This Sistrum stuff works


Hi. I just got a bunch of Sistrum products to add to my system. The package arrived, with 2 Sistrum Speaker Platforms, 2 Sistrum Equipment Platforms, 2 sets of AudioPoints, a pair of Sonoran Plateau Desert Speaker Cables, and a pair of Sonoran Plateau Cactus RCA Interconnects.

I wanted to try an entire line of products that were designed to work together, using the unique vibration management system that the Sistrum and Sonoran products have. I thought this approach could have some merit.

I put the products into the system, 1 by 1, and listened for differences. I started with the speaker platforms. I immediately noticed that the slight "boxiness" that was present primarily in the lower midrange was almost eliminated. And the bass, and midbass was much more defined than before. Overall clarity seemed improved, but it was already quite clear to start with. One of the more interesting benefits was that I could play louder than before, with less audible distortion. Then I tried the equipment platforms under my preamp and amp. This improved the focus of the entire presentation by several percent. And again, I could play even louder before noticing any distortion occurring. The next candidate was the Audiopoints under my Teres TT. This was where I noticed an increase in detail and lowering of the noise floor. I had already used BDR cones and Cocobolo Cones under the TT, and these beat both of those quite convincingly. The final thing was the Sonoran Cables. These need some time to break in, but after about 4 hours of playing, this package is giving me the best sound that I have ever gotten from this system. The cables, even right out of the box, were quite open and detailed, with no high-frequency rolloff that I had experienced with some other cables I've tried, like Cardas Golden. After just a few hours, the bass was really showing excellent tonality and control. The mids were as open as my DIY cables, which had previously slain all comers. I expect these Sonoran cables to improve over the next couple of weeks, and that will be a nice treat, because they are already sounding quite good indeed.

Now, I have to admit that I have not tried a boatload of different cables, but I have tried a few. My cone and support situation was in need, and I didn't have a very good vibration control system in place before I got this stuff. Maybe other stuff can do very well too. But I can say that this Sistrum and Sonoran stuff does exactly what it says it does, and I am very pleased with the results that I got on my system.

In addition, I really like the appearance of these products, and that never hurts, even though my audio room looks more like a workshop than a living room. I go primarily for performance, and not looks. The sound is the key issue for me. But good looks are always a positive, if the sound is also good.

I would say that I recieved an honest 15% improvement in the clarity, tonal quality(especially in the low end), and in maximum SPL that I can now attain. Although I didn't measure it, I feel that I got an additional 3db SPL over what I was getting before. And with the improved clarity and tone at the same time. With my low power tube system, this was a very big plus, because it was like getting more power out of my amp. Sistrum claims that when you use their products, you get better efficiency from your system, including amps and speakers, due to proper vibration management. I now believe that this is true, because I experienced that in my testing with my system.

I could heartily recommend these products to others, because I feel that if they work on my system, they will work on others. The technology works. I'm happy.

While other isolation products may be very good, and also other cables may be very good, I feel that these are doing a great job, and have good neutrality, but let the sound and dynamics come through crystal clear, and from top to bottom.

This package wasn't cheap, at about $3000 retail for all the items I got. But it is not anywhere near the high price that alot of other cables and racks cost. I think it strikes a very good level of performance for a reasonable price. I can't buy $8k speaker cables, or $5k audio racks.

I'd recommend them for anyone to try out. They really do work, just as the manufacturer claims.
twl

Showing 8 responses by maxgain

Warrenh, why do you try so hard to provoke me? I am just trying to get some answers from people that I think know something.
O.K., Lak and Twl, we have had some discussions in the past that have been great and very informative.

Can you explain to me why the Systrum stuff is any different than any other cones? I have been playing around with cones starting with the Mod Squad Tip Toes for years. They do change the sound. The Systrum stuff appears to be just two cones, one pointed up and one pointed down. There's a guy here on AGon that pushes this stuff at me like the follower of a cult ministry stuffing literature in my face at an airport and parroting the Audio Point manifesto. Yet I am quite sure he has not tried the alternate method he so adimantly puts down. (you know who you are)I hate to say that this approach tends to turn me off and my reaction is to write it off as "kooky" talk along with everything else he has to say. I am trying to keep an open mind here and hope you two guys can shed some light on this for me.

I tend to be more in the camp of an article written by Doug Blackburn in Soundstage, under the link, columns, "Exploding the Myth of the Cone Footer". Blackburn feels that they are(pun intended)somewhat pointless. He makes the case that the scientific community relies on pneumatic and hydraulic devices for use with devices like laser support platforms and microscopes and that no other apptication can be found for cone points other that in high end audio.

To use another example to ilustrate the devide among some of us, who seem to agree on many other topics,I piont to Alan Kafton at Audio Excellence. You guys seem to be on the same page with him on many items, like Vouight Pipes, cryo treated Hubbell outlets,& tube electronics, yet Alan(though I can't speak for him) is selling and obviously belives in the Tounshend Audio products such as the Seismic Sink.

I have no direct experience with the Systrun stuff so I am not syaing it does not do what you say it does. I don't have an unlimited budget to try every device, cable,& tweak out there(I wish I did!). I just wonder what gives here?
but a little face...
Warrenh, is this directed at me? What the hell are you getting at?
Twl, thanks for the reply.

I do wonder if it is dependant on the type of floor you have? I have a carpet covered, plywood and wood joist floor, over a shallow crawl space, for my listening room. I can't imagine wanting to transfer any more vibration into it.

This is why I asked you and Lak specifically to respond as I sort of have an idea where you both are coming from. I find MOST of the other posts to be of value as well. I asked this question because there seems to be such a high degree of polarity on this topic. Yes I am an isolation"ist" and can see from my system listing what I have been up to. Just trying to get as much info as I can soak up.
Twl, I do appreciate your reporting approach rather than the, jamming it down my throat, this is the only way it could possibly be, dumb ass, approach I have gotten before about the Systrum stuff. I think you have done a good job with the review and welcome the info.
OK Warrenh. So what other products have you tried? I assume that you have owned all of the Bright Star products? The Seismic Sink? The Vibraplane? You oppinion must be based on something other than just what propaganda you read on the Star Audio web site. I just get a bit weary of you telling me over and over and over how wrong I am on this topic as you said your self "beating you(me)to death with this crap", oh sorry, make that rap. I would just like to establish that you have some shred of credability. I, on the other hand have been involved in experiments on this topic beginning in the mid eighties. What were you doing then Warrenh? I bet you were busy watching cartoons. Oh, but the TV was on cones!
I should know by now when to get away from a post. The warrening signs were there very early on.

Thanks for the informative post & review Twl. I was hoping to hear a bit more from Larry as I value his opinion as well.

Like I said up front I am from a different camp. Time to go back there. I don't think Jimmy Carter can bring the two sides together on this one. I guess there is nothing more to learn here.

Latter guys.
Lak, thanks that's about as good an answer as I can ask for. I am just wondering if you have ever discussed the matter with Alan Kafton, as you guys seem to see eye to eye on so many other things.

As for you Warrenh, it was simple question. But that is what I have come to expect whenever I see your user name appear in a thread.

P.S.I think you may be drinking way too much coffee already.