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
Hmmm...

The APCD2'S geometrical design draws energy away from the tip of the Audio Point™ and transfers it to the surface the disc resides on. In most cases the APCD2 and Audio Point™ combination will provide more sound quality when used in unison. - A.P. website

Well, I bet no one has accused you of being most cases :), but Sistrum seems like a typical retailer.

"On your second point, you got me."

I just wanted to clarify before members jump out of their windows and head for Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

"Nobody can really try everything there is, so that has to be taken into account as well"

But zero - your point was better without that sentence, but your report was definitely better than nothing. Thanks for your reply. I'm glad they worked out for you.
Hey look. I thought my report was quite fair and balanced, without the usual hype associated. If that was not suitable, then maybe I'll just leave it between you guys and Stereophile.

You can sort it out with your own wallets.
Tom:

I still find a decent rack to be needed. The differences between footers and shelf material seem even more pronounced with my current setup. Many of the items that were OK when used in the listening room are no longer used as they just do not sound right anymore.

I doubt if I will be able to budget any Sistrum speaker stands in the near future, but I might consider their floor spikes once I build floorstanding speakers for the living room (have not owned floorstanders since the late 70's, but they will be a nice change as I am tired of looking @ metal stands).

I ended up with a pair of Stephens Trusonic 8" full range drivers that I will be using in BR cabinets (don't think that they would work in TL's like yours).
Dekay, that's cool! I never tried the Stephens drivers, but one thing is for sure, you will hear what the benefits of directly driving the speaker, with no crossovers, can do.
If you like the coherency, then you could move up in drivers if you want to. There is something about single drivers that is unlike anything else. If you get addicted to it, you'll be a nut case like I am, with all kinds of weird gear.

I'm not bullshitting anyone about these Audiopoints cones. They reduced the cabinet vibrations in my speakers and reduced the midbass colorations quite noticeably, and allowed me to play louder than before. That is more than I ever expected from a set of cones, so I think they are worth it. When I moved the cones under my TT, and put the Sistrum speaker platform under the speakers, those worked even better.

YMMV.
Not to detract from the information included in this thread or the experiences of others, i found the information and design process of the racks at Grand Prix Audio to be a steeped in actual "technology" and "science" rather than the gimmickry and marketing that most other "audiophile approved" products resort to. This is not to say that i believe or agree with all that they have to say, but that i found it be a very good read as to how / why they developed the product that they did. Try reading through their website and see what YOU think as an individual. If it makes sense, so be it. If it doesn't, read it again : ) Sean
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