Sistrum or Neuance or...?

Thanks everyone. I'm not looking for a full rack solution right now since I already have a Salamander rack that my wife likes plus it keeps dogs and kids out of the system. Someday though.

Both Sistrum and Neuance offer single platforms, as well as other companies. Sounds like they are both well liked. I've dealt with Neuance before and was happy with the result but I wanted to hear about other options.

A Mana rack may work in my headphone system where I could use some isolation as well. However, looking at the Mana web site is confusing. it's hard to know how all those pieces fit together. Rtn1, your 3 tier Mana rack looks like it might work though.

I have ordered a apir of Sistrum platforms for my speakers and a platform for my transport. Because of the height of the Sistrum platforms I can only fit one into my rack. I'll try it out and see what happens. I can fit 2 Neuance platforms into my rack which I may try later if there is no appreciable difference with the Sistrum.

Robert at Sistrum was very helpful and went into all kinds of detail beyond the basics that was way over my head.

This thread seems to have turned into doubt about the Sistrum product,
but let me tell you they work! I just received mine late yesterday --
speakers platforms and a platform for my transport -- and set them up
last night. I turned the music on and immediately noticed a clear
improvement in transparency, attack and decay, dynamics and dynamic
contrast, tighter bass, and crisper highs. The music appears out of
nothing and fades into nothing. I played a space music CD where the
music comes on very slowly and quietly and decays the same. Minute
details were more clear in this music and it just seemed to fade infinitely
to blackness. It was really enthralling. Keb Mo's slide guitar snapped
crisply, his voice sounding a bit more nasal like it does in life. The sound
was more live than before. The effect is greater than the sum of the
parts. This tweak is a great value.

To be fair, I also installed some homemade cable elevators made of
cardboard and this could have contributed to the improvement. (BTW,
the styrofoam that comes with the Sistrum platforms would probably
make a great cable elevator.)

It is tricky to get heavy speakers aligned on the speaker platforms, but I
was finally able to get it virtually perfect. My only concern is that when
the big earthquake comes to California it won't take long for them to
topple (but they would probably topple anyway).

I only wish I had room in my rack to put a Sistrum under my DAC. The
platform under my transport is about 4" high and the transport is
a top-loader so this package takes up a lot of space.

One thing this exercise solidified for me is that there are so many
inexpensive (relatively speaking) tweaks that can bring any system to
life. It's a package deal.

There are a lot of egos in this thread. Nothing like pumping up is there!
One thing I've learned is never comment on something unless you've
tried it. I'm assuming all the negative comments on this thread about
Sistrum are from those who have tried it and found it didn't make a
difference in their system. I remember a lot of engineers arguing in the
comfort of their gov't offices that a small piece of foam couldn't damage
the space shuttle. I don't know, did they try it?

I think Lonelynote's response was perfectly appropriate. Often times manufacturers who participate in these forums end up either sticking their foot in their mouth by getting involved in petty arguments or they get harassed by people who seem to enjoy trying to outwit a product designer (presumably to confirm they are intellectually superior to everyone on earth). Lonelynote simply stuck his voice in to say let's talk. I thought his tone was upbeat and open instead of argumentive. I don't agree that this thread is the best way for a manufacturer to talk about their products. They have web sites for that and many will take the time to talk on the phone or email.

I think it can be more difficult to understand or accept the technology behind products like Sistrum instead of, for example, a simple amplifier circuit. This creates more doubters than usual because it seems pretty esoteric. But there appears to be a number of people on this forum that have tried Sistrum platforms in their systems and had outstanding results. There is one reviewer on Audio Asylum who claims installing Sistrum platforms in his system was his best audio discovery in 30 years of love for the hobby.

OK, A few of my comments were petty. I apologize. But FWIW, I'm still loving my Sistrum platforms.

I have both Sistrum and Neuance and both work great! Take your pick, you win or you win. Trust your ears!