Stacore Footers - A Positive Experience

dcc

VIP/Donor
Nov 4, 2012
650
1,270
1,230
Continental Europe -
A few weeks after I got my Stacore audio Rack https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/testing-and-embracing-stacore.24099/page-11, Jarek informed me that Stacore was developing new footers aiming at improving the coupling between the audio components and the platforms especially for components fitted with rubber feet. He kindly asked whether I would accept testing some prototypes.

I accepted the proposal. There were two conditions:
- Jarek would not disclose me the details on the design of the different sets I would be testing;
- I would only report my findings to Jarek.

Over the last weeks I received four sets of footers: two tall ones (5 cm high) and two shorter ones (4.5 cm high). By looking at the footers, I could tell that they were made of steel with a slate base. Two sets had a slight blue steel colour that led me to think that they were made of harder steel than the other ones.





The Allnic Phono H3000V was the perfect candidate for the test. It is fitted with rather soft rubber feet. It is not too heavy and the side handles allow an easy lifting. I opted for a 3 footers configuration with one footer at the front and two footers at the back.

All four sets had a positive impact on the Allnic:
- a slightly wider soundstage
- better definition of the voices
- tighter bass



However, one set stood out of the pack. The shorter footers with non-blue steel had my preference as they provided the best overall balance to the point that I had no intention to remove them and send them back to Jarek. On identical recordings, the gap between vinyl and tape had reduced.

I also tested the footers with the TAD CD/SACD players but I could not detect any improvement. The TAD is fitted with integrated metal footers hence the coupling with the platform might already be well effective.

Once I reported back all my findings and told Jarek that one set would definitely not be returning to Poland, he confirmed me that the footers I had selected were composed of softer steel vs. semi-hardened steel for the blue versions. The shorter footers had also less slate in their base. Jarek also confirmed me that he was expecting that footers made of softer steel would achieve a better coupling.

At the end my intensive testing, Flyer came over to deliver the Stacore platform I had ordered for my Tenor Audio power amp. Swapping from the Symposium to the Stacore platform was a huge leap forward. All the improvements I had experienced once I got my Stacore audio rack were present. Without the platform, the Tenor Audio was not in the same league as the Krells. Now they are on par with their specific idiosyncrasies. I even find that the improvements are more substantial wit the Tenor Audio. This may be due to the hybrid tube/solid state design.



The Tenor Audio is fitted with gigantic rubber feet. We therefore thought that it would be the ideal candidate for the Stacore footers. We were wrong. Whereas the soundstage slightly improved, the sound was a little bit harsher and me removed the footers. This may be due to the fact that putting the footers under the Tenor Audio proved to be a challenge as some screws in the chassis underneath were not allowing us to place the footers in an optimal position.

Anyway my conclusion is that these footers are highly effective with some electronics and I would therefore encourage any Stacore platforms owner to reach out to Jarek in order to test them. Jarek is going to send me a second set that I will be testing under my Krell preamp.

 
Last edited:

Hi-FiGuy

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2015
2,235
754
385
Thank you for that! Stacore has my full attention as being part of a future build. Excellent product.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stacore

Stacore

Industry Expert
Feb 23, 2017
641
196
180
Gdańsk, Poland
stacore.pl
Cordial thanks dcc for your invaluable help with the development and this report, which we can treat as an offical launch of our footers! Let me say few words about the subject. First of all footers are a very difficult type of products, I'd say much more than platforms, as they work with a big unknown - the equipment construction and its sensitivity to vibrations. They are responsible for interfacing between the equipment and its support structure, but an almost infinite variation of construction techniques, materials, component and circuit sensitivities, etc is what makes the efficient coupling a big challenge. The primary idea to develop our own footers was driven by the observation that the harder coupling to our platforms the better the sound (as we see above there are however exceptions to this empirical rule) and we wanted to give our customers a chance to bypass any soft footers their equipment may have (like in dcc's Allnic phono). The ideas behind the design are rather straightforward physics:

- couple best possible (low impedance) to a platform to ground any vibrations passing through the footer in its massive, highly damped structure; hence the use of slate for the lower part
- couple best possible to the equipment chassis to "sink" the vibrations; most chassis (or their lower plates) are steel or aluminium and we have chosen steel as it damps better the slate
- dissipate the vibrational energy in a constrained layer between the slate and the steel

As tests show, this works really well in most circumstances, providing an additional refinement to what our platforms do. And the interesting turn is that the footers also work great outside of our platforms, as a standalone product. Some initial tests were made by us and dcc and more to follow.
Of course we have to look at the things from the right perspective: The complication and hence the efficiency of damping by a footer is nowhere close to e.g. what our platforms offer with their wide-bandwith, multi-axis action but as a simple, budget solution they are definitely worth a try. As with all our products, we offer 2 weeks in-house trial period with money back, no questions asked.

Cheers,
 
  • Like
Reactions: dcc

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,606
5,414
1,278
E. England
Jarek has kindly sent me set of his footers to try out. Those who followed my thread re Stacore winning out on the active v passive isolation thread know how much of a fan I am of the product. Indeed, the Advanced under my tt has been invaluable in allowing me to take my analog to totally new heights.

I've tried these footers in four locations now. Under my balanced transformer that sits on a Basic Plus platform, under cdp and pre on Symposium Isis rack, and under Entreq grounding box sitting on the floor.

In all these places, there is a marked improvement over existing. Because my system is now so revealing and sensitive to any changes, it's easy to pick up positives and negatives.

Bass just gains heft w no compromise on speed, depth of stage is greater, natural detail is enhanced, all in all a greater insight into the musical message.

These attributes all present whichever component I place the footers under. Fascinatingly, despite my skepticism that Stacore would bring anything to the party isolating my transformer, and being pleasantly surprised when I listened to the results, I'm finding again that these footers under my Entreq Silver Tellus is delivering the goods where I'd truly expect v little, and this is likely where they'll stay. The OCD completist in me now has specialist isolation under all my components.

All in all a totally fascinating product, consistent w what I already know of Stacore, and a worthy addition to the range of specialist footers out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stacore

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Thank you, Marc, for this very interesting report!

As Jarek comments above and as dcc reports above it seems that footer efficacy and sound effect are difficult to predict in advance. One must try them and see (ah, hear) component by component.
 

dcc

VIP/Donor
Nov 4, 2012
650
1,270
1,230
Continental Europe -
Hi Mark. Great to read that you have reached the same conclusion. I only tested the footers with the Stacore platforms.

Jarek has sent me a second set of footers made of soft steel (the ones that I had short listed out of the four sets I tested). I placed them under my Krell preamp which is fitted with hard rubber footers.

I can happily report that the sonic benefits are identical to those I get with the Allnic phono stage equipped with the Stacore footers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stacore

adyc

VIP/Donor
Jan 5, 2013
873
399
973
There is a new review of Stacore CLD footer.

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/stacore-cld-footers/

I have been using CLD footers under my CH M1.1 for a few weeks. My placement of footers is different from the review. I place CLD footers directly under M1.1 footers rather than under the chassis. My M1.1 are on Stacore Basic+ platforms. These footers are great. They provide perfect couplings to the platforms and enhance the effects of Basic+ platforms.

IMG_0418.jpeg
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing