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Reviewer: Glen Wagenknecht
Financial Interests: click here
Sources: Audio Space CDP 8A CD Player, Wyred4Sound Music Server & DAC-2
Preamplifier: Audio Space Reference 2S, Tortuga Audio LDR6 Passive
Amplifier: Bel Canto 200.4 Tapping TP22
AV Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-25
Main Speakers: Apogee Duetta Signature, Paradigm Servo 15 subwoofer, Audio Space AS-3/5A
Stands: Charisma Audio Function stands, Target stands
AV Speakers: JohnBlue M3s
AV Subwoofer: Paradigm PW-2200
Desktop Audio Speakers: Swans M200 MkIII
Desktop DAC/Pre Headphone Amp: DA&T U-2
Cables: Audio Art SE and Classic cable looms, JPS Labs Ultraconductor 2 speaker cables, Madison Audio Lab E3 Extreme 1 Interconnects/Extreme 2 speaker cables, Signal Cable Silver Reference interconnects and speaker cables, digital optical and coax cable.
Resonance Control: Solid Tech, EquaRack Footers, Weizhi Precision Gold Glory footers, Boston Audio TuneBlock2 footers, Audio Exklusiv Silent Plugs, Audio Exklusiv d.C.d. Base and d.C.d. Footers, Superspikes, and Black Diamond
Powerline conditioning: Exact Power EP15A, Noise Destroyer power filtration
Accessories: TrueHarmonix Black Magic CD Mat Herbie’s Super Black Hole CD Mat
Main Room size: 12' x 17'
Home Theatre: 10.5’ x 16.5’
Review component retail in Canada: Ceramic cones standard $69/3; ceramic cones XS $55/3; ceramic foot $94/3; ceramic speaker puck $289/4; ceramic cable elevator $125/2; ceramic cable clamp $86/ea.

Ceramic isolation? What a curious concept. People may be familiar with this substance for its dielectric abilities but acoustical isolation is a very different frontier. Why has CA Electronics decided to center their entire isolation catalog on the claimed merits of ceramics? CA Electronics are a Dutch company with already 10 years in business. Starting first as an importer and custom manufacturer, for connectors and loudspeakers, Crusade Audio aka CA gradually evolved into a high-end manufacturer with a broad product range. Their first foray into resonance control was the ceramic cone. This initial offering since expanded into an assortment of models to include damping plates, cable elevators and cable clamps. CA Electronics manufacture in their own facility utilizing computer modeling and computer-controlled machinery rather than outsource. This allows absolute control over quality standards and rapid response to potential product enhancements.


Again, the company’s product line of isolators exploits the properties of a single material to control vibration. The stated theory is that its internal makeup converts input vibration to heat. While this concept isn't unique, I was curious how effective the products would be compared to my stable of resonance control products, most of which are multi-stage designs to achieve the twin goals of isolation/decoupling and control over component resonance. CA Electronics holds that most competing products are guilty of overdamping to rob music of an essential energy. Their approach amounts to a careful level of tuning about how much and at what frequencies control gets applied.


Our Canadian distributor was kind enough to give me a large sampling of product to evaluate. Dressed in basic white this family represented an interesting assortment for somewhat different purposes. From the smallest on up, there are the XS ceramic cones designed to replace the standard feet under components where their smaller size makes them less obtrusive. They come in a set of 3 and are 26mm high and 31mm wide at the bottom. The standard cones have the very same purpose where their larger size and enhanced absorptive mass allow. They also sell in sets of 3 and measure 37mm high and 37mm wide at the bottom. The ceramic foot envisions of variety of applications using more ceramic material across a flatter profile. It sells in sets of 3 or 4 and measures 20mm high and 60mm wide at the bottom.

The ceramic cable clamp consists of two blocks with concave openings and a pair of nylon bolts and finger-tightening nuts to clamp down. Size without screws is 36mm high, 58mm wide and 21mm thick for cable of 6 -22mm Ø designed to absorb physical pulses and minimize microphonics. They recommend one clamp in the middle of each cable. For a stereo interconnect you'd thus need a pair. For longer runs two clamps could be more effective. The ceramic cable elevators are quite large, with a concave top to cradle speaker cables. They are sold in sets of two with 60mm height and a bottom cross-section of 60mm. They mean to address microphonics and static electricity from carpets. The ceramic speaker pucks utilize a large amount of material in a high profile cylinder. An dimpled aluminium insert accepts spikes. They come in sets of four. Each measures 26mm high, 50mm wide and can carry up to 100kg. I contacted CEO Rogier Van Hoof and asked him about these review loaners.

Q: How did you come to choose ceramic over other materials for isolation?
A: We tested many different materials and finally found a special type of ceramic whose irregular internal structure damps a broader range of resonances. We tested it against different types of wood, carbon, rubber, vinyl and more. We found that the ceramic's key advantage was being able to damp broadband but not excessively so to dull the music. Since we love music, we wanted a material that would enhance not kill musicality. Too many tweaks enhance the high frequencies to appear very open whilst at least in our opinion diminishing enjoyment too.

Q: You offer a variety of cones and feet. Why multiple shapes and sizes and are there specific applications for each?
A: In general, the more material the higher the effectiveness. The Cones XS where developed for those who want an effective damping product but also a sleek design which won't elevate a component too much. The standard ceramic feet use more ceramic to be more effective than either of the cones. Another advantage of the Feet is that they are also suited for placement beneath speakers on carpet. The feet's broader base,is stable for tall speakers, hence those are sold in sets of 4.