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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
 
TWL, I posted why I came in here: Lak asked me to check out the Sistrum and also to call the owner. I told him calling him would be pointless, as I would be bombarded with useful information interspersed by a sales pitch. I think the Sistrum does one thing right and that is an advantage over an attempt at doing several and not a single one right. I still do not know how much it costs, so that bias has not been introduced in my brain...

I told Lak that I think he would be better off with Jahaira's design. I find it way superior and more flexible in terms of how to address individual components. With this design one can choose to couple, decouple or use *resistive damping* of individual components. The rack is coupled by means of heavy stainless steel rods with spikes and bolted Brazilian Cedar plywood boards (12 ply) that have a routered rectangular cavity. It is a heavy rack and extremely rigid by all means. The combination of granite slabs, cork/rubber sheets and cones/DIYumas and or Moca wood will allow each individual component to be properly tuned. You could even use Neuance shelves, graphite boards, anything!

Warren, I had to look up that phrenology word. No, my grandmothers did not know that. I learned a few things related to metaphysics and the use of quartz crystals, and Central American Indian "reiki". Never messed with the bad stuff...don't want to go to hell! A lot of this stuff has to do with how we are in tune with ourselves and the environment. An analogy would be that our lives develop a *vector* in the metaphysical realm, much like what the Hindus call Karma; that vector gives our lives a momentum that is sometimes not good. That's why some people go to Psychics like my friend Milvia. I have this very very clear. Milvia's mother told me one day: "We pull them out of the cesspool and they jump right back in..."
ohlala
993 posts
 
It would have been beneficial to just ask sistrum for their technical explanation, post the exp. here, and analyze it. At least you'd be on the same page, ummm, or closer to the same page. But I get the drift that you all maybe a little too tired for that now. Nice back-and-forth, it has been interesting.

With all due respect, Twl, starting this thread doesn't make it your thread.
leftistelf
87 posts
 
Psychicanimal - try the product or start a new thread on the benefits of Ikea-based, brazilian wood racks. Unless you try it, your comments railing against the Sistrum product are theoretically-based, and dont reflect what MY ears hear. I really like it. I'm sure there are other solutions, but I REALLY like this one.

Say whatever you like, unless you try it, you'll never, ever know and might as well be recommending electrostatic speakers over dynamic speakers based on their specs alone...and I'm sure you were as amazed as I was when I heard just how different they are. Try it, try it, try it...
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
True, threads are not owned. They take on a life of their own, sometimes, owing nothing to the original. That's the problem, for me, when it's "my" original post. I love the Sistrum products, and I base my comments on actual listening experiences. There are those who rail on, adnauseam, from nothing other than the theoretical. The ole tympanics are the test. I have yet to hear experiences, from other audiophools, where the Sistrum products were returned because they did not deliver. Let's put this baby to bed. I am...peace, warren
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Reading comprehension problems, once more...

1) I have not "railed" against the Sistrum:

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!

I think the Sistrum does one thing right and that is an advantage over an attempt at doing several and not a single one right. I still do not know how much it costs, so that bias has not been introduced in my brain...


2) I have posted that floor standing racks are not practical in my new place:

In the dedicated listening room I'm about to set up, any floor standing rack is out of the question, BTW.


3) Jahaira's rack is not based on IKEA Lack tables--you go back and read again.

4) Now that you asked, Leftie, I will say that the Systrum has a very strong marketing component behind it, indeed. It caters to people like Lak—it suits his system, most definitely. It would look really corny with my rig. It would not be able to properly support my two Clear Image T4 transformer based filter arrays nor my modded 1200 TT and would be a waste of money, using single ‘shelves’ for all the outboard power supplies I have and little Channel Islands DAC I use. People like me have lots of stuff--big and small--lying around…
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