Seismion - new active isolation platform from Germany

[Mike Lavigne]

Me too!

In principle, I am against the use of SMPS's in my audio system or on the same mains circuit, so I eliminate them, where I can, in favour of ultra low-noise linear power supplies!

Within my network, I have one rail of my Coherent QP2 (British design) dedicated to the 7v supply to a Sonore Optical Module Deluxe and one of the 12v rails from the PliXir Elite BDC LPSU powers an Uptone Audio EtherRegen switch.

The LPSU's definitely offer a quieter, smoother and more insightful performance alternative to the supplied SMPS, but I don't think that the two LPSU's that I own, deliver enough current, to get the best out of the Reactio Plus active isolation platform.

I have began the search for a suitable LPSU for my Seismion and have messaged the manufacturer in Germany for an update on their proposed LPSU solution, or their recommendation for a suitable commercially available alternate, but no response yet received.

I wonder how much I need to spend to extract the maximum performance from the Seismion, especially as the LPSU won't be powering a component that is within the audio signal chain, such as a switch, DAC, router etc?

I have looked at a couple of UK-available candidates from the Audiostore, who imports Uptone Audio and Sonora amongst others. One is an unbranded 12v 6.5 amp single rail LPSU with an R-Core 100va transformer, which looks like a Zero Zone. The other suitable option, at three times the price, is an Uptone Audio JS-2 which has dual rails with selectable voltage of 5, 7, 9 and 12v and will produce 7.4 amps from a single 12v output.

It would be great if Seismion could weigh in and give some recommendations or give some details and specification for their own LPSU, which has bee mentioned as "coming soon!"

Zeotrope - Please can you post some photos of your setup with the Daiza platform on top of the Seismion?

during the development process with Taiko/Emile/Ed regarding the Tana/Herzan active systems, turned out that the power supply made a huge difference. and the Daiza platform design was something that grew from those Tana development efforts. Emile ended up using an all panzerholtz LPS chassis sitting on a mini Daiza at the end. the 25 pound LPS had Lindhal Chokes and quite a bit of nice tech.

what was interesting was that those chokes actually boosted the system performance even when not powered. my A/C grid liked them.

i know that the Seismion product is a different design than the Herzan/Table Stable......so not sure how much transfers.....but power supplies can be significant.

 

[Zeotrope]

I did and this was my final preference.

Somewhere in the last 15 pages of this thread, somebody mentioned, that in a multi-level array, the Seismion platform should sit in the middle.

As my chosen (hard) interface between the chassis of my Aurender and the top plate of the Reactio Plus, are three Quiescent Apex 50 Couplers and the bottom of the Seismion is supported by Taiko panzerholz footers, where it interfaces with the Daiza passive platform, it seems the logical choice and was confirmed in my listening tests.

Do you have your Daiza platform resting directly on the Seismion top plate, or do you use the Taiko copper/panzerholz footers?

I have the Seismion on the floor/rack, then the Daiza directly on top of the Seismion, and the Daiza feet between the Daiza platform and the component (without the metal plate). I think this is the way @Mike Lavigne has it, BTW.
I should try it the other way, but it’s such a pain to move everything…

 

[Zeotrope]

Zeotrope - Please can you post some photos of your setup with the Daiza platform on top of the Seismion?

 

[Zeotrope]

I’m using Teddy Pardo Linear supplies. I did not compare them against others. They are reasonably priced at ~$400 and I’m sure make a difference vs stock supplies. I think I have 10 of them.

 

[Pizzaiolo]

To add to the numerous accounts of positive results employing the Seismion platforms, thought I’d share…
Took the advice of a few fellow audio nuts to try and was luckily able to audition a unit from Massif Audio Design who was the builder of my rack (with which I couldn’t be happier). I was having some expected foot fall issues with my Kuzma xl4/safir/transfiguration proteus d. I installed Carbide Audio footers on the rack which solved the problem to a greater extent. Subsequent to this I removed the table and reinstalled it on the Reactio Plus. I have experienced 2 jaw dropping implementations to my system where the results were so unexpected as to the relative benefit, and the Seismion under the Kuzma was one.

As others have noted, the sought after gains of quieter background, increased space, more detailed and just simply more information coming through, size of the sound in every direction was enhanced (the height and outward expansion were just crazy), and certainly there were no longer concerns of heavy feet.

So, I decided to write this after a second confirmation. I was experimenting with powering my amps (Luxman M800A’s) a few days ago and on the 4th combination I was trying the sound collapsed. I walked up to try my last combo and realized I had inadvertently disconnected the Seismion. Turned to back on and I got “shocked” again.

I purchased total of 3 units from Trevor at Massif, one now placed under the ClearAudio Master Innovation and one under my Spectral transport. Two of the units were delivered personally by Jonathan Badov (Sonic Artistry) who spet time helping with the first setup and teaching me for the units to come.

Given the time, effort and monetary commitment some make to extract the best from their systems, the exploration of Seismion simply cannot be overlooked. IMHO…

 

[TLi]

UK Seismion Reactio Plus owner here!

In June, my dealer, Studio AV, Chobham, Surrey, asked me if I wanted to have a Seismion Reactio Plus 543 on extended home loan, together with an Aurender N30 SA (I have owned an N20 since January 2023).

My interest was instantly piqued, placing a high priority on vibration control as one of the key foundations of my audio system.

Over the following few weeks, I put the Seismion active isolation platform through it’s paces, with the supplied 12v 8.5amp power supply, as well as a couple of 12v LPSU’s that I use in my system (PliXir Elite BDC and Coherent QP2).

My Aurender N20 was supported by a trio of Quiescent Apex 50 Couplers, on a Taiko Audio Daizo passive platform, on the top grid level of one of my two Stillpoints ESS racks, used to accommodate my multi-box system.

The Seismion active platform was inserted into the system, as an additional level between Daiza and Apex Couplers and initially The Seismion was supported by it’s own footers, although I did experiment with Stillpoints (Ultra SS and Ultra 5’s) as well as Taiko’s own panzerholz footers as the interface with the Daiza platform.

I eventually settled on Taiko’s own footers, which seemed to me to offer the right balance in this vibration-combatting array!

I was so impressed with the added performance provided by the Seismion Reactio Plus, that I purchased it from my dealer, who is now awaiting the Seismion Reactio 2.0, which I am eager to audition under my D’Agostino Momentum S250 MxV power amp.

Although, due to limited availability in the UK, I have not auditioned many competing products, I am confident enough to proclaim the Seismion platform as a major enhancement to the enjoyment I get from my system.

Before anyone asks, no, I haven’t yet tried it under my turntable (digital is my primary source), but I anticipate that a further Seismion purchase will result, when I have tried a second platform under the power amp!

SreactioView attachment 135654

If you are looking for the first impression of the latest Seismion Reactio II, here it is.
After a long delay, two Reactio II were delivered in perfect shape.
The trail was to compare the result on preamp with previous Reactio. Reactio II is clearly much better than other Reactio's. Every aspect is just better. I shall do more detailed comparison and keep you informed in the near future.

 

[TLi]

Two Reactio II are placed under Kondo Audio Note G1000i preamp and CH Precision P10 phonostage main unit, the improvement is very obvious.

The sound was never this clean, dynamic and detailed. There is no trace of harshness, just smooth and clear voices. This is really a new all time high of sonic presentation in my system. I am never this emotional after listening to this for the first time.

 

[jbrrp1]

Two Reactio II are placed under Kondo Audio Note G1000i preamp and CH Precision P10 phonostage main unit, the improvement is very obvious.

The sound was never this clean, dynamic and detailed. There is no trace of harshness, just smooth and clear voices. This is really a new all time high of sonic presentation in my system. I am never this emotional after listening to this for the first time.View attachment 135728

Is this in comparison to Reactio standard or Reactio Plus?

 

[TLi]

Reactio II is miles ahead of Reactio, really no comparison.

As for Reactio Plus, there are a lot more refined details. The presentation with Reactio II is obviously better. In simple term, it is just more real.

 

[Holmz]

Reactio II is miles ahead of Reactio, really no comparison.

As for Reactio Plus, there are a lot more refined details. The presentation with Reactio II is obviously better. In simple term, it is just more real.

Can they be stacked…
If so, ;there could be a “Chain Reactio”…

 

[TLi]

With Reactio, I have tried to stack. There was incremental improvement.

As Reactio II, I have not tried, nor there is a need to do so.

 

[QuadDiffuser]

We have been asked by a few members on the size and nomenclature of the Seismion Reactio Products along with a bit of their performance characteristics.

The Reactio 541 and 542 are the same price. In order to achieve the 160kg increased weight limits the isolation ability goes down slightly. They have to add more supports thus allowing some additional vibration through. The proposed, not ready yet, PLUS versions will have three times the Isolation (not to be confused with performance). The 543 and 544 models will have the SAME isolation abilities but will be priced differently. We expect those prices to be slightly over 2 times the price of the standard versions.

Standard
541: 500x400 mm, 0-80 kg( 19.7”x15.75” 0-176 lbs)
542: 500x400 mm, 0-160 kg( 19.7”x15.75” 0-352 lbs)
651: 600x500 mm, 0-80 kg( 23.6”x19.7” 0-176 lbs)
652: 600x500 mm, 0-160 kg( 23.6”x19.7” 0-352 lbs)

Plus
543: 500x400 mm, 0-40 kg( 19.7”x15.75” 0-88 lbs)
544: 500x400 mm, 40-80 kg( 19.7”x15.75” 88-176 lbs)
653: 600x500 mm, 0-40 kg( 23.6”x19.7” 0-88 lbs)
654: 600x500 mm, 40-80 kg( 23.6”x19.7” 88-176 lbs)

I hope that is helpful to many of you.

I've looked through this Forum thread in its entirety and the Seismion website, but there's no data on the heights (distance between their feet and platform surface) for the Reactio (standard), Reactio Plus, and Reactio 2.
Might someone be kind enough to divulge? Thank you so much!

 

[JEB42]

I've looked through this Forum thread in its entirety and the Seismion website, but there's no data on the heights (distance between their feet and platform surface) for the Reactio (standard), Reactio Plus, and Reactio 2.
Might someone be kind enough to divulge? Thank you so much!

The Standard Reactio 541/542 and the Plus 543 versions are the same height approx 80mm high with the feet all the way in but the bottom bolts not touching. The height is adjustable with the footers but 80mm is the shortest.

The Reactio 2 was supposed to be 80mm (approx 3-1/4") but a number of improvements have been implemented since their first showing in Munich. I will know when the first group of units arrive later next week hopefully. There are no feet under the Reactio 2. I'll let you know when they land.

 

[JEB42]

during the development process with Taiko/Emile/Ed regarding the Tana/Herzan active systems, turned out that the power supply made a huge difference. and the Daiza platform design was something that grew from those Tana development efforts. Emile ended up using an all panzerholtz LPS chassis sitting on a mini Daiza at the end. the 25 pound LPS had Lindhal Chokes and quite a bit of nice tech.

what was interesting was that those chokes actually boosted the system performance even when not powered. my A/C grid liked them.

i know that the Seismion product is a different design than the Herzan/Table Stable......so not sure how much transfers.....but power supplies can be significant.

Honestly Mike, I did not want there to be an improvement using a LPS with the Seismion.....unfortunately it was much larger than I had anticipated. At the urging of a few owners I gave it a try with a number of different LPS manufactures. I settled on the Ferrum Hypsos (now the Hypsos Dual, I can run (2) of them at the same time. During normal operation they never shut off. If you start pushing the Rectios about, as if there was a major seismic event, the Hypsos will turn off. Going into protection mode with a larger than normal amp draw.)

The improvements with a better LPS was very similar in the improvement going from a standard unit to the plus unit. Greater openness, detail, sense of space, texture etc.

The other quick and cheap improvement was replacing the stock feet on the Standard and the Plus units with Black Diamond Racing Cones (using the M8 to 1/4-20 adaptors). $150 or less per set of (4) was very impressive. It does add some height to the Seismion for those that have rack space challenges.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Honestly Mike, I did not want there to be an improvement using a...............

the story of my life.

incurable affliction unfortunately.

 

[Pizzaiolo]

As a result of discussion with a colleague on the point, and in addition to my previous note I believe it’s a warranted to note the effect of turning on the Seismion and recapturing the presentation of the music is a testiment to the benefit of active vs. passive isolation. The Seismion, in an unpowered state, due to its construction, acts as a passive isolator. The difference when active isolation is engaged was, at least for me, unexpected.

My next experiment will be adding Seismions under my amps.

 

[TLi]

As a result of discussion with a colleague on the point, and in addition to my previous note I believe it’s a warranted to note the effect of turning on the Seismion and recapturing the presentation of the music is a testiment to the benefit of active vs. passive isolation. The Seismion, in an unpowered state, due to its construction, acts as a passive isolator. The difference when active isolation is engaged was, at least for me, unexpected.

My next experiment will be adding Seismions under my amps.

You are right to mention Seismion Reactio and Reactio Plus have some degree of passive isolation when turned off. This is due to the elastic suspension.

Reactio II now has additional function for the user to lock the springs inside when turned off. It becomes a rigid plate when locked. You can hear the difference between active isolation vs passive isolation and vs no isolation.

 

[Opabin]

The LPSU's definitely offer a quieter, smoother and more insightful performance alternative to the supplied SMPS, but I don't think that the two LPSU's that I own, deliver enough current, to get the best out of the Reactio Plus active isolation platform.

I have to wonder whether the ideal LPSU for Reactio would have identical characteristics to one intended for powering a network switch or a DAC. Or should robust current capability, for example, be higher priority than ultimate quality? And if that were so, how much current capacity would be “enough”? 3 Amps? 7A? And should we be looking for continuous current output, or peak capability? Uptone rates its excellent JS-2 LPS continuous 12V output at 7.4 Amps, but claims instantaneous capability of up to 10A. Is there an effective limit to the current requirements of Reactio operation, or is it a case of the more, the merrier?

 

[TLi]

Seismion Reactio's is not current hungry device. In usual functional state, it draws less than one ampere. It requires more energy when excited upon. When there is sudden burst of vibration, energy required to counteract it is large. Momentarily, it can draw up to 5 or 6 amp. Limited current supply can affect its ability to stabilize the platform.

I found a LPSU with 5 amp at least is needed. 10 amp will be the best. Another way to supply active isolators is to use battery pack. 12V battery supply is readily available and is not expansive. Depends on the capacity, it can supply the isolators for many hours before recharging is required. It is the best way to get switching power supply out of the power grid.

 

[Holmz]

I can see TTs, and maybe tube gear can be microphonic

How much of the other stuff is microphonic?… like DACS, CD players or transports etc… and even SS amps?