Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) EXR Audio Stand
Rack Assembly
And now, let’s dive into my HRS EXR experiences, starting with the assembly of the Audio Stand as Reference Sounds’ Nick Spier turns an EXR-2121-1V (a single-panel amp stand) into an EXR-2121-2V (a dual-panel rack).
In the above picture, Nick has just removed the short struts from the Amp Stand and is inserting 12″ struts so that another panel can be added.
There is a soft polymer ring between each side of the struts and the frame mounts.
Locking Washer Nuts (to secure the panels), Point Footer Screws (used for single-panel Amp Stands), Washer Nuts (to secure the Point Footers), and Point Footers.
When the 4 struts are in place and each is fitted with a polymer ring, the next panel can go on top.
The three elements are shown in order of application, right to left: first, the Locking Nut, then the Washer Nut, and then the Point Footer.
The Panel Locking Nut is screwed down until it contacts the polymer ring, then given another 1/4 to 1/2 turn using the supplied custom nylon wrench.
Then, the Washer Nut is screwed on top until it loosely contacts the Locking Nut, and used later for securing the Point Footer.
After that, the Point Footers are screwed on just until they contact the washers. It is advised not to torque the washers or Point Footers tightly.
Next: Review Context and Listening
Once again, thanks for the in-depth examination of these components. i really like your short, astute, descriptions of how they sound.
I own CH Precision gear. The voicing of CH gear is very natural with its own support spikes in place. Music flows freely, as it does in nature.
I have tried any number of third party top plates and footers. Almost all introduce damping that clamps down and restricts flow, resulting in a loss of naturalism, and moves towards audiophile sound. None of these devices are keepers.
I gather you’re not a fan of the CH provided spike isolation system?
Artesania racks bypass component feet by design and over many years I got used to how that works and sounds. Outside of initial experiments on the floor and a few occasions where I heard my CH equipment with friends, I have no real experience using CH with its own feet or the CH Spike Option. I don’t have enough experience with it to proclaim being a fan or not. The HRS racks provided the first occasion where I seriously tried them and since I also tried a range of other footers with the CH and HRS, I would say my prefefence is more down to the combination of audio component and rack than the CH footers themselves. So, long story short, I don’t really have an opinion on the CH footers just yet.
This is a fascinating point about using HRS Chassis products with CH-Precision. I am the representative for HRS to many CH dealers in the USA. They have found that the Vortex and Damping Plates significantly improve when combined with an HRS Base. Please remember that the CH chassis design is not at fault but rather the extreme levels of fidelity that allow you to hear the results clearly.
How many Vortex footers (3 or 4) did you use under the Grimm? I’ve lately been using 4 of the Stack Audio AUVA footers to good effect with the MU1 on my HRS rack. And as you found I have been very pleased with 4 Vortex under my dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC for about a year.
Hi Steve, sorry, notifications ended up in spam somehow, leading to my late response. I tried the MU1 with 3 Vortex footers and 4 and did not discern a very large difference. Both work well but with 4 footers, I found it is very important to set the tension on the adjustable 4th footer very precisely to achieve even distribution. With the very lightweight Grimm, this can be a little tricky.
Mail filtering is unfortunately a common problem we’ve all experienced. Based on your review, and already having been using Vortex footers since late 2020, at the urging of Michael Latvis ( he’d already had experience using these under his dCS DAC with his racks), I went ahead and purchased a set of 4 and noted the immediate improvement compared to the Stack Audio AUVA feet I’d been using under the Grimm MU1. Your experience mirrors mine. I also tested the potential for additional benefit of some damping plates atop the MU1 in varied sizes and configurations to no clear effect.
Thanks for the feedback, Steve!