Lateral Audio Stands LAS-9 Cadenz equipment support

Fortunately, if the LAS-9 Cadenz has a tough job to do, it rises to the challenge. Unlike some of the more demanding equipment support systems out there, it builds up quickly and easily; you’ll probably spend more time levelling the stand than you will building the stand, but – like all equipment support systems worthy of the title – it’s worth spending that time getting the LAS-9 Cadenz perfectly level and wobble-free.

More importantly, it imparts much of the same ‘light, precise and quiet’ performance of the LAS-4 Lateral but scaled to match the kind of products you might expect to place in three-tier stand at this price. I used it with Primare’s I35 being fed by a Naim Uniti Core with a Nordost Qbase power block on the bottom rack (without any Sort Kones or any other additional support techniques). In this context, the LAS-9 Cadenz imparted a positive ‘let the equipment do what it was meant to’ approach. The Primare had a noticeably lower noise floor and a slight nasality and chestiness to the sound simply went away, this was especially when playing vocalists like Joyce DiDonato [Stella Di Napoli, Erato]. If you think good hi-fi can ‘get away’ with resting on cheap furniture, the LAS-9 Cadenz politely tells you to ‘guess again’.

In comparison with rival dedicated platforms and support systems, the LAS-9 Cadenz makes a similarly cogent argument. Here, I think you are trading performance parameters; many support systems around this price strive for a similar ‘do no harm’ approach, but in the process tend to place emphasis on bass depth or upper bass ‘bounce’. While both are noble goals, the Lateral LAS-9 Cadenz approach is arguably more rounded and grounded; by reducing the noise floor, Lateral brings the innate character of the equipment to the fore. If there is a tonal ‘signature’ it is an open, clear midband precision. The Lateral LAS-9 Cadenz also digs deep into the bass, but there is no sense of enforcing a rhythm or emphasising the upper bass to simulate or enhance timing effects; the LAS-9 Cadenz is far too honest for that.

I can’t help but feel the Lateral LAS-9 Cadenz should be one of the main ‘go to’ equipment stands for those who want to extract more of the performance of their equipment without necessarily opting for additional platforms, cones, or blobs (although users of such things get a Cadenz benefit, too). Best of all, for such users, the LAS-9 Cadenz looks like an ordinary equipment rack even if it performs far, far better. I started this by saying the name sounds like military hardware… who knew it was made for stealth!

Price and contact details

• Lateral Audio LAS-9 Cadenz:  £425 (two tier), £595 (three tier), £795 (four tier), £995 (five tier)
• Spike options:  LAS-Counterpoint, £75, LAS-Counterpoint Spikes + Cups, £125
• Shelf Spacing: 120mm, 160mm, 220mm, 280mm

Manufacturer: Lateral Audio Stands

URL: lateralaudiostands.co.uk

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