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  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    I just would like to bring to you attention the problems faced with the Soto Voce racks that I have just received. I believe these units were mid of last years batch.

    1) Poor threads on the center aluminum bar- caused galling of screws.

    2) Platform height adjusted were tightened so hard that it cause screws to just round off and released tension with a loud popping.

    I am not sure now if CMS is really serious about their “entry” audio racks. At the moment I am in conversation with the dealer to help rectify the problems faced.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  2. #2
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    17

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    I have had a similar issue with mine.

    My frame has also cracked at a top join. Personally I would avoid these racks.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggmeister View Post
    I have had a similar issue with mine.

    My frame has also cracked at a top join. Personally I would avoid these racks.
    Really don’t see why the platform adjusters have to be put on so hard as they have to be adjusted to suit as well.

    I am also concerned about the durability of the finish- the matte top coat just rub off when I sanded lightly to get the larger scuff marks.

    Don’t take me wrong they are good rack but just seems like a bad sub contractor job.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  4. #4
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    786

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Thanks for your posts. It's troubling that such a high end company would have such quality control issues - especially seeing what they cost. Have you contacted CMS and asked for assistance? At times going direct to the source helps ...

  5. #5

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob82 View Post
    I just would like to bring to you attention the problems faced with the Soto Voce racks that I have just received. I believe these units were mid of last years batch.

    1) Poor threads on the center aluminum bar- caused galling of screws.

    2) Platform height adjusted were tightened so hard that it cause screws to just round off and released tension with a loud popping.

    I am not sure now if CMS is really serious about their “entry” audio racks. At the moment I am in conversation with the dealer to help rectify the problems faced.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Hi Bob82

    We are very sorry you are having an issue with your Sotto Voce. The last thing we want is for you to be disappointed or inconvenienced, We would be very happy to replace the parts you are having an issue with.

    If you would be so kind as to contact your distributor, we would be very pleased to get the parts to you. We sell a very large number of Sotto Voce around the world and I guess every once in a while we miss something we shouldn't. All we can say is that we are sorry for that.

    Thank you for being a loyal customer of ours and please know we will take care of you.

    All the Best,

    Joe

  6. #6

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggmeister View Post
    I have had a similar issue with mine.

    My frame has also cracked at a top join. Personally I would avoid these racks.
    Hi Eggmeister

    I saw Bob82s comment and yours and thought it was appropriate to send exactly the same response to you. I hope you don't mind.

    We are very sorry you are having an issue with your Sotto Voce. The last thing we want is for you to be disappointed or inconvenienced, We would be very happy to replace the parts/rack frame you are having an issue with.

    If you would be so kind as to contact your distributor, we would be very pleased to get a new parts/frame to you. We sell a very large number of Sotto Voce around the world and this shouldn't happen. All we can say is that we are sorry for that.

    Thank you for being a loyal customer of ours and please know we will take care of you.

    All the Best,

    Joe

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Calvin View Post
    Thanks for your posts. It's troubling that such a high end company would have such quality control issues - especially seeing what they cost. Have you contacted CMS and asked for assistance? At times going direct to the source helps ...
    Calvin,

    I have got my dealer on the case with CMS. My dealer will come by assess and perhaps, fingers crossed rectify it. Being halfway around the world in Asia isn’t helping either.

    The quality I have seen so far on this rack don’t seem to warrant the asking price.

    I might just go the direct route but my dealer has been handling it well.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by CMS View Post
    Hi Bob82

    We are very sorry you are having an issue with your Sotto Voce. The last thing we want is for you to be disappointed or inconvenienced, We would be very happy to replace the parts you are having an issue with.

    If you would be so kind as to contact your distributor, we would be very pleased to get the parts to you. We sell a very large number of Sotto Voce around the world and I guess every once in a while we miss something we shouldn't. All we can say is that we are sorry for that.

    Thank you for being a loyal customer of ours and please know we will take care of you.

    All the Best,

    Joe
    Joe

    As much as I am extremely disappointed and dismayed by how this rack turned out so far but I have liaised with the dealer here to facilitate the rectification work. Thanks for the reply on this forum.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  9. #9
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    786

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob82 View Post
    Calvin,

    I have got my dealer on the case with CMS. My dealer will come by assess and perhaps, fingers crossed rectify it. Being halfway around the world in Asia isn’t helping either.

    The quality I have seen so far on this rack don’t seem to warrant the asking price.

    I might just go the direct route but my dealer has been handling it well.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Hopefully the dealer will be helpful.

  10. #10
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce



    We have four Sotto Voce’s in the store, we’ve taken them to shows and bounced them around and they’ve always been great.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Posts
    1,010

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    There has been poor manufacturing throughout covid. I have a very good friend who is a general contractor. He's commented on how bad it's been in building materials


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  12. #12
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    17

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by CMS View Post
    Hi Eggmeister

    I saw Bob82s comment and yours and thought it was appropriate to send exactly the same response to you. I hope you don't mind.

    We are very sorry you are having an issue with your Sotto Voce. The last thing we want is for you to be disappointed or inconvenienced, We would be very happy to replace the parts/rack frame you are having an issue with.

    If you would be so kind as to contact your distributor, we would be very pleased to get a new parts/frame to you. We sell a very large number of Sotto Voce around the world and this shouldn't happen. All we can say is that we are sorry for that.

    Thank you for being a loyal customer of ours and please know we will take care of you.

    All the Best,

    Joe
    I have taken your advice and contacted the Australian Distributor, I will keep forum members updated on the progress.

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post


    We have four Sotto Voce’s in the store, we’ve taken them to shows and bounced them around and they’ve always been great.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My dealer is reading off the same script it seems and said the same thing- has 4 Soto Voce rack kicking about in his store as well.

    It is perhaps a one off problem as it could well affect an entire batch that has been manufactured.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Update: Dealer attempted to remove the platform screws - managed 2 out of 4 screws but rounded top 2 screws. The rack had to go back to the dealers for closer assessment.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    155

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggmeister View Post
    I have taken your advice and contacted the Australian Distributor, I will keep forum members updated on the progress.
    Eggmeister

    I contacted my dealer and the post on this forum seemed to expedite the process.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Turntable: VPI Prime - Ortofon Quintet S Black - VPI ADS
    Digital Source: dCS Bartok w/headphone amp
    Preamp: Soulution 520
    Amplifier: Soulution 511
    Speakers: Rockport Atria II
    Power conditioning- Shunyata Research Denali 6000T v1
    Power cord: AQ Thunder/Transparent Audio XL Gen 6
    Interconnect: Transparent Audio Super Gen 5 XLR and tonearm cable / Transparent Audio Gen 6
    Rack: Critical Mass Sotto Voce/ Critical Mass Black Platinum/MXR spike

  16. #16

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob82 View Post
    Joe

    As much as I am extremely disappointed and dismayed by how this rack turned out so far but I have liaised with the dealer here to facilitate the rectification work. Thanks for the reply on this forum.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Hi Bob82

    Thank you for your response. Your satisfaction is extremely important. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.

    All the Best

    Joe

  17. #17

    Re: Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

    This is a very old thread that surfaced an issue I would like to address briefly. We had 2 field failures with our Sotto Voce rack (we have delivered hundreds over the years) and we replaced them. I don't dispute the issue and I support replacing them as the investment our customers make is significant.

    I would like to explain the construction of the rack as the core cause of the issue here is important to all wood rack owners. The SV has 4 vertical wood legs running its entire length top to bottom. All of the shear force caused by the load of the components in the rack is transferred to its vertical legs. None of the shear stress is transferred to the horizontal wood runners (and their joints) at the top and bottom of the rack. There is only 1 way you can split the horizontal wood runner joints; fail to completely level the rack. We experimented with this and found that a rack that is not completely level transmits shear force to the joints and given enough load, a joint can fail. This could happen to any wood rack. So, we ask owners (and this is probably good advice for everyone who owns a wood rack) to make sure your rack is level and the spikes are properly seated in their cups and/or in full contact with the floor.

    So ends this public service announcement.

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Bad quality of CMS Soto Voce

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