Kuzma PLATIS 54 equipment platform and Damper Feet

REVIEW
Alan Sircom
Nov 02, 2021

Precisely what is ‘the whole exercise’ then? There are many components in modern audio that go for an unbalanced form of dynamic expression. They are often very good – make that ‘excellent’ – at determining the intensity of the upper registers and the slam of the lower frequencies but are less direct in the all-important midrange. This isn’t a ‘scooped out’ sound per se, but it can sound forthright and forward in these regions; equipment often described as ‘detailed’ and especially ‘candid’. In some cases, that’s described as ‘zing’. It might be exciting and attention-grabbing, but it isn’t necessarily ‘honest’. The Kuzma PLATIS/Damper ‘whole exercise’ is to control that youthful exuberance and replace it with some more mature elegance and expression.

This brings a sense of order to the sound of a system. It doesn’t try to boost the mids, but instead tames the highs and lows to bring them into equilibrium. This makes for a sound that is more even-handed and capable of playing more and different kinds of music. Like many of the best things in life, it takes a little time to parse that more elegant presentation, especially if you are used to more ‘excited’ sounds. Pretty soon you’ll be finding that sound has become more refined and easy to listen to, and appreciate how dynamic range is often more about ‘shade’ and ‘texture’ rather than ‘sturm und drang’.

The caveat here is systems that are already well-crafted in this sense can sometimes sound a touch dynamically-restrained when the Kuzma equipment supports are brought into the mix. The ‘damped’ sound that is so beguiling can prove ‘over-damped’ in systems that don’t have that commonplace forward balance. Yes, there are also those who hear that forward and excitable sound and want more of it; the Kuzma platform concept is not for them. That being said, the Kuzma presentation is very similar to that of Townshend Audio’s equipment systems, with potentially even more control within the midband and upper registers. Many crave the performance that control brings to audio, so maybe the number of people who seek refinement overexcitability is greater than anticipated.

Finally, there’s an interesting hurdle that needs overcoming here. Because Kuzma has a track record for making turntables, it’s understandable that people associate this form of damping and vibration control with vinyl, or at most with vinyl and valves. However, when you hear either the feet or the PLATIS in place, you realise the same rules apply to everything in audio. If you have a good system and want to make it more elegant sounding, the Kuzma PLATIS and Dampers are a great place to start… regardless of whether or not you play LP.