[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Stephen.......You bring up a topic that has crossed my mind-and that is the use of isolators, whether they be Stillpoints or another brand on power devices-distributors, regenerators, etc. In my case, I wonder if there would be a sonic benefit utilizing isolators beneath my PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant P12 Regenerator?

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Pete… need you ask?

Okay....I've been behind the curve for a bit, but I finally did jump on a pair of Ultra Minis from Ivan to try under my PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12 Regenerator. I was really curious about this, and semi-skeptical since the regenerator isn't an audio component in the sense that an amplifier, DAC or other device is. Hence any benefit would be kind of second-generation. If there is a benefit realized by the P12, then presumably this benefit is then passed along to the system in the form of (even) cleaner power. There is sound logic to the potential benefit since there are hefty power transformers at play in these devices which inevitably produce vibration or resonance.

My Ultra Minis arrived 3 days ago (Friday) and I installed them that evening. It didn't take long at all to realize I was hearing a positive change. To my ears, it seemed as if stereo separation had improved. While that doesn't seem to make sense at first, I think it is really because there is less overall masking and so those delicate cues that make up the stereo image are more readily picked up to the ear. In any event, each time I add more of these devices, there is further refinement and I'm impressed every time. At this point, with everything that has been done over the last few years, I'm feeling like my system is really sounding pretty "glorious".

Aside from adding Stillpoint isolators under my speakers (too expensive), I think this will be the last Stillpoint addition that would influence the system in its entirely (as opposed to say, one source component). The next Stillpoints addition will likely be a set of Ultra Minis under my McIntosh MP100 Phono preamplifier.

I'm thrilled once again!!

Here's a couple of photos of the minis on duty with my P12....