Hi guys (& gals)
I did a shootout in my own system and found the results interesting to say the least. I tried to keep the variables to a minimum. I wanted to take this very seriously because these cost a lot of money.
The three name brands in this shootout were Stillpoints (5’s). I didn’t have the 6’s on hand. The Critical Mass Systems CMS2’s and the newer Wilson Pedestals. I used only one set at a time and under only one component at a time, the preamp.
Part of the problem is the Wilson and the Stillpoints give imeadiate results. The CMS2’s require a “settling in” time of 7-10 days which I made sure to give them. I wonder how many impatient audiophiles listened to a set of the CMS2 footers and didn’t give them the required time to settle in and dismissed them in a few days?
I played the same 5 cd’s and the same songs for each set. Here is what I heard in my system.
The Stillpoints did tighten up the bass and in general “cleaned” things up. However, they seemed to rob the sound of the tonal color and I found the timbre was not as accurate. The sound took on a thinner more sterile quality. Typical results, both some good and some bad.
Next up was the Wilson Pedestals. These were a little more difficult to figure out. I did notice hearing slightly more information that the Stillpoints missed. Most audiophiles feel that if they hear things in the mix that were previously masked with another device, it must be better. Although I did hear slightly more in the mix, the sound got a little rougher. I noticed an edgy quality that I didn’t hear with the Stillpoints.
I then put in four of the CMS2 feet and about 7 days later with a cd on repeat I grabbed my trusty five test cd’s and started listening critically. To my ears, the presentation was very clean, clear and more open. The system took on this relaxed and more inviting quality that the other footers just didn’t have. The sound, from top to bottom had this unforced, effortless quality that drew me into the music. The other footers did the exact opposite. I heard all positive attributes with the CMS2 footers with no negative effects whatsoever.
I noticed that the effect was cumulative. I bought a set of four feet and put them under the preamp. I bought a 2nd set and put those under the dac. The 3rd set went under the transport (remember those). Every time I added another set it took the system to another level. The CMS2 feet are unquestionably expensive and if you can’t afford them, don’t demo them! I know I could never be without them. Take care.
Best regards
Scot