Wood blocks underneath components?? snake oil?

Tone woods really can make a difference under your components. I was very skeptical myself until I tried a few products from Monument Reference. www.monref.com and was blown away at what it did in my system. They were definitely more expensive than the Cardas Blocks but the results were worth the money in my setup.

This company uses wood like Cocobolo and Brazilian Rosewood to make their products which are treated with a varnish very similiar to what is used on Violins. Being a guitar enthusiast and familiar with these woods, it just makes sense to me..

Anyway, I now use the signature posts (Brazilian Rosewood) under my Amp, CD Transport, and DAC. My system is a different animal entirely without them.

Anyway, huge believer in the wood!

Chris

Tboooe,

Yes, they sit under the component and not attached in anyway. You are correct on the positioning of the three SoundPosts as well. They actually come with a tool and a thread which assist you in mapping out the actual center/circumference of each component. It is really quite intelligent as the initial setup is very detailed.

There are several different sizes and choices of wood too for different applications. As, I mentioned I was quite skeptical in the beginning but now use them under every one of my components in my two channel set up. I have tried several vibration tweeks (Sorbothane, Vibrapods, Ceramic Cones, Black Diamond Racing, Myrtle blocks, etc) and the Monument Reference stuff is in a league of its own.

My system is in the virtual systems if you want to check it out..

Cheers,

Chris

Hartwerger,

Sorry for the delay of my response but I just hit the thread again and saw your post. What blew me away was the dramatic change in my systems sound. I first tried the Large SoundPosts under my Cary SLI-80 and was imediately taken back by the change in tonality.

Strings were suddenly more detailed, the bass went deeper and was cleaner, and the treble was more detailed but still had this sweetness to it. Not to mention, the soundstage now went way back behind the speakers. Also, things were more quiet. I could play my system louder yet talk over it with easy. Things were much calmer and accurate. Almost hard to explain.

Being so pleased with my purchase. I ordered a second set for my CD Player at the time. A XA777ES. Results were similiar to the amp but it really made the CD player sound more Analog. The soundstage also just grew. I really wish I had taken some notes to better describe it.

I know use a DAC and a Transport and use them under both. If you were to listen to my setup with the SoundPosts and without. It is cleary an audible difference. I will say that these vibration treatments really make as much as a difference as changing cables in my setup if not more.

Being a hack guitarist and being familiar with tone woods, this product's theory makes sense to me. Hearing a guitar made of Brazilian Rosewood being played versus let's say a Saple Guitar is just huge. Different woods sound different with vibration and posses characteristics.

I believe that Monument Reference has a Money Back Guarantee but you would have to check their Web Page. Give them a try and see for yourself. They are really an amazing product. No BS, No Snake Oil..

Respectfully,

Chris

I too am very skeptical of certain tweaks. I mean the Magic Pebbles and Clock have been the source of much entertaining conversation with me and a few audio buddies but I have personally never tried them.

The way I see it, if you have not tried a tweak, your opinion is pretty much null and void. If you have tried it and did not hear or witness a difference, that is a whole different matter.

After seeing the Vibrapods and reading about them I was curious so I tried them. In my experience, they are the WORST sounding vibration treatment available. I see people using them and it makes me question their whole setup as they can make a perfectly good component sound like crap.

The fact that several manufacturer's are putting wood feet on they players should speak to this tweak. To anyone with a Tube Amp and a Digital Source, I would encourage you to try the Mon Ref SoundPosts and see for yourself what I described. Maybe it is just me but I seriously doubt it and no I do not work for the company. Just sharing my resuls.

Anyway, an open mind can discover a lot of things a closed mind misses along the path of life..

Chris