Trying out IsoAcoustics Orea footers

Kuoppis

Kuoppis

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While earlier rather convinced about footers in general and Stillpoints in particular, I’m nowadays a little bit more on the fence. Hence, I thought why not to try something else.

As other Sharks have experienced positive effects with the IsoAcoustics Gaia footers under speakers, I decided to try their component feet.
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So, a recommended triplet of Orea Bordeaux went under the power amp and an equivalent of Orea Indigos under the preamp. As advised, the text logo towards the front.
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The photo is a bit difficult to take, I’m usually not peeking that much under my amps. But there the Oreas are.
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So, what do I hear? First of all, on the opener of Joe Robinson’s “Undertones” the kick drum sounds fatter. I might be able to hear a bit more details of individual instruments, different guitars may be a bit better separated. Overall, the sound appears kind of fuller. However, the top frequencies are more pronounced, motivating me to turn down the volume a couple of clicks. A similar impression is repeated on Zaz’s “Demain c’est toi” from her latest album. It might need to be added that I often find pop albums mixed too phat.

On the Jazz side of things, in Joe Lovano’s Trio Tapestry the details allow nice insights into the music. The same on Andrew Cyrille’s Lebroba. Sound colors appear to be a bit more prominent, or then the system just sounds a bit fatter.

So, what do I think? I do like additional detail if there is some, but not entirely sure about the additional voluptuousness in the upper mids/ highs. This has been on the digital side of the world so far, will have to listen to some vinyl as well. Maybe I will also switch between the Stillpoints and Oreas a bit to get a better impression. It is however clear that both footers do sound a bit different.

Guess I also have to let the system settle a bit for a verdict.


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Nice review. I plan on trying the Orea Indigos when my second system gets up and running in the next couple of weeks.

I use the GAIA 1 footers and they seem fine, so figure I'll check out Orea footers.

Isoacoustics is offering a "Bronze" color that has an 8 pound per footer limit. I wrote them on Friday to ask what the preferable Orea footer would be for 40-45 pound components - 3 Indigo, 4 Indigo, or 5-6 Bronze. The reply I got suggested going with either of the Indigo options.
 
After listening to the system resting on Oreas for a while, I switched back to Stillpoints to compare.

Here’s what I’m hearing: there appears to be the same amount of detail, the sound is just a bit tighter. As a result single tones are better differentiated and soundstaging appears to be a bit wider. Separation between the instruments is a tad better. Overall there is more thereness or immediacy, for the lack of a better words.

Biggest difference was noticeable in the treble. With the Oreas I felt the urge to turn down the volume, as the highs became somehow too prominent or sharp. It was kind of comparable to digital ringing or jitter. And somehow the other frequencies in turn felt a bit recessed. The top frequencies were the part of the change which I did not like.

Overall, switching from Stillpoints to Oreas was a little comparable to when I tried the Magico S3 mk1 on Stillpoints for a while. In a way the sound became a bit warmer and rounder, but also at that time I felt I was losing some definition. As a result I put the speakers back on spikes after a while.

To summarize, for me the Oreas were an interesting test. But I think they might be a bit softer compared to the Stillpoints, and hence the amps might vibrate a bit more, which potentially creates distortion and affects the high frequencies more than others.

In a conclusion, in this pairing it is Stillpoints for me. The result was also not unambiguous. But the Niagara power filter is happy, as it rests on the Oreas. Experimenting with your system is trial and error. This is a case, as a friend of mine puts it, sometimes you lose, sometimes the others win [emoji3].


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Post scriptum: It might make sense to repeat the experiment with four Oreas under the amps, instead of three in this test.

I just chose three based on one reviewers conclusion, that the Oreas deliver most of their effect when being closer to loading limit. Maybe I just desire a little less of the effect.

Fun test anyhow [emoji3].


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Well, it depends. What I tested has relevance to my ears and in my system. In that context the Oreas are not an option at this point.

But they might well be an option in a different kind of system, and work very well there.


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Kuoppis have you gotten around to trying Gaia’s I on your S3Mk2s yet? I like them on mine! My floors are poured concrete with porcelain tile and I’m sure that would make a difference.
 
Larry, so far I have not. But I’ve heard they should be quite nice.


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Kuoppis said:
Post scriptum: It might make sense to repeat the experiment with four Oreas under the amps, instead of three...
Click to expand...

Looking forward for your conclusion.
In my experience with footers i always found better to use four instead of three. Better bass, better timbre.
 
Guess the general thought is it is beneficial to minimize contact points to the surface below, as e.g. in case of the Magico MPOD stands.

What I observed in case of the Oreas, is that horizontal resistance it much less than vertical. Hence four instead three might make them more resistant to sideways moves.

But as always, YMMV.


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Kuoppis

What are u doing to dampen the case top of the 511? It rings like a cheap can and was a big turnoff when I had 511's.
 
Nothing so far, mine does not ring. Not a bit.

Maybe your unit had suffered some transport damage?


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I had 2 511's. The tops ringed. Give it a tap with your finger.

Maybe they added a dampening pad on the underside of later units?

In any case I felt putting something heavy on the top made a difference. I used vpi bricks
 
Guess there’s no shortage of companies offering, and seldom lack of enthusiastic proponents praising all kinds of footers and dampers [emoji3].

Especially when they cost 1K a pop.


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I think this is what they sell to put under monitors for musicians. E.g. Thomann sells them.

Obviously can’t charge audioholic prices [emoji3].


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I would suggest playing with the positioning of the Oreas. I recently added two sets of 3 Orea Bordeauxs underneath my preamp and amp. With my amp, I get a fatter sound when the two rear Oreas (back where the heavy transformers are on my LM 508ia) are placed closer together. I inched them farther apart to get the right blend of tautness and separation. The sound was completely unlistenable when I tested with two Oreas in front and one in the back. Experimentation is key.

This review really prompted me to experiment with placement, and I have since ordered a set of Indigos to see if they are more copacetic for my preamp, which weighs less than my amp.

https://hifipig.com/isoacoustics-orea-pucks/
 
bought a load more isopucks today to use under equipment , they are superb value . think i got 12 for under 300 pounds
 
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