Review: Sistrum Mini-Minitor Platform Support-SMM 1 Stand


Category: Accessories

This is my first, and perhaps my only chance, to review something that no one, other than a very few, have experienced. Usually, by the time a review hits the Audiogon, it has been reviewed adnauseam. I was so excited, like a kid in a toy store, about these stands that I just had to try this. Well here goes.
About 6 months ago I was recommended to Star Sound Technologies/Audiopoints, through a post in Audiogon, responding to concerns I had about subwoofer resonances. It was, at this time, that I became aware, through reading literature and phone conversations, about the science of resonance energy transfer. I thought, like most of us, to isolate or decouple my subwoofer. The de-coupling process, as you all know, is an accepted way to achieve isolation from vibrations within and surrounding components/speakers. One of the basic rules of physics is that all energy seeks earth's ground. There are huge amounts of resonances that accumulate in and on the surface of speaker cabinets. Also, the speaker, itself, produces a wide range of frequencies, generating large amounts of resonances that are airborne. How can you isolate anything from airborne energy? You can't. Star Sound Tech believes that absorptive materials kill live dynamics. They believe that their system of energy transference is a more precise method to controlling resonance, yet maintain, or even extend the levels of live dynamics. They have developed a new, revolutionary,cutting edge, speaker support system utilizing principles that they have been utilizing in their, already, sucessful Sistrum Rack Systems, that allows the speaker generated resonances and the associated airborner resonances to happen. If it vibrates; let it. This is a concept that we just don't hear about. Absorb, absorb. Isolate, isolate! Well, their speaker support system is a complex vibrating conduit, composed of a secret (patent pending) metallurgy formula, and added geometrical design that directs, very expeditiously, resonances to earth's ground with no back-feeding effects. Now, this is as technical as I am willing and feel competent to go.
Okay already, you're thinking. Where are you going with this? What about the sound? That's the deal isn't it? Well it 'tis and it's really quite astonishing. I am a very tough sell, and not easily influenced by what anyone says, but rather what my ears tell me. I'm very confident in them, and am not easily moved to what's popular
and "in vogue." My ears have never steered me wrong. Now with that whole rap, you say, who the hell am I? Just a simple audio lover like you guys, trying to get the word out about something special going on in the land of speakerstandom. The sound of my system has dramatically changed particularly (profoundly is really a better word. I'm trying not to be overdramatic) in the bass and midrange. Less amplifier power needed, as a result, since there is no absorption to deaden the sound. The sound is out of this world effortless, more focused, tighter, not harsh, and nonfatiguing. I know this sounds like a cable review, but it's so freak'n dramatic. I'm not one for all the ubiquitous, adjectival, mumbo jumbo descriptive talk. It's still, just words. Check these babies out, and go where no man, but me and a few others, have gone before. I never realized the deleterious effect (absorptive) stands have on the music. They are as important a component as any in an audio system. If you go by (I do) the premise that a system is as good as it's weakest link: this is one link that is having a major affect on my system. I'm not Sam Tellig, or nearly competent as he, but I love this hobby and I truly feel that I have come across something drop dead amazing. By the way, these stands are aesthetically cool design wise. Like nothing you've every seen. If you read more on their website you'll, perhaps like I did, find their technical concepts to be solid, believable and ultimately provable: with your ears.
Thanks for listening,
warren

Associated gear
YBA Integre amp
Micro Mega Stage 1 CD player
Revel M 20 speakers
Lat international cables, interconnects,powercords
Sunfire Architectural subwoofer
Sistrum speaker platform for subwoofer
Audio Magic Stealth
All components coupled including rack with Audio Points.

Similar products
Revel original speaker stands
128x128warrenh
$1295 for this one - I believe there is a younger brother for around $700 too.
I got the sistrum racks for my whole a/v system and they are fantastic. Pretty cool to look at too. The sound difference is obvious and immediate.
Although I have yet to be convinced by anyone claiming that vibrational transfer can be a one-way street, or that vibrations seek 'ground' like electricity, I do agree that speakers sound best when rigidly coupled to a non-resonant floor, and that means through a rigid stand if they're small monitors. Thanks for a nicely-done review, and I will check out the website for the manufacturer.
You can't get any more rigid than this stand. Each cone weighs 25 pounds and is seriously coupled to the floor via audio points. My speakers sit atop these and feel like they're sitting on a cement floor.
Hello,

I, too used the Sistrum SP-1 for my Velodyne HGS-18II and did notice tighter bass and less boomy. I also placed the SP-4 between the Linbrooks monitor and stand filled with Systrum micro bearings. Again, the bass is tighter, more sparkle on the trebles, better soundstaging. I also tried their hookup wires for the Linbrooks's outboard crossovers with better result in comparision to the stock DH Labs T-14 cables.
If anyone is using the Sistrum audio rack, please let me know if it makes a difference.

Thanks and best regards,