Problem :

Energy can be defined as the capacity for doing work. It may exist in a variety of forms and may be transformed from one type of energy to another. These energy transformations are constrained by a fundamental principle, the Conservation of Energy principle. One way to state this principle is "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed". Another approach is to say that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant. A truly isolated system implies a collection of matter which does not interact with the rest of the universe at all and as far as it’s known, there are really no such systems. But form of the energy could be changed. Vibration energy can be transmitted to heat energy by an isolation system. All materials will resonate. The resonant properties of the materials themselves differ. Damping qualities of the material or construction determines how the enclosure will sound. A silk dome tweeter sounds different then Beryllium or aluminum. Natural wood’s resonant characteristics are much different then brass, steel or other metals. The real solid wood resonates itself, that’s why it is not used for speaker production. Resonance characteristics of solid wood The idea of semi active dampers (or shock absorbers) has been in existence for more than two decades. Introduced by Karnopp and Crosby in early 70’s, semi active dampers have most often been studied and used for vehicle primary suspension systems. Look at Eraudio Review

NonameHifi Resonance Absorbing Balls (NRAB):

NRABs are semi active dampers (or shock absorbers) unlike spikes, NRAB’s do not ground vibrations in the vertical and horizontal level but they actually absorb them. Spikes work in one side. Unlike spikes, NRAB’s work in both sides and as far as they are placed under the components, they will open up the soundstage, increase dynamics and reduce excessive bass at the room. When resonances of the component or audio rack are transmitted through the wooden ball, wooden ball wants to vibrate in sympathy with the harmonic distortion and literally steals the energy from the component. The energy is then is damped out and turned into heat by the C37 treated woods natural damping coefficients. The NRAB’s consists of two parts: The 1-1/2" diameter of wooden ball made of pendula wood and the porcelain (not ceramic) plate. Wooden balls are specially treated with C37 lacquer. It takes several weeks before the lacquer become "stable". The balls function as a shock absorber for resonances and vibrations. The ball sucks vertical vibration from top and the bottom and absorbs by vibrating itself. As the component is placed on the NRAB, the vibration energy contacts the ball by the component and by the audio rack and absorbed at the ball without crossing other side.

What benefits should be expected? :

NRABs are designed to improve the performance of audio and video components such as CD players, CD transports, DACs, amplifiers, preamplifiers and DVD players by reducing resonance and vibration. NRAB’s are packed in sets of four. NRAB’s dramatically increase transparency, air, blackness and dynamics. They will open up the soundstage, increase dynamics and reduce bass boom.
 

How and where to use?

NRABs will be stabilized after a little travel in second and will make two single contact points between component and the audio rack. If desired, one drop of Alteco Glue may fix the ball onto the plate. Balls have to contact flat surface of the audio equipment but not under the feet. Attention: NRABs should not be used under loudspeakers. Loudspeakers have slightly different resonant characteristics due to they produce sounds. They should be strongly connected to floor

Price :

Recommended sales price of a box of 4 NRAB is US$ 109+Postage. Full money back guarantee in 30 Days.

Patent Pending © NonameHifi   www.nonamehifi.com

Please send Email for inquiries and order.

Testing Report Kerem Kucukarslan  February 2007
 

Just a reminder:
There is no perfection, there is no absolute in a high-end system.

There are so many brands out there. I would like to review the below of which I have been curious about for along time: I will keep the ideas short, hoping I do not create any prejudice among you valuable audiophiles. These are just my findings...


http://www.isocleanpower.com         Isotip SI (300 Euros set of four)

http://www.combak.net/feet&bases/FEET&BASES.htm  Tu 210 zx Tuning feet (810 Euros set of four)

http://www.starsoundtechnologies.com/    Audiopoints (135 Usd Set of 3)

http://www.symposiumusa.com/rollerblocks.html     Rollerblock Series 2+ (500 usd set of three)

http://www.neuanceaudio.com/     Platform 200 usd.

www.nonamehifi.com Resonance Balls (110 usd Set of Four)


I wanted to test three American, two Japanese and one Turkish isolation device at home today.
My own racks are fairly neutral, where I use 97 % natural wood – Canadian Maple, 2% metal and 1% of other composites: My stands are made of pure Canadian Maple and beneath each stand, I use Soundcare spikes. Beneath my speakers, I use my beloved Cerabase steel/ceramic base from Finite Elemente.

I have already isolated my 47labs transport and DAC with a Neuance platform, now I would like to try these test units BENEATH my pre-amp. The pre-amp section - in my opinion - needs the resonance fine-tuning the most. Therefore I have tried each of these units one-by-one beneath my pre-amp and my findings are as follows:

Isoclean ISOTIP SI. Units constructed of compound materials ranging from very hard, hard and soft hardness to dampen and absorb micro mechanical vibrations. The end product being the results of numerous experiments and listening sessions.
PROS: A fairly improved focus, a fairly improved depth in the stage. Micro details are relatively the same.
CONS: A sense of dryness appeared. Low level details have slightly disappeared and low level performance decreased. My system is no longer liquid and the life-like performance has slightly disappeared.
I will give out a rough comment. If your system is too bright or you have uncontrolled bass, Isotip units may be a resort.
Harmonix Tu 210 zx Tuning feet: ‘Harmonix tuning feet are the first step towards perfect sound. Placed under CD players, turntables, preamps, power amps, speakers, and other equipment, these remarkable devices eliminate electronic and mechanical distortion to bring out a depth of sound you didn't even know was there.
A very an elegant design. An aesthetic beauty for a price of 800 Euros +. These units are especially offered for usage beneath tube-pre-amps or power amps.
Pros: Focus and the feeling of depth in the soundstage have incredible increased. The soundstage has widened outside the speakers at least 40 cm from each speaker. I would say that the soundstage has widened 20% compared to my original set-up. Transparency has slightly increased as well. Resolution has increased significantly. The size of instruments is considerably bigger. There is control.
Cons: A slight dryness in lower mids and a slight loss of bass. Perhaps the composite brings a very slight edginess. I am not too sure on a dynamic range improvement since my experience is towards a slight dryness in the lower frequencies. Bass is not punchy as expected but smaller in scale and definitely controlled. (contrary to all instruments appearing ‘bigger’ in the soundstage) this unit serves perfectly well for midrange and upper extensions in my system. But my overall set-up is simply not synergic with these feet. Perhaps with some authoritarian, and ultra-transparent setups, these feet may serve well.

The Original Audio Points by StarSound: The unique design of AudioPoint displaces the focal point of resonant energy to a virtual point below the tip of audiopoint.
I have the non-threaded 1.5 aP1D size.
PROs: A fairly improved soundstage; not a significant improvement in stage width and depth. Resolution has slightly increased, though.
CONs: Transparency has slightly decreased. I should perhaps use the threaded versions and critique the unit later-on. I have suspicions that my pre-amp is not heavy enough (just 10 kg) to give enough pressure to keep the audiopoints truly stable. No significant change has occurred with these units.
Symposium Audio, Rollerblocks Series 2+: ‘Ball-bearing isolation devices can make improvements in system performance unmatched by other isolation devices. SYMPOSIUM introduced the bearing isolation device for active components with the original ROLLERBLOCK in 1997. Constantly improved since then, we make the finest bearing isolation devices anywhere - because when it comes to bearing isolation for audio and video, we wrote the book.’
Pros: Amazing focus and truly improved soundstage. Harmonics are delineated and individualized. Transparency very high. There is a feeling of a relaxed ambiance in the midrange. Highs are very crisp and clear. Soundstage has expanded 15 – 20% both in the width and depth. Low-level detail is there.
Cons: The punchy feeling is slightly low. The highs may sound bright to some. In general, my definition would be a slight analytical performance. For a dull and bodily system, these may serve perfectly fine. My past experience has served well in the front-end and pre-amp section.
Neuance Platform: Neuance is a high performance accessory isolation platform of exceptional expressiveness, custom-fitted to replace the stock shelving of your existing rack system or used as a free-standing table top platform. The unique low mass, rapid dissipation design augments your components' own resonance control functions. Neuance preserves the pace, rhythm and timing of the original musical performance, offering an organic, natural and balanced presentation. The result is a product that reveals the music's dynamic, kinetic and emotional qualities.
I currently use it beneath my 47 labs Flatfish Transport and Gemini DAC. A perfect fit. Also strongly advised by Kiuchi-san of 47 Labs.
I have tried a second Neuace platform beneath my pre-amp.
Pros: Musical. Very organic. The instruments have more body, especially in the lower extensions. Soundstage has slightly improved. Two simple words to define this platform: palpability and coherence in the final outcome.
Cons: Too musical. An upfront midrange has blurred the inner-details. Other than that, the emotion is there. But I am positive that a second platform is beyond my system synergy. Therefore this is not the perfect choice for my pre-amp, unlike my front-end. A very interesting platform indeed. May create marvels in many systems. A must-try.

Our fellow audiophile has come up with Pendula wood of which I have been very curious to experiment. Standing on ceramic concave platforms, these wooden balls are very stiff.
Just like the previous devices, I placed three of these under my pre-amp. Two in the front and one in the rear. After correct positioning, I raise the pre-amp for a second time, wait until the balls are centred on-axis in the ceramic holder, and finally place the unit for a more-centred and relaxed floatation.
Pros:
Very Musical.
Soundstage has improved 25% in width and 15% in depth. Correct size of each instrument relative to each other. A controlled and tight low-level detail. Realistic bass performance, sufficient impact, Punchy. Harmonics with speed and clarity...
The violins are not analytical and does not aggress my Beryllium tweeters nor does the vocals ‘shout’. ‘A general calmness without effort’ is how I would describe the Pendula. Doing a wonderful job beneath my pre-amp, I would describe these units as a great overall performer.
Cons: I could not detect any considerable drawback. It is a no-sound of her own product. I mean, no considerable ‘wood-sound’. I will benchmark this unit with some of the most expensive and exotic wood isolation devices in the future. I will receive the famous SHUNMOOK Ultra resonators (higher in price though, 1000 usd a set of three) in the near future, and will make a comparison with these units. But today, these resonance Pendula wood has brought a truthful emotion to my system.
In the top-end, I will have enough alternate isolation devices to extensively critique the NonameHifi Pendula, but in a standard hi-end synergy, I would say a must-try.

Yes, the sounds are musical with the Pendula, but let’s see what the Shunmook will bring,
Some would claim true ebony design has the most musical and organic sound. Well, Organic. Like cashmere. I love my cashmere sweater. I do not itch, nor do I sweat. I do not even feel it is on me most of the time.
Wishing for a truthful and true auditioning experience...