Grand Prix versus Stillpoints

I performed direct comparisons several years ago. Both racks have improved since that time I am sure so not sure how accurate this is to their current forms, of which I still have the Stillpoints in its current generation.

The Grand Prix I had at the time had the Formula shelves and upgraded carbon fiber bearing feet under the rack. I did not have the amp stands at the time so this is fwiw.

I found that the Stillpoints and GP stands were very close in overall character with the Stillpoints rack allowing the system to sound more open in the upper octaves, more effortlessly dynamic with slightly improved low-level detail retrieval. The GP imbued a slightly darker overall tone but was not the worse for it just different. I was within a few months of needing to replace the neoprene pads under the G.P shelves though so I am not sure if this made any substantive difference.

I did find there to be a significant difference in replacing the standard shelves on the G.P with the carbon fiber Formula and an even more striking improvement when replacing the same type of acrylic shelves in the S.P with their tri-pod stands, eschewing solid shelves altogether.

One thing is certain. In both cases the standard acrylic shelves, while they might look nice, really held back the performance each of these racks is capable of without them. The differences in replacing the acrylic shelves in both cases was enormous and affected _everything_ positively. Both racks are exceptional in their own way and were dramatic improvements over my older JustaRack with double thick MDF.

I think either would perform well in most HE systems. I still have and enjoy the Stillpoints rack system and use their quad-arm stands under my amps--which was a dramatic improvement over my high-mass corian plinth sand boxes of yore.

Grant
Shunyata Research

I did complete direct comparison between the original Stillpoints rack and the new component stand rack. The difference between the new one one and the original Stillpoints rack with the Acrylic shelves was profound. Everything related to sound became more focussed, more pitch articulate and it seemed as if there was a noticeable drop in perceived noise as I could clearly discern detail I had been missing on familiar recordings. It is probably the most significant change I have heard in my system since completing the room and electronics.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata

Tbg, I don't believe Acrylic by itself is necessarily bad sounding. All materials have an inherent sound when used as a base, whether Corian, marble, granite, wood or MDF. The component base rack was a step up in their technology and was wider than the original. Also, the absence of any shelf material on the bigger rack probably played a role no matter what shelf material might have been there before.

I thought the original Stillpoints rack was the best isolation I had experienced with the original acrylic shelves, so I was taken aback at the improvement gained from switching to the stacked component base rack. As always, context plays the lead role in our preference and experience. Their OEM footers also made a permanent and positive difference under my MAXX 3's.
As with anything its best to try and compare when possible.

Grant
Shunyata Research