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#1
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I've made several changes during 2017. I've changed DACs, interconnect cables, speaker cables, and experimented with power cords. I couple of days ago I replaced the spikes on my Monitor Audio PL500 speakers with IsoAcoustics GAIA Is. I want to put my latest change in context. In my system the most significant change has been adding the Chord Dave DAC. Changing the interconnect and speaker cables provided incremental improvements in clarity and a noticeable difference in how instruments/vocals are placed in the soundstage.
The GAIA Is are very well made and a bargain compared to the price of some footers. I used the following CDs to evaluate the GAIA Is: Kirk Whalum-For You, Norman Conners-Eternity, Marcus Johnson-In Concert For a Cause, Erykah Badu-Live, and Bob James/David Sanborn- Double Vision. Overall my first impression has been added clarity that allows you hear more details deeper in the soundstage. When listening to Kirk Whalum's Going in Circles the percussions to the right of the stage appear deeper and more pronounced with the GAIAs. Erykah Badu's Ye Yo the backup singers sound clearer with slightly more separation and Badu 's voice is more dynamic. Marcus Johnson's Me, Myself & I the piano takes on a liveliness that I've never heard before. It's weird, the music has additional clarity/detail, but at the same time sounds more relaxed. The best way to sum up my thoughts are the GAIAs brings serious "FOCUS" to the music and the illusion of music being totally disconnected from the speakers.
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Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amp, Corus preamp, Chord Dave DAC, Antipodes DS GT music server, Monitor Audio PL500 II, dual REL G1 MKII subwoofers and more |
#2
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Additional detail + more relaxed sounds like the perfect combo.
I'm waiting for the proper adapters to try out the same footers. Were they difficult to install on the PL500's? Did you need a special adapter or did the right size come in the box?
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Christian south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest Dragon PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Iconoclast OCC interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech, AQ, & Iconoclast cables |
#3
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Very well put. Dave Morrison, the company owner, helped me out a lot explaining how the GAIA work. I screwed them into my speakers base, no problem. Speakers rest on carpet. Instantly noticeable improvement, tighter bass and soundstage. Happy with them.
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#4
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They were very easy to install. I had to special order eight M10 125 long alternative studs for the PL500's.
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Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amp, Corus preamp, Chord Dave DAC, Antipodes DS GT music server, Monitor Audio PL500 II, dual REL G1 MKII subwoofers and more |
#5
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HI, new member here.
Hoping that you guys are still picking up on this thread as I have a question. I have standmount speakers and IsoAcoustics describes these as being for floorstanders - I cannot for the life of me work out why the Gaia would not work just as well for standmounts as for floorstanders. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks in anticipation |
#6
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Alternately, consider IsoAcousics Orea footers (using the proper model for weight of the speakers) and just placing your speakers on them. I actually do that with my Harbeth speakers to positive effect.
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Christian south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest Dragon PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Iconoclast OCC interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech, AQ, & Iconoclast cables |
#7
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MGW... Welcome to AA!
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#8
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Thanks guys!
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#9
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, Everest 8000 PD. Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Mac Mini Roon Core, Shunyata PS10 PD |
#10
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, Everest 8000 PD. Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Mac Mini Roon Core, Shunyata PS10 PD |
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