Agear,
Your SOTA mechanically grounded listening room demands that the Backstage find a permanent home there. |
Keith, Mine are the SP-SA-103 model. Talk to Robert at Star Sound, he's friendly and will guide you properly for your individual needs.
Charles, |
Teajay,
Wow! very interesting findings. I just got the Star Sound Apprentice platforms a week ago and completely agree with what you wrote. I have them under components(very good results) and speakers(the most impactful location) utterly improved natural sound across the board, .
I`ve heard/read very good things said regarding the Stillpoint products (haven`t used them myself). The Apprentice is really something quite special for the fairly modest price.They have a high -performance/value ratio.
Charles, |
Tboooe, I don`t know if you have a price point limit or not. The brass Audio points are a good product but the Apprentice(which includes these same points) is very much worth the added cost for speakers.
Charles, |
Psag,
Each device will have its own theory for why/how they work better than another.I don`t know which is superior, I can say that the Apprentice are very effective with their mechanical grounding approach. For all I know the Stillpoints could be equal,better or worse.You`d have to listen to a them as Teajay did and decide. |
Glory,
The Stillpoints get rave reviews universally(they may warrant them,I don`t know). Over the years I`ve found word of mouth comments from actual product owners on sites like this are often more valuable and insightful.
Charles, |
Agear,
Mechanical grounding is a fundamental issue and shouldn`t be ignored.Your comment about capacitors is interesting. I replaced the lone capacitor in my speaker crossover with a Duelund CAST and the improvement was immediate and obvious,it got better yet with time(it was money well spent). I`d say that placing the speakers on the Apprentice platforms resulted in an even larger margin of improvement(which is saying something!).This is good engineering/design with excellent implementation.
Charles, |
Bill,
They are fairly stable but not as secure as the original cones due to 52 inch height and narrow footprint of the speaker(same cabinet as yours). They are in a seperate room and there`re no children or pets to worry about.The improvement is well worth it to me,I`ll just be careful around them.I use two platforms per speaker(speaker depth is 22 inches).
Charles, |
Bill I understand. It`s just me and my wife now(the kids have moved on) and the speakers are in a dedicated room,so the risk is lower than in the past.I`m sure Star Sound can offer reasonable suggestions for you.
Charles, |
Hi Psag,
The TAD and PHY-HP30 are so different in concept and design I see no way for them to sound similar at all. The PHY is very unique. They aren't even meant to be driven by the same type of amplifiers. There re from two different worlds .
Charles, |
Hi Psag,
Thanks, I took a shortcut and likely avoided potential angst. Having the speakers, amplifier and the line stage from the same talented builder has worked out superbly for me .You know what they say about those roads leading to Rome.
Charles, |
I have Duelund CAST, High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate digital cable, Tripoint Troy and the Takatsuki 300b tubes in my system. These 4 are at the very top level in their respective categories. All four products are premium priced and rightly so, I find them superb in my system. The Star Sound Apprenticeare much less expensive and yet in terms of their effect I'm compelled to place them in this exalted class. As with the other four products they move my sound in the same direction. More natural, more realism and closer to what I experience with live music, emotion and connection/ involvement. All of these stellar products are for those who love music rather than seekers of Hifi hype and sizzle. IMO they will withstand the test of time. Rather than becoming bored with them and then in search of a new toy or thrill, admiration will grow. That's what true musical value does. My music listening enjoyment has deepened ever further do to these products addition to my system.
Charles, |
The Apprentice will not change the inherent character of your system generally speaking(Shindo and Krell won't suddenly be indistinguishable). Due to its effectiveness managing vibration and resonance you'll hear more of what you have. As I mentioned earlier, the resolving power is improved (but in a natural sense not hifi, at least in my system). The sense of a live presence is increased, subtitles and nuances are uncovered, so realism is better. The fullness of tone, body and overtones actually improved (and these were already a system strength prior to the Apprentice). If your system has good depth and layering it will only improve. Basically all the benefits of increased low level information will be apparent.
Charles, |
Audiolabytinth,
Take note however of the increasing number of thread responders who've actually compared Stillpoint to Star Sound products, this is a welcome addition IMO. |
I don't believe that the Apprentice change the fundamental room/speaker presentation. Depends on the recording but usually my stage begins behind the speaker's plane and goes back beyond the front wall. Some recordings place the instruments out in front of the speakers. As Agear said and I agree, the overwhelming effect is that the live presence/palpable aspect is improved. The sense of dynamic energy, flesh and blood and vibrancy are undeniable. It your system is organic this quality is enhanced further. The sound seems to come from everywhere but the speakers themselves with good recordings.
Charles, |
Well,
We can all agree that the Apprentice is a terrific product.I look forward to Agear's inevitable purchase of the Backstage platforms and how they improve upon the Apprentice's high standards that we've established here. Agear don't keep us waiting too long.
Charles, |
The audio press has been very enamored with the Stillpoint products. It will be interesting to see how they find the different engineering approach of Star Sound products. Time will tell.
Charles, |
Of course it's a hierarchy of preference. You've obviously have established some form of a hierarchy in choosing the Star Sound over the Stillpoint. How else would you have made a judgement/decision? We rate and place in catagories products that we hear and do our best to describe it to others.It you have a different vernacular than mine that's your choice.
Charles, |
Jafox is correct, the platforms are virtually unseen once a component is placed on them. Since we're discussing "audio", I'd be persuaded by which product subjectively improves sound quality the most convincingly.
Charles, |
Glory,
Your posts and comments seldom make much sense to me or are worthwhile. Let's just agree that we communicate differently and leave it at that.
Charles, |
Tbg,
Once again it just goes to show that all these audio choices we make are purely personal. My experience is the polar direction of yours(it doesn't make me right, just different). SS hasn't come close to what good SET amplifiers have revealed to my ears(your experience is different, I understand). Audio and listening to music has always been much fun for me, now it's better than ever and I appreciate that. I buy and keep what sounds right to me and that's all that matters.You pursue what you call accuracy and my goal and pursuit is what I call natural. Whatever works for each of us.
Charles, |
Roxy54,
Your last sentence sums up what time and experience have done to form my position. Enjoying music is a very necessary aspect of my life, both live and also reproduced in my home. If you have a audio system that allows involvement and emotional connection you have contentment and happiness. Under these circumstances there is no angst or neurosis. These are nonexistent when you can honestly say you're engaged and connected to the music/musicians you choose to listen to. To be blunt, just own what sounds best to you and promotes long listening sessions. What others think of your choices is completely irrelevant. Affirmation is unnecessary.
Charles, |
Hi Roxy54,
Congratulations on the Audio Note Kit amplifiers, they have a reputation for providing exceptional sound quality. It should be a really fine match for your high sensitivity/efficiency speakers. Of coursr with my bias I believe that you are moving in the direction of increased joy and musical naturalness LOL. What speakers are you using? I'm interested to know your impressions regarding a major amplifier change such as this. Please keep us posted. I think there's a good chance you're going to be thrilled with these changes to your system.
Charles, |
Roxy54,
By the way choosing the upgraded Jupiter copper foil capacitors was a wise decision IMO. They've already achieved a great reputation and seem very well priced. Spending a bit more money for them could result in superb long term satisfaction and eliminate the dreaded 2nd guessing syndrome.
Charles, |
Roxy,
I had V caps(teflon tin foil) in my previous preamp and PP amplifier, they're very good. I've now used Duelund products and like their character even more. Very high resolution and detail yet utterly organic and better tone/body IMO. The Jupiter is said to be as good in this way or perhaps better. I think yo'll be very pleased.
Charles, |
One of the refreshing aspects of this thread is the input from those who have use used both Still Points and the Star Sound Apprentice platforms.I wouldn't underestimate the Audio Points cones, they are very effective and quite affordable.
Charles, |
Tbg,
I wouldn't have expected any other result. These two products follow very different principles of vibration/resonance management and the engineering reflects that.
Charles, |
Tbg,
I get your point in your description. I've attended about 18 to 20 live jazz performances so far this year and many in un microphoned smaller environments. What ever are the intrinsic qualities that allow the ears to immediately recognize "live sound" the Star sound products definitely move in that direction. I'm very grateful for their successful engineering and implantation. They have increased the "natura/ realisml" character in my system unquestionably. That's the highest compliment I can ascribe to an audio product.
Charles, |
Meant to type implementation not implantation. |
Pkoegz,
You should compare both SP and Star Sound products directly and then decide based on listening. This is superior to citing articles of someone's opinion. Contributors to this thread have actually compared and the majority have selected Star sound as their preference. So just listen and determine which is better in your system. There's no better solution than hearing for yourself.
Charles, |
Hi Roxy54,
Was that reply for me? I have no issues with the choice of brass if its been deemed the best material for the chosen application. Bo is the one who's concerned about the color.
Charles, |
