Kit: CDX/XPS; 82/Supercap; Snaxo/HiCap/250x2; SBL.

I have my kit on two Mana 4 - tier amp stands which I bought in August this year. I am hugely impressed with it in all the areas others have mentioned on the forum - solidity of image, extra detail, more involvement etc.

However, in one area only I'm not so sure it's an improvement. This is when listening to 'big ' orchestral - Mahler, Bruckner, Wagner et al. I now feel that the mid-range and upper bass has been emphasised a little too much on some recordings, so that heavy brass passages now swamp the strings, to the point where they are almost drowned out in the mix.

Anyone else noticed this?

Kevin:

Can't say that I agree here. I find the CDX/XPS on Mana(stage 2) to have all the first characterisics you mentioned. Vocals, both male and female, however seem to be less emphasized to me. Still nice but not like a CDS1 or II which really excel with the mids.

Do you have the 3m feet on your CDX? That may be the difference.

Arthur Bye

Yep, the add on feet are there! I'll try without.

Cheers,

Kevin

I found without the feet the CDX box become alive and creates a distortion in the signal. I noticed this when I would talk when I was changing a CD without the feet the box had a ring to it. It was quite pronounced. With the feet the box is dead, not even the slightest ring. The distortion exagerates some of the frequencies, especially the highs. The funny thing it seems to create a "Hi Fi" sound. If anyone said they did a demo of Mana I would want clarification on with or without the feet. I am now more normalized with the feet. I love the analogue aspect of the presentation. It is magic! A sonic character that I have never really heard or understood until now.

I would suggest checking the table setup again. Mine settled over 2-3 weeks. Something sounded funny so I took everthing off the stand and I noticed the table were my 82 sits became unlevel. I releveled it at everthing was OK.

John

Guys,

Are these 3M feet delivered with the CDX? Are they plasticky and hard or soft and rubbery? I bought my CDX used – it has hard plasticky feet, as opposed to the soft ones my 3.5 had, and I was told not to use any soft feet as that would counteract the CDX’s special internal spring suspension.

And since I’m a new kid here, allow me two questions please …
1. What’s all the Flat Earth / Round Earth business mentioned elsewhere?
2. How did Vuk get to be so famous?

Thomas

I'm just curious, but what's this mana feet that's mentioned time and again?

Regards
Laxton

Thomas

quote:

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Are these 3M feet delivered with the CDX?

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No

quote:

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Are they plasticky and hard or soft and rubbery?

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Softish and somewhat rubbery. Like a hard jube.

quote:

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I bought my CDX used. It has hard plasticky feet, as opposed to the soft ones my 3.5 had

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Your CDX actually has hard METAL feet.

quote:

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What's all the Flat Earth / Round Earth business mentioned elsewhere?

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Flat earth is where Pace, Rhythm & Timing and musical involvement takes precedence over soundstaging, frequency response, air, etc. Round earth is vice-versa.

quote:

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How did Vuk get to be so famous?

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Hint: Vuk has close to 400 posts on this forum alone ...

James

James,

How small are the rubber feets as compared to the metal CDX feets? Are they made up of black rubber?

Regards
Laxton

Laxton,

The little rubber feet literally fit within the recess occupied by the philips screw holding the metal feet in place. The rubber feet is used in conjunction with the original metal feet. When you see it, it'll become obvious.

James

James,

Thanks for the pointers.

Judging by the comments above, I suppose it’s worth giving the 3M feet a try (like John’s, my CDX box resonates). Where can you get them (www)?

Thomas

james,

Thanks for your reply. If i'm not wrong, are the feets made of some transparent silicon/polymer material?

Regards
Laxton

Thomas/Laxton,

The 'little feet' are black in colour and I got mine directly from Mana with my order. I'd suggest you drop them a line.

James