Experience with Sistrum or Grand Prix Monaco rack?


If anyone has tried either the Sistrum or Grand Prix Monaco racks and would be willing to share their experiences (particularly in comparison to others they used) I would greatly appreciate it. If you use the Monaco, have you used it with the Apex at all?

I am looking into a new rack system and, although I am willing to to $2,000-$3,000 retail for a 3 shelf rack and two amp stands), I want to get the best bang for my dollar and these looked promising.

Any other suggestions appreciated!

(PS - will hold an Audio Aero Capitole MK-II, Manley Steelhead and either Lamm amps or Tenors)

Thanks

Frank
fmpnd
Turn your head and cough.......now say aaaaaaaahhh.

......and don't forget to take ALL your meds.

:^)

Frank, i'll see you at CES.
Sistrum rack all the way for me. My previous rack was a high mass clamp rack marketed by Michael Green . The Sistrum has made everything better, most of all dynamically coherent. The clamp rack made everything quiet but all the much darker at the same time. I suppose it killed the micro-dynamics of the real thing. Sistrum seems to reduce the noise floor to the subterranean level while laying bare the hidden level of before unheard texture and soundstage detail. This rack allows quick and easy comparisons of equipment as well as changing out of cables. Strategic placement of the adjustable points under each component makes for further sonic enhancement while at the same time shows you the true meaning of the science of resonance transfer. I have this stand between my speakers. Sistrum rack does not inhibit my center stage. Could Sistrum by its physcial design of resonance transfer serve to be the foundation of a better and more focal center stage? I feel this may be so. Tom
Frank, I have Tenor amps and the monoblocks fit and sit perfectly on the Grand Prix amp stands. I also have the Monaco rack. You will not find a better built rack than this. If you look at the specs on the rack, the shelf is well supported and any component that you put on it will be stable. Read all the very positive reviews on it. Call Alvin at Grand Prix and talk to him. He is a pleasure to deal with. With this rack you do not need any other isolation product under your components. I have not tried the Apex in place of the spikes yet. I also looked into the Sistrum rack. After much research and talking to both Alvin and Robert about their products, I went with the Monaco. I am very pleased with it and will not replace it.
Frank,
FWIW I'll offer these comments, since you've asked for comparative experience. I own Zoethecus and have been looking at/trying Grand Prix. My system is entirely different from yours, fast SS and a little analytic. I also have raised hardwood flooring with area rugs (racks are on the hardwood flooring). The Zoethecus racks give a degree of bloom and color to the sound. You can read bloom as smear if you like, but that's a relative judgement, since the system has good prat though I have heard it bettered somewhat (on prat) with Neuance. Grand Prix gives a very tight, coherent sound with no added bloom, several degrees more coherent than Zoethecus. With a fast SS system that can track the coherency, the differences in the two racks are quite pronounced. Also, the Grand Prix is not made of maple so it lacks the maple warmth that comes with Zoeth. My main concern with Grand Prix is simply to make sure that the high degree of coherency does not create a sound which seems thinner and less musical to you; but I doubt that it will do that in a tubed system, and I don't have enough experience with it yet to determine that it does this with SS.
BTW, since you're going to CES, you might ask the Grand Prix reps about the issue of weight distribution on the triangular shelves. I seriously doubt that they haven't given it thought, and the shelves are matched in thickness to the component weight anyway.
I purchased the Grand Prix Monaco amp stand shortly after CES. I have a 105 lb. Edge amp sitting on a concrete tile floor. This stand was recommended to me by a fellow 'Goner who had previously been using the Zoethecus amp stands for his tube monos. He told me he was blown away by the vast improvement. His description was similar to what Flex has said. I was previously using an amp stand whose purpose was strictly aesthetic so I was thrilled with the sonic improvements when putting the Monaco in place. However, this week, I purchased the Apex footers for the Monaco. In doing so, I feel like I replaced a component in my system! Everything is more life-like, clean and rich sounding. I can hear detail I did not hear prior to installing the Apex. I strongly suggest that anyone considering the Grand Prix stands should definitely purchase the Apex along with it. What Alvin has been able to accomplish is truly amazing! I am in awe!