You may be aware that Harmonic Resolution Systems offers the most effectively engineering equipment stands and isolation bases you might find – the highest of the high-end – but don’t discount for a second how great their simplest and most affordable isolation products can be.
The Nimbus products are based on a polymer Coupler with no weight limit rating that is meant to be in direct contact with the component it supports. The 3” diameter x 0.35” thick Coupler is available by itself or in the Nimbus assembly which consists of an aluminum disc with recesses on each side containing a pair of Couplers. The Nimbus assembly is available in 3 height options: 1.0”, 1.5” and 2.0”.
Nimbus Couplers are a softer compound than the otherwise identical-looking polymer disc found in the Helix and Vortex footer series (more in those in a future post). In the Island Audio reference system, a substantial number of Nimbus Couplers and Assemblies provide excellent performance in a variety of applications alongside a smaller number of Helix and/or Vortex footers.
Until trying HRS products, soft footers from other brands always sounded too dull and lifeless. Hard footers made from metals or ceramics, usually in a conical shape were always much more to my preference in terms of energy, detail and soundstage. No more. HRS has changed the game, both in approach and results.
The Nimbus polymer compound strikes an amazing balance between achieving quiet isolation and preserving critical finesse. While there is no weight limit, my own experience suggests there is some degree of proportionality between how much Coupler is best suited to the job at hand. This is best explained through some examples.
The reference system here uses large servo-powered subwoofers. Placing a quartet of Nimbus Assemblies under each didn’t just change the bass but the calming and clarifying effect extended way up through the midrange (a trio under large floorstanding speakers does the same). It seems clear that the double layer of polymer in the Assembly is surely aiding in controlling the high levels of broadband energy in the loudspeaker cabinet and in limiting transmission into the floor.
The Assembly, with its two separated Couplers is likely optimal at reducing the two-way transfer of unwanted vibration from speaker to floor (and vice-versa). This is vastly better than spikes or rigid footers that couple that energy into the floor, introducing floor vibration and resonance that will muddy up the sound through the lows and midrange. If you’ve always used hard footers, Nimbus Assemblies are a revelation in this application. With speakers having less low frequency output, single Couplers (and even fractional pieces as they are easily cut) deliver an appreciably large portion of the same benefits brought by the Nimbus Assemblies.
Experimentation in the reference system has also shown another great use of the Coupler as a simple cable and connector support. In this case, a highly economic quarter section provides surprisingly large sonic benefits with no tradeoffs apparent. Other key components in the system also benefit from the Couplers instead of hard footers. It would take a lengthy photo-essay to show how this works but it’s really quite simple and it’s likely most every high-end audio system has many similar untapped opportunities.
Local audiophiles should book a consultation or phone call to learn more about the Nimbus and other highly beneficial HRS products.
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