I have not compared the StillPoints rack with the GPA but with the Halcyonics. Actually, that is not really correct. I was able to put everything on StillPoints and only three components (amp, tt, and digital) on Halcyonics units. Everything on StillPoints greatly outperforms three pieces on Halcyonics. The sense of involvement in the music and lead edge were much improved. I do wonder what everything on Halcyonics would sound like but prices on Halcyonics have sored and they take up too much room.
There have been complaints about the acrylic shelves. I have a set of what StillPoints calls their OEM feet between my linestage and an acrylic shelf and this was a major improvement in soundstage precision and dynamics. |
Albert, at CES, or really THE Show, StillPoints showed their component stands combined with vertical pillars between them. This allows making a stand with many different heights, widths, and depths. You could fit one into your frame.
I am told that such a rack is the equal of the StillPoints rack. I have yet to compare one with my rack. I will soon have the capability to do so, but the component stand rack is to allow me to isolate all the components that I use, not just that fit on my rack. One real benefit of the component stand rack is not having the acrylic shelves. |
Samuel, so the acrylic shelves do really hurt the sound. I know that StillPoints is going to have an alternative shelf at some point. All that could be done now is to add component stands to the top layer of the rack. Doing so on the lower shelves would make them unusable.
Thanks for the report. |
Marc777, it makes no difference up or down. On components I have the heads up; on the speakers down. On the amp and turntable, I mounted the Ultras on the top of SP Component Stands in the up position on the sliders. This gives two levels of their isolation, although that on the Component Stand is old technology. |
I understood, Grant. I must admit that I have a bias against acrylic but nevertheless think the StillPoints rack is outstanding. I found the OEM feet between my linestage and the acrylic shelf added greatly to the sound. |
Marc777, the same technology that is in the StillPoints Ultra SSs is in the new StillPoints Racks. It is a major improvement akin to that with the Ultras. As much as I like the SR MIGs, the SP Ultras are the best. |
Marc777, basically I now have them everywhere. They are considerably more expensive than the SR MIGs, which are second best IMHO, but so much better than anything else in my experience that I just had to buy them. This includes the Symposium Rollerblocks with the #3 balls. Check out the one review on the Ultra SSs. |
Ebm, on what basis do you claim the Symposium best? Perhaps in your personal opinion? |
Albert, I had the Stillpoint stands before the new technology and thought they were the most effective isolation I had ever heard. Then after hearing the new Ultra SSs and being shocked at their performance even on the StillPoint Stand, I learned that you could install the new technology on the stand's rails. I did that and again it was a massive improvement, but still the StillPoint Ultras on the acrylic shelves greatly improved the sound. I think you are in for a treat, but the Ultra SSs will give you further improvement. I have said all of this in my StereoTimes reviews. |
Theaudiotweak, I have another axiom-you cannot ever have too much isolation, or at least too many Ultra SSs. I have heard the benefits of Ultra SSs on the sliders on my StillPoints Component stands. A substantial improvement. I have heard also the benefits of Ultra SSs as the feet under this stand. Another major improvement. A friend reports the benefit of using an Accapella platform on the Ultra SSs on sliders above and with another layer of Ultra SSs on the platform.
Even with the "new technology" in my StillPoint Rack, I found major improvement with Ultra SSs under components on the acrylic shelves on the Rack. StillPoints even notes that putting the Ultra SSs directly on the rails of the Rack and not using the acrylic shelves is a major improvement.
What impresses me with all of this is how insidious vibration is. No one has mentioned the vibration of cables, but again I know all too well, that there is great benefit for isolating them from vibration. |
Theaudiotweak, I have been engaged in controlling resonances since the days of marble suspended on slit racketballs and Mode Squad TipToes. Most of these efforts amounted to spring with a resonant frequency somewhere. I have made comparisons of many such devices and chosen the better of the two tested, but always with most modest gain.
At one point I got a Halcyonic active device with no resonant frequency and thought it was quite good but very expensive. I could never afford more than two of these. The first StillPoints Rack with all components on it was far better than two Halcyonics and with the other components on Mana stands.
I think that the Ultras far surpass any prior device I have tried. They greatly reduce vertical vibrations. I also very much like the SR MIGs but have no idea why these cups should be effective. |
