HRS Damping Plates v Artesania Audio Dampers v Entreq VibbEaters

spiritofmusic

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Hiya all, any thoughts on these? Are these interchangeable alternatives to achieve the same purpose, or have different applications?

Kitting out my six components that can accomodate these would come out to similar cost, so just wondering if there are first hand experiences out there, esp comparisons.
 

LL21

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I have Entreq Vibbs, HRS DPX Damping Plates and Artesania damping plates.

For equipment, the Artesania medium damping plate (most commonly seen) is comparable to the biggest 2x thickness HRS Damping plate across all of my equipment in 'tests'.

The Artesania extra thick damping plate is amazing...in fact their damping plates are my favorite.

However...they dont always work on top of speakers like big Wilsons which the tops are slanted.. So the Entreq Vibb works best because it moulds around the shape a bit.

Note that for a lot of equipment putting a dead weight on top of the damping plate really works well, and i have done so in many cases...but you really have to put a LOT of weight on to hear the improvement in a few cases.
 

spiritofmusic

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Hi Lloyd, when you say the extra thick Artesania, which do you mean? The three standard dampers 1.5kg, 2.5kg, 3.5kg...and the DP20 extra heavy duty 12.5kg at >2x the price of the 3.5kg one.

Is the VibbEater a practical alternative for damping components like cdp, preamp as well, or just spkrs?

Can you compare and contrast the effects of these three alternatives?

Interestingly the consensus amongst a small audio group who've tried Artesania v HRS was in favour of the latter.
 
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LL21

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Overall, I did not find the big Entreq Vibbeaters as effective as the damping plates on heavy amps.

Overall, i find the Artesania 2.5kg damping plate to produce a very similar level of effect as the large 12" DPX HRS damping plate. However, it takes up less surface area.

The type of improvement between the two is very very similar: denser signal, less 'waiver' in massed strings or upper bass, greater tonal density, the electronics in our system seems more 'resolute' in its delivery.

I really like both HRS and Artesania a lot and do not hesitate in recommending them. Due to the varied shapes of surface area on equipment, i do use both. I use the Vibbs on top of the Wilsons and the TA Opus network boxes which are both sloped.
 

spiritofmusic

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Lloyd, first hand reports are always so useful. There is a hefty Artesania DP20 that looks like 3-4 lighter Artesanias stacked together, to create a 12.5kg damper. Thoughts on that?
 
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LL21

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It will almost certainly be amazing. Just so you know, i came up with a similar idea 5 years ago...i use the 2.5kg and 3.5kg damping plate...and place either 10kg or 20kg of solid polished brass weight on top. That is just pure dead weight not any kind of damping material. Theirs should be much better.
 

spiritofmusic

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It ought to be at c.£500 each LOL.
 

spiritofmusic

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A friendly audio group that has adopted me (they can spot a needy type) will bring over a whole slew of HRS plates when they visit me soon. An excellent opportunity to HRS individual pieces, and the whole system.
 

LL21

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It ought to be at c.£500 each LOL.
I bought my Artesania's from a dealer who had few leftover from a bulk deal, and then picked up several old polished brass 10kg and 20kg scientific weights for a couple hundred bucks...and now have 90kg across the system...all on top of damping plates. A lot cheaper, but again i suspect the DP20 you are talking about should be a lot better.
 

johndoe21ro

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A friendly audio group that has adopted me (they can spot a needy type) will bring over a whole slew of HRS plates when they visit me soon. An excellent opportunity to HRS individual pieces, and the whole system.
Well... what happened?
 

spiritofmusic

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Hi John, thanks for reminding me.

We tried a couple of other tweaks first. Crystals on pwr cords and SR black box. Nothing happening in my system, much to the confusion of the guys who love this stuff and couldn't figure out the non performance.

So I went into the HRS plates install w no expectation bias. However I was bowled over. Every component, from cdp, to phono, pre and pre psu, benefitted. And hugely.

The biggest audible uptick was in lower mids/bass articulation. Basslines and esp kick drum really came alive w way more resolution and impact. And this was a progressively cumulative effect the more plates and components were involved.

I was really impressed w all this to the point I'm gonna invest in the HRS to damp six pieces of gear, plus possibly my big balanced power transformer.
 

LL21

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Congrats. Have been a big fan (and owner) of HRS stuff for years. Enjoy.
 

sbo6

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spiritofmusic

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I'm not sure how you feel these runber blocks are an alternative to HRS. There's no mass loading possibility. I could try them. How do they help yr sound? How much do they weigh?
 

sbo6

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They employ the same method as HRS does - mass and damping. They are not solely rubber, they are steel covered in rubber. A 4" x 6" x 1" block weighs about 3/4 of a lb. In my experience they bring spacial cues slightly more into focus and provide slightly tighter bass. YMMV.
 

spiritofmusic

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I've found a source that does 4" square rubber/metal blocks for 1/10 the cost of HRS. Gonna buy a handful to try on cdp and pre and see if what I heard w HRS is replicated at all.
 

IanG-UK

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spiritofmusic

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Interesting product, and could be suitable. But may not be heavy enough and could need additional loading.
 
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IanG-UK

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Interesting product, and could be suitable. But may not be heavy enough and could need additional loading.

They are only a small outfit. I suspect they will do custom stuff for you provided you pay in advance.
 

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