Using both GUM and GUM Evolution under your analogue source (which in most cases will be a turntable) is one thing, but even more interesting things happened when I placed these platforms under amplification components. It just happened so that I had the second from the top Rega integrated amplifier, which turned out to be very interesting by itself. When placed on the GUM platform it exhibited even better timbre, control and dynamics. The same was with the Schiit Aegir 2 power amplifiers. What is interesting here is that there was quite obvious common denominator in all cases, which translated to better timbre and more polished presentation that was at the same time even more detailed and dynamic. Yet still, the sound changed more as a whole, it was just elevated to a new level, especially in the case of the GUM Evolution, which really closes that gap and allows the equipment to sound its best. The difference here was noticeable even if it went more into the side of providing denser, yet more controlled musical message. It’s actually also hard not to mention that the impact that the GUM platforms made was a bit similar to a situation where you have really well-thought-out power delivery. Especially on tracks like Nilsh Frahm “Says” the GUM propelled all the amps that I had at hand into the realm of sounding denser yet cleaner. And at the same time more controlled, more “being there” without artificially emphasizing any particular aspect of reproduction alone. Because what I would like to mention here once again, is that the change here is thorough, it’s just like eveything’s better even if we can point out some factors where the change is most obvious.
Tewo Audio GUM and GUM Evolution – conclusion and some final remarks
First things first: these platforms really do work. For sure, the GUM Evolution is better, it provides not only quieter background, but actually has all the advantages of the GUM, just having better innate resolution and more polished, more refined timbre. This will be especially noticeable in systems that are well-known to us and we generally like their sound, but just need more refinement, more control and poise. Interesting thing is that while the dynamics is also better, this is not the first thing that we notice, since the GUM also provides more controlled loud passages, probably by the virtue of eliminating one of so many distortion mechanisms that are so prevalent in even more expensive today’s audio equipment.
There’s also another, also important, thing that we should address here. And that would be whether would it be better to buy one GUM Evolution or two GUM platforms. And here the what I can say would be that famous: “It depends”. Because, when we have for example a two-component setup, it would be good to use two cheaper GUM platforms if we cannot stretch out budget. And if there’s a situation when we have two sources, I mean a digital and an analogue one, and some serious amplification my suggestion here would be a bit surprising one. And that would be to use the best GUM platform that we can afford under the amplifier and the GUM under the turntable. What should also be said here is that every system is undoubtedly unique, there are many factors at play, so experimenting a bit would be really advisable.
Summing up, both platforms are really highly, wholeheartedly recommended. And even more, I am not going to send them back, since the GUM Evolution, which turned out to be my private favourite will stay under my Auris Turntable and the GUM will make a great upgrade for one of the hybrid (tube and solid state) amplifier that I have, where the GUM provided that last dose of clarity.
And finally, the pricing is really spot-on. 299 Euro for the GUM and 499 Euro for the GUM Evolution is not that much actually in the realm where the same money you would pay for some speaker cables spacers. And it’s not about the perceived material value, but rather about the fact that these platforms are both elegant and effective at the same time. And they are somehow a confirmation of the fact that you don’t need to spend huge amounts of money on accessories for them elevate the overall audio system sound reproduction quality. Kudos to Tewo Audio for that!
Manufacturer: Tewo Audio https://tewoaudio.pl/
Price: GUM – 299 Euro, GUM Evolution – 499 Euro