aktyna’aris’evo2’and’dynaris’review - akiko audio ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Aktyna ARIS Evo2 and DynARIS Review
The first Aktyna Aris Evo1 decoupling feet appeared on the hifi market in 2001. Made by PanayoFs Gioulos, these were succeeded by the ARIS Evo2 feet in 2007. Now a third product has been released: the Aktyna DynAris. The Evo2 and DynAris decoupling feet have been extensively tested and listened to over the past months. ConFnue reading for the results!
The technology and principle behind the ARIS The An6 Resonance Interface System (ARIS) technology is based on the principle of mechanical and thermal conversion and li=ing of mul6 axial forces. The high quality decoupling feet are made up of 7 different parts of anodized milled aluminum and are treated with cryogen. The foot is en6rely one piece and holds the parts inside
(the ARIS system inside)
Two peaks that stay in constant contact with each other and are imbedded in semi s6ff gel/polymer make up the heart of the system. They convert the vibratory energy of the device or speaker into thermal heat, or warmth.
Akiko Audio The Dutch/Flemish importer Akiko Audio has made two Aktyna ARIS Evo2 and two Aktyna DynAris sets available for our tests. We’ve decided on a longer tes6ng period than usual, some6mes promp6ng for more pa6ence from the importer, for which we are grateful.
(Aktyna ARIS Evo2 and Aktyna DynARIS)
Tes6ng Tes6ng certain hifi accessories isn’t a spare 6me job. Many months were reserved for these tests, which were some6mes repeated mul6ple 6mes to check the results and look for any kind of possible standardiza6on. In the end the consumer will have to decide whether or not the feet compliment his set by trying them out himself. The effect will immediately be heard.
The following devices were used: VTL TL 2.5 (tube)preamplifier, Arcam FMJ CD-‐17 CD player, Audio Analogue DonizeZ power amplifier and Master Concept Three speakers.
Test music We decided to use only 4 tracks because of the large amount of different set ups available.
These were:
1-‐ Saint-‐Saëns -‐ Dance Macabre (CD Arabesque-‐ Crystal Cable)
2-‐ Illinois Jacguet-‐ Harlem Nocturne (CD Groove into Bits vol 2 -‐ STS 6111132-‐ STS Digital)
3-‐ Alan Taylor-‐ Beat Hotel (CD Closer to the music -‐ nr ... -‐ Stockfish Records)
4-‐ Joe Bonamassa-‐ Different Shades of Blue (CD Different Shades of Blue)
'The Basic set' The basic set is the first set up of we tested. There’s a generally good stereo image, with a slight emphasis on the mid low. The 3D sound image (stage) spikes towards the back, is quite deep and ends just outside the speakers on the le= and the right. The ar6sts are rendered close together. Voices are thin and have lidle body. The image is somewhat masked with lidle micro detail and dynamics.
With these results we moved on.
'De Basic set with one ARIS Evo2 set' We now test the results of placing an ARIS Evo2 set under each device, one at a 6me. Once again the results are put down on paper.
VTL TL 2.5 (tube)preamplifier
The VTL preamplifier obviously benefits the most from the ARIS Evo2, seeing as the posi6ve effects are the greatest here. Sound wise the en6re image opens up and the slight emphasis on the mid low disappears. The middle and high are smoother and sound clearer, without any sharpness. The en6re sound has become smoother and more rhythmic, voices have gained more body and there is more overall interac6on. Compared to the basic set the music has gained more energy and a more natural keynote. It is more dynamic. Micro details are more audible and the micro dynamic has strongly improved. Furthermore the sound stage has increased in breadth, height and depth.
The Audio Analogue DonizeZ power amplifier has rubber feet. Here too the ARIS Evo2 feet had a posi6ve effect: the low became more homogenous and especially 6ghter than without the feet. The balance between the high, middle and low also improved and the micro detail and dynamics also improved significantly. Everything became more coherent. Generally speaking we can say that the ARIS Evo2 feet perform very well. Their effect was greatest and most audible when combined with the VTL preamplifier. In short: more dynamic and rhythmic, a more homogenous rendering of the low, more natural sounds, more keynote, a beder viewing of the soundstage, an increase in depth, breadth and height of the
soundstage, significantly improved micro detail and micro dynamics.
Underneath the preamplifier and underneath the power amplifier Here too there were clear changes in quality. The sound becomes incredibly addic6ve, what a beau6ful combina6on. The music starts flowing and is truly li=ed to a higher level. It has become even smoother compared to using one set of ARIS Evo2 feet. There is more synergy, an increase in speed and micro detail, a more natural keynote, an increase in the height, breadth and especially depth of the soundstage and there are more micro and macro dynamics. The spike towards the back is also wider. The edges of the soundstage are more audible and there is clearly more involvement with the music.
This is definitely the best set up in this configura6on.
The basic set with DynARIS feet We con6nue by returning to the basic set, now with DynARIS feet underneath the stands of the Master Three speakers. The ARIS Evo2 feet aren´t included in this set up. Because we are listening with a monitor speaker, which rests on a stand, we decide to place the Aktyna feet underneath the stand. The floor is reinforced concrete covered with carpet. Normally the Master Three monitors and stands would be directly linked directly to the floor.
We can now hear what the effect of using the DynARIS feet is. We hear more warmth in the sound image. A sweet roman6c sound arises, which is definitely not unpleasant when heard for the first 6me. A ´polished sound in a warm bath´ a ´Puresound friends´ listener said. The soundstage gives more depth and breadth, whilst at the same 6me disappearing to the back. The distance between listener and stage is increased again, which isn´t a problem, but it is audible, especially since the ARIS Evo2 feet bring the soundstage more forward. We also missed some speed and energy, which was exactly what we enjoyed in all set ups with ARIS Evo2 feet.
Analogue DonizeZ power amplifier
Final set up: the basic set with ARIS Evo2 and DynARIS feet We start listening for the last 6me when we’ve added all of the Aktyna accessories: two sets of ARIS Evo2, placed underneath the VTL preamplifier and Audio Analogue DonizeZ power amplifier and two sets of DynARIS underneath the Master Three speakers. The Arcam CD player s6ll rests on its own feet.
Immediately we no6ce that the two different feet complement each other: all individually posi6ve elements fall into place when brought together. A posi6ve shi= in the overall tonal balance and 6mbre is clearly audible. Wooden instruments sound more wooden, voices have more body and
soundmore realis6c. The high and low sounds are more refined and defined. The macro and micro dynamics in the overall audio wavelength increases. The soundstage is even bigger than with the basic set and far beder defined. The edges of the soundstage are also beder perceivable and ar6sts and instruments have more of their own space. There’s an increase in air around the instruments, as well as transparence and resolu6on. This is especially well observable with wooden instruments, making the whole sound more floral.
Conclusion These tests were done over a period of several months. If you have completed your own set up regarding devices, speakers and cables, it is a logical step to fine tune it with a=er sale accessories. Aktyna ARIS Evo2 feet and Aktyna DynARIS feet are those kind of accessories, and very fine ones we’d like to say.
The Aris Evo2 feet underneath your devices and the DynARIs feet underneath your speakers will do a lot of good. The combina6on of these two different feet li= your set to a higher musical level. This can be heard in the rendering of the micro detail, macro and micro dynamics, tonal balance and 6mbre, increase of the soundstage, beder dis6nc6on between ar6sts and instruments, and a characteris6c low and high rendering.
The Aktyna feet do cost quite a bit, but they are worth it. The profit in sound that we gained in our Puresound set was so great we decided to buy them ourselves. It li=ed the Puresound set to a high level regarding dynamics, tones, 6mbre and soundstage.
Highly recommended!
Importer Netherlands/Belgium: Akiko Audio This text is a short version of the Dutch review, published on the website of www.Puresound.be on the 24th of September 2015.