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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
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
My comments are based on a lot of hours using many types and combinations of isolating damping materials and devices in several setups (the result of a nomadic lifestyle). They are not theoretical. My experience is such that Lak asked me to check things out for him regarding this particular rack. I would never care about an expensive rack, especially after seeing Jahaira's rack in action.

If this guy that makes the Sistrum had a treasure he would have marketed his concepts to the global industrial/laboratory sector and would be making far more money. It's only logical. Sorry, but I can't separate myself from being a professional scientist, a psychic and an animal...

Now check this out:

The point was designed to be an exit point only, it is not a re entry point. The tip of the point is therefor a coupling point. This one way in, one way out purposeful design makes the Audiopoint the most efficient coupling device on the market.

Is this original thinking or paraphrased copywriting? My Goldmund cones' literature say something very similar: the body being of steel, straight at first and then funnelling and the tip made of a different material (HSS) to drain vibrations in one direction even faster, blah, blah, blah..." This is simply a thermodynamic impossibility.

This is not to say that the Systrum is not a step in the right direction. It is a step in the right direction. Whether it's worth the money is another story. Can I make something better looking and better performing for less? Ask a psychic! In the dedicated listening room I'm about to set up, any floor standing rack is out of the question, BTW.

As for Lak, hell, he only uses 5 Watts...he doesn't pop up the volume like I do!!!
fbhifi
108 posts
 
I'm confused about something. Tom's most recent comments about the flat side of the Audiopoint being the collection area and the point being the exit point- is consistent w/ my long term understanding of energy transfer. What I don't get is that the Audiopoints used on the shelves are pointed UP TOWARDS THE COMPONENT. This would suggest that these Audiopoints are directing energies INTO not OUT OF the components !! Can someone clarify this apparent inconsistantcy.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
Hey, I've got to laugh at myself. These threads on are so damn long, that I said just about the same thing 6 weeks ago, thinking it was a different thread. Got's to laugh. It's a beautiful day here. carpe diem my fellow audiophools. warren
theaudiotweak
1,793 posts
 
Fbhifi you are correct. The points on a Sistrum rack are with the point side up, facing the bottom of the equipment. The point itself is is directly coupled to a much larger tuned Sistrum collection device, namely the shelf. The shelf if it where simply a solid rectangular piece of metal, wood or resin would not act as a resonance collection device. Shelves as discribed would act much like any other branded shelf namely to dampen and store. The Audiopoint in this application is only effective when mounted to the Sistrum shelf. It works like mechanical amplifier/megaphone, when mounted to the much larger Sistrum shelf.. If the point where mounted upside down directly to a much larger mass such as Earth the Audiopoint would be rendered totally ineffecvtive. Tom
fbhifi
108 posts
 
Theaudiotweak- You state that "The point was designed to be an exit point only, it is not a re entry point." How then can it function as a re-entry point when attached to the shelf on the Sistrum rack ? It appears that it is not actually a "... one way in, one way out purposeful design..." How do you explain this obvious contradiction ?
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