Do stands make a difference for equipment?

Higher resolution systems translates to higher speed.The more resolving the system the more challenging it becomes to control mechanical groumding distortions, phase timing issues, AC noise, room standing waves, and resonating frequencies. Like Ivan explained fixing one variable without addressing the other just exposses weaknesses in other areas. As we see from everyone's responses mileage will vary from system to system. Maximizing higher resolution while maintaining musicality is not an easy task.

Himiguel: I think everything you just said is dead on and basically all of it will always be, for anyone who pursues this level of higher resolution in their system, a double-edged sword. Some will see that possibly 'never-ending' pursuit as a time and resource drain and will be content to pass on such a challenge and I can respect choosing to do so really. But, while investigating it, I actually found it all to be just what I was looking for: the key to maximizing the gear I have and yet continue to build a system with what has proven to have more than just a few genuine high-end traits, but with less cost, for me. You're quite right, it IS a technically challenging key, but, as I see it, it has not proven to be insurmountably so. I've seen most of my longest-held sonic problems steadily crossed off my list and in fact, even in the absolute sense, very few of them remain to be dealt with for me and I find myself now reliably closing in on what I've always wanted sound-wise...probably doesn't get too much better than that.

Ivan, Higher resolution is the road I've taken and it has taken me years to find what I was looking for. High resolution + noise removal is the only way to bring out the soul of musicians. The euphonic road like you said is not as demanding and is good enough for the majority of folks. Maximizing a higher resolution system is very costly and technically challenging. Once a high resolution system is maximized there is no going back. Happy listening.

Miguel, what stands have you used and what grounding schemes have you employed with them ala Maher? Results?

Miguel, can you comment on your experience with grounding Sistrum stands since that dovetails with what Maher appears to be doing....