Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: TNT Audio Sandblaser Rack by Michael Y

Model:	Sandblaser
Category:	Rack
Suggested Retail Price:
Description:	Equipment plattform
Manufacturer URL:	TNT Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Michael Y on November 19, 2001 at 06:56:27
IP Address: 131.116.254.198

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for the Sandblaser

TNT Audio had an article about an equipment platform â€“ the TNT Sandblaster. It looked good and it did what I want, isolation. Anyone seen post from me knows that decoupling is my way. I simply want to take as much vibration out of the picture as possible.
The TNT Sandblaster is simply a box filled with sand with a lid were you can place your equipment of choice on. Since I had a new amp and nowhere to put it, I decided to build me one. Down I went into my cellar, grabbed a few pieces of fiberboard and off I went.
Mine is black and 45x45 cm and 12 cm high filled with sand stolen from a bunker at the golf course close to where I live. Weight is about 20 kg. Adding amp (25kg) and a slab of marble on top of the amp making the total weight in the 50kg range. Yes, itâ€™s very heavy.
Total build cost is about $3-4 and took some 4 hours work over one week time (color need to dry).
So how about sound?
The sandblaster made my low end more articulate, faster and what I felt a good 10 Hz more extension. The 10 Hz bit isnÂ´t really true when measured but impact and level is up making me feel as well as hear bass in new way. Bass can shake the house and my chair now making listening to music even more of a joyride  then beforeâ€¦.
The midrange is really where the fun started and where the biggest change is, surprising me a lot. I was expecting a better low end but thatÂ´s not all. Smearing has disappeared and low level details is now laid bare. The mids are very much more clean resulting in a very deep (recording permitting) soundstage.
A tweakers paradise, think of all the different types of sand to try.
So was it worth it? You bet! Its easy to build (I could do it), cheap, flexible, effective and do wonders.
Now where did I put that saw againâ€¦

Michael Y

Product Weakness: Depending on skill-looks.
Product Strengths: Cheap, does wonders

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	LC Audio ZapZolute
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Morrisson ELAD
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony drive, BelCanto DAC1
Speakers:	Gradient Evidience MKII
Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic tech Truthlink
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Loreena McKennit, Fish, Marillion etc
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Depending on skill-looks.
Product Strengths:	Cheap, does wonders