Soulines U-BASE Universal Anti-Vibration Isolation Platform
Soulines U-BASE Universal Anti-Vibration Isolation Platform
The Universal Isolation Platform is primarily intended for isolating source components such as turntables, CD players, DACs, streamers, and both tube and solid-state preamplifiers, although it also enhances the performance of integrated and power amplifiers. It is, of course, the ideal complement to Soulines turntables (any model), both in terms of performance and aesthetics.
Structure-borne vibrations from the surrounding environment affect virtually all audio equipment, but they are particularly harmful to the performance of source components like turntables, CD players, and tube-based devices. These vibrations should therefore be prevented from entering audio components as effectively as possible. Additionally, vibrations generated internally—by transformers, motors, bearings, spindles, etc.—can negatively impact sonic performance. It is thus recommended to direct these vibrations out of the device quickly and have them damped or absorbed by the supporting stand, rack, shelf, or platform.
Both types of vibrations—those coming from the environment and those generated by the equipment itself—reduce sound clarity, blur musical details, and distort frequency response.
To address both vibration types simultaneously, Soulines designed a universal equipment platform that damps vibrations generated within the equipment while isolating it from external vibrations.
From years of experience in designing and manufacturing turntables, Soulines learned that any large surface area used in audio equipment enclosures inevitably emits unwanted vibrations, regardless of how rigid or well-mounted it may be. For this reason, the platform’s base plate is made of rigid, CNC-machined, 10mm thick solid aluminum, drilled with strategically placed holes of various diameters and triangular cutouts. The pattern, size, and positioning of these openings follow the principles of the Fibonacci sequence and Golden Ratio, ensuring wide-spectrum damping of equipment-induced vibrations.
The areas on the base plate where equipment feet rest are further damped using rubber-cork washers, bonded underneath these sections. Additionally, the base plate has a medium mass relative to its size, providing optimal energy storage characteristics.
To prevent vibrations from the surrounding environment from reaching the base plate, Soulines employs isolation cones/feet that touch the base plate only through rubber-cork washers of various diameters—creating a kind of "soft coupling". The cones, made of stainless steel, feature small silicone pucks on their bottoms to enhance isolation from the surface they sit on. These cones are height-adjustable to allow for easy leveling of the platform.
Maximum load capacity is up to 60 kg.
Dimensions:
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Overall dimensions (W x D x H): 490 x 385 x 45 mm
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Usable space for equipment placement: 470 x 385 mm
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Total weight: 7.5 kg
Soulines at a glance (pronunciation: /ˈsuː.laɪnz/ - "Sù-lains")
The Story
In mid-2009, a group of musicians and discerning music lovers—with solid backgrounds in recording, mixing, production, and audio restoration on one side, and skilled mechanical engineers on the other—decided to turn their long-standing hobby and passion for modifying, upgrading, designing, and building turntables into a professional venture.
They founded the company tt recycled (turntable recycled), www.ttrecycled.com, with the primary goal of offering upgrade and modification services for turntables, alongside recycling and redesign.
Before long, Soulines established itself as a local specialist in turntable solutions, successfully recycling, redesigning, and enhancing numerous models for customers in the area. In addition to commissioned projects, the team developed several original turntables based on their own concepts. These designs quickly gained popularity among local audiophiles, culminating in the Best Sound Award at the Belgrade Hi-Files Show in 2010.
The Idea
Driven by the ambition to create a turntable of their own design, Soulines aimed to produce a high-quality product that would truly stand out. The goal was to merge musicality and visual elegance into an electromechanical object capable of faithfully reproducing vinyl records. At the same time, the focus was on ease of use and straightforward setup.
The result was the Hermes DCX turntable.
Following extensive listening tests and the enthusiastic reception at the Belgrade Hi-Files Show in 2011, Soulines decided to launch the Hermes DCX internationally.
Thus, Soulines was born.
The Design Philosophy
The core design philosophy is that every component of the turntable is equally important; it makes no sense to emphasize certain elements—such as platter mass or chassis weight—if the rest of the components do not match that standard. There is no value in using extravagant parts or overly complex solutions.
Generally, the best results come from intelligent, simple engineering, careful material selection, and high-quality components not restricted by cost-cutting compromises.
Soulines turntables are essentially handcrafted, supported by advanced technologies like CAD, 3D SolidWorks design software, and precision CNC machining.
All materials are carefully selected based on their acoustic and mechanical properties. Critical components such as the platter, bearing, and spindle are manufactured individually and matched to work in perfect harmony, rather than being mass-produced.
For damping, various rubber and cork feet are used in different shapes and thicknesses. Rigid parts of the system are coupled with layers of different materials to minimize resonance to the lowest possible levels.
All Soulines turntables feature belt-drive, DC motors, inverted bearings, and non-metallic platters.
Before final assembly, every component is inspected, hand-finished, and assembled with a high degree of precision to ensure outstanding performance. Finished products undergo rigorous testing before packaging and shipping.
Soulines – Analog Perfection, Beyond Industrial Compromise
Soulines embodies the pure essence of vinyl—a fusion of flawless design and extraordinary sonic performance. Each Soulines turntable is crafted to deliver a unique audio experience where every detail, every note, and every nuance is rendered with the kind of precision and depth that only analog can provide.
Guided by a philosophy that blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, Soulines creates turntables that are not just listening devices, but true works of art. Made from top-quality materials with obsessive attention to detail, every model is designed to reveal the authenticity of sound and the timeless beauty of vinyl.
The mission of Soulines is simple: to bring listeners an experience that goes far beyond mere music playback—transforming it into a rich, emotional journey full of depth, presence, and soul.
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