Nordost Pulsar Points Others

Nordost Pulsar Points Others 

DESCRIPTION

vibration control device

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-9 of 9  
[Jul 14, 2006]
sixty12
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

excellent in bringing out the finer details and ambience, and they look cool.

Weakness:

none.

Initially tried two sets, one under my CD player and one under my amp. At first I didn't think they did anything, but after a listen to a few familiar songs I took them out of my system and listened again. Where was that sparkle? they honestly sounded duller. Not a huge difference, but the subtle details seemed to blend into the background, where as with the points in place the music was crisper and cleaner. With a set under just under my CD player it sounded good, but under my amp as well, it was great.

Try to think of pulsar points like a good coat of wax on your nice clean car, it just makes it shine that much more.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 02, 2002]
jasonk
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Improved soundsage (depth especially). Improved dynamics. Reasonable cost in view of the significant improvements they bring.

Weakness:

none evident

After listening to a demo by Nordost at the Heathrow HiFi show, I went straight to their stand and bought a pair of Nordost Pulsar Points (aluminium). The demo showed how it improved the soundstage and dynamics of the music - even on a good Primare system. I was looking to improve the depth of soundstage of my system (Arcam Alpha 9 CD, NAD c370 amp, B&W 602 s2 speakers). I use RDC 2 cones under the CD player. I was amazed at the extent to which it did improve the soundstage - by placing the Points under my amplifier (which rests on a Clearlight audio base). Wow! My system always had a good wide soundstage, but its depth could improve. It did. The music became more realistic - with the improvements in the depth of the soundstage. It is as if I can 'hear into the music' more clearly. The dynamics improved likewise. I was also surprised at how the bass became more realsitic and tuneful - which I enjoy. Just how much a difference it made was evident in that I went through most of my CD collection that night!I am fully convinced of the benefits of these little aluminium Points, and would recommend them to anyone looking to improve their soundstage and dynamics.

Similar Products Used:

RDC 2 Cones Squash balls cut in half

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 05, 2002]
sunnyboy1956
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great looks.Probably more inclined towards classical music

Weakness:

pretty awful with male vocals

The Pulsar points certainly had a dramatic impact on the sound but not one that I fancy.Variously tried under the Arcam FMJ cd player,power amp and integrated amp, the most discernible difference was with the cd player.This is at odds with what Ray says in an extensive review below that the heavier the component the greater impact.Female vocals(Diana Krall,Patrica Barber)acquire an almost ethereal quality.My main gripe is about male vocals :Greg Brown sounds like Andy Williams and Leonard Cohen like Perry Como.The angst in the voice is totally gone and in its place you have buttery,syrupy over smooth vocals which I strongly dislike. Quite possibly the pulsars work better on a different surface.My self designed audio rack is made of 1/4" toughened glass with solid wood supports. Fortunately,I can return the pulsars to a friend and revert to my squash balls.Cut in half and used as an isolation device they sound super.A bit tricky to position they cost a fraction of the pulsars and present a more realistic soundstage. I have not tried them under my B&W CDM 9NT speakers for fear of toppling them over.

Similar Products Used:

none if you discount the squash balls

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[Feb 05, 2002]
gammon186
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

everything (looks, sound....)

Weakness:

nothing!

bought to help tighten the mid-range and what a good job the did at it too! personally would recommend them to everyone however do try them before you buy and not just because they change the sound no matter how good they make your system look!

Similar Products Used:

bugger all else has this type of quality. However partington to have some could spikes you can fit under your speakers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 27, 2000]
Peter
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

A BIG improvement from treble to bass!

Weakness:

>100$ is much to pay for 16 pieces (8 top, 8 bottom) of aluminum, but they are worth it!

I used the Pulsar Points under my floorstanding speakers (Mission 754 F5) and it was a big improvement. The first thing that struck me was the much better definition of the vocalist(s) and/or the single instruments. There was more space around them and they had a more natural size. It was as if "things fell into place". The treble was less harsh (read my rewiev on Mission 754), and more life came to the midrange.The bass was more tight, detailed and less boomy, all good but the last thing i.e. the bass of Mission 754 F5 is already weak. I have not yet tried the PP under a CD player or an amp. but I hope to do so soon. I traded my speakers AND the PP away. I will definately buy some again!

Similar Products Used:

Regular spikes

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 01, 2001]
K Tsang
Audiophile

Strength:

3D soundstage, fast sound

Weakness:

tends to lean and light weight

After 3 months serious audition, I still think pulsar point really makes the sound faster, better focus. However, the sound tends to light weight and lean, it is especially obvious when listening cello and piano recording.
So only recommended for those have bloomy bass problem

Similar Products Used:

BDR Mk4 cones

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 15, 2001]
K Tsang
Audiophile

Strength:

Dynamics and soundstage are improved

Weakness:

Titanium version is too expensive

Searching for good way to couple speaker spike to finished wood floor for a while. Tried Linn Skeet & Target's floor protector with my Dynaudio 1.8II speaker. Both of them only protect the floor but do not have sound improvement at all.

Unlike Pular Point, once installed, the improvement is very significant. Soundstage is deeper and wider and have more layer. More realistic image. Dynamics is improved too.

I'm so interested to try their Titanium version on digital frontend, but it is too expensive.

Similar Products Used:

spikes come with speaker, Linn Skeet, Target floor protect

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 19, 2000]
Serge
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very tangible sound improvement

Weakness:

Material seems too mild and easily scratched

... I've finally purchased another set of PP's, and have them now under my CD player and amp. If fact, the combination of three PP's under each component seems a far better option than 4, as it provides for better sturdiness of the component.

Improvements: enhanced imaging and depth, improved frequency balance and dynamics. The harshness in the mids and highs than I had in my system was now gone. It also seemed as if bass became tigher and more accurate...

Am planning to buy an additional set of 4: if u divide 12 PP's that I would have by 3 PP's to be placed under each component, u get 4 components (instead of 3 u pay for) u can place them under! Good saving. And I still have an MD deck and a tuner: I've checked - the PP's do alter the sound of all of them.

One of the most astounding buys that have improved my system's sound in the past year.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 09, 2001]
Ray
Audio Enthusiast

Weakness:

Pointed tip can scratch receded dish during placement (under heavy components). Not highly stable (only place under speakers or components that wont go anywhere).

I bargained with my local reseller and bought Nordost's Pulsar Points on the condition that I could return them if they didn't do enough for my system. I'm now glad to say that I'll be keeping the Pulsar Points, and I'll most likely be purchasing more in the future. One of the great things about this product is that you can use it in many applications (underneath speakers,components; you can even replace the spikes underneath your audio rack).

When you order a set of Pulsar Points, you'll find that they come in a set of four, each "Point" is comprised of two pieces: the CONE, which points up, and the recessed DISH, recessed side facing downward. The dish balances on the cone, with the weight of your component keeping it in place. Pulsar Points come in either aluminum ($100) or titanium ($500), metals known for their vibration resistance. Aluminum is much cheaper and therefore a better buy.

I spoke with one of Nordost's tech guys on the phone to learn more about how to use the Pulsar Points. He suggested that they might work best under my Pre-amp and that I should place them as near to the corners of the component as possible. Although I disagree with the Pre-amp statement, I do agree that they should be placed near the corners.

In my experience with the Pulsar Points, I have found that the heavier the component is, the better they work. In that sense, their improvement is in the realm of vibration damping, not necessarily equipment isolation/de-coupling. I can't say if they would replace something like a Bright Star Air Mass, but they can act as a substitute for a Big Rock. Oddly enough, the Pulsar Points had the least effect on my Pre-amp (its my lighest component, weighing only 16 lbs.). Next biggest effect was the DVD player (26 lbs.), then my Amp (42 lbs.), with the largest improvement on my line conditioner (54 lbs.).

I think the results point to more than just a coincidence: the fact that as the weight of a component increases, the more potential vibration there is for the Pulsar Point to minimize. The large transformers and capacitors in my Amp and line conditioner definitely give me much better sound with the Pulsar Points underneath, than without. The difference is this: there is a higher resolution to the sound. It feels less smeared, more focused, and more dynamic.

Placing the Points near the corners also seems to help in that doing so means supporting your component at its most rigid areas (i.e. the corners, where the sides of the chassis are most often screwed together) and distributing vibrations up and down the chassis (as opposed to underneath it, where vibration finds its way into the circuitry of the component).

Just an aside, but I'd love to hear if anyone has tried placing a set of 4 Titanium Pulsar Points underneath their audio rack. I'm sure the improvement would be awesome!

There was someone else that mentioned you can place 3 of these under a component. While this is a true statement, I did notice improved sound with 4 Pulsar Points underneath my component as opposed to just 3. I suspect, however, that 3 Points under 4 components would work better than 4 Points under 3 components, thereby adding to the value you get, but I haven't experimented with this yet.

I also noticed an improvement when I placed Pulsar Points underneath my speakers. However, I'm not sure if I should buy any for that purpose, given that I have a cat at home who loves to jump on top of my speakers. I'm afraid that he would topple them given that the Pulsar Points don't lock into place (they are merely held together by gravity).

I think that this product deserves better than a "3". I honestly don't think that it colors or distorts the sound one bit (as Tsang in the previous review implied). Sound with the Pulsar Points is not leaned one bit. I'll rate this a 5 in value because I got a 20% discount (and because they work as much as they do) and a 4 overall (because I'm a little on the stingy side).

My advice: get a good deal from your local Nordost reseller and place sets of 4 underneath your equipment, starting with your heaviest components

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-9 of 9  

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