S5 spike
- Thread starter BlueFox
- Start date
Bobolaclune
New member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2014
- Messages
- 362
I was reading a link in a VAC amp thread, and it had this picture of the S5 used with the amp.
Anyone know what the spikes are?
Look like Stillpoints Ultras
BlueFox
New member
- Thread Author
- #5
That is probably true. I found, via Google, one guy who tried the Stillpoint Ultra spikes, and he said he liked the stock spikes better. Anyway, this is at the top of my list of things to try, but is in the back of my mind. I like extracting the maximum sound out of gear before moving on to something else.
I think a lot depends on implementation. The Ultra SS must be installed in the sloped side down configuration which is not optimal since the hard hat is designed to contact the isolated component. And the older Ultra 5's did not have a tap in the top, also requiring installation in the generally inferior sloped side down configuration. Also, the older U5's mean you can't install the Ultra bases, so no height adjustment. The technology pockets in the Ultra 5 are located closest to the top (sloped) surface, meaning this is generally (but not always) the optimal configuration as Bruce Jacobs would tell you. The newer Ultra 5's have a tap in the top of the foot, allowing a custom-order adaptor to be used & installation sloped side up + the ability to install the Ultra bases.
If it is of any interest, my Audio Tech is coming over on Sunday to help me setup my system & install Ultra 5's + Ultra bases under my S5's. I'll post my impressions here with some pics. We plan on first installing the stock feet before trying the Ultras. If the U5's tip the balance toward an analytical and/or strident sound, we'll switch back to the factory spikes.
Cheers,
Bodhi.
BlueFox
New member
- Thread Author
- #7
Bodhi, any information you can provide will be helpful. The Stillpoints web-site is next to useless for product information. I am interested in spikes that go through carpet to the floor below. The major drawback that I can see is they would elevate the tweeter, and I found for me that sitting with my ears a little above tweeter level sounds best.
nile49
New member
I think those look more like Critical Mass Systems Rize footers rather than the Stillpoints to me, but it's hard to tell from the picture.
FWIW I've tried Stillpoints Ultra SS's in as many configurations as I could think of using both their hard hats and their new spikes underneath my Studio 2's and ultimately prefer the sound without them. This is on carpet over concrete, and it's not to say that there wasn't some definite improvements with them, just that overall I prefer to forgo them. One set is now underneath my component rack and the other set is currently unused. If anyone is interested in purchasing the unused set feel free to PM me.
Warren
FWIW I've tried Stillpoints Ultra SS's in as many configurations as I could think of using both their hard hats and their new spikes underneath my Studio 2's and ultimately prefer the sound without them. This is on carpet over concrete, and it's not to say that there wasn't some definite improvements with them, just that overall I prefer to forgo them. One set is now underneath my component rack and the other set is currently unused. If anyone is interested in purchasing the unused set feel free to PM me.
Warren
Dpod4
New member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,321
Looking forward to hearing your impressions. I received some spiral groove strange attractors with threaded screws for s5. Going to replace the Ultra 5s this weekend.
Hi Bud, + 1 on the Stillpoints website! Yeah will definitely post up f'back from our Stillpoints experiment :thumbsup:.
Btw, Stillpoints have an optional spike which can be used on the Ultra SS and Ultra 5's for use on carpeted floors (see pics below). Otherwise you could experiment with the Ultra bases which provide extra stability for the Ultra SS on carpeted floors. For the Ultra SS feet it appears you remove the hard hat to install the spike.
Attachments
Warren, Stillpoints claim that their feet work equally well on both carpet and hard surfaces, though forum feedback suggests they are somewhat less successful when placed on carpeted floors. They tend to work better on hard, even floors. My listening room has a tiled over concrete floor which is not completely flat, however we're also installing the Ultra bases which should ensure solid contact & provide height adjustment. The latter feature is particularly useful to slightly adjust the tilt if required to get the tweeter firing at the right height.
Another secret to getting the best out of Stillpoints is using them in their ideal weight range. The Ultra SS have a 500lb + weight capacity per foot (2000lb for a set of 4). Your Studio2's weigh 112lb =28lb per foot which is probably not ideal. My S5's weigh 189.5lb = 63.1lb per foot (though we're talking about the Ultra 5's! :disbelief
. David.
BlueFox
New member
- Thread Author
- #12
Hi Bud, + 1 on the Stillpoints website! Yeah will definitely post up f'back from our Stillpoints experiment :thumbsup:.
Btw, Stillpoints have an optional spike which can be used on the Ultra SS and Ultra 5's for use on carpeted floors (see pics below). Otherwise you could experiment with the Ultra bases which provide extra stability for the Ultra SS on carpeted floors. For the Ultra SS feet it appears you remove the hard hat to install the spike.
Bodhi, what were the results of your Stillpoints experiments?
Hi Bud, I better duck as i've decided to change direction & divert those funds into my current equipment purchases :hide:. I figure I will only keep my current S5's for 18 months - 2yrs as I plan to upgrade to a future replacement for the S5's which I'm almost certain will include integrated outriggers like the S7. In fact the buyer is picking up my U5's & bases this this w'end! This move will bring forward my next upgrades which is exciting :audiophile:.
If I was going to keep my S5's for the medium to long term, the Stillpoints would be be staying for sure.
If I was going to keep my S5's for the medium to long term, the Stillpoints would be be staying for sure.
Arcade, I use Stillpoints extensively in my system, and up until very recently was using the Ultra 5's under my amp and cd Player. I could post photos to prove the voracity of my claims, but since I notice you have 33 posts on this forum, I'm sure you would just dismiss them as stock photos off the net. I obviously can't offer first hand experience a-b testing the (S5's) factory spikes vs the Ultra 5's (as I was upfront with in my previous post). However I have been an audiophile for 25 years, regularly chat to manufacturers & have participated in many thread discussions on Stillpoints, with a particular focus on commentary pertaining to the application of Stillpoints under Magico speakers. So I don't think i'm some putz off the caribou farm. That said, you're free to discount anything I say. It doesn't really bother me anyway as I don't look to others for direction or validation & just do my own thing.
Good to know. I merely asked because most of your comments seem to be "Stillpoints claim" or "forum feedback suggests" etc, with the experience you've just described, I'm interested to hear what your personal experiences are. That's the best feedback you can give, and I'm all ears.
PS, please don't judge me based on the number of posts I've made. I think that figure is highly irrelevant. I could turn that around and say that I've been a member of this forum for twice as long as you have
PS, please don't judge me based on the number of posts I've made. I think that figure is highly irrelevant. I could turn that around and say that I've been a member of this forum for twice as long as you have
David (Bodhi) has been a big supporter of Stillpoints, has been very helpful supporting other members with suggestions regarding Stillpoints and I believe, he was one of the first around here to try the new Stillpoint 6's. So yes, he has a lot of first hand experience with Stillpoints.
David, interesting that you are planning ahead already. In any case did you managed to spike your S5?
Hi Charles, yeah my decisions now are very much influenced by what i'm planning 6 months-2yrs down the line. The good news is I finally managed to swing a time for my Tech friend to come over on Sunday to help out with setting up my system
. We'll be installing the factory spikes, getting the Ultra 6's set up in their final position & tweaking both the speaker and seating position. I can't wait to hear how my system sounds after all the changes which include my Vitus SCD-025 (upgraded from Aesthetix Romulus), Ultra 6's (upgraded from Ultra 5's), Jorma Statement sc's (upgraded from Jorma Prime), re-terminated Prime pc's (upgraded from stock Prime pc's), Furutech GTX-D(g) (upgraded from non-cryo'd Oyaide R1) & spiking the S5's...huge changes!