ROLLERBLOCK® HDSE
A High Performance Rollerblock Jr.
Symposium Rollerblock JR. HDSE Supports: Perfection Resides in Detail
by Roberto Pezzanera, Sound Fidelity (Italy)
"What happened to the sound of my system? ...I inserted my 3-set under my VTL integrated amplifier. The result is extraordinary: a greater separation of instruments, a more focused and defined soundstage, more precise bass, more articulated bass, a richer and more harmonious midrange and a better level of detail. I dare not imagine what could happen by inserting the footers under my CD. Fireworks!
"You can ask: can you live without? Certainly yes, but why do it?! If you have a good system and you want to try and refine the sound through accurate fine tuning, my advice is to try this product." - Roberto Pezzanera, Fedelta del Suono
"Received the (HDSE) rollerblocks today and have installed them. Even with the Superplus platform under my speakers, the rollerblocks under the dvd player added yet another improvement in transient response, openness, and bass tightness.
While the dvd player was in operation, I looked at the rollerblocks to see if I could [see] any movement. If there is, I wasn't able to detect it with my naked eye. However, I could definitely hear the difference in the sound. I am still amazed how eliminating those minute vibrations can impact the sound that much. Thanks again for all your great advice and the development of these fine products. The explanation of the technology is very meaningful to me, as I am a very data oriented person, having both a scientific and statistical background." - L.S., Hawaii
HDSE stands for "Heavy Duty Special Edition" but it could also stand for "High Definition Special Edition." HDSE is identical in size and form to standard Rollerblock Jr. but has the following enhancements:
1) Top grade 7075 "aircraft" aluminum alloy body
7075 aluminum is harder than some steels and provides superior Brinnelling capacity (resistance to denting and deformation despite extreme pressure) and superior mechanical coupling to even high quality 6061 alloy.
2) Special "Hard Coat" anodized body and cup area
Hard Coat anodizing provides a thin, precision skin of ceramic-level hardness which constrain-layer damps the HDSE body and retards wear in the cup area. This is the same coating used in the Series 2 Rollerblock body.
3) High precision Grade 10 Tungsten Carbide balls standard
Tungsten Carbide is the best material for use in ball bearing isolation devices; Grade 10 means that each ball meets or exceeds a sphericity and diameter tolerance of 10 parts per million, which is 2.5 times better than the best "off the shelf" ball bearings available. These are the same high precision balls that are supplied with Series 2+ Rollerblocks, and are bettered only by the state-of-the-art Grade 2.5 Superball (see below).
HDSE was originally developed for use with heavy loudspeakers (HDSE was first introduced in the Symposium Panorama loudspeaker For best results, HDSE Rollerblocks (as well as other types) should always be placed directly under the component and in contact with the component's chassis (bypassing the attached feet), unless the component has a specially tuned suspension system. This is because a great part of what they do, in additional to providing nearly perfect lateral isolation at low frequencies, is provide superior coupling and energy drainage (resonance damping) throughout the audible range from the component to the support structure or dedicated "shelf."
The only exception to this rule of placement is if you are using HDSE Rollerblocks in conjunction with a platform under loudspeakers, in which case the platform should be placed directly under the speaker, in contact with its cabinet (with no spikes or cones in between), and the HDSE Rollerblocks should then be placed between the platform and the floor. This provides maximum energy drainage and damping to the loudspeaker itself and provides lateral wave isolation and decoupling from returning bass waves which propagate through the floor. This is a powerful combination for realizing the maximum performance a loudspeaker has to offer.
HDSE may also be ordered with State of the Art Grade 2.5 Superballs
