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How an audio rack can enhance your amp/pre



Just thought I would share my recent experience with upgrading my sound star technologies rack to the new rhythm rack.

Every now and then, I have a visiting audiophile who really appreciates my system…and traditionally asks – “wow, what makes it sound so good?” My typical answer is it all makes a difference, even down the equipment rack, which can and certainly should be considered a component…but in many cases is overlooked…

Star Sound introduction

About 10 years ago, I was introduced to Star Sound Technologies Sistrum platforms and Audio Points. Audiopoints has always been known for its manufacture of well-designed and beautifully manufactured brass cones used under equipment and as an integral part of an audio stand. This ultimately led to the design of stands designed to transfer vibrations out of components and down to ground. What I didn’t know at the time was how good the Sistrum platforms ‘sounded’. So, I bit the bullet and tried several Sistrum Platforms - what intrigued me about the stands was the design of the Sistrum Platform which allowed a pre-determined pattern of energy, known as Coulomb Friction to develop and dissipate via a high-speed calculated conductive pathway to earth's ground. Which made sense…how do you deal with airborne energy dissipation? I know you could put cones to reduce vibrations from the ‘ground up’ so to speak, but how could you eliminate airborne vibration? We’ve all held our hand on our equipment when music is playing only to feel the equipment vibrate, so how do you deal with it? Draining it quickly to ground made sense, but at the end of the day, all I really wanted to know was…does it improve the sound?

To say I was shocked is an understatement - the Original Sistrum Platforms offered – smoother sound, better transients, dynamics and a lower noise floor. And, the cool part is that you could turn up the sound and the music would flow with greater ease…well worth the investment. Robert at Star Sound was extremely helpful in guiding me through which racks made the most sense for my system.

Rhythm Platforms

Which brings me to 2015…it had been a while since I last spoke with Robert curious as to what his engineering team was up to…which led me to check out the ‘new’ model of Sistrum Stands – the Sistrum Rhythm Platforms.

These new platforms / shelves were substantially heavier, with a nicer overall finish than the original stands, with more grooves allowing for substantially more options to place points in various places under your equipment to refine the sound even further. In addition, the shelves were engineered to deal with resonances in a more efficient manner…The brass cones at the bottom of the rack were substantially bigger in size - 3 inches and quite heavy. The brass cones under the equipment were attached with nicely crafted screws that could be hand tightened and no longer required a screw driver… a nice feature making it both easier to put together but also the amount of tightening could influence the sound. The brass and platform rods are modular, making it easier to put together and painted in a beautiful black finish – in combination with the brass I would say the improvement in the WAF factor is significant – the stands are really impressive to look at. As for structure, these things were a solid as could be – and heavy! Not going anywhere, even in an earthquake!

My system includes VAC equipment, preamp, amps, DAC and a transport. As well as power supplies. Most of which now rested on the new Rhythm Platform.

Listening Impressions:

My first impressions were clearly a lower noise floor with enhanced dynamics, while also being able to hear deeper into the soundstage, which now extended well outside of the speakers. Tempo was faster, due to better-defined, leading edges. The high end was ‘cleaner’, with more sheen and decay on symbols and hi hats. Brass had that right bite to it, without over doing it…Bass lines were tighter which led to better ‘rhythm’ … and best of all, I could crank up the volume and the dynamic range seemed to extend effortlessly, which was a nice surprise.

One thing I noticed, that was true of my initial experience with Sistrum Platforms, is that the newer Rhythm Platforms sounded progressively better after 3 days of ‘settling’ and reached full potential after about 1 week. So some form of break in is required.
Over the years, I’ve tried different racks and various cones under equipment, whether if be soft, hard, ceramic, rubber (or some variation of ‘absorbing material’ etc.) you name it. All of which ‘altered’ the sound, but nothing came close to the Sistrum Stands holistically; while the new Rhythm stands, just take it all to a higher level…
While I cannot expound eloquently on science of Coulomb’s Friction, I can tell you that whatever they are doing at Star Sound visa vie their racks, it works…and it’s not subtle. This is a very audible improvement in your listening experience. If you want your system to perform at its highest level, I would suggest that you maximize your investment in your equipment by letting it do what it does best and put it on a Sistrum rack that will allow it to perform at its best. And if you want the best, I would strongly recommend the Rhythm Platforms.
wisper
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The mass on spring device is of course a low pass filter that increases effectiveness of isoaltion as frequency of vibration increases. So the idea that turntable vibrations (which are relatively high in frequency) will be transmitted from the top plate of the spring platform is probably not true. The mass on spring device is very effective by the time the frequency is say 20 Hz. This is why on my device (Geoffkait's spring platform) I incorporated dampers on the top plate to dissipate excess energy that could arise from either energy passing upwards to the top plate or from the component mounted on the top plate. Way back when I employed the Tekna Sonic dampers that work very well in this application, these days I make a different but similar device, a constrained layer damper for the top plate of iso stands, large transformers, the top of CD transports, etc.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Dgarretson,

I have a very different experience with Stillpoints Ultra devices on different shelves. Initially, I had their ESS rack with acrylic shelves. While it sounded very good, I always thought that the acrylic ruined the ESS rack. Exemplar Audio came out with their XP-2 tube preamp that has Ultra SSs mounted so that they can be used directly into the "technology" bases mounted into the ESS rails. I first just put it on the ESS with the SSs on the screws holding the shelves on. Then I removed the acrylic shelf. I did not hear much difference. Later I got the Ultra Fives and thought that I would try them more toward the center of the component on the acrylic shelf. It was awful! I could not mount the Fives directly to the railes as the SSs were in the way and it was difficult to unmount them. Much later Stillpoints came out with Grids to replace the acrylic shelves. Wow what an improvement when I mounted the Fives on them under the XP-2!

To the degree that I understand the "tchnology," I don't understand this. Almost alll vertical motion is supposed to be converted into heat. How does the shelf affect the sound?

I have also found that Fives sound quite different on Mana stands and on the Synergistic Research Tranquility Base, then on the Grids. Recently I tried them on the Star Sound Tech. Rhythm rack. Of course these companies have quite different designs. It is audibly evident!
maril555
619 posts
 
Of course these companies have quite different designs. It is audibly evident.
That is what I was trying to convey in my original post.
Owners claim neutral sound of both designs, but in practice, they clearly "sound" different.
agear
1,362 posts
 
07-30-15: Maril555
Of course these companies have quite different designs. It is audibly evident.
That is what I was trying to convey in my original post.
Owners claim neutral sound of both designs, but in practice, they clearly "sound" different.

It gets really cloudy when you mix and match technologies....and this is where a lot of audiophules get lost in the forrest (with the only thing guiding them being a manufacturer's transcendent and vague mysticism). Just repeat the word "quantum" a few times like a mantra, and our eyes glaze over and out come the wallets.....:)

Here are some examples. You decide:

1. SRA:

The primary damping material is a “very sensitive thermal reactive copolymer,” according to Tellekamp, who I suddenly imagined wearing a white lab coat. He didn’t scratch his chin and look sideways at me when he said it, but he could have. He went on, “This patented material has the ability to change darometer --- its hardness and softness --- very rapidly.”

I looked rapidly startled, and Kevin pounced. “Think of Jell-O as it moves from a liquid to a solid --- it’s the same idea.” He checked to see how I was taking it. Pretty well, actually. “The liquid state is only possible in an air-free environment. Air contains water, of course, which would act like a hardener and make our damping compounds appear --- and feel --- like foam.

I looked startled again, so Tellekamp went in for the kill: “Yup, we assemble our stands under a nitrogen blanket --- air free --- so all the stands are air free & airtight.”

2. Stillpoints:

Stillpoints Technology
systems are about resonance
control and low mass, as mass means energy storage and that is anathema
to them.

and

The Ultra appears to have two parts: the main cylindrical structure and a loose-fitting “cap” on the end. It is actually composed of ten internal components that form an elaborate vibration-dissipation system. The internal structure includes tiny ceramic bearings that dissipate micro-vibrations. The Ultra is a two-way device, meaning that it dissipates vibration entering from either direction (from the floor or from the component resting on the Ultra). Moreover, there is no vertical path for vibration through the Ultra. This device is the highest implementation of Stillpoints’ technology, which is reflected in the price—$900 for a set of four. An aluminum version, identical in every way except for the metal, is $640 for a set of four. According to Stillpoints, stainless-steel more quickly dissipates vibrational energy.

3. SS:

ive-Vibe Technology™ is based on the science of resonance energy transfer via a high-speed calculated conductive pathway to earth's ground maintaining vibrations a state of constant motion and creating a more efficient result.

2. The technical term applied to the study of vibration in High End Audio is "Isolation" which is one of many methods of treating the ill effects of signal degradation caused from vibration.The category topic of Isolation fails to differentiate there are other or more favorable applications and terminologies dealing in vibration management.

Isolate - To prevent a circuit or device from interacting with another or with an outside stimulus.

If we isolate vibration in any instrument we restrict operational efficiency and functionality in performance.

Why invest in a costly component or loudspeaker if the intention is to smother its sonic capability?

It is our opinion that the Audio Community should change this miss represented category title and begin calling it Vibration Management. One can never totally isolate or control vibration but there are sciences that can 'Manage' it.

The information and white papers provided here is the backbone of our technology and success and yes we have confidence in a completely opposite approach to the long time beliefs, understandings and technical methodologies applied to vibration management in audio.

It's new...It's live...and yes it vibrates too. We would not have it any other way hence the name Live-Vibe Technology dictates our passion.

So, you decide which wild eyed mystic you want to follow....:)
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Nice examples Andrew. All three of those brands employ different approaches as you clearly point out. Each one certainly has their camp of strong/loyal advocates. At one time I came close to buying the SRA product(never heard it). It may have worked very well in my system(who knows?). I'm very happy with the Star Sound approach.
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