Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Horizons RTS Coupler Accessory by Bazza

Model:	RTS Coupler
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$159.00
Description:	Vibration coupling device
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Horizons
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bazza on October 07, 2011 at 06:58:42
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for the RTS Coupler

I don't often feel compelled to tell other Audiophiles about a product but this RTS Coupler has motivated me to do so. Over my 44 years in this hobby there have been a few auditory experiences that are memorable to me such as placing an Original Cable Jacket on the ground wire of my tonearm, hearing a pair of crossover modified Magnepan 1.6 QR speakers crush the 6 times more expensive Wilson Sophias, and plugging my system into an expensive combination of a power regenerator and filtration, to name a few. Placing an RTS Coupler on my Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE+ preamp fits at the top of the upgade list for me. Because there are 12 tubes in this component I thought that the effect was stronger than it might be with other pieces but now that I have installed additional couplers on my DAC, phonostage, and monoblock amps I can testify that there is a definite cumulative effect! My Quad 988s deliver dynamics now like expensive box speakers with so much more of the "you are there" experience.

After installing the RTS system with one bar on top of my component and the other under my Bright Star platforms I clamped things down using wing nuts that Victor Comerchero supplied rather than the standard handle nuts after I explained to him that my shelf space would not accommodate the additional room needed for them. Frankly, the wing nuts are virtually invisible from my listening seat and I prefer this. Because of the height of the aluminum bar under the platform I placed small blocks of myrtle wood (spray painted black) under each Isonode footer and this also allowed me to install the wing nuts under the components so they are even less noticeable.

I used Patricia Barber’s Ode to Billy Joe as the first sample as I always do when auditioning something new in my system and within 15 seconds I thought, “this is a paradigm changer”. I had never heard such a large improvement with any addition to my system including new components that were thousands of dollars more than I had. Every aspect of the musical presentation improved; a dramatic drop in the noise floor and increased dynamics that have a leading edge forcing me to sit up and pay attention, virtual elimination of grain that enables clarity at all frequencies, a purity and "live" music sensation, larger and better separated images, increased transparency and listening involvement, and bass articulation that I didn't believe could be improved in my system. Considering that my components already sit on expensive Bright Star platforms, this is incredible. Frankly, the experience is a paradigm shifter for me and it took a bit of time to get used to it as I have never heard any system sound so clear and transparent. For about the cost of 1 Lessloss Blackbody (which I have a number of) I have coupled 5 of my components with RTS Couplers and they have had the largest positive effect of any product that I have ever used. In fact the improvement is about double what my power regenerator and filtering products did in my system.

There is a caveat here; if you prefer your audio reproduction to be unnaturally warm then this sound will be too "alive" and "in the room" for you. The experience is one of the music reaching out and touching and enveloping you rather than you being able to reach out and touch it. I used to believe that I understood that overly used expression of "cleaned the window to the sound" but I discovered that I really hadn't experienced it until I coupled my components' vibration to my Bright Star platform with RTS Couplers.

From my research I believe that Audio Horizons must have a licensing arrangement with Dynamic Contrasts who sell a rack system with this technology for $12,000.00. Considering that Audio Horizons sells these for $159 - $199 on Audiogon.com depending on model, and offer a discount on multiple unit purchases, it seems to be the best bargain in the high end. You owe it to yourself to try these and with a 30 day money back guarantee there isn't anything to lose. Happy listening!

Product Weakness:	None sonically however some may find the visual appearance to be intrusive.
Product Strengths:	Eliminates vibration in components

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Rogue Audio M-180
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE+
Sources (CDP/Turntable): PS Audio PerfectWave/VPI Aries 2
Speakers: Quad 988
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Neutral & Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all
Room Comments/Treatments: Lyngdorf Room Correction
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PurePower regenerator & Transparent MMIs
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Rogue Audio M-180
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE+
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	PS Audio PerfectWave/VPI Aries 2
Speakers:	Quad 988
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Neutral & Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all
Room Comments/Treatments:	Lyngdorf Room Correction
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PurePower regenerator & Transparent MMIs
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner