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Experience with Sistrum or Grand Prix Monaco rack?

If anyone has tried either the Sistrum or Grand Prix Monaco racks and would be willing to share their experiences (particularly in comparison to others they used) I would greatly appreciate it. If you use the Monaco, have you used it with the Apex at all?

I am looking into a new rack system and, although I am willing to to $2,000-$3,000 retail for a 3 shelf rack and two amp stands), I want to get the best bang for my dollar and these looked promising.

Any other suggestions appreciated!

(PS - will hold an Audio Aero Capitole MK-II, Manley Steelhead and either Lamm amps or Tenors)

Thanks

Frank
fmpnd

Showing 2 responses by tireguy

tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Frank- First off- Nice system! I have a few friends that use the same gear- I use a cap. II myself. One quick question- are you using the Steelhead? I know that it is a great analog piece but you would be better off running the cap. II into the tenors(I know this because I have tried a few pre-amps with that exact cd player and amp combination) and I assume the lamms would be very similar. One friend recently sold his sistrum rack and is replacing it with a rix rax voodoo which he believes to be a better product, he considered the Grand Prix but everyone that we spoke to(besides the dealers) didn't care for the lack of rear support they offered- in particular with the tenors, they are heavier towards the back of the amp. He had NO complaints on the Sistrum and always liked the way equipment sounded but he wanted change and with the suspension his turntable had it didn't work well with the isolation/vibration control the sistrum had- if I remember correct you have a rockport so turntable stability is a non-issue for you. If you can afford it the rix rax is the rack from which all others are judged, not only are they very pretty but they seem to be very functional with out too many gimicks. As a matter of fact he still has the sistrum amp stands that he is using on his tenors, though he mentioned upgrading them as well. I know many audiophiles(myself included) just put our gear on the floors on individule shelves/isolation devices(cones, pucks, spheres, etc....) I realize you may have a WAF to deal with so it may not be an option though it may save you some $$ and give you better sonic results. Another friend has a Cap. II and tenors and they just rest on his hard wood floors no isolatoin devices being used with them at all- though he uses Zoethecus(sp?) racks with his aestetix IO signature, also mated with a rockport sirius II(obviously no rack being used with it). So to sum things up I would give the Rix Rax the nod if they are with in your budget if not I don't think you could go wrong with the sistrum- it just sort of has a love it or leave it look. Happy Listening ~Tim

P.S. what speakers are you running?
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Flex- a) I started a thread not long ago about Rix Rax vs. Grand prix, and the consensus was they just didn't like the idea of the support the shelf gets. I do like the isolation/absorbtion they offer but if you have an uneven load on the shelf it may not optimal- it just makes sense if you think about it.
b. I haven't seen or heard the rix yet, they take a LONG time to get because they are made to order, with in a month it should be ready- fingers crossed :o)

Warren- I must agree Robert is on the ball- a true class act, if more men were like him in the audio world we would have fewer headaches.
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