Stack Audio Auva Isolator

@lollipopguild that would be great, thanks very much. I'll take you up on that 👍🍻

@painter24 Thanks for the reply. 

Like the reckless fool I am I've gone and placed an order for the 70s. I'm currently using Gaias. 

If you get back to me when you're close to pulling the trigger I can let you know my impressions

@lollipopguild

I haven’t yet, as I bought a new amp. They are next on my list though (the only thing on my list really). The only reason I hesitate, is because I bought the amp, and because my current footers do a good job under the ATCs on a suspended wooden floor (Dark Star footers from Solid Air in the UK). But I think in the new year I’ll take the plunge. I have the Auva EQs under DAC and amp and was pleasantly surprised, so quite keen to see what the Auva 70s will do for my ATCs

I believe the larger the footer the more isolation. Go for the 70 or perhaps even the 100.

ozzy

Has anyone compared the auva 50s with the 70s? 

I have floor standing ATC SCM40 speakers on tile covered concrete floor 

I'm also thinking of replacing the Gaias under my ATC SCM40s with auva. 

@painter24 ​​​​​​, based on your earlier comments it seems you have the same speakers as me. Did you end up putting auvas under them ?

I am Tom the Audio Tweak  associated with Live Vibe and I have used the same 1and only moniker for the 24 years of posting on Audiogon. I have never spoken to Tommyu or know anything about that person. Tom

Today I received and installed eight Stack Audio AUVA EQs to replace the Orea Bronze footers I was using under my AGD Production Gran Vivace monoblocks.

A pretty stunning improvement in terms of a drastically lowered noise floor and enhanced soundstage, particularly in terms of depth.

Keepers for sure, and I just made another order for the AUVA 70 speaker isolators and more AUVA EQs for my Innuos Zenith Mk3 and PhoenixNET switch plus my PS Audio BHK Preamp...

audiopoint,

Thank you very much for the added information and clarification. I may take you up on the offer to try them.

ozzy

Hello Ozzy,

The two-inch Audio Points shown in your system are an older body style. A newer version released before COVID-19 establishes subtle differences in the newer body style’s sonic.

The sound increase occurs when adapting the new Coupling Discs (APCD5).

When comparing cones and pucks, the 2.5 and 3.5-inch Wide Body Audio Points are generally analyzed. 

The Award-Winning Rhythm Platforms and Rhythm JR Platforms serve as a higher value and sonic that shows off more about the resonance transfer process versus listening to three or four Audio Points.

You will note there is no difference in frequency affecting the character of your speaker system or any electronic product. You gain efficiency in component operation, reduced temperature, and hear more information from the equipment you own without clogging any signal pathway due to resonance build-up. 

Some of the products you mentioned alter frequency to enhance the sonic.

Your current use of the Audio Points is more of a floor connection to some type of woodblock used to support the amplifiers. This application is the dated catch-and-hold vibration method (isolation). I would position something between the electronics chassis and the top of the block. In your use, the Audio Points are only capable of mechanical grounding the block and will not achieve any measurable sonic improvements on the amplifiers.

The best method would be to install the electronics onto a Rhythm Platform. Should you like to give this a trial run, call me.  I will make the arrangements at no expense on your end. Just provide me with your results. We will provide return shipping labels. I am NOT attempting to shill or advertise on this forum. All information exchanged is confidential.

The new company is titled LiveVibe Audio. As I get older and Live-Vibe Technology™ is beginning to expand, I want to leave the planet with the company intact. This new business structure allows for expansion and awards those who have worked with us to achieve this point. We welcome a new breed of innovation and growth potential exceeding far beyond that of audio alone.  

Let me know by phone if you want to audition the Audio Point’s evolution. Rhythm Platforms and the Rhythm Juniors are much more than a few thirty-five-year-old parts and easily compete with all vibration management products in the marketplace.

Robert

330-260-6769

Yes I got mine from Star Sound as well. The new company name looks to have the exact same names and product codes as before so you would presume it’s the same footers.

agisthos,

Yes, I know they are better than just brass footers. Are they the same items as the Audio Points that I bought years ago from (I think it was called) Star Sound Technologies?

ozzy

Are the 2" Audiopoint’s that I own the same as the ones you are currently selling as Vibe Audio? If so, aren’t they still just a brass point sitting into a brass cup?

No they are not just brass pointed footers in a cup. The Audiopoints have a specific 'columb' shape that is supposed to dissipate resonance more effectively. I found them way better than standard brass pointed footers. But they did not compete at all with the (much more expensive) Stillpoints Ultra SS, which is my current reference.

Thanks, audiopoint/Robert, for chiming in again. We all understand you are the dealer/seller of those footers.

Question:

Are the 2" Audiopoint’s that I own the same as the ones you are currently selling as Vibe Audio? If so, aren’t they still just a brass point sitting into a brass cup?

Nothing wrong with that, it was great for its time, but it just does not compete with, Iso-Acoustics Gaia/Titan, Stillpoints Ultra SS, Townshend, Critical Mass and the Stack Audio items. No shilling on my part because I own them all.

ozzy

But I only mention this because I resent the owner and manufacturer of Audiopoints coming into this thread and schilling their own product especially when they obviously know nothing about the Stack Audio AUVA.

Agisthos, I am the owner and manufacturer of Audio Points™. 

I am not sure where this shilling thing took place.

We know how and why the Auva pucks function.

 Our company has an Agreement with the US Patent holder for a process using bearings as a primary resonance conductor in tubes, pucks, wood blocks, cones, cello end pins, microphone stands, etc. I know what is happening inside the Auva pucks. Bearing fillers have been used before in the Audio Industry. We also understand the cone and what goes on when combined with bearings.

 Pucks, cones, springs, dots, and spheres have been around in footer systems since the late 1980s. All of those companies closed. All those products are gone except one.

Reinvention with fancier cosmetics, machining, and materials and the willingness of the public to purchase that new much more expensive thing rejuvenate sales. To us, it has all been done before.

Everyone is invited to telephone me. I will answer all your questions or locate the individuals who can. You will know who I am and I will have no idea who you are. Fair enough?

After speaking together, if you still resent me, at least there is a reason compared to voicing a meaningless opinionated statement on a public forum.

Do you know how many real shills exist on all audio forums? Dozens of dealers and manufacturers, many member participants, and even more professional salespeople lurk behind every thread. We do not require or market AudioGon forums to increase sales.

Thank you for your time,

Robert

LiveVibe Audio

@agisthos

"Tom even used his personal account here to pretend he was just an enthusiast who had tried every footer on the market ( he reeled off every name to Ozzy)."

I do not have any affiliation with Audio Points now or in the past, you should check you facts before jumping to these accusations..

I still stand by my post on the findings in "my" system in the post.

Also I Never claimed to try EVERY footer on the market there are so many.

Just wanted to put some clarification to your post.

Sorry to take up more space on this thread but false information is not helpful.

I had 24 Starsound audiopoint footers all with matching coupling discs for my entire system. They were good but the Stillpoints Ultra SS easily bested the Audiopoints. And they should have being 4x the price!
But I only mention this because I resent the owner and manufacturer of Audiopoints coming into this thread and schilling their own product especially when they obviously know nothing about the Stack Audio AUVA.

Tom even used his personal account here to pretend he was just an enthusiast who had tried every footer on the market ( he reeled off every name to Ozzy).

Its just wildly inappropriate and let’s cut it out.

knockknock12,

Thank you for your comments. There are so many footer types, and many Audiophiles enjoy the type that they have. 

My only comment to that affect is until you try them you don't know what you're missing.

There is always someone trying to make a better mouse trap!

Enjoy!

ozzy

My AUVA 50 replaced my GAIA III´s. The AUVA´s are in every manner miles ahead of the GAIA´s. 

It is as if the sound just gets totally detached from the speakers, and the bass is much more precise, deeper and more organic. Every note is much easier to follow, and the depth and width of the music is so much more impressive. My albums are just much enjoyable to listen to. 

@audiopoint

OT- Robert, was it your Star Sound Energy room that Mike Powell gave a tour that showed that you use ASR Basis preamp and Emitter amps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt1Z7qN0DCc&t=308s

I'm considering buying the ASR Basis Exclusive HV phono preamp and would love to hear of your thoughts about it if I could contact you though Audio Vibe? Thanks!

@tommyu @ozzy

Love the conversations. Thanks guys...It is so confusing to figure out but you’re experiences help. I have sold my Townshend springs/platform/podiums(although I still use Townshend's Isolation corners for my 400 pound Sound Anchors rack) and have been trying to decide between the Stacks, CM and Live Vibe Audiopoints.

OCD Mikey is like you guys in that he’s tried everything out there but it’s the Live Vibe Audio Points that he uses and raves about.

My components will soon be upgraded and I’ll be buying the Live Vibe points for them. I may keep my Symposium shelves underneath some of them though.

@OZZY

Using various isolation products over the last 40+ years in my and other peoples systems, your comments that Audio points are just "OK" is a blanket understatement..

I have used many cones, racks, platforms and after decades settled with good results but nothing has worked as well in my system for unlocking the true potential as the Live-Vibe-Audio products, I have a Rhythm rack, Audio Points under speakers, Apprentice platform under Power distribution so 100% of their products under all my components and it is the end of the road for me my equipment and room/tastes.. and the most Musical/Natural sound I wanted to achieve.

In the past decades have used/owned Many products from BDR (Black Diamond Racing), Mapleshade, Poly Crystol, Goldmund, Stillpoints, Comback, Critcal Mass Systems, Shun mook, German Acoustics, Vibraplane, Herbies Audio Labs, and more that I'd have to think about...

All do different things to "change" the sound but by the end of the day I have found my end of the road products in what I am using.

It is fun playing with these things and can become expensive and frustrating at times, but trust your own ears.!!

Enjoy the Music that is what it's all About at the end of the day.

Robert,

Didn’t I state that I own Audiopoint’s. And by the way, isn’t that your moniker? Aren’t you biased?

You get what you pay for, most of the time. The Audio Points are ok, but nothing compared to the Stillpoints, Iso-Acoustics, Critical Mass and Stack Audio and many other footers. I have tried them all. I relate them to the sound quality improvement that is achieved with these products. Price is another matter.

Of course this is my opinion, and you have yours!

ozzy

@audiopoints "You have been marketed."

LiveVibes doesn't "market" potential customers? Do you not have a spiel which you expect to attract belief in and in turn generate sales

https://livevibeaudio.com/technology/live-vibe-technology/

Might just be me but reading your spiel it is marketing, not unlike the marketing that you criticize your competitors of

Hello Ozzy,

My opinion remains the same.

If it is not an Audio Point then comparisons are useless. Material science, shape, and intended use are part of the design. Every cone is not and will not perform the same - guaranteed. 

If you guys are going to compare devices IMHO “compare the prices” of each product! 

Townshend made a lot of money comparing their $2,500.00 device to $12.00 worth of nail head steel spikes. Iso-Acoustics did the same thing. 

You have been marketed. 

This tactic happens more now than ever before in this industry. 

The one common factor you have in all of these comparisons is price. Compare apples to oranges if you want to, but remember, the equipment rack you are using controls all your outcomes. 

Stack Audio retails products here in America and has a Patent Pending listed on their website. We have an Agreement with and honor US Patent # 9858903B2 which entails processes that have a similar description to the Stack technology. I am not the Patent owner but I want you to know this is more fair and believable than marketing to the public through questionable testing methodologies.

Robert

LiveVibe Audio

vinlyshadow,

I have used and still have 2" Audiopoint’s. They look very similar if not the same.

They are good but the newer items like the Stack Audio footers, Critical Mass etc. are better.

IMHO that is.

ozzy

@wcheng2 @ozzy

Have you, or anyone here, tried Live Vibe Audio’s brass cones/discs?

OCD Mikey and others swear by them. Mikey has tried Townshend Pods and many other isolators and he feels brass is the best.

https://livevibeaudio.com/audio-points-coupling-discs/

@ozzy. I have Neodio B 1s or 2s under most of my components but based upon my positive experience with the Auva 100s under my Dadelus floorstanders I ordered a set of EQs and placed them under my Modwright preamp. Ii had had Isopods under it (size of the preamp and the shelf don't allow me to use Neodio isolators due to how they need to positioned ) the EQ is a definite step-up in SQ. I am going to order another set for the CD transport in my 2nd system, and if I can figure out the thread size of the spikes that attach to the integrated stands of the JM Reynaud Offrande Supreme V2s in my 2nd system I will order a set of Auva for that. To my ears Stacks Audio isolators are a price to value winner

@mikedaniels I received mine in roughly a week 

Nothing like a critic who actually doesn't have first-hand experience 

How long did the shipping take?

Leave you all with this. Shape is very important. 

Smooth shaped with hidden seams and joints can make a huge difference in how music travels. Be a brick as are most of the devices shown look, or be a bullet as are none of the devices shown look. Visible seams create shear and generate drag. Have fun. You will be in the same place again next year looking at the same thing different name with the same wrong understanding. TomD 

theaudiotweak,

Perhaps you should start your own thread?

ozzy

Which I have a US patent on fill materials for string instruments and legs and footers for audio gear. TomD

Facten,

The nuts are threaded to a shaft that is attached to the device which is flat and creates the right angle where they intersect. This flat device acts as a backboard for interfering energy to travel back and for between the device and the component which pollutes the component.

Thanks for having me look at this device again as I see another source for interfering energy (Shear) to develop and that is the coarse knurling on the surface of the 2 nuts attached to the interference created by the threads of the shaft. More shear>>>

You could go to an online store such as McMaster Carr or even a local hardware store and find brass washers and nuts and a brass threaded shaft as superior substitutes for some of these knarly parts and hear a difference for yourself. Of course, the shaft may not be removable.  Or design your own as I pretty much told you what not to do and make a better one. I do have cryod micro bearing steel of various ODs that are superior in sound to that of tungsten because they have a lower shear wave velocity. I have tried many different materials in many different ODs or powders. Powders over damp the sound so the hard choice is to select from many sizes of bearings and their material makeup.

TomD

@theaudiotweak "Below the threads are 2 locking nuts. Those have rights angles on their exterior"

How do round nuts have right angles?

Regardless of that comment or any of the rest of your response have you actually tried the Stack Audio Auva to provide 1st hand comments vs your theory? I have them and they live up to the manufacturer's statements

agisthos,

I started out with the Stillpoints Ultra SS, then went to the Critical Mass Footers. Big improvement.

I do have a set of the Stack Audio Auva under my Lumin X1, and compared it to the Critical Mass Footers and honestly, they were very close in sound quality. The edge goes to the CM footers.

ozzy

I would like to know how the Stack AUVA EQ compares to Stillpoints SS Ultra.

@wcheng2 has reported its not as good as the Critical Mass, but they are very expensive. The AUVA is bargain priced compared to other isolation footers. The SmoothLAN is as well, so it must be the philosophy of Stack Audio to provide great value.

I have one set of the Stillpoints SS Ultra and its frankly amazing on any component, even the power distributor, or the Nordost grounding box. I wish I had 5x more sets, but if the AUVA EQ is close it would be great as its 1/6th the price of a set of Stillpoints.

Let’s start from the top.

You see an adjustable thread.

Adjustment is good but threads exposed increases the time energy flows..not in a straight or uncorrupted line.

Exposed threads generate shear wave energy. Waves that travel in 2 directions. That means the energy from one thread to the other is reflected back and forth. This creates even more interference.

Below the threads are 2 locking nuts. Those have rights angles on their exterior and also generate shear.

If the nuts and the threaded stud are made of dissimilar materials those 2 at their boundary intersection also generates interfering energy.

Is the threaded stud the nuts, as well as the material of the outer diameter of the device made of the same material? Different materials different speeds.

The top and the bottom of the device are flat.

The flat top has no direct coupling to the device it is supporting.

Any energy that arrives at the top flat will be reflected back up at the device at rest. It will be reflected upward at the resting device thru the 2 nuts also with sharp edges and the corruption of the threaded stud.device..All that corrupted energy is now at the bottom of the component.

At the bottom you have another flat surface with 3 sharp points made of another material and speed.

These points have only 1 primary angle which means the floor bounce of energy will be reflected back up into the flat bottom of the large bottom of the disc.

I can’t see the inside but I know how bad or good tungsten can sound. Either by diameter, shape or added alloys. As a pure element tungsten unaided without an additional element makes for a musical image that is in your face as it climbs the wall and rests at the ceiling boundary intersection. Totally unreal and nearly painful.

Devices like the one reviewed mostly share all the above descriptions..

I have spent countless hours and thousands of dollars on my use of tungsten in one of my devices. I arrived at the very smallest cylinder tempered with the addition of another element cut and polished by diamond. That’s all I will share.

Thank you for your question.

TomD

@theaudiotweak "Products such as these made with right angles sitting on points that have only one angle are inferior."

How does the description above associate with Stack Auva or EQ?

The floor of your room is at a minimum 1/6 of the entire surface area of all other planes of your room. The idea is how to best use that surface area to its maximum benefit. TomD

Your speakers aren’t in a box and they have rounded edges to reduce reflection back into the vibrating membrane.

That’s only 1 way to reduce corruption of the intended signal and reduce interfering energy that becomes a part of the musical chain...to your body, ears and brain.

Tom D

Go stand in a corner and talk to yourself or put your head in a box. 

Do you sound better or just different?

I posted my patent number here early on about how materials and their shapes reduce resonance interference.

Shape is a vital component as is shear velocity. Keep buying the same old reconstituted ideas, materials and shapes as isolation can only exist in the absence of matter. Think about that for more than a minute. 

Tom D

theaudiotweak,

You evidently don’t know what these products are.

wcheng2,

I agree with you the CM 2M are pretty fantastic. But under speakers the Stack Audio 100 are very good. And for the type and shape of my speakers they are better than anything else I have tried.

ozzy

Products such as these made with right angles sitting on points that have only one angle are inferior. Like a speaker in a box with no analysis or path to reduce baffle step or diffraction on any exterior surface in sight. Certainly none out of sight. That be the box Bob. Tom D

I did a comparison of the EQs and the Critical Mass CMS2s under my RCM Theriaa phono stage. The Critical Mass were better. More clarity at both frequency extremes and a deeper soundstage with sharper images. As much as I wanted the EQs to be equivalent or better given the amount of money I would save, the CMS were clearly better. As they should be, at many multiples of the price of the EQs. For their price, the AUVA EQs are indeed very good.

@ozzy thanks Ozzy. I think you're right on both fronts; great product, reasonable price. Josh at Stack Audio was really attentive, over multiple emails, fast shipping, great customer service. I'll definitely be going back for more EQs and the Auva 70s

Looking forward to reading your comparison with the Critical Mass footers 👍

painter24,

The Stack Audio products are one of the best bang for the bucks out there. Great product and service, and fast shipping to the USA too!

Soon, I will be comparing a set against the Critical Mass Footers. Which are way more expensive.

ozzy

I received my 3x EQ CSA 2’s yesterday; they came with wafer-thin, rubber like discs I assumed to sit on top of the EQ’s and act as a protection for the underside of the component, and/or to prevent slippage? I used them as such anyway

To be honest, even after reading and watching reviews, I thought the EQ’s would have an affect, but I tend to temper my expectations these days on tweaks like these, expecting maybe a slight improvement in separation within tracks, but nothing earth shattering.

I tried the EQ’s as a test to determine whether it would be worthwhile to go for the more expensive Auva 70’s for my speakers.

With the 30 day return option, seemed like a no brainier, plus I’m in the UK, so not much hassle to return if I wasn’t convinced.

Anyway, I’ve put aside my scepticism; these innocuous looking pucks seem to be the real deal.

I only had a chance to listen for about 40 minutes last night, but the change was immediate; greater separation as I thought, plus individual track components seem to be better locked in place within the sound stage. Vocals were the biggest noticeable in my short session; they seemed to come forward out of the plane of my speakers considerably. Which I find desirable.

I’ll be listening more over the weekend, but for now; yep, I’m in. These seem to be a worthwhile investment.

Forgot; I’ve put them under my Pontus 😊