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Finite Elemente Pagode Edition MKII

02.12.2020 // Wolfgang Kemper

This is what the new ceramic ball bolts that couple the shelves of the MK II to the frames look like
This is what the new ceramic ball bolts that couple the shelves of the MK II to the frames look like

Apart from the cones, which are not so much an acoustic improvement as a practical one, there are two significant things that distinguish the MKII from its predecessor. Also with the MKII we find the maple frame of the lowest level firmly connected to the vertical pillars. All levels above are clamped with four spikes per side into the aluminum side beams. Mounting points are provided in the alu profiles for this purpose. This ensures a horizontal alignment as soon as the bottom level of the equipment stand has been balanced out. Each level is therefore firmly and securely connected to the supports with only minimal contact at two by four points. In the maple frames, the actual component shelves rest on the H-shaped internal bracing construction in a point-centred manner. Here we run across difference number one: In the original Pagode, spikes, almost identical to those described for lateral clamping, but somewhat shorter, secured the contact to a stainless steel cup. The spikes were centered in the cups by means of a foam rubber ring. The MKII now no longer uses spikes at these important contact points. Instead there now operates a ceramic ball as contact element. This ball is firmly beaded into a height-adjustable stainless steel bolt, and therefore cannot be lost. The stainless steel bolt with the ceramic ball is centered by a foam rubber ring pressed into the cup. This fits so precisely that a displacement of the component shelf is impossible. In general, the grade of manufacturing precision at all points of a Pagode stand is remarkable. However, this also applied to the previous generation. The acoustic advantage of this new ceramic ball solution results above all in the improved coupling of the component shelf to the frame construction. The important resonators are mounted to the frame, and are carefully selected from a variety of existing lengths and thus frequencies, in order to individually tune the individual levels. Four resonators per level, namely two on the left and two on the right, are located inside the H-shaped bracing, into which the stainless steel cups for holding the ceramic ball bolts are also inserted. This H-beam construction made of Canadian maple is firmly dowelled and glued to the wooden frame, as are all direct wooden connections.

Shown here is a schematic diagram of the threaded bolt and the new component shelf structure with the honeycomb layer between the MDF layers
Shown here is a schematic diagram of the threaded bolt and the new component shelf structure with the honeycomb layer between the MDF layers

The four resonators are embedded horizontally in a cavity in order to be able to vibrate freely without causing audible radiation themselves. The more pronounced the excitation by sound of the rack system, the greater the compensating vibration amplitude of the resonators. This is a major distinguishing feature compared to competitor designs. This is because the Pagode and its resonators behave dynamically depending on the grade of mechanical excitation. Because the resonators are precisely tuned to the position of the levels within the overarching acoustic unit of each Pagode, the levels must not be interchanged, as already mentioned. According to Luis Fernandes, the effective range of the resonators in the four-level version is 200 to 400 Hertz for the top level, 400 to 600 Hertz for the intermediate levels and 600 to 900 Hertz for the bottom level. However, a bandwidth tolerance of plus/minus ten percent of the oscillation frequency of each resonator, which was deliberately included in the design, allows the mounting height of a level to be changed to a practical extent. The resonators are matched to loaded component levels and their oscillation frequency is not dependent on the resonance properties of the audio components placed on them. However, due to their weight, they do have an influence on the amplitude of the vibration frequency. The greater the physical mass of a component, the lower the amplitude. This is why the component shelves slightly resonate when they are not loaded. To avoid this happening, five to seven GEO magazines were placed on the unused levels of the total of eight levels of both racks during the listening test.

Here you can see the underside of an MK II component shelf featuring the new ceramic ball bolts. Exactly opposite there are the four stainless steel cups located in the H-beam, insulated with foam rubber on the inside. This photo shows the heavy-duty version of the Pagode, recognizable by the stainless steel supporting elements below the H-beam situated above
Here you can see the underside of an MK II component shelf featuring the new ceramic ball bolts. Exactly opposite there are the four stainless steel cups located in the H-beam, insulated with foam rubber on the inside. This photo shows the heavy-duty version of the Pagode, recognizable by the stainless steel supporting elements below the H-beam situated above


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