Audiophile knows Audiophile, Audiophile understands Audiophile, Audiophile designs/ makes for Audiophile, and Audiophile market to Audiophile,…at least for me,…
The ‘Formula‘ at my time.
I do not know about others (and maybe cannot speak for them?), but I am always frustrated to talk to a non audiophile about audio/phile,…and more so if that person is in the audio industry (imagine speaking to an audio designer who turned out to be a non audiophile, has no audio system in his living space and treated music as noise…do you know that they are around?).
I have researched into some provened audio brands that stood the test of time and that their products still held prestige recognition among audiophile,…looking deeper…I realised that the head honcho (may not be the founder) helming those audio brands, products and marketing was an avid and passionate audiophile (back to the above ‘Formula‘).
The founder of MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN (since 2015) from CANADA, Mr.Trevor Doyle is first and foremost an (analogue) audiophile and a music-lover (melophile) since his teens. ‘Fate‘ has it that his occupation and specialty lies in wood crafting (for furniture and etc) and, identifying and recognising specific wood(s) for specific property(ies) and purpose(s).
Common among audiophile, there is always that urge to make the audio component(s) and system to sound better and look better at the same time. That urge drove the audiophile, Trevor to repurpose some beautiful Birds-Eye Maple into a platform for his LINN (UK) turntable that resulted not only a better looking but better sounding turntable. Hence, sparked the idea that resulted MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN, and products ranging from Audio Racks, Amplifier Supports, Cable Risers and Record Weights (www.massifaudiodesign.com).
Then came the exhibitions, acknowledgements and recognitions from ‘exceptional companies like Skogrand Cables, EgglestonWorks, ModWright Instruments, Soulution, Dartzeel, and Magico, among many others’…that MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN products work!
THE REST WAS HISTORY.
Recently I posted my review and pictures of the HYPER ANALOGUE PRODUCTION HYPER SONIC X-4 MC Phono Cartridge and at its back was an Ebony Record Clamp. I thought that Trevor saw that post and asked if I be interested to review his MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight? ‘Oh sure‘ was my reply to him,…and then he told me that it was Mr.Knut Skogrand of SKOGRAND CABLES that encouraged him for the following review (many thanks to Knut).
According to MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN, they do not make Record Clamp, instead they make high-end Record Weights from materials like Mpingo Wood and Brazilian Rosewood. These Record Weights are designed to stabilize records by adding mass, which may help improve sound quality, though they will not fix fundamental turntable setup issues. They are a Luxury Item, with one high-end model costing ‘over US$1300‘.
He also told me that he be sending me…
his own Brazilian Rosewood Record Weight for the review.
Then I did some google searches and discovered that ‘Guitar makers prized Brazilian Rosewood for its…
Unique Cell Structure,
which contributed to…
its Exceptional Resonance and Tonal Depth.
As demand for high-quality acoustic guitars surged, Brazilian Rosewood became synonymous with craftsmanship and sonic excellence’ and,…
‘is one of those precious exotics where “if you know, you know“…
PLAY THE WEIGHT.
I started each spin and listened to the following vinyl record with only the activation of the ‘Vacuum Hold Down’ feature at the TECHDAS Air Force One (JAPAN) Turntable and without the use of any Record Clamp. Then I would use, one by one, some of the Record Clamps in my arsenal to compare with the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight. In all fairness, I would testify that…
each Record Clamp in my arsenal has its own attributes…
to the Total Sound Quality of the Analogue Source;…certain Record Clamps made Classical music sounded more Resolute, other Record Clamps made Jazz music slightly Energetic and special Record Clamps for Pronounce Vocalisation…etc.
However, when I placed the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight on the records at that Turntable,…
Gasped and Surprised was I,
…the instruments just came into Being (there), Outlined, Focused, Delineated and even Spaced from one another with Layer of Air. Therefore, a Believable and Orderly Soundstaging of Instruments was presented,…
as if I was Present at and Enlightened of the Recording Session.
Here, the vocalist, Mr.Scotty Wright was equally imaged in Three [3] Dimensions, Delineated, Focused, Spaced from the accompanied instruments, and surrounded with Layer of Air that distinguished him, thus…
enhanced his vocalisation to the Level of Palpability, Naturalness and Realness.
Personally, I did not find the said Record Weight to have mellowed and/or sweetened the highs and mids to achieved the above result,…
but allowed the Native recording to be Presented.
Here, I found the soundstage was much Deeper and Wider (than expected),…thus there was More Space and Air around the vocalist (and equally around each instrument), Ms.Masako Kunisada at her rendition of the song ‘Snow Flakes‘ (side B, track 4). Therefore, her Vocalisation and Emotion therein, sounded as if being given more space and air to express…
hence sounded more Expressive, Pronounced and Palpable.
The same sensation was audible and felt for each note from each instrument,…
as if the Note was Floated, Radiated and Highlighted within the Space and Air of a Wide and Deep Soundstage.
Through the use of the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight, I found the vocalisation of Ms.Stanley to have…
more Depth, Breath and Dimensions,
…there were more audible; flunctuations at her vocalisation,…and pronounced breathing techniques (/ artistry),…at the very center of the soundstage, as intended.
Here, I was able to appreciate more in-depth of the Top Notch recording, and capturing of each instrument;…
the differing and respective Scale, Size, Dimensions, Delineation, Weight, Power and Delivery,…
from the very deep and wide soundstage.
Here, the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight allowed me to appreciate the Distinction, Delineation, Dimensions,…Differing Beat, Vibrato thus Energy,…Greater Distance and Space between each natural instrument.
In addition, I found that the presentation of the natural instruments (the drums) to be Tonally Natural, Balance and Real (no hint whatsoever of artificility), and each note and hit at the drum sounded Rich, Layered, Dimensional and Bloomed to its natural end,…
there were exceptional Quality, Presence, and Realism at the presentation!
Even the flute was presented with its Hollowness within (the tube/ instrument), the Agitation and Control of the Air within, by the flutist.
Finally, I found the use of the said Record Weight allowed…
each instrument to be presented in ‘Well Anchored‘ (not floated),
…and…
delivered the native/ intended Bass Slam and Energy Unhindered.
WORTH THE WEIGHT!
I have used and compared the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight against the number of Record Clamps in my arsenal, and came to the findings that it did not alter the Total Tonality of the Analogue Source used but allowed…
More Music and Musicality to be Audible, Touch and Felt.
The asking price of US$1395 per piece of MASSIF AUDIO DESIGN Record Weight (of BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD without any visible technology or gimmick whatsoever?) may sound steep, however after my experiences with it,
I cannot deny its Worth and its Contributions to the Total Sound Quality of the Analogue Source.
Personally, I found the said Record Weight to be…
the single Most Cost Effective upgrade…
for my Analogue Source!
SPECIFICATIONS.
500 grams / 17.6oz (+/- 10%)
Approximate size 6.35cm / 2.5″ tall 7.62 / 2.8″ wide. Super limited. Maybe 18-20.
$1395
*All prices are in USD
*All weights come shipped in a water resistant , damage proof travel case. May include free shipping.