Stillpoints Ultra Mini's under my McIntosh C1000C/P preamplifier

[jimtranr]

For the heck of it, I removed the Ultra Minis supporting my main system components (c-j Premier 17LS, Oppo BDP-83, PS Audio Dectet) to see whether, and to what degree, they would affect the perceived audible performance of my lower-level (both component- and acoustic-environment-wise) home-office system (c-j Sonographe SC25 SS preamp, Sonographe SA250 SS amp, and original-version Shunyata Hydra).

In the process, I experimented with different four-Mini configurations under each component, using familiar computer-soundcard-fed hi-rez downloaded program (at 24/96 or 24/192) for the comparisons. What wound up sounding best was a mixture of symmetrical placement under the Hydra and asymmetrical placement under both Sonographes, as pictured below. Note that the components are installed in a DIY "flexy" rack.







The results jibed with my main-system experience indicating that uniform "four-corner" beneath-the-chassis placement did not necessarily yield the best sonic outcome. It also reinforced my conclusion that "Ultra-Mini-ing" the power conditioner or power distribution chassis is a key element in achieving the best sonic performance.

FWIW.

Jim