Stillpoints again!

Vibrations is aplenty in our environment especially when you are listening to hifi. These vibrations affect every piece of gear. So, if an audiophile does not isolate their component well, then he/she will not be hearing their system in the best possible way. I have tried many isolation devices; cones, platforms etc. Some worked better than others which makes me always go looking something better.

My preferred isolation device now are the Stillpoints. When I started with Stillpoints, I bought 2 sets of Ultra SS to be placed under the cd player (BMC CD1.1) and the preamplifier (Audio Research Reference 5SE). It brought good results, with lower background noise, cleaner sound and solid imaging of instruments and vocalist. Another 2 sets of Ultra SS went in place of the spikes for my Wilson Sophia 3 speakers. This again brought notable improvements with even more solid imaging. What I liked about the Stillpoints is that it does not inhibit or enhance any part of the sound. High to low frequency goes through unimpeded, unlike some of the isolation device that I had in the past, which may affect the sound.

Just recently, I managed to procure a second hand Stillpoints Component Stand (SCS). It has 3 arms with each arm made from aluminium, joined together with a stainless-steel center. This is an old version of the component stand (the current version is made entirely of stainless steel).  The SCS came with Delrin supports screwed on the top and bottom. I got the secondhand SCS by chance and my intention is to place them under my power amplifier.  I kept the Delrin support for floor support but added 3 pieces of Ultra SS on the top. Once I have done that, I placed the BMC power amplifier on top of the SCS. I was wondering how the sound will change.

After adding the SCS, depth layering was very easily discerned. Bass was better defined, and I find the sound to be meaty and well defined. Music flowed effortlessly. There was no listening fatigue when I played Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughn - Couldn't Stand The Weather (epic/LEGACY EK65871). Everything was more alive. So It Goes from Jennifer Warnes “The Well” (Universal Music Ltd 7 15776 89602 2) was just grand. The piano at the beginning of the track is so palpable. Jennifer was singing in the room! I think the reason for this is that the SCS with Ultra SS let the music flow effortlessly. This let me think how much vibration was still affecting the components in my system until I added the SCS. I think any audiophile should try Stillpoints in their system. These things will help elevate your system, sometimes even higher than any change of components in the system!

Stillpoints is distributed in Malaysia and Singapore by Telos Asia Pacific 

https://www.facebook.com/telos.apacsg/

KLIAV Show 2019

Like an annual ritual, I went to the KLIAV show this year. In the past, the KLIAV was held at the Marriot. The show shift to Sunway Putra Hotel last year. This year it shifted to another location in Vistana Hotel. Unlike past years, I took the MRT and change to Monorel to get to Titiwangsa station which is about 3 minutes walk to the hotel.

The usual group of hifi and AV group distributors display their wares in this years show. But this year, there seems to be more displays of Cantonese and Mandarin cds from China. The main reason I goes to the KLIAV is to check out the hifi gears that are on display. The 3 setups that impress me (not in any particular order) are as follows:

AudioNote room  

Whenever I listen to the setup in the AudioNote room in the past, I am always greeted with warm, tubey sound. Although it was pleasant and non-fatiguing, it is not what I really like. This year, Audio Note displayed their TT Three turntable with the Audio Note SORO Phono SE Signature integrated amp powering the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE speaker. Listening to the remix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the AudioNote rocks. Wow!

Audio Research / KEF combo

The second good sounding system comprised of Audio Research CD6SE connected to the Audio Research Reference 6 / Audio Research Reference 75SE powering the KEF Blade. Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughan sound very well defined and effortless. I just wish the screen was out of the way as it affects the imaging somewhat.

HiWay Laser room

I always love ATC speakers, having own SCM100 in the past. This time, HiWay Laser displayed the SCM20ASL. It was a simple setup with a DENON turntable sending the signal to the ATC SCA2 preamplifier hooked to the active ATC speakers. Louis Armstrong sounds just great. Imaging is solid. Nuances is so easy to hear and sounded effortless. This is best setup I heard from HiWay Laser in the many hifi shows I heard them in action.