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 love their stuff. The price isn't terrible. I don't if it is better than sliced bread but it is good quality gear.
Okay, what I'm saying is that there is some sonic improvement to be had from this brand of platforms and points. How much is dependent on your system. Anytime a rack or support can offer sonic improvements, instead of just being a shelf, is a bonus in my book. It is not going to magically transform your equipment into state of the art stuff. It will help take care of whatever vibration problems you may have had in your system, and will improve the sound to that extent. The worst thing that can happen to a product in this industry is to be over-hyped, because then everyone is let down even if the product does a good job, because everybody expected too much. This is a good design and will do its job well. It's not going to turn an NAD reciever into a Boulder amplifier.
Sistrum is great- am using the amp and speaker stands, but waiting for a year or two on the rack, as I hear they may take it to the next level with a version that actuallly plugs in to the wall! Apparently, it will be significantly better then even the already superb current Sistrum multi-shelf platforms (SP-4; SP-5; SP-6, etc.) many of you are now using...
I recently bought a specially upgraded SP-7, with seven shelves and special brass rods, and I can testify to the quality of the product, the customer service of the folks at the company, and sonic improvements. I must have over 300lbs of gear on it, and it holds rock solid. It looks great, too. I think the hardest part of using this rack is positioning 150lb components on the sharp, upward facing Audiopoints. It took a little time to assemble, but its about the same effort as Ikea furniture.

However, this thing is wonderful. It did make improvements to all my components. At first I had a SP-6, and had my turntable on small standesign rack with Relaxa's magnetic floation isolation device underneath the turntable. Then I received the 7th shelf and put the turntable on top...wow. Its that simple. I echo TWL's comments - its not going to propel a pioneer receiver into a BAT50SE, but it will help you maximize the performance of your components.
Is there any useful information here? Looks to me like the typical Audiogon circus act where someone posts a good issue and it then gets flooded with collateral opinions, haymaker punch attacks and experiences which are tried to be presented as validated scientific experiments. And all this is supposedly *moderated*...

Lak talked with me this week and asked me to check out the Sistrum stuff and give him my opinion.

I have used the Audiopoints on one of my T4 filters and saw Lak's amplifier stands, which gives me a pretty good idea of what the designer is aiming for. What I told Lak I will tell you: I think I would do better using my approach of light IKEA "Lack" tables (per Ken Lyon's DIY recipe) and Caribbean Moca wood boards with appropriate cones (I use Goldmund) or going Jahaira's route. Jahaira's got this stainless steel rod based DIY rack. Routered 12-ply Brazilian Cedar shelves compose the structural part of the rack. He then uses granite slabs resting on cork and EVA foam pads. He also uses his DIY version of the Darumas (DIYumas, he calls them). The problem I see with the Sistrum is that although it is light and rigid with vibration drains, it lacks a vibration sump, unlike the two DIY designs I've described. Vibration has to go to some sort of sump, IMO. If you ever get a chance to look at vibration sensitive equipment in industrial/laboratory setups, you will find big stones used as vibration sumps. Enough said.

Also, the Sistrum guy offered to sell Lak some brass Audiopoint feet for his Salamander rack. I told him brass is too soft. My Goldmund cones bave high speed steel points and they still get dull. I have purchased four Polycrystal cones to make the base feet of my DIY rack. Polycrystal is super hard and will be able to bear the load.

Once again...

With psychic power and primal intensity,