Review of Daruma's

[ProAc_Fan]

Well heres my initial review of the Daruma's. They look COOL!! I like the fact that my CD player is floating on 3 ball bearings. They are very nice to look at and its neat to push on the side of a 40lb CD player and have it sway back and forth as if riding on a cushion of air. I'd love to hear the reviews of the other members who got to sample these isolation discs. I'll be posting their audible benefits ( if I hear any) after I've had a chance to really sit down and listen using them.

Mike

[gonefishin]

Spoiler text below...to read this message highlight all space between the arrows>>>>>>>


(? wards or tim...can you add the spoiler code? if not...what color is the background text in this box? thanks)




(if you want to see the equipment I'm using...click the link in my signature)


My review on the Daruma's. First off...these things look cool...I don't know what it is about them...put check out the picture pro-ac has posted. I normally don't buy things on looks alone...if I seen these for the right price...I think I may :/.

I tried the Daruma's under my CDp...which is a Philips sacd1000. I tried a number of different songs with and without the bearings in place. I noticed no difference in sound on any song...but these things still look dang cool!


thanks to Brian and AudioKarma for the opportuninty to participate in this "demo group" for the Daruma's

<<<<<<<<end


and there you have it...take care>>>>>>

[ProAc_Fan]

Let me preface this review by stating that ones perception is ones reality. That said I'll start by saying my reference material was Bob Seger. This CD is very well known to me. I listen to it quite frequently at home and in the truck. I did notice that there was more bass rsponse with the Daruma's. The mids and highs seemed less affected ( if at all) but there was definitely more bottom end than I was used to. Like I stated in the earlier post they look cool and after a good 2 hrs of listening I'm gonna get me some. They are at least as useful as some nice I/C's or speaker cable, so for $99 what the hell. You only live once!!

Mike

[Thatch_Ear]

I first put them under my CDP and thought that the highs were a bit cleaner but noticed no major differences. After a couple of days I put them back in their box and forgot about them as I was building some speaker cabinets.
The tweeters are these 20 lbs ugly looking Heil AMTs and at first I had them just sitting on the cabinet and though they sounded great I was a little disapointed. So I tried my usual isolation tweak using some soft little balls made of some kind of weird rubbery stuff that I bought at the mall. The sound improved so much it was almost scary.
So I got out the Darumas and put them under one of the Heils. It got crystal clear. The sound was so pure that it was almost sterile sounding. I mean to say that it was so clear that it almost sounded too good. If I had the $$ to do so I would buy 2 sets without hesitation so that I could use them under both my tweeters.
I did take them out and listen to the tweeter without any isolation and then put them back. It was a difference almost as great as night and day. These things really do work as well as they are touted. I give them a rating of 5 out of 5.

[grumpy]

Guys

I will keep this short and sweet. I tried the Darumas with a couple of pieces....Did I hear any changes ? Nope, Nadda, None. I dont claim to be an audiofool but I know what I hear. I have to admit that I did not try them under my speakers as my speakers excede the Max Weight. From a coolness factor I think they rock ! I slapped them under a Kenwood KR-9600 and with my trampoline like floors at my place they made that big boy sway like a hoola girl with each foot fall :D Never once was I affraid of it coming of off the Isolators. I would have really liked to have tried them under my Turntable but after seeing my Receiver sway in the wind I couldnt bring myself to put it on them. Remember the Sota is a very "bouncy" TT to begin with. Again I would very much like to retry the Darumas under an unsuspended TT and possibly some lighter wieght speakers. There ya have it.

Grumpy

[millerdog]

Hehe,
I tried my set under my TT also. Like Grump, much to much hula dancing there. My Fisher got a mean vibration and there they now sit..er, I mean support. After putting them in and out for three or four times listening to the beginning part of the same track, I began to hear subtle differences. For me, the mids and highs seemed to open up. I wouldn't mind a set for my speakers too.:)
Thatch, see what it does under your Fisher.
I didn't try my cd player for its under something, but today I think I'll take stuff apart and try it.
md

[BrianB]

Okay, it looks like the AudioKarma results to date are as follows:

1) Three AK members have reported noticeable improvements to the performance of their systems when using the DARUMA-3ii.

2) Two AK members were unable to hear any significant changes with the isolation bearings in place - although both admitted that these devices LOOK cool!

3) No AK members have said that using the DARUMA-3ii actually resulted in worse sound...

Not perfect, but not too shabby, either!

Now, given that I'm the North American importer for these devices, I'm sure that you all know that I'm a bit biased - I simply LOVE these things! But I'm not alone here. For instance, I recently showed off a complete audio system (Audio Note CD player, Final Labs amplification, and Living Voice loudspeakers) at the December meeting of the Chicago Audio Society, and brough some DARUMAs along for the ride. Towards the very end of the meeting, someone asked me to demonstrate the effects of the DARUMA-3ii, and we played a track by a percussion ensemble while swapping these isolation bearings in and out from underneath the Audio Note CD player. I then asked if anyone could hear a difference, and EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the audience raised his or her hand - they all STRONGLY preferred the sound with the DARUMAs in place!

Just to let you know, I've recently named the DARUMA-3ii my "Product of the Month" on the Vendor Forum (http://audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=35), and I am currently offering a special on these devices to AudioKarma Members.

I do realize that some additional AudioKarma reviews may be appearing in the near future. In the meantime, though, here are some quotes from "professional" reviews of the DARUMA-3ii:

"I have found that these units ... have dramatic effect, and are far more capable of revealing hidden details, reducing noise, and producing more three dimensional soundstage than any cones I have yet tried." - Simon Groome, Hi-Fi+, U.K.

"The clarity of the music improved, the soundstage became more specific, and the bass seemed to tighten and become more authoritative ... The overall improvement was of the magnitude of a component upgrade - one CD player to the next in the product line." - Doug Schneider, SoundStage!, Canada

"[When used under smaller speakers] there was a definite improvement in the tightness of the soundstage, especially in the center where sounds of individual instruments are normally diffuse." - Bill Gaw, Enjoy the Music, USA

"With three Darumas under my CD player, the improvements were obvious. The Darumas cleaned and polished dynamic peaks and transients, making for a cleaner, clearer musical presentation. The improvements were across the board with respect to types of music - rock, acousic, you name it." - Francisco Duran, Positive Feedback, USA

"Music just sounds better. For the money, these are highly recommended." - Dave Clark, Positive Feedback, USA

Happy listening!

[sasaki kojiro]

entre nous
I have a Phillips SACD 1000 curently in the shop--it fits my system very very well and I rue the loss deeply. Having acquired a Rega Planet 2000 as a back-up, I found that player sadly lacking in many areas. These include the fine reproduction of micro-detail, the attack/ decay of notes, and a flat soundstage.

To be sure the Rega has virtues of its own, in that it has a wonderful way with vocal reproduction, but so did my SACD 1000. Still, I found listening sessions with the Rega much less enjoyable.

Two things have brought on enormous improvements. The first is a NOS pair of RCA UX245 tubes. These tubes are no less than 71 years old so there may be a question of euphonics, but they have brought on a great increase in detail and micro-dynamics (decay).

The other event is of course, the Darumas.




raison d'état
Wow, I sensed an immediate increase in detail and air. The Darumas have improved the soundstage a bit, but what I like the best about them is their speed. They improve the resolution of the leading edge of notes. This is most noticable on say, a classical solo piano piece, where the hammer fall on certain queiter parts is much clearer. Clarity and presence are a couple of terms that come to mind.

I still feel that the SACD 1000 is the better player, but with the Darumas, I find the Rega much more listenable.

A few thoughts:

It is a royal bitch getting them into place, and keeping the top and bottom cylinders of all three units in column.

If not foiled by fustration first (due to the above) I will try to experiment with placement under the player (moving them around).

I doubt they will have the same results with different players. Chassis construction and the varying placement of internal must surely have an effect on how these things will affect sound.

Caveat: I have not taken them out yet. I'll report back if I feel the need.

[ProAc_Fan]

Sasaki I tend to agree with your assessment. That's why I bought a set.:D


Mike

[millerdog]

I had a set that I bought with the group purchase. I never had the chance to use them until tonight (okay, that's lame, I had plenty chance use them, I was just lazy). Under my TT, let me just say that my problem with my right ear is gone; well, not completely.
The Darumas tightened up the bass to a point where I can hear it. The bass isn't just low end muddy sound anymore. The vocals just shine.
On my Rickie Lee Jones LPs, her voice was often overcome by the music; now her vocals are up front. Sweet.
As SK said, they are a bitch to set up correctly. The two front ones are set up nice, but that single back one seems to have a minds of it's own.
As a caveat, I think that listening to tweaks such as this and cables take some time to discerne. They may not make your listening pleasure better considering the cost.
The Darumas are going around again for you to test. Try em!
Maybe we can get BrianB to make another group purchase.
:)

[WildWest]

Also being part of that "group purchase" mine sat for a while. I really don't listen to much music on CD and I already had my turntable well isolated. Anyway, I tossed them under my tube amp. They sure look totally awesome and I had a audio buddy over that agreed. (It's kewl how the amp can sway back and forth now) As far as sound changes well, I must be hard of hearing. Just ask MikE LOL! Either that or they don't affect amplification sources much. Many of the things that people hear and use all sorts of colorful words to describe well, I just don't hear it. Is my hearing bad? Geeee I didn't think so. Growing up playing the sax and then the guitar I always had to be very "in tune" to it you might say. But beyond a doubt they look grrrrrrrrrrreat and eventually I want to get a set for my preamp so everything matches up.

[BrianB]

Originally posted by WildWest
As far as sound changes well, I must be hard of hearing. Just ask MikE LOL! Either that or they don't affect amplification sources much.

Hi WildWest!

I have found that the Darumas make more of a difference under tube amps than under solid-state amps, which is not surprising - after all, those big transformers tend to vibrate, which can affect nearby components. Plus, many tubes have a tendency to go microphonic when subjected to outside vibrations...

That said, I believe that the Darumas make the BIGGEST difference when used under mechanical devices such as CD players and turntables. Have you tried out your set under any of your source components?

Cheers,
Brian

[BrianB]

Originally posted by millerdog
Maybe we can get BrianB to make another group purchase.
:)

This is very unlikely, as AudioKarma's other high-end audio vendor - omer of OZ Enterprises - has just signed on as a Final Labs dealer! :D

[Jack G]

Has anybody compared these to other vibe control divices, such as by symposium etc.?
I'm just curious. I have quite a bit of vibe control(siesmic sink, symposium platform,signal gaurd) in my system(s). Some work better than others, depending on the situation, and frequently they work well together. I'm just curious how it stacks up to the competition.
Jack

[Thatch_Ear]

Any comparisions would have to be taken up in another thread, which you are more than welcome to start. A few months ago I decided that reviews will not be subject to comparisions or any comments other than questions to verify a point in the review. This is so that everyone can feel safe in making their reviews and hopefully to make more of them.
This forum is open to debates about cables, which tube is best, etc, but reviews are not open to comment. Only questions to make something more clear to the reader.
Thanks!!

[BrianB]

Hi Thatch!

I will certainly respect your wishes on this matter and not post my own thoughts on the relative performance of various brands of isolation bearings. (And even if I did this, my opinions would automatically be suspect, as I'm the North American importer of the Darumas!)

However, since these review threads often contain multiple reviews of the same item, here's a link to a tag-team review of the Darumas that initially appeared in audioMUSINGS, and was later reprinted by Positive Feedback Online:

DARUMA-3ii tag-team review (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue1/daruma.htm)

Jack might be interested in Review #2, which offers some comparisons between the Darumas and the more costly Aurios MIBs.

Happy listening,
Brian

[BrianB]

Scott Faller, an audio reviewer who attended last year's Midwest Audio Fest in Lima, Ohio, just published a very nice review of the DARUMA-3ii isolation bearings (along with several other audio tweaks) via TNT Audio. Here is a link to his report:

The new TNT Tweak-o-Meter (http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/tweakometer_e.html)

Cheers!

[Wardsweb]

I've had my Daruma's for some time and like others who tried them under turntables, I was a bit concerned about the "hoola-hoop" effect. By accident I've stumbled across something you may find interesting. While in the process of building a isolation box for my turntable, I placed a 1/2" glass plate on the Daruma's and then placed my table on that. WOW! what a difference. Not only do I get cleaner sharper imaging from my vinyl but the "dancing around" turntable is cut by 3/4. I may be way off here, but I find with the additional weight is where the Daruma's work best.

[BrianB]

Originally posted by Wardsweb
I've had my Daruma's for some time and like others who tried them under turntables, I was a bit concerned about the "hoola-hoop" effect. By accident I've stumbled across something you may find interesting. While in the process of building a isolation box for my turntable, I placed a 1/2" glass plate on the Daruma's and then placed my table on that. WOW! what a difference. Not only do I get cleaner sharper imaging from my vinyl but the "dancing around" turntable is cut by 3/4. I may be way off here, but I find with the additional weight is where the Daruma's work best.

Actually, quite a few of my customers have inserted things like MDF platforms or maple butcher blocks between their turntables and the DARUMA-3ii isolation bearings. And yes, such media can improve the performance of these devices!