TCI Podium isolation platform
True Colours Industries, the UK-based company behind the award-winning range of TCI cables and accessories, has launched its all-new HiFi component isolation platform range, named TCI Podium. Utilising a laminated matrix construction made from materials developed for the aerospace industry, the Podium range offers a unique take on HiFi isolation, as it not only isolates the mounted device from external vibration, but also absorbs any internal mechanical and electronic vibrations, whilst offering the perfect inert platform to enable audio devices to perform at their very best. Available now, there are six models in the Podium range, with UK SRP starting from £350 per platform.
The design team at TCI found that most isolation platforms focus only on one problem, namely isolation from the low frequency vibrations that are normally attributed to energy generated from loudspeakers. These solutions tend to take the form of solid plinths with spikes or cushioning devices. As noble an endeavor as this is, the team found that it is extremely one dimensional, as it disregards all other ambient noise sources including the device itself, which generates noise and vibration via its own transformers, mechanisms, motors, components and digital noise, all of which cover a much wider audio spectrum. An unfortunate side effect of solving one problem is that further issues are then highlighted, leading to additional sonic deficits. These can manifest themselves in the form of collapsed sound stage, lose in dynamics and a change in tonal balance.
For the past six years, TCI has been experimenting and analysing different elements, materials and compounds, testing to find the best material to isolate various components from external and internal noise. Two things became very clear – no single material or solution can solve all the problems. TCI Podiums are designed using a combination of materials in a laminated matrix to create a Vibratium core encapsulated in a magnesium alloy outer shell, these are all designed to work in unison to create a solution that absorbs and dissipates harmful vibration and noise across a wide frequency range, before it reaches the delicate electronics found within any HiFi component.
Whether used in isolation under a turntable, or under any system component, Podium platforms work in three ways:
Isolation from low-level frequencies generally attributed to in-room acoustics, such as loudspeaker energy and movement.
Absorption of internal component energy, such as transformers, motors, transports, electronic circuits.
An inert platform with a negligible sonic signature of its own.
The net result keeps faith with TCI’s core design principles in recreating a faithful reproduction of the original recording. utilising TCI Podiums help a system reveal more layers of information and detail, tighten up lower frequencies and increase speed and dynamics of the performance, whilst also enhancing the rhythm and musicality of the music. At the same time, they increase the soundstage and its vividness and holography, while maintaining neutrality in the system and bringing a true naturalness and realism to vocals.
There are six variants of the Podium, numbered simply one to six. Each step up offers greater performance and therefore better sound quality. The sleek design ensures it looks at home under almost any component, whether on a dedicated equipment rack or a sideboard.
The TCI Podium is available now in either red or black finish. UK Retail prices including VAT: Podium 1 £350, Podium 2 £500, Podium 3 £650, Podium 4 £850, Podium 5 £1,100, Podium 6 £1,350