2. misc-audio
  3. 1043195561

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 5 responses by ksales

ksales
228 posts
 
I want to jump into the amen corner. I have a whole line of star sound products. I purchased the Sistrum racks. Sonoran plateau speaker cable, interconnects all around, and harmonic precision 110 amps. Their performance is remarkable. The amazing thing is that over time I have noticed consistent improvement. I was skeptical of the gear at first considering that for high end equipment the price was pretty reasonable. However, I started by listening to a friends cable and was very impressed. After having been dedicated to nordost for years I found the sonoran to be revealing while still retaining a certain warmth I found very satisfying. I still use nordost on a second system, but may even change on that as well.
The stands are as described by others. The amps are really the blow away factor for me. I was utterly committed to going to real big boy amps. I had demod many products including krell,spectral, and Mark Levinson. All were great and absolutely was going to get the ML 436 which was fabulous. My buddy convinced me to demo the hps and after initial bad impression because of the need for breakin was totally impressed by the warm tube like character of these amps plus the rather surprising dynamic range despite what appears to be a low power match for my Revel Studio speakers. To say I am sold on this as the others is an understatement. I have refrained recentlyfrom being quite as vocal because sometimes when you really love gear here people do accuse you of being an insider. I am just a buyer. I put my money into this gear. The cable I purchased was approximately 12 40-50 ft. runs. I paid a lot, but a fraction of what Nordost Cardas, or Kimber would have charged. My room is prewired for the future Tom 10+ standard.
ksales
228 posts
 
I have noticed a difference in the general soundstage of my equipment since getting the sistrum racks. How much is rather hard to quantify. Frankly I am not quite as bowled over by the cones as others, although for the money the rack is a great piece and worhwhile. Most high end speaker manufacturers reccomend spikes so to a certain extent the cones certainly have credibility. With my system it is more difficult to evaluate the full impact of the racks because so much else good is going on. However, the cable and amps without question made a huge positive contribution. When my wife, who prefers a boom box to almost anything, remarks at the difference in sound when the cable was added, and then noticed even more improvement with the amps without having any knowledge that I had done anything to the system, you know something good is happening.
ksales
228 posts
 
I respect Tom's opinions primarily because he understand this stuff better than I do. However in setting up my system I took great care to create a dedicated equipment closet. While it is next to my listening area and is accessed by doors from my listening room the doors are a heavy duty acoustical doors. Its unfortunate some of us get a little touchy on these threads, but such is human nature. I am sure everyone means well. This debate about equipment separation is ripe for a whole new thread. Tom's point is that the resonance created by nature is present in the separate listening area and in his view the total concept of the starsound stuff reduces these resonances or vibration. I obviously agree to a certain extent since I bought the gear. On the other hand I don't understand the physics enough to adequately weigh in. Personally I think it is helpful to isolate equipment and have always attempted to do so. I would say I was in a minority among high end enthusiasts in that most of the really good system I have heard place the equipment front and center. Frankly from a physics standpoint I don't know the answer. Someone else will have to address the issue.
ksales
228 posts
 
Guys some times these threads sound like the crossfire spoof on SNL where the guy's response is "Jane you ignorant slut". Frankly I looked at the Grand Prix Audio site and there stuff looks cool and they do have some tech support for their stuff, but it sure looks like a whole lot of marketing. I mean formula car names for racks and other race car illusions are fairly typical male marketing ploys. Plus some of their science is not very strong. Lead shot is ok but the micro bearings used by starsound are a step beyond. I am not particularly a fan of glass shelves although many use em and find them ok. The sistrum stuff is like a tank; the metal shelves fixed in place with screw in an integrated system. While I really like the looks of the Grand Prix stuff their are several other mfgrs. who make a very similar product. At this point sistrum is somewhat unique, which doesn't mean its good. I agree that their website although improved needs more detailed info. I have encouraged them to do so and anyone interested in the products should email them and urge the posting of their scientific data for review. Also we should all consider a critique of statements made rather than the individual making them.
ksales
228 posts
 
I love their stuff. The price isn't terrible. I don't if it is better than sliced bread but it is good quality gear.
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