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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
theaudiotweak
2,797 posts
 
Dekay,, To "get real" as you say is what it is all about. You infer there is no true form of isolation. Hey you are right! There is no true form of isolation. Every thing resonates and moves so why fight Mother Nature. Sistrum Science explains the principles of capture and release of electromechanical and airborne resonant energy, so why the conflict. If you use it there will be no conflict in your system. Everything will become perfectly clear, especially if you place Sistrum platforms under your speakers in a so-called---------- ( isolated listening room ) and your components on a Sistrum rack in a so called------------------------------ (isolated location ). Tom
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,573 posts
 
Tom/Tweak:

Huh?

As you are either unable or unwilling to comprehend and/or to logically respond to the subject matter (content) of a post directed @ you, let's not chat anymore, OK?

People love your products, but how they also put up with the BS is beyond me.
ksales
228 posts
 
I respect Tom's opinions primarily because he understand this stuff better than I do. However in setting up my system I took great care to create a dedicated equipment closet. While it is next to my listening area and is accessed by doors from my listening room the doors are a heavy duty acoustical doors. Its unfortunate some of us get a little touchy on these threads, but such is human nature. I am sure everyone means well. This debate about equipment separation is ripe for a whole new thread. Tom's point is that the resonance created by nature is present in the separate listening area and in his view the total concept of the starsound stuff reduces these resonances or vibration. I obviously agree to a certain extent since I bought the gear. On the other hand I don't understand the physics enough to adequately weigh in. Personally I think it is helpful to isolate equipment and have always attempted to do so. I would say I was in a minority among high end enthusiasts in that most of the really good system I have heard place the equipment front and center. Frankly from a physics standpoint I don't know the answer. Someone else will have to address the issue.
twl OP
3,251 posts
 
Ohlala, I didn't use the discs under the points, because after my conversation with Robert at StarSound, he said the points would work better without the discs. The discs are to protect the floors or equipment, and actually get in the way, a little. I didn't have to worry about my floor, so I didn't get the discs.

On your second point, you got me. I didn't have any other quality point or rack system that is available from a manufacturer. I only had my own DIY stuff, and I did use a couple of other cones like BDR. My recommendation comes from the fact that I liked what I got, and felt it was more than worth the money. Nobody can really try everything there is, so that has to be taken into account as well. These are just my impressions of these products in my system.
twl OP
3,251 posts
 
Dekay. I used the closet technique before, a long time ago. My current situation does not allow that. But I think the idea has merit.

However, some of the best improvements I got were with the platforms under the speakers. These improved the coloration problems I was getting from vibration in the cabinet, and this cannot be solved by putting the equipment in the closet. Also the closet does have airborne vibrations present, because the walls and closet door will vibrate when the music is playing. I agree that it is likely to be of a lower magnitude, and I see the logic in your approach. I think that using a Sistrum rack in the closet would be a good idea, to take care of the remaining vibrations that make it into the closet. Or you could use nothing. It doesn't matter to me, one way or the other. I just choose to have these things because I like what they did.
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