RINGMAT
STATFEET
OVERVIEW
Statfeet are 89mm squares of conductive
polypropylene film, coated with
specially formulated inks to form
powerful, yet passive, electrical
devices. Their unique design, using
Ringmat Developments’ proprietary
STATMAT® technology, breaks up the
interference from electromagnetic fields
that would otherwise build up around
components from their surroundings.
Statfeet are used under Ringmat Feet,
the feet of components, or under Ringmat
Domes, cones or other forms of single
point isolation support where they are
used in place of a component’s own feet
or where a component has no feet of its
own. Such components may be
loudspeakers, turntables, CD, DVD and
SACD players, televisions, video
recorders and other items of hi-fi or
A/V equipment. Each loudspeaker should
be considered a separate component.
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Recommended further
reading...
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A Statfoot is automatically supplied
with each set of Ringmat Feet and with
many of the Vivacity AR Packs.
HOW STATFEET WORK
Statfeet work in much the same way as
Statmats, though they do not have to
contend with the static build-up effects
of CD play and LP play.
Statfeet are dealing with the adverse
effects of uncontrolled electromagnetic
properties of materials. It is the
electromagnetic equivalent of the
control one can exercise over iron
filings as a magnet is drawn over them.
With iron filings, one can physically
"see" how a magnet changes and controls
the orientation of the iron filings. One
cannot "see" the orientation of
electromagnetic properties of materials,
but they do need to be correctly
orientated in the context of sound
reproduction and this orientation has a
very significant effect upon sound.
One example of material polarity is that
found with cables. The same polarity is
found with all materials; though, apart
from cables, it is difficult evaluate
this except in the case of flat
materials. The manner in which polarity
requirements change during the use of
our Vivacity AR platforms in accordance
with the instructions is an example of
this type of flat material polarity.
Likewise, with the component build-up of
all our products, the polarity of most
items needs to be checked. This can be
time consuming. We are probably the only
company in this industry taking such
care with the build-up of their
products. |
So
the easiest explanation is that the Statmat
material, and therefore the Statfeet, are the
electromagnetic equivalent of a simple magnet,
though very much more sophisticated.
Statfeet do not change the polarity of the
material they are used with, just as magnets do
not change the polarity of other magnets to
which they are attracted by magnetism. Statfeet
just smooth the electromagnetic properties in
the correct direction where they are disturbed
by materials being placed adjacent or on top of
one another, rather like the pile on the surface
of a carpet or of velvet. Or when brushing with
the nap in the case of the cloth used to cover
the playing area of snooker, billiard or pool
tables.
For their size and thickness, Statfeet are very
powerful. Their power can be increased in
certain circumstances by placing one on top of
another. But they need to be
carefully positioned and orientated to work at
their best, as one would with a non-passive
electrical appliance or component.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Statfeet should be used under only one
foot of any component or under only one
Ringmat Dome, cone or other form of
single point isolation support where
these are used in place of a component’s
own feet or where a component has no
feet of its own.
We recommend one of the rear feet of a
component (or Ringmat Dome, cone or
other isolation support), usually the
one on the right (assuming there are two
rear feet or positions). However, some
experimentation as to which component
foot to use may be worthwhile in view of
differences between components. For
televisions place under the right hand
front foot because of the static
associated with the screen.
Statfeet should be used underneath a
component in only one location.
Where several components are stacked on
a multi-shelved systems table, one or
more Statfeet may need to be used on the
left-hand side instead of all on the
right. Again, this can only be
determined by experimentation, ie.
through listening tests using one
Statfoot at a time, following the signal
chain. Start with the source component(s),
then move to the pre-amp, then to the
power amp.
When placing a Statfoot underneath the
foot of a component (or Ringmat Dome,
cone or other isolation support), try to
ensure that: the whole of the Statfoot
rests upon the support surface and that
part of it does not hang over the edge
of the support; |
Small Ringmat Dome on
Statfoot
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The Statfoot is orientated so that the corner
containing the two circular cut-outs is placed
nearest or towards the centre of the support
platform (ie, that part of the support surface
which is directly under the centre of the
component). This requirement usually changes
when using the “BLUE” series of Statmats, CDi
BLUE and LP BLUE – see the instructions with
these products.
so far as is practicable, the component’s foot
(or Ringmat Dome, cone or other isolation
support) rests centrally on the Statfoot.
Using one Statfoot on top of another increases
the power and improves sound quality still
further. When using two Statfeet on top of each
other, align the Statfeet so that the patterns
overlay each other as exactly as is practicable.
Statfeet are powerful, though passive,
electrical devices. Their beneficial effect can
last for some time after their removal. As in
the case of Statmats for CDs, DVDs and LPs, this
beneficial lasting effect needs to be borne in
mind during the course of any evaluation work.
Also, remember that leaving Statfeet lying
around, other than in their proper position,
within the vicinity of your hi-fi system could
affect the sound coming from the system.
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