Charles and Grannyring,
Being a user of the Apprentice as well as the SP 101, I drool when I look at pictures of the Backstage, imagining what it would do for my system. It must be truly magical. If only I could afford one! Until that unlikely day, I will appreciate my other Starsound platforms.

roxy54 June 24, 2014 03:56

Willdo Charles. The Koda left a BIG impression on me. It ordered the sound reducing a lot of tizz/hash, instilling a sense of ease that is rare in audio. Music seemed to slow, but this was a positive in that nothing was rushed in any way. Even more positive was a revealing of layers and textures in the low end that gave a real earthiness to the presentation. In comparison my Hovland on it's return seemed a lot more ragged and noisy in comparison, with a distinct coolness to the presentation esp. wrt lack of real bass depth.
BUT i do feel the Hovland had the edge in terms of excitement, the Koda a little too lush, and the 24 step volume control just a little too coarse re fine adjustment wrt 38 steps on my Hovland.
If the Audion Quattro can approach even 50% of the Koda's positives, with a real synergy w/the power amps, I'll be bowled over.

spiritofmusic June 23, 2014 22:36

Hello Spirit,
That seems like an exceptionally good deal, especially with the 2 week return policy. Four boxes are a lot, however I suspect that this is a genuine all out assault on the SOTA by Audion. Nothing substitutes for actually hearing a component in your home. My gut feeling is that it will mate brilliantly to your Black Shadow 845 amplifier. I'm very curious how this four box preamplifier compares to the single box (or 2?) Robert Koda which is also a highly praised SOTA assault as well. You're in store for much fun and learning for certain. Please keep me posted.
Charles,

charles1dad June 23, 2014 13:03

Charles, thanx for all your replies and input to all my queries SET related, you've v.much helped me make that initial jump away from SS end up a success.
I've just taken a punt on the Audion flagship preamp, the 4!!! box Quattro (dual mono/dual psu design). The handful of reviews on the web seem to put it right up there, and I'm hoping it'll form a great synergy w/my Audion Black Shadow SETs, giving me that extra bass texture/warmth I'm missing w/the Hovland pre (that I noticed esp w/my Koda K10 trial). It was being advertised w/the cap upgrades Audion recommend at a price less than a third of rrp - too good to turn down.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome. I do have a 2 wk return period, so if I get nowhere w/it, I'll get my cash back.
My first issue is, where in blazes do I situate this thing?! 4 boxes is an ergonomic challenge to say the least.

spiritofmusic June 23, 2014 09:14

Two highly pleasing recordings I've enjoyed today.
1, Carmen McRae "Ballad Essentials"
2, Steve Nelson "Fuller Nelson" vibraphone.
Two really good CDs of jazz beauty.
Charles,

charles1dad June 20, 2014 02:07

Hi Bill,
What's interesting is that the Apprentice are modest cost products in the Star Sound line up. Their SOTA effort is the Backstage platform and is said to be fantastic. I've never use one or know anyone who has tried them. Knowing how beneficial the Apprentice is I'd imagine that the Backstage is something very special. IMO the Apprentice is a genuine high value purchase due to the considerable sound quality improvement it provides. It moves sound in the direction of naturalness and away from mechanical-electronic hifi character.
Charles,

charles1dad June 10, 2014 11:20

I now have a Star Sound Apprentice stand under my Aesthetix Romulus player. Everything Charles stated regarding the improvement to his Troy is also true in my system now. Big fan of the Star Sound stands and racks and a long time user.

grannyring June 09, 2014 22:30

Fellow jazz lovers you need to hear Thelonious Monk "Live At The It Club". Live club recording from around 1963, the band is in prime form and the venue feel is well captured. This recording really gets the drum kit of Ben Riley realistically and you can clearly appreciate his groove /communication with Monk and the oother players, real nice two CD set! Classic and beautiful Monk.
Charles,

charles1dad June 05, 2014 01:54

Thanks Tom, The Apprentice are stout and sturdy. I did not know they had such high a weight capacity.

charles1dad June 02, 2014 22:38

Gentlemen,

The weight capacity of the Apprentice SP-SA-103 is 800 lbs. as listed on the website. Please consider the use of the optional Apcd 2 coupling disc as this device serves to protect the surface above or below the point tip and also effectively increases the surface area of the point tip. Tom. Star Sound Technologies.

theaudiotweak June 02, 2014 20:55

Miguel,
Miguel,
I am not sure of the weight capacity either. Obviously, it isn't going to break, but excess weight might affect the points on the brass cones. As Charles suggested, ask Robert. Remember too that if you are looking for maximum sonic effect, the SP-101 is the higher end model (Stage as Charles said is the highest). The SP-101 is supported by 3 precision machined stainless steel towers filled with special micro beads and with large brass cones screwed into their base. Robert did tell me that the less costly platforms were backwards engineered from the SP-101.

roxy54 June 02, 2014 14:14

Good question Miguel, 300 pounds is a load! You may need to consider the Sistrum SP-101 or their premium platform called the Backstage. Robert at Star Sound could sort it out for you.
Charles,

charles1dad June 02, 2014 13:06

Roxy 54, Charles, Andrew you're correct I've waited to long to try the Apprentice. Does anyone know if the Apprentice can handle 300 pounds plus. Want to try my new Emperor Master a Reference Ground Station on it.

himiguel June 02, 2014 12:19

Hi Miguel,
How interesting your choice of the word density. I'm listening currently and it's very apparent that instrumental tone, body and definitely the harmonics have become noticeably richer and mimic the live full body tone I love.At the same time low level information and nuances are increasingly resolved.Not the proverbial" night and day" but it's clearly a step up. Roxy54 is right, you should try one yourself.
Charles,

charles1dad June 02, 2014 03:31

Himiguel,
It appears that you are a skilled designer who probably has a good set of ears as well. Have you considered trying the Apprentice platforms in your own system? I would really be curious as to your opinion. And price wise, it is not much money considering the value of your system.

roxy54 June 02, 2014 03:13

Hi Charles, Thanks for the report. The addition of the Apprentice platform further reduces mechanical induce distortions. I suppose that stand up bass has greater articulation with more lifelike density. Seems to me that the system has a greater sense of realism from your earlier descriptions.
Congrats! Enjoy the Troy/Apprentice combo.

himiguel June 02, 2014 02:46

Nope, no smugness at all. Combining the two excellent products should yield the results I heard. Similar to installing Duelund capacitors in your components, you'd expect significant improvement and that's what you get.
Charles,

charles1dad June 02, 2014 00:01

I heard that dizzy sat down on his trumpet while trying to sit into a chair and caused the bend. Dizzy being dizzy probably said why not and began playing.

jwm May 31, 2014 01:07

Mitch,
Yes, that's a very young and "slim" Dizzy before his trademark 45 degree trumpet came along.
Charles,

charles1dad May 31, 2014 01:02

.
C'mon Charles, no fair! How was I supposed to recognize Diz in that poster? He's playing a trumpet without the 45 degree bend in the bell....that's got to throw everyone off.
.

mitch4t May 30, 2014 23:15

I realize that the sucessful Troy -Apprentice pairing did not require a stroke of great skill or thought on my part. Pretty predictable outcome in hindsight.

False humility is not a good disguise for smugness. It broadcasts even via cyberspace....:/

agear May 30, 2014 20:23

Andrew,
I realize that the sucessful Troy -Apprentice pairing did not require a stroke of great skill or thought on my part. Pretty predictable outcome in hindsight.
Charles,

charles1dad May 30, 2014 17:22

Hi Mitch4t,
That's dizzy Gillespie when he was a member of the Billy Eckstine Big Bebop band.
Charles,

charles1dad May 30, 2014 01:37

Roxy, I too miss Tvads acidic intelligence (in the same way I miss Pubul57 who sadly passed away). You guys are linked at the hip due to your system page.

Charles, your victory parade continues.....:/

agear May 30, 2014 00:59

.
Ok...I've been looking at this system for years. I'm a jazz fan, and the photo on the right has stumped me. Left to right I see Bird, Miles...I just can't figure out the the third guy playing the trumpet. Who is he?
.

mitch4t May 29, 2014 23:33