How an audio rack can enhance your amp/pre




Just thought I would share my recent experience with upgrading my sound star technologies rack to the new rhythm rack.

Every now and then, I have a visiting audiophile who really appreciates my system…and traditionally asks – “wow, what makes it sound so good?” My typical answer is it all makes a difference, even down the equipment rack, which can and certainly should be considered a component…but in many cases is overlooked…

Star Sound introduction

About 10 years ago, I was introduced to Star Sound Technologies Sistrum platforms and Audio Points. Audiopoints has always been known for its manufacture of well-designed and beautifully manufactured brass cones used under equipment and as an integral part of an audio stand. This ultimately led to the design of stands designed to transfer vibrations out of components and down to ground. What I didn’t know at the time was how good the Sistrum platforms ‘sounded’. So, I bit the bullet and tried several Sistrum Platforms - what intrigued me about the stands was the design of the Sistrum Platform which allowed a pre-determined pattern of energy, known as Coulomb Friction to develop and dissipate via a high-speed calculated conductive pathway to earth's ground. Which made sense…how do you deal with airborne energy dissipation? I know you could put cones to reduce vibrations from the ‘ground up’ so to speak, but how could you eliminate airborne vibration? We’ve all held our hand on our equipment when music is playing only to feel the equipment vibrate, so how do you deal with it? Draining it quickly to ground made sense, but at the end of the day, all I really wanted to know was…does it improve the sound?

To say I was shocked is an understatement - the Original Sistrum Platforms offered – smoother sound, better transients, dynamics and a lower noise floor. And, the cool part is that you could turn up the sound and the music would flow with greater ease…well worth the investment. Robert at Star Sound was extremely helpful in guiding me through which racks made the most sense for my system.

Rhythm Platforms

Which brings me to 2015…it had been a while since I last spoke with Robert curious as to what his engineering team was up to…which led me to check out the ‘new’ model of Sistrum Stands – the Sistrum Rhythm Platforms.

These new platforms / shelves were substantially heavier, with a nicer overall finish than the original stands, with more grooves allowing for substantially more options to place points in various places under your equipment to refine the sound even further. In addition, the shelves were engineered to deal with resonances in a more efficient manner…The brass cones at the bottom of the rack were substantially bigger in size - 3 inches and quite heavy. The brass cones under the equipment were attached with nicely crafted screws that could be hand tightened and no longer required a screw driver… a nice feature making it both easier to put together but also the amount of tightening could influence the sound. The brass and platform rods are modular, making it easier to put together and painted in a beautiful black finish – in combination with the brass I would say the improvement in the WAF factor is significant – the stands are really impressive to look at. As for structure, these things were a solid as could be – and heavy! Not going anywhere, even in an earthquake!

My system includes VAC equipment, preamp, amps, DAC and a transport. As well as power supplies. Most of which now rested on the new Rhythm Platform.

Listening Impressions:

My first impressions were clearly a lower noise floor with enhanced dynamics, while also being able to hear deeper into the soundstage, which now extended well outside of the speakers. Tempo was faster, due to better-defined, leading edges. The high end was ‘cleaner’, with more sheen and decay on symbols and hi hats. Brass had that right bite to it, without over doing it…Bass lines were tighter which led to better ‘rhythm’ … and best of all, I could crank up the volume and the dynamic range seemed to extend effortlessly, which was a nice surprise.

One thing I noticed, that was true of my initial experience with Sistrum Platforms, is that the newer Rhythm Platforms sounded progressively better after 3 days of ‘settling’ and reached full potential after about 1 week. So some form of break in is required.
Over the years, I’ve tried different racks and various cones under equipment, whether if be soft, hard, ceramic, rubber (or some variation of ‘absorbing material’ etc.) you name it. All of which ‘altered’ the sound, but nothing came close to the Sistrum Stands holistically; while the new Rhythm stands, just take it all to a higher level…
While I cannot expound eloquently on science of Coulomb’s Friction, I can tell you that whatever they are doing at Star Sound visa vie their racks, it works…and it’s not subtle. This is a very audible improvement in your listening experience. If you want your system to perform at its highest level, I would suggest that you maximize your investment in your equipment by letting it do what it does best and put it on a Sistrum rack that will allow it to perform at its best. And if you want the best, I would strongly recommend the Rhythm Platforms.
wisper
But how they heck do you prevent Mother Earth from affecting the components. Houston, we have a problem.
Audiotweak,(Robert)
I don't care what anyone says, you and the other people responsible for the design of Star Sound products are the real deal.
Thanks, John
Hello TheKong,

In reply to your many qualified questions about Star Sound claims as to the function and scientific proof of their technology (questions listed above on 06-09/2015):

The Audio Points™ were first marketed in 1989 representing the second of two mechanical grounding products offered in High-End Audio, TipToes was the first manufacturer in what is now commonly referred to as the accessory marketplace.

Star Sound equipment racking products are now fifteen years young and are ever evolving.

A research test involving public consumption of our products was implemented in 2003. We adapted the technology inside electronics and loudspeakers chassis focused on the smallest of electronic parts such as resistors and transistors. A limited quantity of these products were sold under the Harmonic Precision™ name brand. The test was successful in that it provided further proof the technology has multiple applications.

We recently placed the technology into structural walls, flooring and ceiling grids which represents one of our finest innovative achievements titled The Energy Room™.

Beginning in 2000 a group of six musical instruments were targeted as a destination for the technology. It took quite some time before releasing the initial offering involving the cello and upright bass. The Tone Acoustics Brass EndPin™ began selling in 2014 and is being accepted and played by some of the finest musicians in music today.

This historical information is submitted as physical evidence supporting our core theories on how the technology functions. It validates, via the end user, that Live-Vibe Technology™ is highly functional, has worked in multiple applications related to the recording and playback sciences and continues to expand gaining public acceptance on all fronts.

Regards to your request for scientific proof:

The examples of your aforementioned industrial ‘anti-vibration’ companies as noted in your questionnaire are associated and focused more on the studies and applications of “isolation” whereas our approach to vibration management is an entirely different and/or an opposite methodology.

The majority of testing and results displayed on their websites are 100% controlled and published by the same company selling their respective products. It is common to see this type of product testing in the commercial marketplace as well as the Audio Industry and has long been accepted as scientific proof the product works.

Currently there are no charts or graphs depicting acoustic or mechanical measurements displayed on the Star Sound website based on in-house ‘self’ generated testing. We elect not to present this type of data simply because in the highly subjective world of High-End Audio, it is well known to some manufacturers that self proclaimed results can be presumed by many as extreme bias, a marketing tool to increase sales or add more confusion to an already ‘little known and understood’ science.

We have developed this new technology based on the theories and successes originating from a small group of dedicated, highly educated and successful engineers with vision and a tremendous amount of feedback from the end users of our products.

Live-Vibe Technology™ is currently undergoing third party testing by a licensed UL® approved laboratory in order to quantify this proprietary vibration management science. This testing will offer an objective analysis of this technology as it relates to all types of electronic and acoustic equipment, as well as musical instruments used in the recording, playback, and live performance settings. Additional acoustic testing will be provided by two privately owned recording studios providing additional data to compare with the laboratory profiles.

In closing:

Live-Vibe Technology is a new atypical approach to vibration management. It is currently supported by a small research and development company titled Star Sound Technologies with the focus on audio and video reproduction, sound environments and musical instruments.

Our goal is to become the the first company in all of audio whose opinions and theories related to vibration management evolve into a more highly functional and diverse science.

Please feel free to telephone us and we will be happy to chat and answer all of your questions.

TheKong, We thank you for your time, quality questions and interest.

As always - Good Listening!

Robert Maicks
Star Sound Technologies, LLC
06-09-15: Jaxwired
Self delusion is a powerful thing. In this hobby it is so very important to understand that.

So is pride. Clearly, the author of that sweeping statement subconsciously presumes transcendence from said delusion....
Happy to see more real experienced peoples posts and less clowns.
Today I put one of my 5 Apprentice platforms under Magnetic Waveguides from High Fidelity Cables. My integrated amp, 2 speakers, 2 speaker cable waveguides, 3 power cord waveguides all on Star Sound platforms. I also have Star Sound "audio points" under 3 small components.
My next order will be two Apprentice XL platforms and a 2 shelf Rhythm Rack.
The effects of the Star sound stuff is no less than Amazing!! As is the case with Magnetic conduction, the live vibe technology redefines the benchmark. Shockingly more real!!!