Stillpoints Ultra 6 Reference Grade Vibration Isolators

MY TAKE: Without a shadow of doubt, Stillpoints are the most effective products of their kind we’ve ever heard. Our customers are continually amazed at the amount of additional resolution Stillpoints bring out of their systems. You simply must try these! – Galen Carol

Stillpoints are truly unique in the world of isolation products and the only devices that offer both isolation from external, structure-borne vibration, as well as dissipating internally, component-generated vibration. This “bi-directional” energy control is remarkably effective and results in dramatic, even transformational upgrades in performance when employed system wide. Often just one set in a system can be significant, but eliminating the negative effects of vibration throughout a signal chain can be simply revelatory. “I heard my system for the very first time after installing Stillpoints,” is a common reaction we hear from our customers.

Stillpoints produce consistent improvement in clarity, articulation, imaging and timbre, all without affecting the tonal balance of your system. Specifically, you’ll hear an overall enhancement in resolution of low-level detail. With that increased resolution, many aspects of performance improve. Most everyone is immediately struck with the massive reduction of background haze and dramatically lower noise floor. Sound stage gains focus and the perception of dimension (air) is enhanced. Speed and timing are enhanced giving a much more accurate rendering of the dynamic envelope - from the initial attack of the transient to the last hint of the decay trail. Tighter bass, and often the perception of increased low frequency extension is very pronounced, especially when used under loudspeakers (which, by the way, is the best place to start tuning a system with Stillpoints).

THE STORY -

True Isolation - Unique in the world of isolation products, Stillpoints utilize sophisticated design concepts to eliminate the deleterious effects caused by vibration. Their patented internal construction employs stacked ceramic bearings arranged such that there is no direct contact path between the component and the surface upon which it rests, providing true isolation. Stillpoints refers to each implementation of their patented technology as a “pocket. Stillpoints use from one to many of these pockets of technology on each footer.

Energy Dissipation – The patented internal structure not only provides isolation between the component and the support, but also dissipates vibrational energy. The components of the internal structure move against one another in reaction to vibration. The result is that the vibrational energy is converted to heat and thus eliminated.

Beyond Human Hearing – Stillpoints designers believe that vibrational frequencies above the audio band are the most detrimental to the performance of the electronic components in an audio or video system. Unlike other isolation products, Stillpoints technology effectively functions over 20kHz. In addition to dealing with lower frequency vibration, Stillpoints are unique in their ability to work at these ultra-high “nanosecond-level” frequencies.

Materials Quality - The materials used in Stillpoints include the very best ceramics and stainless steel. They will last many lifetimes. What other product, from any industry, has the same permanence? Stillpoints are designed, machined, processed, and assembled in the greater Minneapolis / St Paul area. The factory is located in Hudson, WI which is just across the St Croix River from the metropolitan area of Minneapolis / St Paul. With Stillpoints, you know you are buying quality, American-made goods.

THE PRODUCTS -

Ultra Mini – The entry-level in the product in the line, Ultra Mini is a “maxi performer.” It is designed for more cost effective installations and can be used with any component weighing under 50 pounds. It can also be carefully used with lightweight speakers. Ultra Mini are 1.25” High x 1” Diameter

Ultra SS – This is the all ‘round performer of the line. The Ultra SS employs five pockets of the Stillpoints patented isolation technology offering a step up in performance over the Ultra Mini. The Ultra SS can be used under components as well as loudspeakers. An added benefit allows the Ultra SS to be secured to the component or speaker for better coupling and improved performance. Special adapter studs, sized to match your component or speaker, thread into the body of the Ultra SS maximizing the effectiveness of the Stillpoints. Bullet-point spikes can be added when Ultra SS are used with loudspeakers. 1.5” H x 1.25” Diameter

Ultra 5 – Originally designed as the ideal match for loudspeakers, the Ultra five offers twice as much active technology as found in the Ultra SS. Their gargantuan weight bearing capacity allows them to be used with even the largest, heaviest loudspeakers. Optional bullet-point spikes offer additional performance. 1.6” High x 3” Diameter

Ultra 6 – Designed as the ultimate Stillpoint for components, the Ultra 6 places the patented isolation pockets on top of the Ultra 6 to be in direct contact with the component for maximum performance. Additionally, more isolation is located on the bottom of the Ultra 6, making it the only Stillpoint product to have isolation pockets on both sides of the device. We’ve found that with the Ultra 6’s unique design that three units per component is often sufficient. We highly recommend the optional base. 1.5” H x 3” Diameter

LPI – Stillpoints applies their technology to LP replay with the LPI. Acting both as a weight (for mass damping) and active vibration dissipation system with five pockets of Stillpoints patented isolation technology located underneath for intimate contact with the LP. 1" H x 3" Diameter. Note: the weoight is 1.5 pounds, so be sure that your turntable is compatable.

ESS Rack – The final step in a system wide application of Stillpoints is the ESS Rack. This Stainless steel beauty fully realizes the design goal of isolating components from vibration. Coupled with Stillpoints isolators, the ESS rack completes the goal of full system isolation and the overall improvement can be shocking.

USAGE NOTES –

• Threaded adapter studs are available to mate Stillpoints to compnents or loudspeakers. These improve performance and add stability. There are more than twenty sizes available, with one likley to suit your application. Please call us with your requirements.
• Unlike other types of coupling or de-coupling devices, Stillpoints both isolate and absorb vibration. While cones or spikes, which are best uses in sets of three, Stillpoints perform best when four are used. Three will be effective, but because Stillpoints are actually absorbing and dissipating vibration, the fourth Stillpoint adds significantly to their effectiveness.Here's a note from a customer who started with three and tried four: "Thank you, Galen. 4 are definitely better than 3. The still points have transformed my amp and preamp." - B.C.
• Because it’s easy and convenient, people often like to try a single set of footers placed under a front-end component. This is fine, and you will indeed hear some of the benefits of Stillpoints technology, but we suggest you begin with the speakers if at all possible. With the speakers on Stillpoints you’ll be better able to appreciate the enhanced resolution when isolating the electronic components.

THE REVIEWS:

There are many over-the-top, rave reviews (too many to mention here) of Stillpoints from the worldwide audio press and posted on forums by happy owners. Here are just a few tidbits:
 

The Absolute Sound: "Each time I inserted the Ultra 6s I discerned a settling effect, like a placid ocean after a storm. The loudspeakers seemed to disappear a little more; instruments became more palpable and detached from each other; and the bass was more powerful and richer. And the blackness of the backgrounds. Oh, my! Any vestigial noise, any electronic effluvia, any intrusion, in short, on the sound seemed to be audibly lowered. Whether it was solo piano or voice or orchestra, the music came across as less mechanical and more fluid.

What the Stillpoints do for piano, for example, is nothing short of remarkable. On András Schiff’s London recording of J.S. Bach’s French Suites, I was bowled over by the richness and clarity of the piano. The left-hand lines, which can often become blurred or murky, emerged with a sense of energy and drive, of dynamism and precision, that I had never previously heard. In fact, I had always found the CD to sound a touch brittle. Add the Stillpoints and the fluidity I mentioned above replaces any astringency that may have existed before.

A sense of dynamic heft is greatly enhanced as well. The transient attack on piano is more focused and rings with newfound authority. This allows piano lines to sing with a freedom that they had not hitherto possessed. At the same time, the Stillpoints allow pianissimo passages to emerge with greater lucidity. On an EMI LP collection of Elly Ameling singing Erik Satie’s “Je te veux,” it was mesmerizing to hear the tiniest quavers in her voice. Then there is jazz drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath’s new CD Philadelphia Beat. On the venerable cut “Bags’ Groove,” his finger cymbals resound with uncanny accuracy deep in the soundstage, with gobs of air surrounding them. Put simply, the Stillpoints will allow you to hear a lot deeper into your recordings, extracting tiny details that were previously obscured or even effaced by a scrim of noise.

Often it’s easy to get enamored of a change in the sound of your stereo system, then become less persuaded after extended listening. Been there, done that, as the saying goes. But not in this case. On the contrary, my enthusiasm for this product has never wavered one iota. After listening to the Stillpoints isolation feet for over a year, I have come to consider them an indispensable part of my system. None of the downsides that I’ve heard with many isolation products, such as ringing in the treble or a more sterile presentation, seem to apply to these amazing devices. When it comes to Stillpoints, I can’t keep still about their virtues." - Jacob Helibrunn, 2016

The Absolute Sound: “When I heard the Ultra SS under the loudspeakers I thought I’d heard everything Stillpoints technology had to offer. In fact, I wrote the Ultra SS was the most effective accessory I’d ever tried. Little did I know the Ultra SS was just the beginning. Fully loading a system with Stillpoints technology – ESS Rack, Ultra SS under the power amplifiers, and, especially the Ultra 5s under the loudspeakers – transformed mu system far beyond anything I could have imagined. Whatever the music the change was always the same – hearing more music, more realistically presented, and with vastly deeper involvement. There’s simply no going back.Frankly, I’m a bit chagrined that I’ve been reviewing for 23 years and it took so long to discover the benefits of no-holds-barred vibration-isolation technology. It’s a new trick this old dog was thrilled to learn.” – Robert Harley, 2012

The Absolute Sound: “The Ultra 6 isolation footer is a state-of-the-art isolation device…it does suggest that vibrations obscure more –much more– of the audio signal than many audiophiles realize.”- Jacob Heilbrunn, The Absolute Sound, 2015 Product of the Year

The Audio Beat: "The LPI immediately imposes a sense of balanced calm on proceedings: the band step away from the speakers, the recording becomes a single, coherent entity, while the stereo perspective becomes much more natural, especially in terms of height. The drum kit solidifies into a single compact unit, rather than having elements scattered across the soundstage, the chiming guitars are both better separated and more insistent. But most telling of all is the drop in apparent volume; the music doesn’t seem so loud because so much hash and noise has been stripped away...I’ve found no music that fails to benefit from the LPI and it has become an essential piece of the turntable setup." – Roy Gregory, July 2012

The Audio Beat: “The full Stillpoints support system, with an ESS rack under the electronics and Ultra 5s supporting everything, will reveal a level of performance from most systems that the owners never thought possible. It is a comprehensive and beautifully engineered solution that might be expensive but delivers full value in terms of musical performance. It is undoubtedly at the forefront of current system-support solutions -- and the company is making serious efforts to consolidate that position, rather than simply resting on its reputation. The Ultras are impressively consistent performers, irrespective of price level or the system being supported. The ESS is an ongoing project, but its modular nature ensures that early adopters don’t suffer.

“From their very first product, Stillpoints have challenged the accepted status quo and our understanding of not just how equipment supports work, but how important they are -- and how much budget we should allocate to them. The current range is versatile, cost-effective and offers remarkable performance. In fact, if you haven’t heard your system on Stillpoints, you probably haven’t heard your system, and if such a thing as a benchmark support system exists here and now, then this is surely it. Of course, the great thing about benchmarks is that they set the standard, a standard that’s there to be beaten by future developments from Stillpoints or their competition.” – Roy Gregory, July 2013

Stereo Times: "One, I now realize how harmful and pervasive vibrations are to audio reproduction. Two, these devices make all prior attempts at isolation seem a waste of effort. It is hard for me to say that one can only hear music reproduction at its best spending thousands of dollars on isolating your equipment, but that is the reality. I would never go back as on each recording I am now totally involved in the music and thrilled by it." - Norm Luttbeg
 

Postitive Feedback: "Stillpoints Ultras are better than good. They have perfected the mysterious art of adding to musical pleasure and sonic enchantment by subtracting unwanted, deleterious nonmusical intrusions. They literally define an unbroken promise of sonic pleasure for any and every music reproduction system that includes their enigmatic beauty to enhance an audiophile's (or recording engineer's) fragile hope for sound at its ultimate realization with solidity of staging, rhythmic pace, and that inexplicably evanescent final accomplishment, seductive delicacy suffused with hypnotic energy." - Jim Merod

Read the full Positive Feedback review here

CUSTOMER COMMENTS:

"Galen, I wanted to let you know that I received the Stillpoints on the 15th of February. It only took a week which is absolutely great. I have been experimenting with them under my CD player. I suppose I should say WOW!! At first I wasn't sure. Its when you take them out and listen again you realize the difference they make. The overall sound is clearer and the soundstage comes alive. I found that they really made a noticeable improvement on choral music, in fact all the music that I have trying out. I really had a wonderful involvement in the music. I intend to try them under the amp next. I am hooked on the Stillpoints and intend to purchase some more from you to try under the speakers. I would like to thank you very much for your professional advice and great service.Kind regards." - M.G.