, for a light unit, would only one footer work? Do you consider is necessary to isolate as many components as you can or there is a diminishing return? What's your experience?

-The break-in / stabilisation period. Does it apply only to new feet or every time you place it below the component? ie - is it possible to do A/B trials or every time you remove it, it takes a long period to come back into equilibrium?

-My components are placed in a room adjacent to the room where the speakers are, so the vibrations caused by the speakers are not a factor in my case. Would I still benefit from the footers?

Thank you,
Hi Alchemist

I'll start with the last question first. This is a wild card that I can't know for sure without being there. So, my suggestion is to try a set under the component of your choice and see what happens. There is a "tell". If you put the feet under a component and the sound changes, it will eventually improve. If you here nothing........nope.

So, jumping back to the first question, you want to elevate the stock feet off the surface. Any size foot that will do that is sufficient, and yes, the 4th makes a substantial difference and I recommend it. As you mentioned, they must touch the bottom of the component. You can certainly try 3, but 4 is the earth-mover. The 4th gives you a better return on your investment for that particular component.

My recommendation is to work with the components that matter the most. The primary signal path is the best track to follow for improvement if you are just starting with these. Later, treat the power supplies with the least expensive foot that works. The general rule is that anything that plugs into an electrical outlet can benefit.

If you want to give these a try, and yes the taller the foot the better the performance, choose your dealer and tell him I gave you a money back guarantee on your 1st set. I want you to feel free to try CS2M without risk.

I've done A/B/A comparisons but it's tricky. Step 1 is to let the feet settle under a component FULLY; meaning, the sound is stable and does not fluctuate. Step 2 is to pull the feet out and go to lunch (leave the room) for about an hour / hour and a half. Step 3 is to come back and put the feet back in. Of course, you will pick and play a 5 song set to judge the A, the B and the A comparison. You won't get the full A/B, but you'll be informed by the changes enough to know that the sound would revert back to the way it originally sounded, if you leave the feet out altogether.

Believe me, it's easy to decide if you want to live with the "before" or the "after". It's an "in-your-face-difference" and you'll like it or you won't. Do not use CS2M under components with acrylic bottoms or over-damped chassis......AR Re6, ASR, Goldmund,

I hope this helps. Please let me know if I missed anything.

All the Best

Joe
 
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thedudeabides

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Jan 16, 2011
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This is a good question, and it deserves an honest answer. I can’t do it because I painted myself into a corner with the “M” pricing. Material costs are skyrocketing, the Ms cost more to make and the price increase for each is slight in comparison. I can say without equivocation that you are receiving unquestionable value for the dollar spent with the new CS2Ms.
Hi Joe,

With all due respect, isn't this the third version of your product since its initial release approx. three years ago?
 
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