Artesania Audio Exoteryc Pro Upgrade Kit
Review samples provided by Artesania Audio
Following the introduction of the Exoteryc Rack Pro, a smaller, less costly derivative of the Master Kyo Rack, Artesania Audio introduced two Upgrade Kits for Exoteryc Racks and Aire Floor Platforms.
Exoteryc Panzerholz Upgrade Kit
The Exoteryc Panzerholz Upgrade Kit includes Panzerholz Linear Arms with beechwood discs that replace the standard steel arms. It also contains solid Panzerholz Inner Rack Cylinders, which replace the standard white Nylon Cylinders (used in the original version) or the black Nylon Cylinders (used in recent versions) for decoupling the internal frame. Additionally, the kit comes with large, solid Panzerholz Floor Bases to replace the standard Stainless Steel Bases.
Exoteryc Pro Upgrade Kit
The Exoteryc Pro Upgrade Kit brings existing Exoteryc racks and Aire Floor Platforms up to the same specifications as the Rack Pro. The Exoteryc Pro Upgrade Kit includes Carbon Fiber Linear Arms with beechwood discs that replace the standard steel arms. It also includes new Nylon/Stainless Steel Inner Rack Cylinders, which replace the standard white Nylon Cylinders (used in the original version) or the black Nylon Cylinders (used in recent versions) for decoupling the internal frame. Additionally, the kit comes with massive, smoothly machined Stainless Steel adjustable footers to replace the standard rounded spikes.
For this review, I will focus on the Exoteryc Pro Upgrade Kit. I had already reviewed the Carbon Fiber Linear Arms, and was so impressed with them that I ordered them for my three Aire Floor Platforms and Exoteryc rack. I also used them in all instances when making comparisons for this review. For my full impressions, please refer to the original review. In brief, these arms deliver tighter bass with increased speed and agility, improved articulation, and an overall cleaner, more detailed, and more tangible sound, while fully maintaining fluidity and air.
Pro Stainless Steel/Nylon Cylinders
The new Pro Stainless Steel/Nylon Cylinder, shown assembled on the left, and in its three parts from different angles on the right.
The new Pro Cylinders consist of a smoothly machined Stainless Steel upper section that screws onto a lower section made of black Nylon. As with the original full Nylon Cylinders, the new Cylinders are clamped onto natural rubber discs using long screws that are fixed from underneath the metal bars.
Comparing the new Pro Cylinder on the left to the standard Nylon Cylinder on the right. The new Cylinder assembly is slightly taller, so the inner rack’s top spikes need to be screwed all the way up to their uppermost positions.
Pro Stainless Steel Footers
The new footer assembly consists essentially of a very chunky spike with a rounded tip on the bottom and a threaded end at the top, paired with a super-oversized nut that secures the spike after leveling, while fitting snugly against the bottom of the pillar to provide immense stability. The footers can be used with the Aire or Exoteryc rack’s existing Stainless Steel floor bases and your choice of Nylon or Neoprene coupling discs.
Left: new Pro Footers; Right: standard Exoteryc and Aire spikes
To determine precisely how the elements of the Upgrade Kit affect the sound, I first applied them separately for assessment and then combined them. For all tests, I used the Carbon Fiber Linear Arms.
Next: Preparations and Listening to the Nylon/Stainless Steel Pro Cylinders
