Tripoint Spartan


For the past two months, I have written very little about the Spartan Power Conditioner. Truth be told, I really didn’t have much to write about. The Spartan came with the highest expectations, along with the loftiest adjectives. Alas, it seemed not to be. Until one day…

On 7/24/2010, exactly 59 days from delivery, I sat in astonishment. Strange, because the whole system literally transformed in a single day. It’s as if someone took the lid off my stereo. What I hear is gorgeous, sparkling, clear, unrestricted, and delicate music. I hang on to every note, as it takes over my respiration, heart rate, and my eyes begin to weep. Even the pauses sound beautiful. The stage has been transformed into a hall, with notes rising and collapsing into natural space. Music is open and extended, with detail, sweetness, shimmer, and sheen. I can feel the music vibrate my body. From top to bottom, the music is absolutely cohesive, infused with energy and freshness. There is now a direct connection with my emotions.

I hear no negative effects or trade-offs. It does not simply lower the noise floor, but redefines the whole experience. Every audio component is performing better, and there is a purity and refinement. I do not hear a stereo, but I do hear the music. The presentation is absolutely uncanny. Nothing seems out of place, although the beauty is somewhat surreal.

Miguel’s obsessiveness has paid-off, and he has created two of the most unique, special, innovative audio components. Was it worth it? Depends if you want to take an excellent system to a new level by adding the elusive ingredient of magic. This was not an easy piece to afford, and it took a great leap of faith. I look forward to the next few months of listening to music anew, and I wonder if things will get even better. At this point, as I find difficulty getting out of my seat while enraptured by music, I would do it all again.
rtn1
I purchased a Maestro outlet (which is used in the Spartan).One would think with qualty power cords that one would have all the bases covered! One was wrong. The improvement that the outlet made is so cool. How did we get to the point of such crazy stuff? Pay close attention, the improvement is incredible. I have a hard time telling my audiophile friends that an outlet makes such a huge difference. They sometimes chuckle and say that I am hopeless. Get the outlet it is that good!
Booboobaer, I have lived with friends' and my wife's comments such as you have received. It is part of the life of an audiophile as well as one who races cars or boats or collects things such as silver or dolls.

If yours is newly installed as is mine, you will hear great improvements for three hundred hours.
Cool Tbg, that is excitng since the Sound Labs are begining to portray music even more naturally than in the past. If this is going to get better then whoo hoo! Happy listening!
I am glad everyone is enjoying their new outlets.

Now, in regards to the other 99.8% of the Spartan...

I am learning so much about music and how we perceive sound. After some experimenting with different cables, I am now of the mind that the Spartan does not impart its own signature, as it lets one hear the present components. New experiences I thought the Spartan added, disappeared when I changed components. Thus, the Spartan is like sprinkling Fleur de Sel on the finest foods (the creme de la creme of sea salt, literally). The Spartan puts your system under the microscope, and reveals everything. It is not a bandaid. By microscope, I am not talking about etched detail in the upper frequencies. Rather, you can hear all the subtle cues that construct note texture, harmonics, evolution, spatial cues, and ambiance. If you have a musical system with a natural and beautiful sound, then it will sound more musical, more natural, and more beautiful.

My stereo is so responsive. I can change a single of anything in my system and hear the difference usually in 10 seconds. It will shine a light on your weak links. Is this a good thing? I think if one wants to get the most out of a reference stereo, then yes. I am closer to sitting in front of a live performance than ever before. You've been warned...
Rtn1, someday I hope to hear the Spartan in a demonstration with and without, but even then it is way beyond my means.