yidimsum
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2002
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I received a Neuance Audio shelf in the mail today, and it has really improved the sound of the TT. The TT was originally placed on a stock 0.625" MDF shelf of a Standesign Penta rack, and the Neuance was cut to replace the stock shelf. The Neuance shelf is approximately 1.5" thick and is really light weight. On some posts on AA, the structure of the shelf is supposedly differing densities of foam with a durable outer covering - but of course it's hush hush or else Neuance Audio wouldn't get any business.
The most significant improvement is an improvement in detail, a haze that was originally there seems to be lifted away. With improved detail, instruments now have a definite space and the soundstage is also greatly improved. The changes weren't subtle at all, I literally thought I had a new TT. The sound just left me with a jaw dropping smile. I guess I'll cut the bs and just say that this is probably the best $175 I've spent on any audio tweak. Any owner of a TT without a suspension like the VPI Scout should definitely check these out. They are also supposed to work really well on pre-amps and CDP's. Main problem is that a solid, 4-legged rack is needed to use the Neuance to its full potential. I've read people using DH cones under the Neuance with great success also though. It took 6 weeks to receive the shelf from Ken Lyon, the owner of Neuance Audio. He's been back ordered lately, but he's a really nice guy and enjoys talking about audio even if it's not about his own products. Other products that are touted on AA include Black Diamond Racing shelves that are made out of carbon fiber and cost significantly more. I also found some comments comparing the Neuance shelf to Zoethecus Z-slabs a lot of people feel that the Neuance sounds more neutral. (All of my comments are based on a 2-channel speaker system, but I think that improvements would also be significant through headphones.)
The most significant improvement is an improvement in detail, a haze that was originally there seems to be lifted away. With improved detail, instruments now have a definite space and the soundstage is also greatly improved. The changes weren't subtle at all, I literally thought I had a new TT. The sound just left me with a jaw dropping smile. I guess I'll cut the bs and just say that this is probably the best $175 I've spent on any audio tweak. Any owner of a TT without a suspension like the VPI Scout should definitely check these out. They are also supposed to work really well on pre-amps and CDP's. Main problem is that a solid, 4-legged rack is needed to use the Neuance to its full potential. I've read people using DH cones under the Neuance with great success also though. It took 6 weeks to receive the shelf from Ken Lyon, the owner of Neuance Audio. He's been back ordered lately, but he's a really nice guy and enjoys talking about audio even if it's not about his own products. Other products that are touted on AA include Black Diamond Racing shelves that are made out of carbon fiber and cost significantly more. I also found some comments comparing the Neuance shelf to Zoethecus Z-slabs a lot of people feel that the Neuance sounds more neutral. (All of my comments are based on a 2-channel speaker system, but I think that improvements would also be significant through headphones.)