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Stillpoints - snake oil?

Anybody here using Stillpoints Ultras? My dealer thinks highly of them, but I am very suspicious.
thyname
dgarretson
2,394 posts
 

@david_ten I never tried three with the Merlins, as these speakers have a small crossection that gets tippy with three points. However, I have used up to five Ultra 5s and Ultra SSs under electronics and turntables with incremental improvements. Same thing with Starsound Audiopoints under an Esoteric K-01X CDP, where I use six Audiopoints into a Rhythm rack.  BTW, even after all of that, the Esoteric benefits from a Stillpoints LPI record weight at the center of its aluminum top plate!

david_ten
2,509 posts
 
@dgarretson Thanks! I like the idea of improvements as one adds more points of connection...well, except for the added spend. :)

Any advice or perspective on Star Sound vs Stillpoints (beyond what you have already shared in a post above)? Application is for speakers. Thanks.
tobor007's avatar
tobor007
59 posts
 
May have missed it, is there any specification data with these isolation feet? No? I can hang my components via wires to my ceiling for less money. That's isolation. Uh-Oh, do I need high end wires?    
dgarretson
2,394 posts
 

@david_ten Unfortunately, the profile of my current speaker is too narrow for a Starsound platform. It’s difficult to compare the two manufacturers, as Starsound racks are complete systems and Stillpoints are footers. I do prefer Stillpoints for TTs, as they can also function as leveling devices.

@tobor007 The theory is that a good footer also serves to conduct vibration out of a component to earth.

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
A downside of more points of connection is, each one carries less weight. Part of the design is to channel all the weight through. When there are 'more than three', the problem arises of balancing the stress each is under. IE with four, one may be slacking off. With five, two may be slacking off, and creating more problems. It is a lot harder to adjust FIVE than four. When I had speaker stands with four spikes, I had to use a system to allow me to pull on a film under the spike on a pad. So I could find the height that gave each foot the same pressure. a PITA if I wanted to move them. (had to do all over again.) with five, just adds to it.
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