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
Warrenh:

Looks like you missed my post One only has to place the electronics in a closed room/closet (outside the listening area) in order to do away with most airborne vibration.

If I had to choose between a special rack/shelf system (which I already use) and placing the electronics outside of the listening area I would definately go with the latter.

As I do not have to choose I do both.

Anyway, it seems a bit odd (to me) to spend thousands of dollars on an isolation system for the electronics and then place them/it in the listening room.
Dekay,what do I do with the clothes in my closet? My closet is not wired with dedicated lines either. I could use my daughter's room, but that would mean speaker runs of 30 feet of unsightly garden hose. Pretty costly. Plus, my daughter might be a little pissed at this idea. I could use my paint and tool closet, but the smells in there, alone, might have a permanent stink effect on my system. This would be kind of like my dentist, who goes out of the office, when he zaps me with some x-rays. So when I'm listening in my easy chair, I take my remote control, open up my closet, or go into another room and zap my cdp, and then go back to my listening chair. Ooops, too loud. Back I go. I run enough miles a week. Dekay, you got something there. Good luck with it. My clothes are staying in my closet. peace and happy listening...warren
OK Warrenh. So what other products have you tried? I assume that you have owned all of the Bright Star products? The Seismic Sink? The Vibraplane? You oppinion must be based on something other than just what propaganda you read on the Star Audio web site. I just get a bit weary of you telling me over and over and over how wrong I am on this topic as you said your self "beating you(me)to death with this crap", oh sorry, make that rap. I would just like to establish that you have some shred of credability. I, on the other hand have been involved in experiments on this topic beginning in the mid eighties. What were you doing then Warrenh? I bet you were busy watching cartoons. Oh, but the TV was on cones!
Max, I was just trying to let you know that my floor is very similar to yours. And the Sistrum stuff worked for me in that type of application.

It seems things are getting sidetracked onto personality issues.
Dekay, If you place your audio in another room your speaker cables are still attached to your speakers and your speakers are attaced to the floor, which may or not be on the same floor but are still modulating your system. Are your cables immune from airborne modulations? Are your speakers immune from the modulations they produce in the room they are placed in? Are your speaker cabinets immune from the sound pressure feed back from room boundaries? Do speakers and cables feed back signal upon themselves and the amplifier attached to them? I know this to be so.. And so the continuim progresses. I feel that Sistrum and Sonoran have take these truisms into account upon their creation. After 35 years of being an audio enthusiast I have never before been so fortunate as to have been exposed to a product or product line such as the Sistrum Science.. Like Twl said... this stuff works.. Tom