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The following article submitted by Scot Markwell appeared in the October 1998 issue of The Absolute Sound. The Townshend Audio Seismic Sink and the Arcici Suspense Rack represent two significant statements in audio rack technology. They are similar in that both employ a system of air-suspended shelves in a common chasis, but there are distinct differences, and one is superior to the other. The Townshend Audio five-tier stand that we have had for several months in the reference system has often shown its mettle. HP has reported on its contributions to the performance of equipment, most notably the improvement to the sound of the Burmester 969 CD transport, where it allowed, though effective decoupling of the rack from the external vibrations within Room 3, a new high-frequency purity and extension, and an expansion and enhanced delineation of soundstage reproduction. The Townshend consists of a two-level frame, each incorporating an adjustable air bladder. They support the five shelves on a cushion of air that isolates the equipment from external vibrations. The framework is composed of threaded steel rods enclosed in aluminum tubes; in this the five MDF shelves are situated. Once installed, the shelves are fixed and quite rigid. The entire affair, loaded with equipment, floats in three dimensions; vertically, laterally, and front-to-back. Stability and centering are accomplished by aligning the center of gravity of the components. A lead counterweight with a felt cushion underneath fits in a narrow subshelf at the bottom of the unit. The Townshend is 36 inches tall. I don't know how this rack would perform against systems such as the Ultra Resolution Technologies units Paul Bolin reported on (Issue 113) that use high mass, rather than air isolation, but the Townshend stand is both vastly less expensive than the URT and more portable (the unit weighs less than 100 pounds). It also is a good bit more attractive. |
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The Arcici Suspense Rack also uses air suspension but is designed differently. The framework here is composed of four pieces of steel "L" beams bolted together to a bottom wooden box that is reinforced with steel corners, and to a top of similar design containing four bladders, called the Air Head. Hanging from this head are four threaded steel rods, each with "T" nuts and washers. These are infinitely adjustable for height, and the four clear acrylic shelves are placed on these nut assemblies. This rack is slightly taller than the Townshend, standing 48 inches high. While both are superior to conventional equipment stands in their ability to isolate components from vibrations, I give the nod, overall, to the Arcici, for four reasons. First, it has those height-adjustable shelves, which are more convenient and more accommodating to larger components than the fixed Townshend shelves. Also, the Arcici is more rigid, and permits the top shelf to accommodate an LP turntable, something that I would be loath to trust to the Townshend, which can sway and bob. This is not a problem with a CD drive, but a danger to delicate cantilever assemblies. In addition, the Arcici uses bladders that are seemingly invulnerable to leakage, whereas those on the Townshend need re-inflating every few days. The icing on the cake is that components on the Arcici sound better, mainly in high-frequency resolution and purity. - Scot Markwell PO Box 272, New York, NY 10024 Phone: (212) 579-4352 |