Thank you.Welcome on board
The running comment amongst my audio buddies here, whenever we add a new component… “it better not suck!”
Through 400+ pages of this thread, I am confident it won’t suck!
Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
The running comment amongst my audio buddies here, whenever we add a new component… “it better not suck!”
Through 400+ pages of this thread, I am confident it won’t suck!
Another member of the Extreme community here as I placed my order few days ago
Hearing it on my system was believing, they should place a disclaimer 'don't try this at home' on the thing! A sad moment when it went away, and the countdown to receiving my unit had to commence ...
I have a couple of months to do the preparation work, being the first mandatory thing the replacement of my audio rack which is to small to install this beast.
Any recommendation for a 4 shelves audio stand which does not cost a kidney (still recovering the Extreme financial outlay) would be appreciated!
Hearing it on my system was believing, they should place a disclaimer 'don't try this at home' on the thing! A sad moment when it went away, and the countdown to receiving my unit had to commence ...
I have a couple of months to do the preparation work, being the first mandatory thing the replacement of my audio rack which is to small to install this beast.
Any recommendation for a 4 shelves audio stand which does not cost a kidney (still recovering the Extreme financial outlay
) would be appreciated!Keep your rack, just place your Extreme on a single shelf amp platform (or similar) tucked away somewhere on the floor (which is what I do). It doesn't even have to be nearby. All it needs is an internet connection. Four shelf stands which tolerate a 45 kilo load on one shelf are rare, and expensive.Another member of the Extreme community here as I placed my order few days ago
Hearing it on my system was believing, they should place a disclaimer 'don't try this at home' on the thing! A sad moment when it went away, and the countdown to receiving my unit had to commence ...
View attachment 85782
I have a couple of months to do the preparation work, being the first mandatory thing the replacement of my audio rack which is to small to install this beast.
Any recommendation for a 4 shelves audio stand which does not cost a kidney (still recovering the Extreme financial outlay
Thanks for the input, I wish I could to this but in my present layout the available footprint of my audio system is pretty limited
An option following the line you suggest could be to get a rack which allows freeing up the required space underneath it (like the reasonably proiced Norstone Spider, starting from the Spider 3 taller module), and place the Extreme directly on the floor perhaps on an isolation platform ...
It makes sense ... which now brings me to finding an isolation platform which does not cost a kidney (I looked into the TAD ZZ series pricelist and almost fainted)
Mighty fine unit.congrats on it.Another member of the Extreme community here as I placed my order few days ago
Hearing it on my system was believing, they should place a disclaimer 'don't try this at home' on the thing! A sad moment when it went away, and the countdown to receiving my unit had to commence ...
View attachment 85782
I have a couple of months to do the preparation work, being the first mandatory thing the replacement of my audio rack which is to small to install this beast.
Any recommendation for a 4 shelves audio stand which does not cost a kidney (still recovering the Extreme financial outlay
Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
I spent a lot of time trying to find a rack that allows this. At that time, I was adamant about my Rowland model sixes being on Cerapucs on the floor. The only racks that would allow this were the fake Finite Spider racks that have uprights in one piece rather than the 30cm pieces of the real thing. Big mistake! These fake racks sounded dreadful. After that, I went for Artesania and the improvement was massive. The Artesania Exoteryc rack does actually cost a kidney. However, it's more than wide enough and it is one of the few racks that allows continually adjustable level heights while also supporting the Extreme's weight. A good alternative (but with a different sonic signature and also not inexpensive) would be the Finite Elemente Pagode, but you'll have to go for the Master Reference version as the regular version isn't strong enough. Sorry, I can't think of any affordable racks that I used and would approve of...Thanks for the input, I wish I could to this but in my present layout the available footprint of my audio system is pretty limited
An option following the line you suggest could be to get a rack which allows freeing up the required space underneath it (like the reasonably proiced Norstone Spider, starting from the Spider 3 taller module), and place the Extreme directly on the floor perhaps on an isolation platform ...
Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
Artesania Aire! Not exactly cheap but the Extreme surely deserves it!It makes sense ... which now brings me to finding an isolation platform which does not cost a kidney (I looked into the TAD ZZ series pricelist and almost fainted)
Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
Alternatively, you could look at Artesania's Organic line, the modular floor platform, which is more affordable than the Aire as well as smaller and more manageable, should you want to place it under a rack. And then, of course, there are the Taiko Daiza platforms! I've not heard them yet but given my experiences with Tankwood so far, I have a good feeling about them.
Hi Christiaan, thank you for sharing your experience and for your input!
Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
Another member of the Extreme community here as I placed my order few days ago
Welcome on board!
I belief every component of your system setup matters, be it physical or electrical. A rack has a significant influence on your system performance.
The Daiza was not designed to be an isolation platform. Typically an isolation platform employs a spring - mass mechanism, with a resonance. It will amplify frequencies at its resonance, pass frequencies below and attenuate frequencies above. The resonance frequency depends on the compliance of the spring (the spring can be rubber, an actual steel spring, compressed air, or any other compliant material), and the mass placed on top of it. The ultimate goal of isolation platforms is to have minimal amplifaction at resonance and/or push the resonance frequency down as far as possible. Some of the best efforts reach resonances as low as 2-3Hz, but rubber footers under a component can easily have a resonance of 100-200Hz (smeared bass). The Daiza is not designed to isolate by means of a spring-mass system, but rather to attenuate(damp) resonances in the component to surface it’s placed on interface, while at the same time doing this as evenly as possible over a wide frequency range (neutral). It’s particularly good at attenuating metal resonances (what your electronic component chassis tends to be made of). With the Daiza you could even have good results placing it directly on the floor, as long as the floor is not carpeted.
Long story short, IMHO it will be very worthwhile to investigate good options within your budget range as you are doing right now.
I’d second the Artesania recommendations as a) they do not employ a mass-spring mechanism and b) they just “sound” great.
Actual isolating racks with a very low resonance tend to indeed cost a kidney, and perhaps you have to add part of your liver too!
I started with the E on the floor. Then i got a Entreq Athena with level 3 shelves and boy! did things improve . The E fits but its tight.
A good platform is really worth the trouble and expence .
Greetings Jaxho
. The E fits but its tight.A good platform is really worth the trouble and expence .
Greetings Jaxho
Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
"A good platform is really worth the trouble and expense" I definitely second that!I started with the E on the floor. Then i got a Entreq Athena with level 3 shelves and boy! did things improve
A good platform is really worth the trouble and expence .
Greetings Jaxho
Solid Steel (they aren't sold steel BTW) makes strong, reasonably priced racks. I doubt they have any vibration cancelling characteristics. I'm using their four shelf version with a Daiza for my Extreme.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
the fatal mistake IMO is to think you can unhear what you heard with the Extreme. Simply put…. You can’t
BTW mine occupies the top shelf of my Critical Mass Systems rack. If you want another suggestion consider what I and countless others are using….Center Stage footers size 1.5” under the Extreme.
double Daiza for me for my Extreme (Emile's rec for my whole digital chain), sitting on the bottom rack of an Adona "Zero GXT" solid rack.....which won't break the bank. but not an isolation rack, more a grounded platform rack. i let the Daiza or active isolation do the resonance attenuation.
i think a big issue is your floor type and how dynamic your system is and how loud you play......as far as the right answer for your Extreme. if the floor is moving around then that's where your attention needs to be first. mitigating that. i do now observe you are (very nice) headphone only that you list; so maybe the floor type is not as critical as your listening will not be an influence adding to the issues.
i think a big issue is your floor type and how dynamic your system is and how loud you play......as far as the right answer for your Extreme. if the floor is moving around then that's where your attention needs to be first. mitigating that. i do now observe you are (very nice) headphone only that you list; so maybe the floor type is not as critical as your listening will not be an influence adding to the issues.
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Hello, could you provide some insights on the sonic signature of the Finite Elemente Pagode rack.
My system is in my office on the 2nd floor on a hardwood floor. The house is about 5 years old, but every time a garbage truck or moving truck passes by, I can feel the floor shake a bit beneath me and I’m sure my Extreme is cringing every time that happens.
Any rack I consider would have to address this issue first.
One rack that I have been eyeing for a long time is the HRS VXR rack, but I have not heard it. I like it based on looks alone and HRS’s reputation but the price……
I do like the look of the Pagode rack and any insights you can provide would be much appreciated.
