Product Reviews
Further sonic improvements were gained by placing the Mini-ARCHs under my Chord DAVE, sMS-200, tX-USBultra, and BRIX media server. This is quite nice given the form-factor, ease of use, and price of the ARCHs. I was also able to tune my system using various amounts of Mini-ARCHs under my source equipment. This worked especially well for the SOtM sMS-200. Having 8 Mini-ARCHs was a tad bright while using 4 struck a perfect balance. Tuning your system with vibration isolators sounds ridiculous but I think adjustability makes these ARCHs quite attractive.
On a fundamental level where judiciously employed, the Acoustic Resonance Clarifiers could make marked enhancements in the enunciation of information in the critical lower mid through upper octaves of an electronic component or loudspeaker. Such results require patience and come with a proviso.
The first impression was an increase in clarity and low level information. The proverbial lifting of veils happened producing images more three dimensional and lifelike.
The first thing you notice with the ARCHs is a big improvement to overall transparency and clarity. That alone is worth the price of admission. I also heard an expanded soundstage, improved imaging, incredible separation/layering, and a blacker background.
Everything I had enjoyed up to the insertion of the mini-ARCHs was now elevated. Individual instruments and voices in the music were easier to follow, existed in their own space and had improved tonal characteristics. This translates into better attach and more natural, extended decay (for example the strike of a cymbal and its shimmering tone as it fades off). Bass notes have better tone and are much clearer.
These days, more than ever, I look for a price-to-performance ratio that makes sense for this economically challenging time, and the ARCHs fit right in with my philosophy […] Using ARCHs designed for components, speakers, and cables allowed my system to sing at a higher level when they were used collectively vs. individually.
