Silence Plus MkIII – Passive Decoupling / Damping Equipment Platforms
The adverse effect of vibrations on electronic components, ceramics, crystals and conductors (to name a few) are well documented in various technical publications. Hifi equipment are thus also highly sensitive to internal and external vibrations – be it component resonances, sound waves or subsonic noise – all have the ability to ultimately impair sound reproduction and therefore degrade the performance of your hifi equipment.
The usual hifi stands try to damp these resonances only by utilising different materials.
We at THIXAR think the optimum solution is that absolutely no vibrations reach the equipment. So how do we achieve this? By optimum decoupling of the device with our special gel-based technology floating storage
Silence Plus MkIII – Passive Decoupling / Damping Equipment Platforms
The adverse effect of vibrations on electronic components, ceramics, crystals and conductors (to name a few) are well documented in various technical publications. Hifi equipment are thus also highly sensitive to internal and external vibrations – be it component resonances, sound waves or subsonic noise – all have the ability to ultimately impair sound reproduction and therefore degrade the performance of your hifi equipment.
The usual hifi stands try to damp these resonances only by utilising different materials.
We at THIXAR think the optimum solution is that absolutely no vibrations reach the equipment. So how do we achieve this? By optimum decoupling of the device with our special gel-based technology floating storage.
The Silence Plus combines the functions of damping and decoupling in a unique way. Painstakingly developed on the basis of our AVC technology (Adaptive Vibration Control), this platform sets new standards when it comes to damping high-end audio equipment, both in terms of absorbing vibrations generated by the device itself and in reducing external sources of degradation. This special dual function distinguishes it from the Silence, which focuses exclusively on vibration absorption aspects.
Moreover, the materials used were even more precisely analysed, and the utmost care went into their selection and processing. The structural design of this top-of-the-line THIXAR isolation platform comprises several layers of different, specifically selected materials.
Their differing properties ensure its effectivity over a wide range of frequencies. The material selection, combination and placement is the culmination of exhaustive quantitative validation and auditioning process. This third evolution of the Silence Plus naturally follows the proven “Constrained Layer Damping” principle, i.e. the absorption of adverse energy through transitions between rigid and flexible elements. The upper and lower surfaces of the Silence Plus are separated by a permanently elastic gel.
This THIXAR-typical material has the effect of inhibiting the transmission of signals from top to bottom and vice versa. Additional materials are embedded in this special gel that selectively absorb medium-frequency vibrations and eliminate them in combination with the gel.
All of these measures give the components and circuitry of the hi-fi equipment a more precise response to match their desired sound characteristics. This significantly reduces background noise thus making fine detail more perceptible. Thanks to the THIXAR platform, low-frequency interference is inhibited from both entering the
device and being passed on to other components in the playback chain. This extends the low-end response substantially while enhancing bass definition.
Spatial imaging also benefits from a Silence Plus — in all three dimensions. Such immediately audible, quantitatively proven effects are a consequence of the unique way this THIXAR isolation platform is constructed.
The Silence Plus liberates the audio equipment resting on it from all detrimental, sound-degrading influences — both vibrations generated internally (absorption) and those arriving from the environment (decoupling). All you hear is the balanced, unadulterated sound of your equipment — and nothing else.
The design of the THIXAR Silence Plus is timelessly modern, while simultaneously reflecting the elaborate internal construction. The platform is available in two sizes, and a variety of colour combinations allow it to be customised according to personal taste. It should be placed directly on the shelf or rack without the use of additional spikes or decouplers. Alternatively, several Silence Plus platforms can be integrated into the Serenity Plus rack system. The result is a superlative quality rack that significantly enhances the sound quality of every high-end audiophile system.
Specifications
Dimensions (Silence Plus MkIII Medium): 452mm (W) x 360mm (D) x 47mm (H)
Dimensions (Silence Plus MkIII Large): 502mm (W) x 450mm (D) x 47mm (H)
Finishes: Dark grey, Dark/light grey, Light grey, Bamboo, Carbon
Weight (Silence Plus MkIII Medium): 11kg
Weight (Silence Plus MkIII Large): 12kg
Max Load per platform: 40kg
“The change in the musical reproduction was unmistakable. It was as spectacular as it was surprising. I always expect the differences to appear in roughly the same way, i.e. that there should be more of everything: more space, more colour in the sound, more body, more dynamic structure and fineness, more precise timing. The depth of the room remained the same, perhaps even slightly deeper. In terms of width, though, the musical experience demonstrated a new sense of closeness. The musicians now seemed to gather together on a tangible stage and no longer seemed to appear from some undefined location to the left or the right. The voices and instruments seemed more within grasp. ” – Wolfgang Kemper
“Thixar’s ideas seem to work well and both the Silence Plus and the Eliminator appear to have a positive effect on the final sound of a system that includes them. The feeling the listener gets is that there is a quite significant improvement, especially if one has high expectations from a system and is willing to look for the details. Based on these, both products are of particular interest and should be thoroughly tried-out because they can prove to be decisive investments!.” – Tan Te
“Thixar’s ideas seem to work well and both the Silence Plus and the Eliminator appear to have a positive effect on the final sound of a system that includes them. The feeling the listener gets is that there is a quite significant improvement, especially if one has high expectations from a system and is willing to look for the details. Based on these, both products are of particular interest and should be thoroughly tried-out because they can prove to be decisive investments!” – Dimitris Stamatakos
Hi Jeandre
I think the quickest way of summarizing the effects of the Thixar vibration control devices (Thixar Silence PLUS, Thixar Eliminator, Thixar Silence Feet Basic) is – they bring the best of ‘valve’ to my system!
Greater tonal depth, liquidity, and reducing most of the remaining ‘digital’ symptoms (hardness in the highs, forward but slightly etched and bleached, lack of specificity in sound staging). To be truthful, I never recognized that my system had these issues until I heard they were so reduced! My system is much easier to listen to now – and much more emotionally engaging. Plus, extra ‘hi fi’ benefits such as a lower noise floor, more details (but better integrated into the whole).
Just as reviewed, I found the effectiveness to increase as one went from Eliminator to Silent Feet, to Silence Plus platforms. The feet are the only such devices that add effectiveness to my GPA carbon shelves (most make sound worse, e.g. Stillpoints). The Thixar platforms straight onto the shelves transform my Devialets!
Review notes by D Anciano – August 2017