Hi LL21
I wonder if anyone has compared the Stillpoints speaker footers to the Critical Mass Systems Center Stage LS (loudspeakers) footers? That would be interesting.
When I had my Stillpoints Ultra 5 footers under my electronics, I compared them to a set of the CMS Center Stage v2 footers under my preamp. I clearly preferred the CMS feet. The Stillpoints did some things well. They did “clean things up” a bit, and they did tighten up the bass, but, unfortunately, the gorgeous tonal color and accurate timbre which is very important to me and an attribute I am not willing to give up on was MIA. I wanted to make sure so I switched back to the CMS feet, waited two weeks to make sure they had “settled” in completely. Sure enough, that beautiful tonal color and timber instantly returned. After a couple of weeks, I put the Stillpoints back in under the preamp again, and listened to the same 10 cd’s and again, the tonality and timbre just wasn’t there anymore. With the CMS v2’s back in the tonal beauty returned immediately. With the CMS feet in the system, I heard a very relaxed, unforced and very involving presentation that I didn’t hear with the Stillpoints. Now to be fair, mine were the Ultra 5’s. I’ve never heard the Ultra 6’s. With the CMS feet, it was all positive an no negative.
I can’t wait to try a set of his new CMS M2 feet that Joe L claims are a significant improvement over the V2’s. I also understand he’s working on a version designed specifically for turntables. Those should be interesting. Take care.
Best regards
Scot
Hi Scot,
That is great feedback and exactly the kind of feedback audiophiles need because these direct comparisons are not always easy to do..and they also take time. Making the comparison on EVERYTHING that goes into a system (with all of the iterations between different components) means data points are sometimes all we end up going by.
In my case, I absolutely agree with you (and many others) who found the Stillpoints created great clarity but somehow lost tonal color. I remember the day a whole box of them was kindly dropped off...so began a mini-marathon of trials that lasted until 3:30am. And frustratingly, the whole time, I kept trying to compare vs HRS Nimbus, M3X, etc, etc.
However, at 3:30am I discovered something which I have now used consistently for nearly 7-10 years. I put an HRS Nimbus Coupler ON TOP of the Stillpoints to make direct contact with the underside of the component that I am isolating. You get all the clarity of the Stillpoints...PLUS a tonal color, depth that HRS are known for.
Interestingly, since then, I have seen HRS themselves now come out with later generation Nimbus pucks made of both aluminum blocks with their Nimbus elastomers on top.
At some point I may try Critical Mass, but they are about the same price here in the UK as the Stillpoints, and I am extremely happy with the HRS/Stillpoints combo. The importer here is great, and that really helps in terms of long-term relationships and loyalty.
Enjoy the CMS, and do update if you hear the v2 feet!