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10 Feb

Posted at 09:06h in Press Release

Introducing Carbide Base Sapphire – a continuation of our research into ball bearing vibration isolators for audio. The new Sapphire version sits between the standard and Diamond versions of the Carbide Base audio footer in the product lineup.

 

The Sapphire version of the Carbide Base footer differs from the standard version by the addition of the Sapphire Insert in the top center of the footer. The Sapphire Insert is a ball bearing vibration isolator which provides additional filtering of low-level and low-frequency noise.

The Sapphire Insert functions similar to the Diamond Insert used on Carbide Base Diamond. The difference is that the Sapphire Insert does not utilize our TwinDamp™ material and that the bearing raceways are made from a different material.

 

The raceways used in the Sapphire Insert are formed from a high-carbon steel which is hardened through heat treatment. After a rigorous 8 stages of polishing, the raceways are then coated with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) PVD coating combined with a special alloy. The raceways are then cryogenically tempered to relieve internal stresses and improve toughness.

 

The result is an exceptionally hard, smooth, and low friction bearing rolling surface which is surpassed only by the PVD Diamond coated ceramic raceways in the Diamond version.
Diamond raceways shown on left
Sapphire raceways shown on right

24 Nov

Posted at 13:29h in Press Release

Marc Phillips at Part-Time Audiophile has published a review of our Carbide Base footers. Marc performs multiple experiments with the footers under his speakers and electronics, noting:

 

I really enjoyed playing with the Carbide Bases and seeing how they could improve–without question–the clarity, transparency and overall performance of my audio system. Highly recommended.

 

We are honored to receive the PTA Reviewers Choice Award.

 

You can read the complete review on the Part-Time Audiophile website: https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2023/11/19/carbide-base-isolation-devices-review/

 

Our Carbide Base footers have also made the list for PTA’s 2024 Best Hi-Fi Accessories: https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2023/12/03/best-hi-fi-accessories-buyers-guide-2024/

23 Oct

Posted at 21:03h in Press Release

Now offering optional spikes for our Carbide Base footer machined from our TwinDamp™ material.

 

TwinDamp™ is based on a manganese-copper twin crystal alloy which has a damping capacity higher than magnesium and 10x that of copper. It has a loss factor similar rubber but in a rigid metal form.

 

We then perform multiple temperature treatments utilizing our high temperature furnace and cryogenic freezer over a 2-day period to further improve sonic character. Read more about the performance benefits of TwinDamp™ in our Measurements section.

19 Oct

Posted at 13:52h in Press Release

All of our products are designed and manufactured in our company headquarters in Texas. Below is a video showing various stages of machining of our Carbide Base footer in our CNC machine shop.

CNC machining of the stainless steel lower section of the Carbide Base footer.

12 Sep

Posted at 17:14h in Press Release

Dawid Grzyb at HiFi Knights out of Poland has published a comprehensive review of the Diamond version of our Carbide Base footers. Dawid writes on his listening experiences using the footers under his preamp:

 

Elevated O2 content, increased imaging size, wider dynamic range and sensible instrumental/vocal closeness were uniformly positive changes rather than shifts to the side.

 

You can read the complete review on the HiFi Knights website: http://hifiknights.com/reviews/accessories/carbide-base-diamond/

06 Aug

Posted at 09:24h in Press Release

Introducing the Diamond Insert for the Carbide Base audio equipment footer. The Diamond Insert is an additional vibration isolator inserted into the top of the Carbide Base footer to bring further improvements in low level music detail. Culminating over a year of research and development, it represents the pinnacle of our expertise in passive vibration control for audio.

 

The new Diamond Insert features large zirconia bearings riding in bearing raceways machined out of solid ceramic – an industry first. The raceways are then thoroughly polished and coated with amorphous diamond using a special Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process.

The Diamond Insert vibrating at 10 Hz. The footer achieves near total isolation from 10 Hz and above thanks to a low natural resonance frequency and the PVD Diamond coated ceramic bearing raceways.

Transmission Path Evasion

The extremely hard bearing raceways resist indentation from the bearings better than other previous designs using softer materials such as steel and titanium. Avoiding raceway indentation defects allows the bearings to better dissipate vibrations via the concept of vibration Transmission Path Evasion.

 

The result is a further lowering of the already exceptionally low noise floor of the Carbide Base footer.

TwinDamp™ Alloy

TwinDamp™

The Diamond Insert also incorporates our new TwinDamp™ material based on a manganese-copper twin crystal metal alloy. Manganese-copper alloys have over 10 times the damping capacity of copper. Multiple stages of temperature treatments are performed in-house to further enhance the damping properties of this exotic alloy.

 

TwinDamp™ is utilized in the top center threaded hole and above each of the ceramic bearing raceways for effective damping of vibrations passing through the footer.

Upgradeable

The Evo version standard Carbide Base footer can be upgraded to the Diamond version by purchasing the Diamond Insert. The upgrade is accomplished by unscrewing and replacing only the top center section of the footer. The original Carbide Base footer with the felt top cannot be upgraded to the Diamond version.