Sistrum or Neuance or...?

He did it again! Talked a lot and said nothing...

I agree with Drubin. I took nothing away from the message of Lonelynote except more marketing, defensiveness, and resentment. And I really don't have anything against Sistrum at all.

I think Lonelynote's response was perfectly appropriate. Often times manufacturers who participate in these forums end up either sticking their foot in their mouth by getting involved in petty arguments or they get harassed by people who seem to enjoy trying to outwit a product designer (presumably to confirm they are intellectually superior to everyone on earth). Lonelynote simply stuck his voice in to say let's talk. I thought his tone was upbeat and open instead of argumentive. I don't agree that this thread is the best way for a manufacturer to talk about their products. They have web sites for that and many will take the time to talk on the phone or email.

I think it can be more difficult to understand or accept the technology behind products like Sistrum instead of, for example, a simple amplifier circuit. This creates more doubters than usual because it seems pretty esoteric. But there appears to be a number of people on this forum that have tried Sistrum platforms in their systems and had outstanding results. There is one reviewer on Audio Asylum who claims installing Sistrum platforms in his system was his best audio discovery in 30 years of love for the hobby.

My name is Joe Ciulla... I am the designer of EquaRack products. I am not writing to tout my own products or to contradict or agree with any of the posters on this thread. Instead, I wish only to make a recommendation that may benefit all interested parties.

It would appear virtually all of the Audiogon threads on the subject of vibration control are far less than informative and non-productive. They often spiral downward into an abyss of offensive/defensive dialogs, challenges, accusations, and arguments. At the same time, the subject of the thread is almost always forgotten as the “fog of war” envelopes the opposing armys. Who wins these battles? is it the last poster, or the person who quits first so he or she can go back to listening to music? One thing is for sure - readers and posters who genuinely want and need to get true facts go away dismayed and empty handed! Doe’s anyone profit or enjoy this?

I believe the solution lies largely in self-education.

Despite the fact that effective audio products are often based upon science and art, these designs rarely contradict established engineering and technological principals. In fact, the best designs usually rely on these principles as their underpinnings.

Doe’s the product in question embody such priciples? Do you understand the priciples? If not, would you like to understand them?

Like no other industry, high-end audio if absolutely rife with mis-information and hype. This plague flourishes largely because too many people rely entirely on manufacturers claims, subjective testimonials by those who own the gear in question, by those who don’t own it and haven’t heard it, and a swamp of anecdotal and hypothetical musings.

Instead of relying solely on others, why not do some independent reasearch on the web or in a library? One can read volumes of actual un-biased facts in textbooks and technical reports and “white-papers”. Using a search-engine like GOOGLE, one could enter appropriate key words such as, “Vibration Damping”, “Vibration Isolation”, “Viscoelastic”, “Internal Friction” , “Hysterisis”, “Loss Coefficient”, “Transmissibility”, “Coulomb Friction”, “Resonance”, “Frequency”, and many others.

In addition, a basic understanding of the nature of the materials used in audio equipment is of paramount importance. Read about metallurgy, plastics, composites, and rubber. Why are bells made of brass? Why is aluminum used as sole-plate material in quality cookware? Why do cars use shock absorbers instead of rubber bumpers? Why are musical instruments made of wood? You could answer all of these questions and apply the underlying principles to audio.

Armed with real knowlege, one could evaluate the audio gear in question with regards to the soundness of its engineering and technology. If the subject item “makes sense” based on one’s educated opinion, one can then consider the manufacturer’s claims, and the opinions of others in a new light!

Yours Truly,
Joe Ciulla
Equa Corp. / EquaRack

With respect to this thread, I would like simply like an answer to my question regarding the difference between something like ceramic cones (e.g. DH Cones) and brass points (i.e. Audio Points) visa vis a platform similar to the Sistrum. I thought part of the reason for forums such as these was that one could pose a question and receive responses without having to do all of the research which others have done. Such research may have been done by an audiophile with an abiding interest and knowledge of their hobby or by a designer/manufacturer (or should have been done by them if they sell this stuff). Obviously, it is up to everyone to weigh such responses with respect to their validity and/or worth.

I mean NOT to pick at Sistrum or anyone else with respect to this issue. There are clearly a lot of folks who have questions or seek edification regarding resonance control for their components. I, for one, think it is borderline insulting to be told something to the effect of "go look it up for yourself". I think all of us are aware of that possible avenue and most have at least a working knowledge of the issues and are interested in details or cause/effect experiences. Now, if all manufacturers choose to refuse giving answers to questions and will, instead, send to me a sample of their product without obligation, I can empirically decide for myself without knowing “how it works”. I don’t see that eventuality coming forth any time soon, though (I recognize Tom’s mention of Sistrum’s “money-back policy”).

OTOH, the more I research this subject myself, the more I come to the conclusion that some do not want to give a definitive answer to resonance solutions is because it would be subsequently revealed that one can achieve such without spending a ton-o-dough.