Stillpoints Ultra SS under your speakers?

Tbg, what you're describing might be true, though the Magico S5's have 3 factory spikes on each speaker, so to replace the factory feet using the short thread adaptors from Stillpoints, you only need 2 pairs of 3. Imho, running 3 Ultra 5's with the Ultra bases is more than enough isolation. With the Ultra bases they are already more effective than the standard Ultra 5's, and way more effective than the factory spikes/cups. You can go silly on this hobby. A wise person once told me your system has to be balanced.

Melbguy1, buy two more SP Ultra Fives and compare four of them with three of them. One warning is be certain that all four are in contact between the speakers and the floor. You will keep eight rather than six. Yes, five are even better. Incidentally, this is true also of all components, at least in my experience and yes including the need to make certain that all four are in contact.

Tbg, I've become a believer in Stillpoints and agree with your comments regarding the Ultra 5's. I recently ordered a pair of Magico S5's and plan to use a set of 3 Ultra 5's with the Ultra bases under each speaker, and plan to buy 2 more sets of 4 Ultra SS to go under my amps. And when I upgrade my source next year, I plan to use a set of 4 Ultra 5's in that application.

Geraldbarry & Richards, initially I used four SP Ultra SSs under my Tidal speakers. I was amazed at the benefit. Shortly thereafter I heard a demonstration of the SSs versus the Ultra Fives and bought 8 on the spot. They are at least five times better than the Ultra SSs.

While the Ultra SSs can be slightly adjusted for height without being threaded into the speakers, the basic Ultra Fives unless they are threaded into the speakers or have the special base, cannot be raised or lowered.

Gerald, I'm also using Stillpoints under my YG Carmels, though the AL version, with quite good results. May I ask, are you using posts with them to couple to the speakers, or are they just placed beneath? Are you using them to tilt the speakers back at all? Wood or carpet underneath? Thanks in advance.

I have been using Stillpoints for about a year in my system which comprises YG Carmels, Vitus 025, DCS Puccini and matching word clock,MD 108 and Entreq cables and silver Tellus.
When I put six SS Ultras under the speakers the difference was immediately clear. Reduced noise floor, greater transparency and a distinctly more musical presentation.I now have the SSs under the Vitus and the cheaper Minimus under other components. I have also heard them (Minimus) under less expensive Naim amplifiers and the improvement is significant.
I will upgrade the Minimus to Ultras in the near future.
I understand that YG are not yet sold on the benefits of Stillpoints but my ears tell me they do improve the already excellent sound of the Carmels.
In short see if you can have a demo set if at all possible and I would be surprised if you didn't keep them

Hifisand, I have never gone beyond four SPs Ultra Five, but four is definitely better than three. IF you carefully get all four in contact with the component. Since you have bases for your Fives, you can make micro adjustments to get all four in contact. Otherwise you would have to find tiny shims to get that contact.

All that I can really say is that I can clearly hear the benefits under speakers and my amps. I use four of either SSs, Minis, or Five everywhere. Incidentally, I once asked Paul Wakeen whether five were better than four. He said apparently as he has a customer who has a six legged SP Component Stand with six Ultra SSs on it. I am not going there.

Heymikey,
I have Maggie 3.7 on Mye stands. I am using 3 Ultra 5's on each. (3 was all I could afford for now). Completely changed sound for the better (on hardwood floor). When I added the bases to see if they would still improve sound more (they did), my dealer could not believe sound change that occurred as I Removed 5's to add bases.
For your info the ultra 5's are just sitting on the floor. the Mye stands sit on top of 5's - two in front and one in middle of rear bar. They are not screwed into the stand. this puts devices closest to speaker.

Hi Mikey

I know this is rather late in the game but don't be too concerned if Bobby will approve or disapprove. The bottom line is what you approve. I can't comment on the stillpoint ultra BUT many years back I tried and still use the stillpoint speaker/component 3 point stands and can say that in MY situation it realized an improvement in soundstage and overall enjoyment. The points provided by Bobby work quite well but there ARE differences in the presentation. My memory at the time, and it was quite clear then is that the Stillpoints were clearly more preferable overall, a more relaxed presentation. I can't be more specific since it was a while back but they came out on top. Kind of vague I know but once I make a decision that is clear I don't look back. After all, I would rather listen than spend too much time tweeking, but that's me. The ONE area where his points took top billing by my recollection was in the bass in the respect that it was more incisive. This could very well be preference based but my guess is that Bobby didn't hear the stillpoints to offer a legitimate comparative analysis.

I have come to the realization over years in this hobby that people often have very strong opinions regarding their choices. Bobby P is one such person. While I hold him in the highest regard in respect to offering sound advice to people that purchase his speakers there is a point where we each have to go our own way. I say this having lived and experimented with many combinations with the Merlin's, 13 years. The one thing that is constant is that I feel he has a GREAT 2-way design and regardless of whether I agree with him on all points, one thing I will never dispute and will defend him to the end is his committment and genuine caring that the people that make a purchase in his speakers find total musical enjoyment. This is something that is detractors just don't understand or get. They just don't KNOW how deeply rooted that committment is. Good business, for sure but believe me, it is more than than just a good business model, he cares.

Tbg,you gave me a good chuckle!

Kiddman, I know a guy with 84 SP Ultra Five. That is real reverence.

Oops, I was looking for an audio forum and ended up on a religion forum. Sorry....

Heymikey, I have tried the Ultra SSs and the Ultra Fives under both Tidal Contrivas and BMC Arcadias. I am on a suspended wood floor with no carpeting under the speakers.

The SP Ultra SSs were dramatic, almost unbelievable. The sound stage took on great realism. I bought many more for use under components. Then I went to CES where the Ultra Fives were introduced. I heard a demonstration with the Fives substituted for the SSs. I took home eight Ultra Fives. On both speakers and my amps the SP Ultra Fives literally made the SP Ultra SSs sound broken or in effective. It is like going from a $5k amp to a $10k amp and similar for speakers.

I should note that I reviewed both and said most of this.

I originally purchase 8 of these to place under my source components but after reading about loudspeaker coupling/decoupling (http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/whitepaper/Genesis_Loudspeaker_Coupling_Decoupling.pdf), I decided to try these under my Vandersteen 3A Signatures. I got the same results as Maril555 above, the bass was enough of an improvement that I purchased another 4 and placed the remainder under my pair of Vandersteen 2Wq's. The results weren't as dramatic as with the 3A's but enough that I left them in. One thing I do like about them, it's a whole lot easier to move speakers around without those spikes digging into the carpet.

I am using big aurios pro under my Merlins and love them. Better than spikes coupled to hard wood floor. I use BDR disc (about 1/2" thick) in-between speaker and aurios. pm me for details...

Yes, Stillpoints is no longer the only one. Besides Track Audio (I just love their speaker stands), there is also Spiral Groove's Strange Attractors. I also love those laminated bamboo speakers, designed by Joachim Gerhard of Audio Physic fame!

I find it interesting that there’s so much talk both here and in the rags about the Stillpoints vibration control devices... but no talk in comparison or aside about Finite Elemente’s vibration control devices. At the Ultra’s price point of $225 each, the Stillpoints devices darn well better work magic. In comparison, the Finite Elemente’s can be had for a song. I own the Finite Elemente Compact devices and like them. Did Finite Elemente do something to tick off the audio gods?

I have used the Ultra SS and they were clearly better than the Edensound brass footers I had been using. At the same time, I managed to get hold of Track Audio Isolation feet, which are on sale in the US. The Stillpoints went back. Track Audio made a significant extra immprovement over the Stillpoints, in what footers, collectively, always seem to do, namely detail and base definition particularly.

They are comparably expensive to the Stillpoint Ultras, so of course, try and get a loaner if you can, But I heartily recommend them, at least as used under my Daedalus Audio DA-RMAs

Any update? Did you try them?

Sorry Jcote, that's not what I hear. The SS option is a significant improvement over the aluminum.

There's always the Ultra AL...much more affordable and 95% of the performance (if not 100%).

disclaimer...I'm selling 8 of them since I'm disassembling my entire system.

Thanks Vladimir. I have to say that I can barely afford the Ultra ss version. If you have the Ultra 5's, all I can say is congrats! Tell me what they do for you, if you do have them.

And Stillpoints Ultra 5s are probably still better, under any speakers.

Thanks Heinrich. I'm looking forward to installing and evaluating the Stillpoints. I know you are already a believer!

Stillpoints Ultra SS isn't just another tweek its a necessity. I have them under my speakers. I had Walker Audio Point's....One of the better cones out there. They don't compare to the Ultra's. I can't wait to pick up a few more for cd and amp.

Thanks for your response. I know that the only way to really find out is to just put them on and see.
I've had many conversations with Bobby in the past and have found him to be very helpful and knowledgeable. He also knows what works best for his speakers, and in my experience takes a rather dim view of deviating from the norm (no disrespect Bobby!).
I have the Stillpoints Ultra SS on order (they're pricey!), and will check them out. If there is not a noticeable improvement, I'll go back to the spikes and try the Stillpoints under the Vac Sigma 160I amp.

I tried them under my Avantgarde Duo Omega G2. They increase detail, tighten up bass and make sound stage more "precise".
I cannot comment on if my experience with Avantgarde will translate exactly to your Merlins.
I wonder, why do you think Bobby Palkovich would disapprove?