The Pads
Contents
The pads are decouplers. They are to prevent small vibrations from being transmitted to a device. Small vibrations that can interfere with the operation of the device and therefore the sound. (Vibration = energy). We received three sets:
- The mini which can carry up to 70kg (€ 380 per set of 4),
- The midi which can carry up to 150kg (€ 720 per set of 4) and
- The maxi which can carry 250kg (€ 1000 per set of 4).
We place the minis under the Sonnet Morpheus and bizarre but true…. the effect is immediately audible; there is more space around the music, it breathes better as if the space in which the music plays is enlarged. We then place the midi pads under the Pass Labs preamp and the spaciousness of the music is magnified.
In the song ‘Freestate’ by Depeche Mode, there is a deep bass and it rolls into space as if the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Service were detonating an explosive in a controlled manner. But there is clearly a case here: different is not always better. Still, it wrings, there’s so much calmness in the soundstage that the whole thing becomes a bit clinical. It is too much.
That the pads work is clear, the question is how to use them most effectively.
We remove the pads from under everything and place the minis under the Mutec MC3+ USB. Bingo! Everything clicks together. We get a lot of calmness and control, but it still sounds balanced. The result is a very relaxed listening experience. We’re guessing that the clock has less vibration to deal with and thus can do its job more stably, giving the Sonnet a cleaner signal…. But anyway: that’s our reasoning.
By the way, the pads are made of metal. Also the bottom side. And that is a point of attention, because it can scratch when you use them on another device. As long as your surface is scratch-resistant and you place them carefully, there is not much to worry about, you will not move them often. We put away all the pads and continue with the cables.
