Stillpoints ULtra SS and Ultra Mini's under dCS Transport/MC2301's and C1100
 

Received these the other day -- thank you Ivan -- I am in amazement with what they have mutually brought to my system. I knew my footer isolation wasn't weak but could use an upgrade; especially under the dCS Transport & somewhat the same feeling under my MC2301's.

So, I assessed my needs, placed an order thru Ivan and after a 6 hour ordeal in dismanteling all racks, removing all gear (dusting , etc), and taking a detour to the hardware store to get 2 locking 10/32" nuts for the amps (in a box in the attic behind the Alexia crates--no thanks).

Installed in one afternoon on all components, it's impossible to narrow the benefit to each, but collectively, larger soundstage, microdynamics (I love the details), and smoothness to the music is in spades.

Well worth the money and of course the backbreaking feat I undertook this afternoon.

Best Sirs,

Bob

P.S. I placed four HRS NA-150's between the C1100T and the controller.

https://i.imgur.com/RfFl6Um.jpg

Oops -- where's the dang pressed in nut?
https://i.imgur.com/E1PLiwM.jpg
The "turtles" have feet:D:thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/mGxgKKg.jpg
Finally -- all back together (no mishaps along the way) & :music:
https://i.imgur.com/YiRbegO.jpg

Bob... Super Job, well done! Welcome to Audio Crack-Land! :lmao:

Bob.......Nice job. Those MC2301's are a bear to move around. It's not a chore I want to do again, but getting the Stillpoints Ultra SS under the amps was worth the effort. The cumulative improvement Stillpoints deliver in soundstage, micro-dynamics, and ease with which the music flows is not to be missed by those who have yet to give them a try. Well done.

Very nice. Just curious -- at the risk of detracting from what you achieved getting this all together -- but what's the story on the 2 locking 10/32" nuts for the amps?

Maybe there's a photo somewhere in the Show Us Your McIntosh system thread, but maybe the new set up warrants another photo opportunity? I'd love to see a shot of the whole room, to include the Alexia speakers in Argento Silver sometime. Beautiful!

I bet that was a lot of work, glad it’s paying off now.

Bob

Congrats on a fantastic addition! Your system looks amazing btw. I love the R2R.

"cool beans sir"

Well, the original metal stock feet were unscrewed from a factory pressed-in nut which is inside the Mc2301 bottom plate. When I removed the 4 metal feet years ago, two of the 4 pressed-in nuts dropped inside the unit. No biggie, I just unscrewed half of the Philips screws holding the metal base plate & tipped the MC2301 to one corner & the two nuts came sliding out.

Along with the metal feet, I put those 2 nuts in a hefty quart bag and lifted the now footerless MC2301's & gently lowered the MC2301 onto the shelf ----now resting on HRS NA-150's.

Well today when I was installing the Stillpoints Ultra SS's -- two of the 4 original feet holes had no nut in which to screw the 10/32 X 1/4-20 adapters. I forgot about the pressed in nuts that came loose & which I placed in the hefty bag years ago -- then I realized it and knew where they were.

Those two nuts which I retrieved years back are in that hefty zip bag, in one of the MC2301 boxes which are behind the Wilson Audio Alexia wooden crates. In order to retrieve them it would be another hour plus ordeal.

Quickest alternative -- I take a ride to the local hardware store 3/4 mile away and buy 2 10/32 locking nuts than mess with moving the crates and boxes to retrieve the original locking nuts.

So, 20 minutes and 71 cents later I'm in business installing the Ultra SS to the one amp.

Best Sir,

Bob

The Pusher Man speaks (aka Steppenwolf –:yes:). Thank-you Ivan:thumbsup:

I no longer hate your guts Dan – :D

In due time – guarantee it.:thumbsup:

Thanks Steve – working on a finalized stage with my gear. More Nordost cables coming early next week.:thumbsup:

Thank-you Aditya – that R-R I’ve owned since day one in 1974 – it’s mint. May not be a Studder – but IMO my true love with many, many memories of great times. It’s been all over the world – Far East, Mid-East, Europe & now resting comfortably in a front-and-center, I mean business perch. I love it & has been my audio lifeline of audio days ago.

Best Sirs,

Bob

Bob....... :roflmao:

Ha ha. Great story. That solves it. Thanks.

Bob, I love your rig. Well done!

Hey Bob,

Happy to hear your excited with the addition of the Stillpoints, enjoy the sound!!!

I don’t know if anyone outside Audio knows the amount of work, time and patience it takes in this hobby, seems like installing 4 feet over an inch tall should only take 20, maybe 30 minutes - NOT!

Nice setup Bob! Love the r2r as well. :smoking:

As always a little effort goes a long way. Sounds like yours payed off big. :yes:

That must have been a lot work and a big pain in the rear. I know you're glad that you did it and it must feel awesome. You already said it sounds awesome, so time to enjoy!

That's the truth! Stillpoints and HRS Damping plates are addictive!!! Will have you running back to the dealer in no time!!![emoji4]

Bob....Great looking system!!!

The setup looks great Bob! With your superb system all that effort certainly pays off!

Mitch

Bob
From the photo I am trying to determine whether you placed the stillpoints beneath each of your dCS components or just below the single piece and the Botton unit in the stack.

Looking good my man.

Hi Jim -- That's correct -- placed 3 Ultra SS Silver using 3 M4 adapters which has it's own shelf and then placed 3 Ultra Minis' under the DAC which is supporting the remaining 2 units (UP & Clock).

Best Sir,

Bob

I bet it was stressful disturbing all that perfectly set up gear, but looks like the end results turned out superb!

Thanks Randy – quite satisfied how it’s evolved over the years.:yes:

You can say that again Ed.:thumbsup:

Yep maybe painstaking but there is a reward at the end.:music:

Awfully glad they are in place now – move onto other things needing addressing – but enjoy the music as I trudge along.:thumbsup:

Thanks Mark – hopefully I’ve checked off “stillpoints” for now anyways.;)

Thank you Mitch.:tiphat:

Thank you Sir :thumbsup:-- What’s stressful is constantly telling oneself to take a break now and then, relax, think things over – I always fear of carrying my TT & motor on the shelf to a place on the couch & tripping or stumbling or getting caught on a cord or some dumb mishap. I do lock the tonearm in place with some twist ties.

Same with moving equipment to the kitchen island for placing & cleaning; rather getting on ones knees on the carpet, etc. Haste makes waste they say – slow down and think a couple times before doing something & try to address & resolve anything that could cause an unfortunate disaster.

Best Sirs,

Bob

Bob.......Words of wisdom. :thumbsup:

Stillpoints ULtra SS and Ultra Mini's under dCS Transport/MC2301's and C1100
 

Excellent job Bob! Looks fantastic. Now sit back enjoy the fruits of your labor for about a week or two, take notes on sonic improvements, then only another 6 hours to flip the orientations of the SS and take more notes so we all know which way sounds the best!!!!

Ha! I kid.

I do find it interesting that Stillpoints gives the owners 2 ways to screw the SS into our gear. The way you have done, which aesthetically speaking is a knockout ; and the opposite way by twisting off the hi-hat revealing a threaded “hole” just like the bottom of the SS has.

Using the threaded adapters directly beneath the hi-hat means the technology packet is directly coupled or “that much closer” to the piece of gear it is draining.

My Stillpoints dealer at the time stated that was the preferred method, at least with speakers. I never tried it the other way to see if he was right. Sounds like a fun experiment for the insane among us.

I will be going back to SS and Mini under all my components next year so the orientation dilemma is something I have been thinking about. I’m probably over thinking it.

Insane speaking here -- hahaha.

Jason--If you remove the hi-hat -- the screw is 10/32's and in my case w/dCS as like the Ultra SS under the Transport, it requires an M4 adapter to screw into the units threaded nuts.

(I think I have that correct).

Best Sir,

Bob

Close, the hi-hat thread is 1/4-20

May have been a bit vague - If you remove the hi-hat on the Mini Ultra the thread is 8/32 -- right? Anyways won't fit the dCS.

Best Sir

Bob

Correct!

+1

I combine Nordost Sort Kone TC and BC with HRS DPX damping plates in the same piece of gear with amazing results too