Stradivari owners rejoice

[jdandy]

Ivan.......I can't help but question the dissimilar material (polymer grommet) between the Stradivari spikes and the Stillpoints. In my mind there would be a different transfer of energy from the spikes to the grommets, then grommets to the Stillpoints, a damping effect if you will, that makes me wonder if the same level of energy is transferred to the Stillpoints Technology Pockets as would be the case without the polymer bushing inserts. It seems to me that the full impact and benefit of the Stillpoints is not fully utilized with the addition of a polymer compound with its own vibration and damping characteristics inserted in the energy path between the speaker and the Stillpoints footer. It would seem a better application for energy transfer if the hole where the grommet is inserted was instead a matching conical cavity that mated with the speaker spike allowing full metal contact of the spike with the Stillpoints footer. In other words, no dissimilar material in the energy path. The fact that a polymer bushing separates the speaker's spike from the Stillpoints footer strikes me as reducing the Stillpoints design intent, at least to some degree verses full metal to metal contact.

I am not trying to rain on your concept. I think your approach to what has been an issue of application for mating Stillpoints to the Stradivari and other Sonus faber speakers like the Amati Anniversario and Amati Futura is a good start, but to my way of thinking it seems a compromise to reaping the full benefit of the Stillpoints Ultra 5 footers.

[jdandy]

Ivan.......This is a crude drawing but it conveys the idea of what I was suggesting about being able to mate the Stradivari spike directly with the Stillpoints Ultra 5 isolation footers. This would create a direct speaker spike to Stillpoints Ultra 5 connection without the need for a polymer grommet. What do you think?

[Masterlu]

Dan... We experimented using the spikes in direct contact with the Ultra 5’s. Not only did using the bushing improve the sound further, but it eliminates any chance for the stock black spikes from being marred/damaged.

For the same reason that Stillpoints recommends backing off 1/2 turn from footer to Adapter, and or high hat; having a “physical break” if you will improves the isolation properties of the Stillpoint feet.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Dan... We experimented using the spikes in direct contact with the Ultra 5’s. Not only did using the bushing improve the sound further, but it eliminates any chance for the stock black spikes from being marred/damaged.

For the same reason that Stillpoints recommends backing off 1/2 turn from footer to Adapter, and or high hat; having a “physical break” if you will improves the isolation properties of the Stillpoint feet.

Ivan.......Got it. And I hadn't considered marring the black finish on the spikes. Just barn storming the thoughts I had.

[erfurt]

Have to agree with jdandy on that. You would think that having a steel to steel contact all the way through the element would be more in line with the Stillpoint concept of energy drain rather than adding isolation.
But hey, if it sounds better like this ...
Maybe add some polymer to more of there product.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by erfurt

Have to agree with jdandy on that. You would think that having a steel to steel contact all the way through the element would be more in line with the Stillpoint concept of energy drain rather than adding isolation.
But hey, if it sounds better like this ...
Maybe add some polymer to more of there product.

Stillpoints products do not drain energy, they work solely on isolation.

“If you have a device that has direct contact from top to bottom, (12 o’clock to 6 o’clock) like single bearing devices, no matter what the materials used, it is damping -- not isolating.”

“True isolation does not have a direct path between surfaces. Stillpoints patented technology stacks bearings such that there is no direct contact between the component and the surface upon which it rests.“

[doguniverse]

Can you show a better picture of the rubber grommet on the rear spikes? I can only see the top of the spikes.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Teaser... here are a couple of photos of the Ultra 5's on my Strads.

First Impressions... Wow! the focus of the soundstage, and both mid & lower Bass is insane!

I have never heard my Strads sound this good. For years I have been wanting to do this upgrade. Thanks to my persistence, and the Stillpoints Team we came up with an amazing solution.

Even my finely tuned rake of 54.8 degrees has been maintained. Nothing has been modified due to the use of a Special Polymer Bushing.

Much more details, and photos to follow...

[jdandy]

Ivan.......I am surprised no one has commented on the way you stitched the two photos together of your left and right channel Stradivari's. Pretty cool photo.

[crwilli]

Ivan,

I can see how the rubber protects the metal to metal concern.

How does the grommet address the issue that Stillpoints work best when the downward force is vertical and the spikes of the Strads enter at an angle?

What is the SP engineers solution?

Craig