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Audio-Asylum Forums Going Crazy

with Terra Firma Talk

(under construction)

Posted by Dan H (A) on September 05, 2009 at 15:22:44

 Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/261135.html

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/261143.html

I first heard about the Terra Firma Clock in the summer of 2008 while browsing on Joe Rasmussen’s website. I was immediately intrigued. Once Terra Firma became a product, earlier this year, I became more intrigued. And eventually I placed an order with Allen Wright for the Terra Firma Lite.

The Terra Firma replaced a SuperClock 3 and power supply in my highly modified Marantz SA-8260. The player has the analog output stage completely replaced with the Discrete Output Stage, which can be found here: http://members.quicknet.nl/ra.vdsteen/index_en.html. Just scroll down to the SA 8400 or 7001 modifications, and also to the Discrete Output Stage. The analog and digital power supplies are also modified much as described, including a separate transformer for the analog psu, on the same modification page. All modifications have been done by me, including pcb design for the DOS.

As such, this is a very fine player on both SACD and RBCD. All I changed with the install of the Terra Firma was just the clock, thus any change I heard was due solely to the Terra Firma clock.

I performed the installation on a recent Sunday afternoon. It’s a simple installation, but does require a bit of space management, as space is limited for clock installations in the 8260. The TF-Lite comes with perforations on the pcb to allow separation of sections, if needed for space reasons in the player. I separated the oscillator section, connecting back to the rest of the main board with some Neotech wire. I will likely separate off the transformer section in the future, so as to shorten the longish connection to the oscillator section.

One thing one notices about TF-Lite is the Run/Delay toggle switch. This is still a mystery to me. But it comes preinstalled with very long wires and just needs for the switch to be mounted on the rear of the player. Once everything was all installed I duly followed instructions, waiting the requisite time and a little more, switched to Run, and all was fine.

Given that I have only one player, I could not do an A/B with, well anything. I thus have to rely only on memory. So, most of my initial impressions have been from discs that I have had for a long time, and that I know every note and sound quite well. It’s not as good as a proper A/B, but with the short installation time, it’s okay.

My experiences with modifying this player have shown that any time I have made changes that have lowered the noise floor of the player, music, mostly in the form of low level information and details, has emerged. This as been true for powering the SC3 from a separate psu rather than the player, and when I installed the DOS just one year ago. And this has again proven so with the Terra Firma.

I noticed right away two very prominent differences once TF was in play. Acoustic string instruments, whether a violin, guitar, or standup bass, were very much more “there” in the sense of more harmonic reverberation from the sound box of the instrument was getting through. Also, bass response is quite a bit better, as in louder. My speakers are not bass champions, with an F3 of 55hz. and an F10 of 38hz. Bass instruments are noticeably louder, including a cello in a string quartet. You can also hear the tympanis in an orchestra much better than before, when they were quietly in the background when struck.

One thing that seems to be so, although it is somewhat hard to be sure, is that it seems that I have had to turn the volume down a bit now as the music seems to be louder than before. I noticed this quite a bit in the first couple days of listening but not so much now.

Most of my listening is to classical sacds, but not exclusively so. I have found the above improvements to be essentially across the board, whether sacd or rbcd, whether classical, jazz, or folk music.

One thing I can confidently say is that in all the reviews and user comments on Terra Firma, nobody has overstated anything. And if anything, I have somewhat understated the differences I have heard with the TF over the SC3.

One thing I might add is that this is the first review, of which I am aware, of a non VSE Sony modified player with a Terra Firma. It is not a unit exclusive to Sony players or VSE modified players.

And lastly, I paid for the clock myself, did my own install, and have no connection to VSE or any of the VSE agents, other than constructing Joe Rasmussen’s Critical Q subwoofer from the design on his webpage. This sub is currently in another system in another location.

Posted by Espen R (A ) on July 28, 2009 at 03:32:23  

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/260342.html

In Reply to: digital upgrade posted by Jassman on July 27, 2009 at 10:06:14:

I think you should considering a fully Vacuumstate Level 7 upgrade on your SCD 777ES player.

I had mine SCD XB-940 in Switzerland for a Level 7 upgrade with Terra Firma Lite clock, this summer. The XB-940 player is a budget player, costs me new $1000 and I had it fully upgraded for ca $2000.

Let me tell you: this is it!

The sound is extremely clean, clear and analogue. All the "electronic sound" is gone. I have direct access to the room where the original recording took place. PRaT (Pace, pitch, rhythm and timing) is incredibly good. Music comes alive in a way I never heard from digital. I think my player now sounds as good as a Meitner rig, at least. Does this sound strange, considering my player cost $1000 bought new?

After nearly 30 year since the Compact Disc player was introduced, I think I now have "perfect sound forever" ;-)

-espen

Posted by Espen R (A) on August 07, 2009 at 07:02:39

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/260570.html

In Reply to: RE: VSE Uberclock review posted by Rob F1 on August 06, 2009 at 20:36:09

Read it. Very nice review by Karl Lozier.

Karl says...
"In my listening sessions, I found both CD and SACD were equally improved. As it turns out, that was Allen's goal. If forced to decide between the comparative improvements in these two sections, I would say that SACD was a bit more noticeably improved than regular CD. That is probably because the qualities attributed to good SACD sound reproduction, such as ambience, spaciousness, air, three-dimensionality, a more natural soundscape, and so on, become even more apparent with the jitter reduction presented by the Uber Clock."

That's exactly what I have observed, too. SACD's sound incredible good now.

Despite the good mastering of James Taylor "JT" done by Doug Sax, it never sounded absolutely "right" A sort off rolled off in the higher frequency, not so "tight"...sometimes it's very hard for me to describe what I hear. Well, that was before Terra firma clock. After Terra firma...YES! No it sounds right!

My Sony SCD-Xb-940 Vacuum State Level 7 with Terra Lite clock sounds more musicaly alive than nearly anything I've heard from a digital player and most vinyl players as well.

Posted by DTB300 (A) on August 07, 2009 at 15:47:49

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/260582.html

In Reply to: RE: No I didn't. posted by Allen Wright on August 07, 2009 at 12:34:00

In my Sony 999ES, I upgraded from an LC Audio LClock X03 to a Terra Firma Lite (installed by Bill Thalmann of MTI). These are my interpretations of the changes and improvements with the new clock.

• More 3-dimensional sound to the music - an improved sound stage.
• Improvement in sound quality from bass to midrange to treble.
• More separation between instruments with improved instrument detail. You are able to hear each instrument better.
• Transparency and ease to the music
• It makes you want to sit and listen to music for hours and hours at a time – the true testament to how good it really is.

All of these comments are relevant for both Redbook and SACD. Albums which I really like the music on, but with sound quality issues, now had an improved sound to them.

Some of the recordings which I have listened to for quite awhile now had parts where I was hearing things I did not hear before: birds chirping in the background very silently, new sounds from crowd noise in live recordings, instrument playing techniques: string plucks, drum stick strikes, sax valves(?) opening/closing, and so on.

Don’t misinterpret these statements as the clock improved the recording. The clock did not “improve” the recording it was now showing more of the the recording. Top quality SACD was stunning to say the least.

If I had to do it over again, would I have the TFL installed in my player? Absolutely!!

BTW, I have no affiliation with VSE, just a happy end user.

Posted by DTB300 (A) on September 08, 2009 at 06:47:12

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/261204.html

In Reply to: RE: I was responding to Mali. posted by Ozzie on September 07, 2009 at 17:58:00

"A buddy of mine recently had the TFL installed in his player and he said that he heard the differences from tune one. I believe him."

Yep - And it got even better after the first 24 hours or so. Since the clock runs off the IEC, power cord upgrades also benefit.

TFL is a great addition to any player when comparing price versus performance. The change was equivalent to having new output stages put in the player. Now the clock + new output stages makes sweet sound in my crib.

Posted by Amade on September 07, 2009 at 08:25:23

Source: www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/261166.html 

Hi-Rez Highway

REVIEW: Vacuum State Electronics DVP-9000ES Level 7 SACD Player (Modded)

Source:  www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/25/252126.html

I had my Sony DVP-9000ES SACD/CD/DVD player modded to Vacuum State Level 5 (balanced) status, by one of their agents, TT Yap at Octave Electronics in Malaysia approximately 2 years ago.

Needless to say the upgrade made a major significant improvement over the stock machine.

Around 6 months ago I had the player modded to Level 6 and this added a further significant improvement to the sound.

Nothing could prepare me for what was coming next though. I was fortunate enough to have Vacuum State's Chief Designer and Director, Mr. Allen Wright as a guest at my apartment for a few days on his travels to and from Australia.

Upon arriving from the airport he pulled out a diminutive silver box from his haversack. It was akin to Yoda pulling out some sort of magical box containing some mystical secrets of the universe...little did I know then the power of "The Uber Clock"! I was also fortunate enough to have the first one in existence!

First we had an extensive listening session of my system and Allen was very, very impressed with the sound the 9000ES player was already producing, as well as my associated equipment.

We listened to a mixture of SACD's as well as standard CD's. One morning I was listening to the lovely RBCD of Shelby Lynn's, "Just a Little Lovin'" (superbly performed and an excellent recording - mastered by Doug Sax) and Allen was on his Mac with his back to my system and commented, "Sounds "vinyl" like" as well as singing high praises for Shelby's sultry performance. Allen has since taken Shelby home to listen to (unfortunately the CD, not Shelby...).

Another morning I was playing one of the best SACD's in my collection, Rachel Podger - Vivaldi: La Stravaganza and Allen came from another room, sat down and proceeded to get totally lost in the performance.

When Allen left to continue his journey to Australia I then shipped the player to one of his agents, TT Yap of Octave Electronics in Malaysia to get the latest mod installed.

Five days later I spoke to TT and he said that he wouldn't return the player to me as he wanted to keep it for a week to listen to more music! He told me he was hearing things he had never heard before on discs - and this from a man that has upgraded many a player in his time.

After persuading TT to send the player back to me I had very high expectations and all I can say is that nothing, I mean NOTHING could prepare me for this.

Just some background: the upgrade is a clock which also contains a new clock power supply. The box requires separate power and connects with a BNC cable to the back of the player and has a small light that indicates the clock is "warming up" and then changes colour once the clock is operational. The purpose of the mod is to GREATLY reduce jitter - the bane of the little silver discs. The box is finished in a very attractive silver finish. There will be more information about this mod and its function on Allen's website in the near future.

Now back to the good stuff....I reeled off disc after disc, SACD's and even the much maligned RBCD's and was shocked at what I was hearing.

More weight, much greater clarity and an expanded sound stage that brought me far further into the recording space than I had ever heard before in my system (and any other system I have heard). On one RBCD I clearly heard the very faint voice of the singer before she actually sang...I was hearing her voice from a previous take that was still there that had "bled" onto the master tape!! I had never heard this before with this disc.

People talking in the distance, background noises, just so many little things that I had never heard before on a mixture of recordings. Recordings sounded very "analog like" with no hint of "digi-itis"....

Recordings had more "liquidity", PRAT was also significantly improved.

Once Allen came back from Australia we first listened to his reference SACD, the brilliant, The Steve Davis Project's, Quality of Silence. Cued up track 2 and the electric guitar sounded, well, JUST like a guitar.

Allen's comment was that before the Level 7 mod my system sounded like a bloody good hi-fi system but now it sounded like "something else"....

More listening followed and time just lost all meaning as we listened to disc after disc. Reference discs to just plain ol' vanilla regular ho hum recordings (including RBCD's) all now sounded far more "you are there".

Other listeners have since come and gone and are also flabbergasted. A mate of mine has duly bought a used Sony 777 and will be getting it modded immediately. We also heard a new stock player (I won't mention the brand) that costs around USD5.5K playing a SACD in a hi-fi dealers shop and couldn't get out of the place quickly enough, it gave us a headache.

I can go on and on and all I can say is this:

If you have a player that has been modded by VSE then it is an absolute no brainer to get this mod done. I understand we are in hard times but save your pennies, curtail your spending and save hard for this one..it's worth every penny!

If you have a player that you are considering modding or considering buying a player full stop then I implore you to get a VSE mod.

Talk is talk and talk is cheap: don't take my word for it, try and listen to a modded player and if you can't, then take a leap of faith - I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.

A modded level 7 player will outperform players at many, many times its price.

I have had a few major upgrades in my system over the years and this is the biggest (and cheapest) one so far and has provided the biggest single improvement by a very considerable margin.

*TERRA FIRMA* Rocks !!!...and is off the Richter...REVIEW ?!?!

122.108.47.35

Posted by coolhand (A) on January 17, 2009 at 21:10:12

Source: www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/14/142994.html

Excuse me, but I couldn't help the word play...:-P

Hey peeps thought I'd post my experiences with my "UberClocked" as Allen Wright of Vacuum State Electronics refers, or "Terra Firma" equipped Rega Saturn thanks to Joe Rasmussen of Custom Analogue Audio who managed to squeeze it in along with several other very appreciable enhancements, late last year.

I've now had considerable time with the modded player in literally constant play and have also had the ability to directly compare it to a bone stock factory Saturn which I have, and which I should add is certainly no slouch in its own right, in fact the stock player was preferred to numerous far more costly and exalted players such as is ability to play without the artifice or artifacts common to virtually all 44.1k playback devices I've heard.

But I digress, because the Terra Firma (along with Joes other enhancements) has catapulted the Saturn literally into another orbit entirely.

This really isn't a review as such, but I simply feel compelled to attempt to express an intangible quality of absolute relaxed musicality, fluidity if you like, which has resulted, it is this release of tension which I can most equate to that appreciated when one goes from listening to CD to listening to vinyl.

I will qualify that I also have a half decent ~$18k vinyl rig and that neither fool me into thinking that I'm hearing live performance, that kind of tosh I'll leave for the "pro reviews" which will often tell you how suddenly they could smell the breath of Diana Crawl (sic) in their room etc...spare me already !!

No, what the Terra Firma apparently facilitates is quite simply an easing of the pressure of digital delivery and most pronouncedly an EXPANSION of all dimensions of the aural "bubble" in my room, time AND frequency domain.

Interestingly, and equally, there is more apparent micro detail, reverberant space is more readily discernible/definable in recordings as is the crucial initial envelope of sounds...so essentially there is more detail liberated, greater dynamic nuance and timing is delivered in such a way as to allow you brain to spend less time processing or filtering the medium to get to the essence of the music, the musicians timing, their intonation etc.

Counter intuitively, this enhanced presentation comes with INITIALLY less sense of heightened detail, again, and I really hate to equate, but for sake of a reference I will liken it to a more analogous sound (vinyl like-not really), but certainly more natural. I found myself turning up the volume much louder to "live" volume levels in my room more frequently as it simply was easier to absorb without duress (noted by my better half) :-)

I have very little in the way of music on SA-CD principally due to the fact that MOST of the music I own is not available on this technically superior format.

Yet I can unequivocally say that regardless of price, IMHO, my Saturn now sounds more pleasing and connects me more to the recorded artists than any of the other players which I have recently auditioned, amongst which include the Audio Aero Prestige, Nagra CDP, Ayre CX5e and EMM CDSA.

Until now I was quite willing to pay whatever it was going to cost to find a digital source which didn't leave me unnerved after extended listening sessions, but the Terra Firma with Joes other relatively simple but highly effective mods has really put into perspective how atrociously overpriced and under performing virtually all other so called "ultra high end" digital sources are....I'm not saying they're crap by any stretch, just that I no longer feel the need to pay extortionate $$ for elaborate proprietary upsampling schemes (yeechh), mostly pointless & complex analogue output stages, nor for that matter unnecessarily complex transport mechanisms

As a musician, professional recording engineer and occasionally perverse tweaker of all things related to sound, I have arrived at the conclusion that once again, less is always more, particularly when implemented correctly!

In the case of the Terra Firma, it appears to address and largely resolve what is perhaps the Achilles heel of nearly all digital audio devices.

The beauty of it's concept is that the equipment to which it is to be incorporated can readily be adapted to benefit almost immediately and without one being required to sell any of their organs in order to do so :-))

PS: for those who are wondering WTF I've been waffling on about, below is a link which elucidates on the subject:

http://www.customanalogue.com/terra_firma.htm

PPS: I'm in no manner related to any of the guys who manifested/manufacture the product, I read about it, paid to have it installed and have been getting to bed at all hours of the mornings since receiving my modded player back !

PPPS: Amp used:
Silbatone JI300B Mk.II
with NOS WE300B & Bendix 6900 and/or
EAT300B & NOS 1948 ladder plate Tung-Sol 5687

Speakers:
Zingali HM115 Mk.II

Cables:
Kimber Select Silver & Auditorium 23

Power:
Dedicated circuits, isolation xformers, VH Audio cabling

Edit > What the heck I realised that I've made no references to any "actual" musical recordings listened to and immensely enjoyed, which may or may not be of any relevance or interest to those who've read this far, but I'll note three particularly outstanding recordings which have had numerous revisits since receiving my Saturn back in Rock Solid form !

Eugene Istomin-Mozart Concertos 21 & 24, Reference Recordings RR68-

What can I say other than that this astounding recording and performance has left me in a near transcendental state on more than one occasion! A MUST have disc even for non partakers of the classical genre if not for the fidelity alone.

World Circuit Presents..., WCD076

This awesome double cd compilation of globe trotting music produced by Ry Cooder and largely recorded on location direct to two-track, takes you across numerous continents and back, capturing a sense of cultural presence with electrifying alacrity.

The Beatles-Love, Parlophone-Apple 0946 3 81598 2 7

Posted by humbleguy (A) on July 18, 2009 at 20:16:48

Source: www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/14/146933.html

Source: http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=digital&n=146933&highlight=stvnharr

In Reply to: RE: *TERRA FIRMA* Rocks !!!...and is off the Richter...REVIEW ?!?! posted by coolhand on January 17, 2009 at 21:10:12

Have just read "coolhands" post and can say that he's not exaggerating as I've had the Terra Firma module added on to my modded Jolida 100A CDP for 6 months now (by Bill Baker of Response Audio and was already a superb player compared to a lot of the over-priced products on the market) and could not believe the difference it made.

 As I live in Sydney I've had the good fortune to meet and talk to Joe Rasmussen about his mods and have been duly impressed by his extraordinary audio technical knowledge and his humility - as they say, NO BULL....!

I will shortly be getting my tube amp (Response Audio Reference JD801) modded with Joe's LEM module and converting to Virtual Triode mode.

All I can say is - Joe's products and mods are the best-bang-for bucks you can find in these difficult times. They'll outperform most of the fancy brands with extortionate prices; I know, because I've sold off some of these products since.

TERRA FIRMA - USER REVIEWS - COMMENTS

Hi, Joe,

Love the new clocks... they work astonishingly well. I was expecting a small incremental improvement, but was not prepared for the transformation that occurred...

I did install the Uberclock in an SCD-1 for Karl Lozier of Positive Feedback Online, and he was bowled over by it...

As I said to Allen [Wright of Vacuum State], this could be the final nail in the analog coffin. I can’t, for the life of me, see the sense in messing with vinyl, when digital can get this close to a live performance. I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard vinyl beat this, and I’ve heard some very impressive vinyl front ends (the Continuum, for example, playing though Wilson X-2’s).

Above comments by Bill Thalmann, formerly Chief Designer for Conrad-Johnson and now Music Technologies (www. musictechnology.com) - US Vacuum State official installer.

*TERRA FIRMA* Rocks !!! ... and is off the Richter...?!?!

Posted by Coolhand, January 17, 2009 at 21:10:12 on Audioasylum Digital Drive

Excuse me, but I couldn't help the word play.

Thought I'd post my experiences with my "UberClocked" as Allen Wright of Vacuum State Electronics refers, or "Terra Firma" equipped Rega Saturn thanks to Joe Rasmussen of Custom Analogue Audio who managed to squeeze it in along with several other very appreciable enhancements, late last year.

I've now had considerable time with the modded player in literally constant play and have also had the ability to directly compare it to a bone stock factory Saturn which I have, and which I should add is certainly no slouch in its own right, in fact the stock player was preferred to numerous far more costly and exalted players such as is ability to play without the artifice or artefacts common to virtually all 44.1k playback devices I've heard.

But I digress, because the Terra Firma (along with Joes other enhancements) has catapulted the Saturn literally into another orbit entirely.

This really isn't a review as such, but I simply feel compelled to attempt to express an intangible quality of absolute relaxed musicality, fluidity if you like, which has resulted, it is this release of tension which I can most equate to that appreciated when one goes from listening to CD to listening to vinyl.

I will qualify that I also have a half decent ~$18k vinyl rig and that neither fool me into thinking that I'm hearing live performance, that kind of tosh I'll leave for the "pro reviews" which will often tell you how suddenly they could smell the breath of Diana Crawl (sic) in their room etc... spare me already !!

No, what the Terra Firma apparently facilitates is quite simply an easing of the pressure of digital delivery and most pronouncedly an EXPANSION of all dimensions of the aural "bubble" in my room, time AND frequency domain.

Interestingly, and equally, there is more apparent micro detail, reverberant space is more readily discernible/definable in recordings as is the crucial initial envelope of sounds...so essentially there is more detail liberated, greater dynamic nuance and timing is delivered in such a way as to allow you brain to spend less time processing or filtering the medium to get to the essence of the music, the musicians timing, their intonation etc.

Counter intuitively, this enhanced presentation comes with INITIALLY less sense of heightened detail, again, and I really hate to equate, but for sake of a reference I will liken it to a more analogous sound (vinyl like-not really), but certainly more natural. I found myself turning up the volume much louder to "live" volume levels in my room more frequently as it simply was easier to absorb without duress (noted by my better half) :-)

I have very little in the way of music on SA-CD principally due to the fact that MOST of the music I own is not available on this technically superior format.

Yet I can unequivocally say that regardless of price, IMHO, my Saturn now sounds more pleasing and connects me more to the recorded artists than any of the other players which I have recently auditioned, amongst which include the Audio Aero Prestige, Nagra CDP, Ayre CX5e and EMM CDSA.

Until now I was quite willing to pay whatever it was going to cost to find a digital source which didn't leave me unnerved after extended listening sessions, but the Terra Firma with Joes other relatively simple but highly effective mods has really put into perspective how atrociously overpriced and under performing virtually all other so called "ultra high end" digital sources are....I'm not saying they're crap by any stretch, just that I no longer feel the need to pay extortionate $$ for elaborate proprietary upsampling schemes (yeechh), mostly pointless & complex analogue output stages, nor for that matter unnecessarily complex transport mechanisms

As a musician, professional recording engineer and occasionally perverse tweeker of all things related to sound, I have arrived at the conclusion that once again, less is always more, particularly when implemented correctly !.

In the case of the Terra Firma, it appears to address and largely resolve what is perhaps the Achilles heel of nearly all digital audio devices.

The beauty of it's concept is that the equipment to which it is to be incorporated can readily be adapted to benefit almost immediately and without one being required to sell any of their organs in order to do so :-))

PS: for those who are wondering [what] I've been waffling on about, below is a link which elucidates on the subject:

www.customanalogue.com/terra_firma.htm

PPS: I'm in no manner related to any of the guys who manifested/manufacture the product, I read about it, paid to have it installed and have been getting to bed at all hours of the mornings since receiving my modded player back !

PPPS: Amp used: Silbatone JI300B Mk.II with NOS WE300B & Bendix 6900 and/or EAT300B & NOS 1948 ladder plate Tung-Sol 5687

Speakers: Zingali HM115 Mk.II

Cables: Kimber Select Silver & Auditorium 23

Power: Dedicated circuits, isolation xformers, VH Audio cabling

Edit > What the heck I realised that I've made no references to any "actual" musical recordings listened to and immensely enjoyed, which may or may not be of any relevance or interest to those who've read this far, but I'll note three particularly outstanding recordings which have had numerous revisits since receiving my Saturn back in Rock Solid form !

Eugene Istomin-Mozart Concertos 21 & 24, Reference Recordings RR68

What can I say other than that this astounding recording and performance has left me in a near transcendental state on more than one occasion ! A MUST have disc even for non partakers of the classical genre if not for the fidelity alone.

World Circuit Presents..., WCD076

This awesome double cd compilation of globe trotting music produced by Ry Cooder and largely recorded on location direct to two-track, takes you across numerous continents and back, capturing a sense of cultural presence with electrifying alacrity.

The Beatles-Love, Parlophone-Apple 0946 3 81598 2 7

Actually I'd been sleeping on this one until Joe Rasmussen bought it to my due attention, so it's probably old news for most, but if anybody is deserving of turning old into new, George Martin and his son Giles can certainly step into the arena ! Who needs Q-Sound or even LSD to start the trip proper, just toss this one on the spinner and kick back...totally slammin' sound and I don't even usually care for the Beatles

---

Response to above post:

 Posted by Allen Wright (M) on February 28, 2009 at 11:08:31

In Reply to: RE: *TERRA FIRMA* Rocks !!!...and is off the Richter...REVIEW ?!?! posted by coolhand on January 17, 2009 at 21:10:12

Gentlemen,

I had no idea that this review was being written, and I certainly do not know the writer. I suspect he is an Australian client of Joe Rasmussen's. Vacuum State head office is in Switzerland, and that's where I am based, but Joe and I have been close friends for 30 years, and we have co-developed several breakthrough products, and the Terra Firma is the latest.

On the Vacuum State website you can find the February 2009 Newsletter, which is devoted entirely to both the Terra Firma Lite and the Terra Firma Uberclock.

I repeat what Joe has said, that you won't believe what is said about it until you try it. When we were developing it, we could not believe that the extreme electronic changes we were making would have such an audible effect.

We started with our Level 5 reference master clock, already considered by some professionals to be the best sounding of all the after-market clocks, and we increased the already extreme filtering by a factor of 10, just as a hunch, and it sounded better. So we increased it by another 10 times, expecting to rapidly find a maximum. But it didn't. It sounded better, and even better with another 10 times increase in filtering. We have increased the filtering to what we consider to be a practical limit, and still marvel at the result, because it is beyond any normal logic.

It was beyond belief, and I am glad that this reviewer on Digital Drive and another independent reviewer on the Hi-Rez forum are both very excited about the performance increase they have experienced. What else can I say?

Regards, Allen (Vacuum State)

---

Hi Joe,

Just got the player yesterday in excellent condition... Spent four hours listening to it. Wow, it's a fantastic player... my Naim CD5X will be put on sale next week.

I think the JLTI's [based on Oppo 980H] strongest point is it's absence of the classic digital signature and glare. I have a very good phono system and I always fault my CD5x as have traces of the digital glare.. Your player is really the most analogue sounding CD player I've heard so far.

I'll be doing more listening over these few weeks.

BTW, will you be making more JLTi [Oppo] players? I have a friend already very interested in one and maybe a few other too when they listen to your player.

Best Regards,

William A. (Singapore)

Part 2:

Keep up the good work. I really think you guys have really a break through product... next week or so I'll hope to have a listening session with other more expensive players.. should be interesting.

I'll definitely [continue to] let you know what they think of the JLTi player.

William

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Please download February 2009 Newsletter from Vacuum State's website for more reviews and information.

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The best dollars I have ever spent [on audio].  Matthew Foyle, NSW, Australia

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"I just received [Oppo] 980H today and out of the box it absolutely smokes my Marantz SA-17... I didn't realise how dead my front end was till today, it is astounding." Dart6 (New Zealand), audiogon.com, Dec '08

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'It would be hard for me to undervalue this..., it has transformed what was already a very good player into a a player that transcends what I thought was possible out of digital... There is an improvement in definition across the entire spectrum but while this sonic improvement is important , what is more important is how the machine loses the last vestiges of what I can only describe as a "mechanical" presentation, which I have heard in every single disc player I have heard until now, and replaces that with [a sense of] ease. Music simply breathes; expands and contracts in volume without strain, is achingly pure yet full bodied. I am now hearing more than ever but without any sense of etching or over-emphasis of detail. SACD's on this machine fulfil the promise of the medium, and surpass what I had thought possible... this is a whole new ballgame, where musicians become much more physical entities in my listening room. The extra level of nuance and resolution is just great. I love it! This is nothing short of a breakthrough as far as I am concerned." Rob Ferguson, New Zealand

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"Whatever Joe comes up with after this, nothing he will ever do will be as good as this." John Wines, NSW, Australia

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more... under construction...

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