This Sistrum stuff works


Hi. I just got a bunch of Sistrum products to add to my system. The package arrived, with 2 Sistrum Speaker Platforms, 2 Sistrum Equipment Platforms, 2 sets of AudioPoints, a pair of Sonoran Plateau Desert Speaker Cables, and a pair of Sonoran Plateau Cactus RCA Interconnects.

I wanted to try an entire line of products that were designed to work together, using the unique vibration management system that the Sistrum and Sonoran products have. I thought this approach could have some merit.

I put the products into the system, 1 by 1, and listened for differences. I started with the speaker platforms. I immediately noticed that the slight "boxiness" that was present primarily in the lower midrange was almost eliminated. And the bass, and midbass was much more defined than before. Overall clarity seemed improved, but it was already quite clear to start with. One of the more interesting benefits was that I could play louder than before, with less audible distortion. Then I tried the equipment platforms under my preamp and amp. This improved the focus of the entire presentation by several percent. And again, I could play even louder before noticing any distortion occurring. The next candidate was the Audiopoints under my Teres TT. This was where I noticed an increase in detail and lowering of the noise floor. I had already used BDR cones and Cocobolo Cones under the TT, and these beat both of those quite convincingly. The final thing was the Sonoran Cables. These need some time to break in, but after about 4 hours of playing, this package is giving me the best sound that I have ever gotten from this system. The cables, even right out of the box, were quite open and detailed, with no high-frequency rolloff that I had experienced with some other cables I've tried, like Cardas Golden. After just a few hours, the bass was really showing excellent tonality and control. The mids were as open as my DIY cables, which had previously slain all comers. I expect these Sonoran cables to improve over the next couple of weeks, and that will be a nice treat, because they are already sounding quite good indeed.

Now, I have to admit that I have not tried a boatload of different cables, but I have tried a few. My cone and support situation was in need, and I didn't have a very good vibration control system in place before I got this stuff. Maybe other stuff can do very well too. But I can say that this Sistrum and Sonoran stuff does exactly what it says it does, and I am very pleased with the results that I got on my system.

In addition, I really like the appearance of these products, and that never hurts, even though my audio room looks more like a workshop than a living room. I go primarily for performance, and not looks. The sound is the key issue for me. But good looks are always a positive, if the sound is also good.

I would say that I recieved an honest 15% improvement in the clarity, tonal quality(especially in the low end), and in maximum SPL that I can now attain. Although I didn't measure it, I feel that I got an additional 3db SPL over what I was getting before. And with the improved clarity and tone at the same time. With my low power tube system, this was a very big plus, because it was like getting more power out of my amp. Sistrum claims that when you use their products, you get better efficiency from your system, including amps and speakers, due to proper vibration management. I now believe that this is true, because I experienced that in my testing with my system.

I could heartily recommend these products to others, because I feel that if they work on my system, they will work on others. The technology works. I'm happy.

While other isolation products may be very good, and also other cables may be very good, I feel that these are doing a great job, and have good neutrality, but let the sound and dynamics come through crystal clear, and from top to bottom.

This package wasn't cheap, at about $3000 retail for all the items I got. But it is not anywhere near the high price that alot of other cables and racks cost. I think it strikes a very good level of performance for a reasonable price. I can't buy $8k speaker cables, or $5k audio racks.

I'd recommend them for anyone to try out. They really do work, just as the manufacturer claims.
twl

Showing 8 responses by brulee

I have been talking about Sistrum a little too much. I thought it best to to back off for a time. It seems when you find something that's so good as the Sistrum, you want to let others know. You keep talking too much and then you are accused as being a dealer or in league with the company. I feel that the Starsound (Sistrum) racks, speaker platforms, PCs, and their wire is as good as I have heard. In fact, I believe that you will never realize the full potential of your components and speakers without these incredible products. You have a 30 day trial. IMO, these racks are just as important as your audio gear. You also are dealing with a company that will bend over backwards for you. If your not happy, they aren't happy. You won't believe what these products will do for your system. I even warned Robert not to be surprised if I returned what I ordered. Now i have to get several more Starsound stuff. Talk is cheap. Try it out and you might find it to be the best gift you could give to your system. If not, ya get your money back.
ksales and Twl, Point taken. I never like to get into arguments with the Audiogon members. My remarks were rather harsh. Sean, I apologize for not being a bit more diplomatic. You have been an excellent source of information to many. I am very sorry if I have offended you.I just have a real problem when people make claims of a product that one has had no experience with.
please understand my point of view. I will also try to understand yours. Again, I am sorry for remarks that should not have been said in this thread. I still stand by what I have said. I made a mistake of of the way I worded my post. Please accept my apologies not for what I said, but for how I said them.
Sean, Once again it seems you have given an opinion on some scientific information that you have read than have experienced. Have you listened to a Neuance shelf compared to the Grand Prix? Have you ever listened to the Sistrum products? Have you ever even listened to a Grand Prix rack?
Or is this just some more of your opinions without any experience? Another useless piece of information without merit because you like a particular artical you have read? Why do you seem to talk about products that you have never listened to. You have become a product that has little value for me. I know you and many others think the world of yourself. I gain little knowledge from those who have to give an opinion when they have never heard a product. This seems to be something you offer too often with no experience of sound. You seem to offer this kind of useless advice too often. Stick with the technical stuff. I have heard the Grand Prix alongside the Neuance on a Mana shelf. When you have done the same, then maybe you will have a clue how useless this kind of information is. There is nothing more valuable than experience. Your information is as about useful as me giving advice on how to play chess. I love the game but how dare I give anyone advice on something I know little about. I know I am not going to make many friends with this post. But I am very tired of opinions without experience.
Hi Judit, What ever works is all that matters. Please forgive me if i disagree with your side by side bake-off theory. How else would you know what tastes best?
Judit, I think you are missing my point. To make an opinion on what tastes best, shouldn't one take a taste first before declaring which is best? Or maybe one should look at the recipe without tasting and decide which tastes best. Have I missed your point? If so, please explain to this not so bright boy exactly what you are trying to tell me.
Sorry if i can't quite follow your logic. However, i am all ears to your point I missed. Not faulting your view, just don't quite understand it. Please do not feel that I am being disrespectful. I truly do not understand. To be objective, shouldn't one know what they are talking about? Shouldn't one have some experience to be objective?
Thanks Tireguy,Maybe a different sounding ring, but a welcome ring just the same.

Judit, I think we have come to an agreement. I agree, in fact my point has been as you said "I am only paying attention to what is going on between my ears". I don't think you can give a better answer. This may be viewed simplistic to those who rather blather on, and on, and on, and have all kinds of flimsey excuses or some pseudo intellect that serves no one. What i have quoted you on is all I was trying to say. Thanks for saying it so well with so few words. I reserve my time for those that like to write novels in a different forum. You know, things like books that take you somewhere than the big yawn.
Tom, I agree, let the music be heard. But to be heard, I guess you got to let the music be heard. I see some do not agree with this novel idea.

Sean, I have not thrown a stone at you with any attempt to harm. An opinion means little to me if one has not heard the products one talks about. I cannot or will not attempt to compete with you with words. I have not the skill or the knowledge of the english language that you are so blessed with. If I were, I would probably post as often as you. I just can't compete with you in words. But I can more than hold my own with you with simple logic. My logic escapes you. Your's makes little since to me. I mean no harm my friend. Please never think of me as throwing stones at you. This is a cowards way. I would be the first to come to your aid if i saw stones being thrown at you. Let us put this topic to bed. And if you have anyone throwing stones at you, I have a sure fire slingshot that I will lown you or teach you how to use. i wish nothing but good will to you and those important to you. If you ever think i am throwing stones, they are nothing more than a small ,lightly packed, snowballs.
Sean, thanks so much for this invalueable information which serves you well. I think you are also partially wrong. Your anology escapes me. Not throwing stones. No need to worry, I will no longer respond to this thread.

Twl, i apologize if i have taken your excellent thread and have been the cause of more trouble than help. I am finding it very hard not to throw more of those softly packed snowballs. Again Twl, I hope you will accept my apology.