{"id":41928,"date":"2025-10-05T14:39:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T12:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=41928"},"modified":"2025-10-06T10:42:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T08:42:05","slug":"harmonic-resolution-systems-hrs-additional-base-experiments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/racks-stands-feet-reviews\/harmonic-resolution-systems-hrs-additional-base-experiments\/","title":{"rendered":"Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) Additional Base Experiments"},"content":{"rendered":"

After reviewing the EXR Audio Stand<\/a> (a two-tier rack), I was so impressed that I added two EXR Audio Stands and two EXR Floor Platforms to my system. A highly appealing aspect of these systems is that their modular nature makes them easily expandable and upgradeable. The EXR rack’s integral Isolation Bases support the audiocomponent directly, and this is how I have been using them all along. However, the system can be further upgraded by adding an extra Isolation Base on top, as shown below.<\/p>\n

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One can add an E1X (shown above), R3X, S3, or the top-of-the-line M3X2 Base, using a range of footers that can be changed at a later date to match the component on top perfectly. Until now, my experience with the HRS Bases has been limited to using them as part of the EXR Audio Stands and Floor Platforms, using their integral aluminum outriggers and large-diameter spiked footers. I always intended to conduct more tests with additional Bases, but so far, I have not gotten around to doing so.<\/p>\n

Adding HRS E1 Base to the EXR Audio Stand<\/h3>\n

Purely coincidentally, long-time audio buddy Meneer Buis dropped by last week with an HRS E1-1921 Base, with the intention of comparing it to my EXR Audio Stands and Floor Platforms. Until that moment, he had not realized that all my EXR products are built around the same Bases, albeit in the later X version. This was the perfect opportunity not only to hear the effect of the Broadband Isolation Footers installed under the E1 and E1X Bases, but also to hear the effect of adding a second base to the HRS Audio Stand. Furthermore, this allowed me to isolate the impact of the Base itself and the effect of combining it with a range of third-party footers.<\/p>\n

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I am unclear about how the E1 and E1X Bases differ. Both versions utilize Constrained Layer Damping via two bonded Resin composite panels. Perhaps it is the formulation of the resin or the glue. In any case, on the surface, they look and feel identical.<\/p>\n

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The HRS Broadband Isolation Footers are basically large-diameter hollow metal lids coupled to the Base with a single center screw via a rubber ring. The system operates to some extent similarly to a turntable sub-chassis, or, for a more instructive example, the SME Model 30 Turntable’s system, where the sub-chassis is suspended from rubber bands in all four corners.<\/p>\n

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For the system to be effective, the rubber couplers need to be tuned to a specific mass range. In the case of the E1 Base that I have here, the footers have a red dot, indicating that they are compatible with components weighing between 14 kg and 25 kg. There are three weight classes, and the footers can be swapped out for others to accommodate any component weight between 4.5 kg and 79.5 kg. At 20 kilos, the Antipodes Oladra server fits right in. To start, I listened to it placed directly on the EXR Base, as usual. Then, I inserted the E1 Base and listened to the same tracks.<\/p>\n

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The Oladra always provides a performance that is both sweet and musical as well as detailed and precise. With the Magico S1 MkIIs (that are voluptuous sounding), I prefer its USB output, but with the Apogees (that are more open and explicit), I find it provides the best balance via its reclocked AES\/EBU. With either speaker, I still prefer the more precise nature of MinimServer with MPD over Roon on this server.<\/p>\n

I am not a fan of compliant coupling in general, as it seems to always come at the expense of bass tightness, speed, transient crispness, and overall expression and excitement. One might argue that additive resonances can artificially\u00a0enhance the sound, providing a little extra fuel to the perceived dynamic impact. However,<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0in my experience, the inverse is more damaging. Then again, from my experience with the Vortex, Helix, and Nimbus Chassis Noise Reduction footers, I know that HRS applies the material very deliberately.<\/p>\n

Next: Listening<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Listening<\/h3>\n

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Hearing the Oladra directly on the EXR Base, I wondered, what could the extra Base possibly bring? Well, a lot, as it turned out.<\/p>\n

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With the E1 in place, the difference is far from subtle. Vocals appear closer and more isolated in the mix while the entire stage feels deeper and more spacious. The bass is weightier and fuller, while flowing more naturally, and not in a fat manner. Meanwhile, there is an increased sense of calm, but the pacing has not suffered, as evidenced by my foot, which is still tapping, and the dynamic behavior remains fully intact. If anything, the sound sans extra Base, is slightly crisper and more immediate, but also flatter and more mechanical. Clearly, the addition of the second Base has a lot going for it.<\/p>\n

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Now, I wanted to see how the Base itself behaves when bypassing its Broadband Isolation Footers. So, I inserted StillPoints Ultra SS V2 on top of a Stainless Steel discs, to provide enough height to make the Base’s own footers float freely.<\/p>\n

I must say, the StillPoints also work very nicely. They always have a tight and direct sound, and here, too, they seem to counterbalance the Base’s fuller nature, providing a leaner balance with a stricter, less fluid and free-breathing, yet more direct and analytical delivery. With the Oladra, both solutions sound good, and it comes down to personal preference.<\/p>\n

When using Roon, I prefer the Grimm MU1 for its crisper and leaner balance, which complements Roon’s thicker and more saturated sound well. At 4.5 kg, the Grimm MU1 is below the recommended minimum weight for the E1 Base’s footers. Nevertheless, because I wanted to perform additional tests with the E1 Base and a range of other couplers to hear how they affect the Grimm, I went ahead and tried it anyway.<\/p>\n

When positioned on the EXR Audio Stand via Ansuz T2 Darkz, as I normally use it, the MU1 sounds crisp, fast, and articulate. Arguably, it can also be perceived as a little dry, but as I already found during the initial HRS review, this can easily be remedied by using one of the available HRS Chassis Noise Reduction footers.<\/p>\n

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With the E1 Base in place, the match with the lightweight MU1 may be theoretically suboptimal, but the resulting sound was surprisingly good. With the additional base, the server sounds considerably more liquid, airier, and with much lusher and deeper soundstaging. The sound becomes less staccato, but not slow, and dynamics are unaffected. However, in turn for increased fluidity and flow, the transients are less crisp, and the overall presentation, while dreamier and spatially more enveloping, feels slightly less direct.<\/p>\n

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Although the StillPoints SS V2 worked very well with the Oladra, the match was less than ideal with the Grimm. It is possible that this is the result of the non-ideal weight-to-damping ratio, but, given the almost opposing sound signatures of the two servers, we may just as well be hearing a less successful marriage. In any case, the StillPoints provide a leaner balance but it does not become as crisp as with the MU1 directly on the EXR’s Base. Furthermore, the sound feels over-controlled, static, and bombastic, and is nowhere near as lush and spacious as when using the E1 Base’s integral footers. Indeed, upon removing the StillPoints and returning to the Base’s own footers, the sound regains its balance, with a free-flowing and unrestrained performance that is much preferred, even if it is not quite as articulate as when direct on EXR.<\/p>\n

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With the StillPoints rendered non-ideal, I set off to combine materials to see if I could find a more musical alternative. When using Artesania Beechwood discs, Stainless Steel discs (to obtain enough height), and Finite Elemente Ceraballs, the sound becomes a little less crisp, but considerably more musical and engaging than with the StillPoints. Nevertheless, it remains a little lumpy and bombastic, and it’s not nearly as good as when using\u00a0the E1 Base’s integral footers.<\/p>\n

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For my final experiment, in trying to eradicate the lumpiness, I used two Artesania Neoprene discs and the Ceraballs. This provided another improvement and actually results in a nice balance.\u00a0It’s slightly tighter than the E1 Base’s integral footers (although still a little lumpier), and almost as fluid and free-breathing.<\/p>\n

Still, when I finally return to the E1 Base’s own footers, this is still\u00a0most free-breathing and liquid, and, bottom line, the most pleasant to listen to.<\/p>\n

So, well done HRS, for providing precisely the ideal solution!<\/p>\n

The HRS “Sound Signature”<\/h3>\n

Following these experiments, it’s safe to say that the E1 Base adds body and substance in the same way the EXR rack does, making for a fuller, more saturated, and more grounded sound than when using a Finite Elemente Spider or Artesania Exoteryc rack. Ultimately, all racks and platforms have a certain impact on the sound. Whether the HRS racks and platforms unlock facets that were obscured or leanified by other racks, or add them to the mix, the bottom line is that a rack or platform’s sonic signature remains an aspect to consider in the context of the system in which they will be used. In my opinion, the goal should be to retain as much energy as possible while preventing or counteracting harmful resonances and achieving the best overall balance.<\/p>\n

Further Upgradability<\/h3>\n

If the benefits of adding an E1 Base leave you wanting more, the EXR system can even be converted to a full-spec SXR, SXR Signature, or SXRC system in the future, while preserving the majority of the original system purchase price.<\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

www.referencesounds.nl<\/a>
\nHRS website<\/a><\/p>\n

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