"Whatever
you do, it's wrong" - Luis Fernandes, product developer and one of
the heads of the audio furniture manufacturing company finite elemente,
based in Bestwig in Germany's Sauerland region, knows all about this fatalistic
attitude. "A lot of hi-fi enthusiasts have asked for our high-end
racks from the Pagode series (see separate panel) to be more compatible
with living room environments, but these new equipment supports, where
we addressed this aspect, are too often labelled as mere designer furniture.
The technical expertise and therefore their sound qualities are simply
ignored", is a complaint often levelled by Fernandes and his partner,
Bernd Brockhoff.
In fact, the wide Levelplus, which has a passing resemblance to a sideboard,
seems more like a piece of furniture than an item for serious hi-fi equipment.
Its appearance is filigree and stable at the same time. The black sides
are made of sturdy resonance-free MDF panels that use thick, three-piece
precisely manufactured stainless steel bolts to support the shelves that
can accommodate up to 120 kilograms. Even the narrower version with two
compartments weighs around 55 kilograms.
The second new model developed by these audio furniture specialists has
a much more civilised price. Segment X is the least expensive system in
the finite elemente range. The classic four shelves and the stylishly
curved supporting side and back panels remind you of a hi-fi rack in the
conventional sense.
Segment X is not only light, but is also so easy to assemble that Swedish
giant Ikea might get jealous. The individual elements are simple slotted
together, and then conically shaped tensioning bolts that you have to
press into the prefabricated openings guarantee a secure footing, but
this is only really achieved when the components are placed on the unit.
A total weight of 100 kg is allowed, so 25 kg per shelf, and that is more
than enough for most applications.
Like the Levelplus the shelves here are made of paper layers saturated
with synthetic resin, a process intended to provide ideal acoustic properties
at a reasonable price. Besides the obvious dissimilarity in design the
major difference is in the shelf thickness. The ten-millimetre shelving
material for the Levelplus results in a square meter weight of no less
than 14 kilograms. This factor and the laminate design promise a high
level of interior damping.
We were eager to experience the sound performance of these two new and
attractive pieces of equipment supports, which are very different despite
certain similarities. For comparison purposes we had set up finite elemente's
Pagode Signature and also the top-of-the-range Master Reference, which
offer absolute high-class components optimum conditions and I can no longer
imagine carrying out listening tests without them.
Our extensive audio check once again clearly confirms two things. Firstly:
the rack has an essential effect on the sound quality. Secondly: The differences
are considerable.
But we'll get to that in time. We began with a smaller system comprising
Rotel CD player with integrated amplifier from Exposure and oriented our
listening initially using the Pagode Master Reference. It is really remarkable
how good inexpensive components can sound nowadays.
But this was not the task in hand. So we moved the components into the
Segment X, which costs not even a sixth of the price. Sure, it's an unfair
comparison, but although the spatiality was more compact and the tones
were more rustic than fine, the tonal balance remained intact when the
components were played on the Segment X.
There was none of the thinning out especially in the mid-tones often found
in popular glass/steel designs and no pushiness in the foreground areas
in conjunction with a short-winded bass. In contrast there was lots of
colour and energy in the performance, and vocals came across both sonorous
and powerful, and there was no indication of annoyance.
In brief, even the more demanding components can be entrusted to the Segment X.
As was to be expected from the similar materials, the Levelplus reproduction
had a very similar tonality. No sign of harmonic distortion or hissing,
but satisfying colours. The heavyweight hi-fi sideboard provided more
format and dynamism in the lower end than the Segment X. Furthermore the
representation of the spatial depth was considerably better, allowing
large orchestras to seem much more realistic. It is astonishing how much
power and energy the Levelplus provided. Played on Segment X it sounded
just about as energetic, but the sound pattern in the lower end was softer
and less concentrated.
We switched to higher-quality components, including the T + A G10 analogue
turntable, Accuphase amps and the Burmester 001 CD player. The differences
became even more apparent, but there wasn't much change in their actual
definition.
And then we used the highly complex Pagode racks again. These revealed
a different sound character with their tendency to slimmer diction, exceedingly
gruff in the bass and open in the mid-range. The Levelplus ran a head-to-head
race with the Signature. Whereas the Levelplus vocals were rather creamy
and voluminous, they sounded a little paler on the Signature, but very
subtly nuanced. Low end was given more energy by the sideboard, whereas
the Pagode provided more contour. The spatial depiction was pretty balanced
with both.
The Master Reference rack set the standard as could be expected. None
of the other designs was able to make the music so shimmering and differentiated,
so punctually precise and tight, and so spatially discerning. But at what
a price!
For a lot less the Segment X already offers hi-fi feeling, and the Levelplus sounds even truly ambitious. One thing is for sure: neither model can be branded as just a mere designer rack.
The Pagode series
Signature and Master Reference are the exclusive equipment supports for high-end components.
Visually they are very similar, but differ in assembly, in price - and
in their sound properties, whereby the exclusive Master Reference rack
(right) is one of the finest rack systems for audio components on this
earth. The Signature (left) makes do with sandwich-type shelves that reduce
any resonance across a wide range, and therefore forms the missing link
between the medium-priced and high-price designs on finite elemente’s
offer.
The Master Reference - a permanent feature in the STEREO test room - now
sounds even better, as Luis Fernandes fitted it with his Cerabase interface
feet and these ensure a defined coupling to the floor. This is of central
importance especially for a top-class rack system. Now the music has more
light, airiness and life. We are highly grateful! |
The lightweight design of the Segment X uses
tensioning bolts made from stainless steel.
During assembly these are carefully tapped
into position using a rubber hammer.
|
