Enhanced Sound Quality with Stillpoints ESS Ultra Equipment Stand

Experience unmatched audio clarity and performance with the Stillpoints ESS Ultra Equipment Stand, designed to filter vibrations and elevate your music experience.

The Importance of Reducing Vibrations in Audio Systems

Contrary to the tunes of the Beach Boys, when it comes to audio systems, good vibrations are often not a good thing. Whether you’re using a turntable, CD player, preamplifier, or amplifier, vibrations can negatively impact the quality of music playback. Many manufacturers, like Magico and Wilson Audio, have invested heavily in creating inert cabinets to dampen these vibrations. In contrast, brands like Sonus faber argue for a different approach—tuning the cabinet to resonate with the music itself.

In light of this, it’s no surprise that there are various opinions on constructing an effective equipment stand. For years, the prevailing belief was that mass is beneficial. When I built my first stand decades ago, I filled it with a combination of sterile sand and lead shot. However, Wisconsin-based Stillpoints takes a different stance. They don't focus on dampening vibrations; instead, their philosophy is akin to the Hippocratic oath—“first, do no harm.”

A Unique Approach to Vibration Management

Stillpoints argues that attempting to dampen vibrations might actually hinder audio playback. Bruce Jacobs, a director at the company, suggests that the key should be filtering out vibrations rather than trying to eliminate them. He asserts that Stillpoints is the only manufacturer that addresses micro-vibrations beyond 20kHz and that their stand operates as an ultra-wideband filter.

How credible are these bold claims? The high-end audio market is full of products that promise sonic perfection. However, based on my experience with Stillpoints, I can confidently say that their offerings are no gimmicks. The new black ESS Ultra rack, priced between $24,000 and $80,000 depending on specifications, is a testament to that.

Design and Functionality of the ESS Ultra Rack

For several years, I’ve utilized a pair of Stillpoints' standard 42″ ESS racks, which resemble an erector set. These racks feature two pillars on each side, allowing for an open-frame construction that creates an illusion of audio equipment floating in mid-air. When Jacobs suggested I try the new Ultra version, I was excited to see how it compared.

The ESS Ultra rack does maintain some similarities to its predecessor. It rests on four large Ultra 7 isolation feet and retains the internal frame supported by aircraft wires, capable of holding up to 2,200 pounds. Jacobs explains that “the lack of mass means you have no air transfer of vibration.” Each mast under the top shelf is equipped with Stillpoints Ultra 6 v2 feet, isolating audio gear from the rack itself. Plus, the shelves are adjustable, allowing you to position them however you wish.

Yet, the Ultra rack introduces significant changes. It boasts four supporting towers instead of two, accommodating the super-turntables that weigh several hundred pounds. Another major upgrade is the material; the new version eliminates aluminum in favor of stainless steel with constrained-layer damping for the top plate, which is also cryogenically treated, reducing unwanted ringing.

Ease of Use and Setup

While placing equipment in the rack does require a bit of finesse—hovering each piece over the isolation feet as you move it toward the back—it's a straightforward process. It’s probably best for your dealer to handle the setup, as the aircraft wires come pre-installed and don't need adjustments. With a little care, using the Ultra rack is a breeze.

Audible Improvements and Listening Experience

After swapping out my older Stillpoints rack for the new Ultra, I immediately noticed an improvement in the sound quality of my four-stack dCS Vivaldi Apex CD/SACD playback system. It wasn't that the old rack sounded broken—far from it—but the new setup resulted in a noticeable drop in the noise floor, allowing for greater dynamic expression. The Ultra rack enhanced the clarity of soft passages and the impact of loud ones, making music feel more alive.

For instance, while listening to the Brazilian Guitar Quartet’s Delos CD of Bach's orchestral suites, I could pinpoint the guitarists' locations with newfound clarity. The transient accuracy in softer passages and the rich sonority of each guitar stood out vividly. The more I listened, the more it became clear that playing softly with emotion is essential for achieving dynamic contrasts.

Another track that stood out was Matthias Höfs's “Entsagung,” a piece by Oskar Böhme. The Ultra rack allowed this melancholic music to resonate with a level of clarity I didn't think possible, especially during the extended final note that seemed to hang in the air.

Versatility and Performance Across Genres

The Ultra rack positively influenced a wide array of recordings, from the energetic sounds of the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers to Shostakovich’s monumental Eighth Symphony. I found myself diving deeper into the soundstage, where the big moments felt grander, yet it was the subtle details that kept pulling me back. A Deutsche Grammophon recording of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin showcased this perfectly. The rack helped define the piano's bass notes, which typically pose a challenge, delivering a concert-like ambiance.

Most recently, I set up the reference dCS Varèse music system on the Ultra stand, and the synergy was fantastic. Simply put, the Ultra rack is a remarkable addition to any audio setup. It effectively minimizes the disruptive vibrations that can spoil audio playback. Having used several Stillpoints products over the years, I wholeheartedly recommend their new stand.

Specs & Pricing

Stillpoints ESS Ultra rack: $40,000–$60,000 depending on specifications
Ultra 6 v2 isolation feet: $1,079 each
Ultra 7 isolation feet: $1,299 each

FAQs

• What makes the Stillpoints ESS Ultra stand unique? The ESS Ultra rack features advanced vibration filtering technology and a design that minimizes mass for better sound quality.
• How does the ESS Ultra rack improve sound quality? It filters out vibrations that can distort audio playback, resulting in clearer and more dynamic sound.
• Is it difficult to set up the ESS Ultra rack? While it may require some dexterity to place equipment, the setup is generally straightforward, especially if handled by a dealer.
• What types of audio equipment can I use with the ESS Ultra? It supports a wide range of audio gear, including heavy turntables and various amplifiers.
• What is the price range for the ESS Ultra rack? Prices range from $40,000 to $60,000, depending on the specifications you choose.

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