Center Stage 2

bazelio

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2016
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Many thanks for your test and your reply, that's what I thought.
I've got a set of CS2 1.0 for testing purposes recently. Unfortunately the dealer couldn't tell me if my Symposium rack and platform could be a problem. I put the CS2 feet on my Quantum platform in exchange of my Rollerblocks, because I wanted a direct comparison against the Rollerblocks.
Immediately after the insertion it was really a revelation with a deep and wonderful natural soundstage with superb layering.
But as you know the slow settling kicked in and I waited 10 days to give them a serious listening. Interestingly the extreme deep soundstage and layering from the first try was gone, it then was similar to the Rollerblocks. Still it was quite good, but a little bit soft and not what I've expected. I had to return them after 14 days, therefore I couldn't do more tests.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm still very interested in the CS2 feet. I'm looking forward to do a second test run if it's ok with my dealer. My own subjective experience just proves Joe's recommendation to remove everything else.
With the Rollerblock Jr, you won't experience the flattening of previous soundstage depth. This affect on the soundstage seems to be related to damping or absorbing. The Rollerblocks perform a combination of coupling and absorbing/dissipating. Rollerblock Jr's don't have any absorbing material. I experienced a similar result with CS2 in my system to what you've described, but directly on my rack, not Symposium platforms.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
With the Rollerblock Jr, you won't experience the flattening of previous soundstage depth. This affect on the soundstage seems to be related to damping or absorbing. The Rollerblocks perform a combination of coupling and absorbing/dissipating. Rollerblock Jr's don't have any absorbing material. I experienced a similar result with CS2 in my system to what you've described, but directly on my rack, not Symposium platforms.
FWIW Center Stage does NOT cause flattening of the soundstage but rather a very believable immersive effect abnd if you use his speaker feet the immersive effect is so huge that you become part of the soundstage. IOW a you are there feeling
 

micro13

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2020
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the short answer is definitely. You might be quite shocked
Thanks for your short but meaningful answer, Steve. Then I'll try them directly on the floor with my amps and report my findings.
Would you also suggest that it's better to use the CS2 on an ordinary board or table instead of the Symposium ISIS rack?
 

micro13

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2020
55
12
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57
With the Rollerblock Jr, you won't experience the flattening of previous soundstage depth. This affect on the soundstage seems to be related to damping or absorbing. The Rollerblocks perform a combination of coupling and absorbing/dissipating. Rollerblock Jr's don't have any absorbing material. I experienced a similar result with CS2 in my system to what you've described, but directly on my rack, not Symposium platforms.
Sorry, I didn't mean that the Rollerblocks flatten the soundstage, It's just that right after inserting the CS2 under my pre-Dac, the soundstage got deeper and better layered. After ten days of settlement this extreme deep and layered soundstage was gone but still very good at the level I knew from my own system with Rollerblocks.
I'm using Rollerblocks for years and I'm still happy with them. But I think the CS2 could be better when used appropriate. Let's see, I'll try to get another set for proper testing.
 

Solecky

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2020
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I have CS2s under all my equipment for a little while now (6 weeks plus), recently my sound became diffuse, less focused and the noise floor went up I am losing details that used to emerge so clearly. The only thing I can try to explain it with is that on Monday I noticed 2 of the 4 CS2s under under each mono amp were not touching flat bottom but a perforated section at the bottom of the amps, it is possible the CS2s are re-settling causing the sound issues mentioned? If yes how long to resetttle?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I have CS2s under all my equipment for a little while now (6 weeks plus), recently my sound became diffuse, less focused and the noise floor went up I am losing details that used to emerge so clearly. The only thing I can try to explain it with is that on Monday I noticed 2 of the 4 CS2s under under each mono amp were not touching flat bottom but a perforated section at the bottom of the amps, it is possible the CS2s are re-settling causing the sound issues mentioned? If yes how long to resetttle?
I am only just seeing this. My simple answer is that the problems that resulted almost certainly were as a result of improper placement of 2 of the four feet. You need to reposition those 2 feet
 

Kingsrule

VIP/Donor
Feb 3, 2011
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Steve

The bottom of the Extreme is perforated Where do u place the 1.5"s ?
 

joelavrencik

Industry Expert
Nov 15, 2016
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Chicago
www.criticalmasssystems.com
Thanks for your short but meaningful answer, Steve. Then I'll try them directly on the floor with my amps and report my findings.
Would you also suggest that it's better to use the CS2 on an ordinary board or table instead of the Symposium ISIS rack?
Hi micro 13

I have a suggestion: fold the silk bag each foot comes with into a small square and place it under each foot. The bag would work as buffer between the large metal surface and the foot.

If you're up for trying this, please let me know how the experiment turns out.

Thanks!

Joe
 

joelavrencik

Industry Expert
Nov 15, 2016
331
60
158
Chicago
www.criticalmasssystems.com
With the Rollerblock Jr, you won't experience the flattening of previous soundstage depth. This affect on the soundstage seems to be related to damping or absorbing. The Rollerblocks perform a combination of coupling and absorbing/dissipating. Rollerblock Jr's don't have any absorbing material. I experienced a similar result with CS2 in my system to what you've described, but directly on my rack, not Symposium platforms.
Hi Bazello

May I ask what is the rack you are using and the component you tried CS2 with.

Thank you

Joe
 

joelavrencik

Industry Expert
Nov 15, 2016
331
60
158
Chicago
www.criticalmasssystems.com
Thanks for your short but meaningful answer, Steve. Then I'll try them directly on the floor with my amps and report my findings.
Would you also suggest that it's better to use the CS2 on an ordinary board or table instead of the Symposium ISIS rack?
Hi micro 13

I checked out the Symposium website. Let me say they are a long respected company which produces high quality products. Having said this, our companies use different materials in our construction processes and I think therein lies the reason for the performance issue you are experiencing. In my experience, CS2 products are not compatible with suspended stainless steel shelves.

Again, Symposium is a fine company. We simply differ in approach and results. In order to experience the performance potential of CS2 you would need a buffer between the SS rack shelves and the aluminum feet. Folding the silk bags the CS2 come with and slotting them under the CS2 feet should work, I think. I wish it were not the case, but I don't know of any way around it.

I sincerely hope this helps.

All the Best

Joe
 

bazelio

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2016
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Hi Bazello

May I ask what is the rack you are using and the component you tried CS2 with.

Thank you

Joe
Joe, sure:

Rack: An in-wall installation permanently secured to wall studs. Constructed of high grade voidless 1.5" plywood. It's either birch or apple ply; I don't recall now.

CS2 usages: under a tube phono, under its tube rectified psu, under a silver AVC, and finally under a Dartzeel amplifier.
 

joelavrencik

Industry Expert
Nov 15, 2016
331
60
158
Chicago
www.criticalmasssystems.com
Joe, sure:

Rack: An in-wall installation permanently secured to wall studs. Constructed of high grade voidless 1.5" plywood. It's either birch or apple ply; I don't recall now.

CS2 usages: under a tube phono, under its tube rectified psu, under a silver AVC, and finally under a Dartzeel amplifier.
Thank you!
 

Solecky

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2020
25
24
68
53
I am only just seeing this. My simple answer is that the problems that resulted almost certainly were as a result of improper placement of 2 of the four feet. You need to reposition those 2 feet
Just wanted to let all know that the CS2s how now resettled and the sound is amazing, better than before. It seems it is quite important to have a flat interface for the top of the CS2 to couple to for optimal performance .
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Just wanted to let all know that the CS2s how now resettled and the sound is amazing, better than before. It seems it is quite important to have a flat interface for the top of the CS2 to couple to for optimal performance .
I love reading users' first impressions when they first experience their system after Center Stage has settled as it seems we ae all drinking the same Kool Aid
Enjoy....they are very special additions to any system
 

Solecky

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2020
25
24
68
53
I love reading users' first impressions when they first experience their system after Center Stage has settled as it seems we ae all drinking the same Kool Aid
Enjoy....they are very special additions to any system
Yep very impressed, the last component to place CS2s is under my Shunyata Everest power conditioner
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator

Kingsrule

VIP/Donor
Feb 3, 2011
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IMG_7062.JPG
Um not really. Perforations everywhere

Front of Extreme is on left








Front of Extreme is on left
 

Solecky

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2020
25
24
68
53

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