Analog Upgrade itch

A customer just pointed this tread out to me. Yes I'm a Kuzma dealer so please judge these remarks knowing this. I owned the XL 2 motor (AC motor) table with a 4Point arm for many years sitting on a Vibraplane. (Yes I'm also the world-wide distributor of the VP). Over the last 9 months I have sold 5 Stabi R tables so I directly compared the R to the XL. Yes the bass was bigger and better on the XL but when listening to the R everything was more focused and had even better PACE. I contributed this to the DC motor of the R. I did contemplate upgrading the XL to the XL-DC but instead thought I'd either do the Stabi M or get myself the Stabi R. Talking with Scot Markwell he said why spend more $$$ for an M when I use a Vibraplane, the M  and R are so similar other than the M having it's own isolation which I didn't require. (Yes agree Scot is a straight shooter).  So I sold my XL and now use the R still with the 4Point arm. (Have a MSL cartridge on the 4Point) Shortly will get a 2nd wing for the R and maybe even try Kuzma's new SAFIR arm. 

@eddiechanghk when you asked "I now use a IsoAcoustics DELOS solid oak platform , how do these platform differ from each other ?" I'm assuming you are asking vs a Vibraplane? Completetly different, the VP isolates down to 2.5 cycles in BOTH the vertical & horizonal planes. The VP was iniitally designed for electron microscopes. 

@karl_desch correct you would gain nothing from the Stabi M vs R if using your Vibraplane.  :-) 

No never heard of them. What's their price point? The VP currently sells for $2995 for either the passive or active version (Compressor excluded) Although shipping is expensive and especially to HK where it would be almost 1/2 the price of the unit! 

(Dealer disclosure) 

There are basically 2 models a “Passive” model and an “Active” unit which requires a compressor that puts out 120 psi (not included).  You can buy compressors usually in any voltage required for your area. 

Both Vibraplane (passive & active) tables are sonically identical as they isolate any component placed on them down to 2.5 to 3 HZ.  The active table again requires a compressor to supply a constant air supply to keep it floating and is self-leveling.  The passive model uses a hand pump to "float" the component.  The passive model, once set, should stay at its proper inflation for at least a week or so without needing adjustment, depending on the weight of the component placed on it.  The table will hold up to 275 pounds and VP weighs in at 150 pounds. Shipped on a pallet it’s over 200 pounds.  The entire 24" x 20" surface of the top plate is flat and unobstructed, allowing plenty of room for any turntable.  The top plate is constructed of a half inch plate of "Vibradamped" steel, which is covered with a Formica top skin and formed by two layers of steel of varying thickness, bonded together with a damping adhesive to minimize any resonance.  To provide additional mass, a 10" x 14" x 1-1/4" piece of steel is welded to the bottom which is concealed, along with the three pneumatic isolators, by a 2" x 1/8" thick decorative skirt attached vertically to the outer perimeter of the top plate. The top platform is isolated by three patented, pneumatic isolators using a special bladder sealed in an airtight piston housing, each connected to a supplementary air chamber that improves real-time damping of periodic and random vibrations in the vertical plane. Horizontal isolation is provided largely by a series of special, highly compliant elastomer discs separated by thin, hard spacers. This portion of the isolator is located under the vertical air piston and moves side to side as efficiently as the pneumatic portion responds vertically. The elastomer sandwich operates as a variation of the bearing slip-plate concept for horizontal motion.

A "baby" VP is also available that measures 19" x 16" and weighs 90 pounds. It can be bought as either an active or passive model.

As a side note one compressor can "float" as many as 12 VP's. 

Hope this helps.

(Dealer disclaimer)