This Sistrum stuff works


Hi. I just got a bunch of Sistrum products to add to my system. The package arrived, with 2 Sistrum Speaker Platforms, 2 Sistrum Equipment Platforms, 2 sets of AudioPoints, a pair of Sonoran Plateau Desert Speaker Cables, and a pair of Sonoran Plateau Cactus RCA Interconnects.

I wanted to try an entire line of products that were designed to work together, using the unique vibration management system that the Sistrum and Sonoran products have. I thought this approach could have some merit.

I put the products into the system, 1 by 1, and listened for differences. I started with the speaker platforms. I immediately noticed that the slight "boxiness" that was present primarily in the lower midrange was almost eliminated. And the bass, and midbass was much more defined than before. Overall clarity seemed improved, but it was already quite clear to start with. One of the more interesting benefits was that I could play louder than before, with less audible distortion. Then I tried the equipment platforms under my preamp and amp. This improved the focus of the entire presentation by several percent. And again, I could play even louder before noticing any distortion occurring. The next candidate was the Audiopoints under my Teres TT. This was where I noticed an increase in detail and lowering of the noise floor. I had already used BDR cones and Cocobolo Cones under the TT, and these beat both of those quite convincingly. The final thing was the Sonoran Cables. These need some time to break in, but after about 4 hours of playing, this package is giving me the best sound that I have ever gotten from this system. The cables, even right out of the box, were quite open and detailed, with no high-frequency rolloff that I had experienced with some other cables I've tried, like Cardas Golden. After just a few hours, the bass was really showing excellent tonality and control. The mids were as open as my DIY cables, which had previously slain all comers. I expect these Sonoran cables to improve over the next couple of weeks, and that will be a nice treat, because they are already sounding quite good indeed.

Now, I have to admit that I have not tried a boatload of different cables, but I have tried a few. My cone and support situation was in need, and I didn't have a very good vibration control system in place before I got this stuff. Maybe other stuff can do very well too. But I can say that this Sistrum and Sonoran stuff does exactly what it says it does, and I am very pleased with the results that I got on my system.

In addition, I really like the appearance of these products, and that never hurts, even though my audio room looks more like a workshop than a living room. I go primarily for performance, and not looks. The sound is the key issue for me. But good looks are always a positive, if the sound is also good.

I would say that I recieved an honest 15% improvement in the clarity, tonal quality(especially in the low end), and in maximum SPL that I can now attain. Although I didn't measure it, I feel that I got an additional 3db SPL over what I was getting before. And with the improved clarity and tone at the same time. With my low power tube system, this was a very big plus, because it was like getting more power out of my amp. Sistrum claims that when you use their products, you get better efficiency from your system, including amps and speakers, due to proper vibration management. I now believe that this is true, because I experienced that in my testing with my system.

I could heartily recommend these products to others, because I feel that if they work on my system, they will work on others. The technology works. I'm happy.

While other isolation products may be very good, and also other cables may be very good, I feel that these are doing a great job, and have good neutrality, but let the sound and dynamics come through crystal clear, and from top to bottom.

This package wasn't cheap, at about $3000 retail for all the items I got. But it is not anywhere near the high price that alot of other cables and racks cost. I think it strikes a very good level of performance for a reasonable price. I can't buy $8k speaker cables, or $5k audio racks.

I'd recommend them for anyone to try out. They really do work, just as the manufacturer claims.
twl
I have been talking about Sistrum a little too much. I thought it best to to back off for a time. It seems when you find something that's so good as the Sistrum, you want to let others know. You keep talking too much and then you are accused as being a dealer or in league with the company. I feel that the Starsound (Sistrum) racks, speaker platforms, PCs, and their wire is as good as I have heard. In fact, I believe that you will never realize the full potential of your components and speakers without these incredible products. You have a 30 day trial. IMO, these racks are just as important as your audio gear. You also are dealing with a company that will bend over backwards for you. If your not happy, they aren't happy. You won't believe what these products will do for your system. I even warned Robert not to be surprised if I returned what I ordered. Now i have to get several more Starsound stuff. Talk is cheap. Try it out and you might find it to be the best gift you could give to your system. If not, ya get your money back.
Way to go TWL! The Sistrum and Sonoran products are extremely good, and as you point out, even cost effective. Enjoy!
I want to jump into the amen corner. I have a whole line of star sound products. I purchased the Sistrum racks. Sonoran plateau speaker cable, interconnects all around, and harmonic precision 110 amps. Their performance is remarkable. The amazing thing is that over time I have noticed consistent improvement. I was skeptical of the gear at first considering that for high end equipment the price was pretty reasonable. However, I started by listening to a friends cable and was very impressed. After having been dedicated to nordost for years I found the sonoran to be revealing while still retaining a certain warmth I found very satisfying. I still use nordost on a second system, but may even change on that as well.
The stands are as described by others. The amps are really the blow away factor for me. I was utterly committed to going to real big boy amps. I had demod many products including krell,spectral, and Mark Levinson. All were great and absolutely was going to get the ML 436 which was fabulous. My buddy convinced me to demo the hps and after initial bad impression because of the need for breakin was totally impressed by the warm tube like character of these amps plus the rather surprising dynamic range despite what appears to be a low power match for my Revel Studio speakers. To say I am sold on this as the others is an understatement. I have refrained recentlyfrom being quite as vocal because sometimes when you really love gear here people do accuse you of being an insider. I am just a buyer. I put my money into this gear. The cable I purchased was approximately 12 40-50 ft. runs. I paid a lot, but a fraction of what Nordost Cardas, or Kimber would have charged. My room is prewired for the future Tom 10+ standard.
Welcome to the world of resonance transference. I've been there for a year and have been grooving. It's difficult spreading the word, when, for years, everyone seems to want to isolate, or decouple, and at the same time, throw in coupling devices. Most, mix the two; not having a clue that they are defeating the very principles envolved with coupling or decoupling. I love the Sistrum products. Perhaps you read my review on the Sistrum Mini Monitor platforms. I, too, use their points and racks. Unbelievabele. It is an attainable goal to couple equipment, rather than, isolate. In fact, it's just about impossible to isolate. I've said it a zillion times: how to you isolate from airborne resonances? You can't. And then the very things you use to isolate, keep those deleterious, microphonous meanies in your system. Maybe this thread will inspire more to check into the science/principles of energy transference. Good luck with your new toys. I know exactly what you're experiencing. It's cool, huh? warren
Here's the home page for sistrum and audiopoints and harmonic precision.

http://www.audiopoints.com/index.htm