Stillpoints under the Mcintosh MC501 amplifiers

[Olskool]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

I just installed them on my speakers, tonight. I installed Ultra SS's with the spikes.
It's difficult to exactly say what they're doing here, because quickly A-B'ing is impossible. But after about 4 cd's, I'd say there is NO negative, versus my factory spikes. I may be getting more detail, but, if not that, the soundstage may have opened up to make the instruments easier to differentiate between.

I was a bit skeptical while installing these on the speakers as I didn't think I'd be able to get the speakers as stable and spiked to the floor as I had with the factory spikes. It took some trial and error but I got them stable and I like what I hear. I just can't specifically say what effect they had which is something I was able to do with the amps where I could switch the Stillpoints out every 30 seconds or so.

Hello rhrmf1971, everyone is echoing the truth that once you get started you just don't want to stop installing the StillPoints! I have Vienna Accoustics Beethoven Concert Grands too and upon installing Ultra SS' under them it was completely clear to me that another couple levels of performance had been reached!

I think VA Beethovens are fantastic performing speakers for the money! I purchased them for the excellent dynamics and near full range they exhibited. With the SS's mounted the bass was considerably deeper and better resolved, with airiness in abundance for instruments, increased decay timing on symbols, timbre on bass guitar, percussion, and upright bass gained in distinction. Soundstage, etc., I could go on and on. Our environments may be different in that my room is carpeted with high ceilings and acoustic treatments in place to correct some of my more major sound flaws.

I'm curious where you inserted your spikes? I am using 3 per speaker mounted in the metal frame that surrounds the base of the speakers and using the outriggers and original spikes for increased stability. The StillPoints folks recommended to not let the base of the speaker come in contact with the base of the SS so my spike is the only part of the Ultra SS in contact with the speaker. If not doing so already that may be a suggestion you want to try. Needless to say I love what they've done for my Vienna's! Let us know how the performance resolves itself to you. Olskool (Larry)

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by soundslikemusic

sir, is that granite slab under the Mc amps ? those are definitely not my cup of tea. The sound of equipment placed under granite, marble, glass makes it in my opinion hard and brittle. The stillpoints in between the Mc and granite would be a definite help as you have experienced.
Good luck with your experiments but stillpoints are great.

4" Maple on 4 Mapleshade isoblocks. It isolates the amps from floor vibrations very, very well, better than much more expensive isolation remedies I've tried.

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by Olskool

Hello rhrmf1971, everyone is echoing the truth that once you get started you just don't want to stop installing the StillPoints! I have Vienna Accoustics Beethoven Concert Grands too and upon installing Ultra SS' under them it was completely clear to me that another couple levels of performance had been reached!

I think VA Beethovens are fantastic performing speakers for the money! I purchased them for the excellent dynamics and near full range they exhibited. With the SS's mounted the bass was considerably deeper and better resolved, with airiness in abundance for instruments, increased decay timing on symbols, timbre on bass guitar, percussion, and upright bass gained in distinction. Soundstage, etc., I could go on and on. Our environments may be different in that my room is carpeted with high ceilings and acoustic treatments in place to correct some of my more major sound flaws.

I'm curious where you inserted your spikes? I am using 3 per speaker mounted in the metal frame that surrounds the base of the speakers and using the outriggers and original spikes for increased stability. The StillPoints folks recommended to not let the base of the speaker come in contact with the base of the SS so my spike is the only part of the Ultra SS in contact with the speaker. If not doing so already that may be a suggestion you want to try. Needless to say I love what they've done for my Vienna's! Let us know how the performance resolves itself to you. Olskool (Larry)

I agree that your room would probably make the most of the Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand attributes.
Despite my hardwood floors and no specific acoustic treatments, the speakers sound very, very, good in my room. My system has never sounded better, especially after adding the Stillpoints to my amps.

I do have the sense that the bass is better after adding the Stillpoints, as well.
I was considering putting the Stillpoints directly on the speaker, as opposed to the frame, but I'm concerned that the speaker might fall over if someone bumps into it, so for now, I'm keeping the Stillpoints attracted to the speaker frames.

Even looking at your picture and reading your description, I'm not sure I understand how the Stillpoints are attached to your speaker. I see your using both the stock spikes and the Ultra SS, but I'm not clear whether the Ultra SS is attached to the speaker or if the speaker/frame is just resting on the Stillpoints.

[Olskool]

Good morning. Your setup uses the outrigger attach points as the mounting place. Mine uses the frame the outriggers are a part of but not the outrigger attach points themselves. One of the suppliers recommended by StillPoints sent me the proper attach screws for the Vienna's. I think it is a standard size readily in inventory. The screws holding the outrigger frame in place were removed and the attach screws of the SS's were inserted into the already drilled spots directly into the wood. (The attached pics should show one of the frame screws still in place). My belief is this allows for direct isolation or dissipation from the speaker frame. Having not tried it your way this is not a statement of one over the other.

Originally I used 4 SS's under each speaker but had such good success with 3 under all my other components I decided to give 3 a try under the speakers. There was absolutely no degradation what so ever in the superb performance of the speaker SS combination. The big bonus was there were now two SS's freed up which I used an unused one left over to make 3 to go under another component. A big Bonus!!! Danged things are pricey so the saving is appreciated. Using the outriggers with the original spikes (no longer supporting the weight) as stability gives plenty of security from tip over and is not a worry? The attached photographs should help clarify what I'm trying to say above.