Stillpoints....Audio crack?

[Vintage Pete]

My Journey

It's safe to say I've become a big believer in Isolation tweaks, and most notably of Stillpoint products, in a relatively short period of time. I made my first Stillpoints purchase in late 2019, that purchase being two sets of Ultra-minis that I installed under my McIntosh MCD1000 CD transport, and under my McIntosh MDA1000 DAC. I was very impressed with the improvements they made with my CD's (or with any source connected to my MDA1000).

Since then, I've wanted to deploy more of the devices in my main system. When I purchased my VPI Prime signature turntable, I purchased an LP1 VII record weight with it. To be honest, I can't draw any comparisons between it and the very attractive VPI-provided weight, because I've always just used the Stillpoints weight since I bought the table.

The next step I wanted to take in my Stillpoints journey was to deploy Ultra SS's under my McIntosh MC501 amplifiers (of which I have three). The problem with this was, I did not have enough vertical clearance to install them under the amps and still keep my amp platforms in place. For this reason as well as others, I was eventually motivated to build a new electronics platform (which my left and right amps reside under) with additional clearance that would allow room for the Ultra SS's under the amps as well as some less expensive but attractive isolators under the platforms. Those of you following my projects will recall this effort, completed around last Thanksgiving. It was a significant effort, but well worth the trouble to "raise the bridge" to accommodate the devices. A much smoother, more nuanced presentation was immediately apparent from the installation. I was thoroughly impressed. For those unfamiliar with that project, here's a link.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=50593

Naturally, I was really at this point compelled to somehow deploy another set of Ultra SS's under Amp #3, which powers my JBL B460 subwoofer. The amps are connected in the system via a Sumo Delilah Active crossover, which is set for a 63hz low pass and sends a summed signal at and below this frequency to my third MC501 amp and then on to the JBL sub. In this case however, I have a permanently attached shelf just above this amp, constraining my ability to install the stillpoints, let alone any other isolators under the amp platform. So, some compromise would have to be made in order to do it. An imminent price increase across the Stillpoint product line compelled me to grab a set, and then deal with the installation issue.

If you can't raise the bridge, lower the river.

My only obvious solution was to shorten the 1" tall plastic feet on Amp platform #3 by 1/2" in order to accomodate the Ultra SS's. So I purchased some basic 1/2" high rubber feet from Amazon, and awaited my inbound Stillpoint Ultra SS's. I installed the devices on MC501 #3 one week ago today.

What I expected

I figured that since I had the Ultra SS's under my left and right amps, most of the battle had already been fought. The results were very, very nice. I hoped for more more big improvements with the next step, but realistically, I figured my B460's bass might be cleaned up a bit. I really wasn't expecting much more than that.

What I wasn't expecting

What I wasn't expecting was....wow! Yes, my low end has been cleaned up, but more than a little. Much more character, tonality and finesse. But beyond that the system's ENTIRE presentation seems to have been (even more) improved. I'm not sure why the last 1/3 of the equation made such a difference, but it did! I'm speculating that this is because A) there is more information to be revealed in the 63hz and below region that I had realized and/or B) that in the active crossover arrangement that I have, that to have removed any "muddiness" that may have been present in this region pre-installation is/was really important. Whatever the reason, the difference is profound.

Here's a look at the amp with the Stillpoints installed. In the first photo, you can get a glimpse of the Ultra-minis under my MCD1000 transport.







Here's a couple of bonus shots of my main (left and right) MC501's in full dress:






And a couple more showing the Ultra-minis. I've also dressed up my MDA1000 display a bit more since my last system post.







And let's not forget the Stillpoints LP1 VII record weight.



The cumulative effect

Each time one of these devices is added, the effect is multiplied, seemingly exponentially. The cumulative effect on a system can be profound. A few years ago I would not have believed it. I remember our late friend Dan lamenting how when he took the Ultra SS's out of the box, he hoped that he would send them back due to the cost of these "feet" that couldn't possibly make a difference, right? You know the rest.

The same can be said for isolation in general, as well as power conditioning, and other so-called "tweaks" that seemingly cost a lot of money. Since I started down the road with Stillpoints, Furutech filters, ADD-POWR Wizard, not to even mention cables, my system has been transformed in ways I never would have expected. The system very often presents things in a way you just simply are not expecting. I've come to the belief that you really can't have too much isolation.


The revelations continue...

One thing that I find especially fun are the surprises I get pulling out CD's or LP's I have not listened to in a long while, or even a short while. I may pull out one of my 1200 or so CD's that I have not listened to in a short while, say after upgrade "D". What a pleasant surprise! Even more fun, let's pull one out that I have not listened to since before upgrade A, B, C, or D. Holy cow! You get the idea...this is great fun. And that fun cycle repeats over and over as we continue the journey.


The Stillpoints addiction

I've heard it said quite a few times, by numerous members here, that Stillpoints are addictive....which brings me to the title of this thread "Stillpoints-Audio Crack?". Ivan once referred to the devices as "Audio Crack". That's a pretty fair assessment, IMO. Once you get a taste, you just want more.

Thanks for joining me along my journey....