Charles1dad,
I am so happy to hear that you took the leap and bought the Apprentice supports. I just did the same for under my Pioneer PDS-95 transport, and the improvement was immediately noticeable, even though that transport is heroically built.
That said, the biggest difference by far will be the Sistrum beneath your speakers. You will kick yourself for not doing it sooner. If you can afford it, the SP 101 platforms are the way to go, as they are the fullest realization of the mechanical grounding, vibration draining concept. They make a huge difference, and Robert at Starsound is a great guy. You have a super system, much better than my own, and it deserves it.

roxy54 August 17, 2013 20:32

Charles, which Sistrum product will go under your speakers? Will they be secure or more tipsy now? I am interested for my TVIII speakers.

The challenge is they must remain as stable as stock footers.....

Thanks

grannyring August 17, 2013 19:44

Brf,
Will get the speakers on the platforms soon. What's your long term verdict on the Duelund CAST capacitor in your Total Eclipse speakers?
Charles,

Agear,
Given the sucess with my components I'm eager to hear their effect with the speakers. The Apprentice platforms are surprising heavy and very solid, they have a understated elegance and form follows function aura to them. It's very apparent the folks at Star Sound know what they're doing. I'm
listening to Freddie Hubbard right now and the natural brass tone of his trumpet and true

beauty of his playing is so well preserved.

charles1dad August 17, 2013 17:48

Hey Charles, that's great news. The biggest impact will be under your speakers although it will be a chore from an engineering standpoint.

Due to my 18 month old, I sold my Gamma Summit speakers which are a 100 lb monitor that was somewhat mobile. I am getting a floor stander from Dale (same company) that will be mounted on apprentice stands.

Keep us posted.

agear August 17, 2013 13:53

Hi Charles, I am very interested in your thoughts on the Star Sound under your speakers. If time permits, perhaps a photo or 2.

brf August 17, 2013 11:27

I put the new Star Sound Apprentice plateforms in my system yesterday.They`re beneath my line stage,transport and DAC. they replaced the brass audio points which were an asset in my system. They basically improve all that the points offered,resolution,clarity,articulation and transparency.

What I find unique is these parameters are improved without affecting the natural tone and character. Nothing becomes harder,edgier or harsh as a penalty for better resolution.The tonality of instruments and voice is actually improved(fullness and saturation).You just hear more nuance and information.They are quite an addition to my system,the dynamics and music just flow effortlessly.It is a definite step closer in the direction of natural and realism as opposed to hifi/analytical.

I`ll also place them under my speakers in a few days when I get some help(the speakers weigh 170 lbs and are 22 inches deep).
The concept of mechanical grounding and managing vibration/resonance is very effective and absolutely benetficial.
Charles,

charles1dad August 17, 2013 02:54

Hi Hcalland,
I appreciate your comments very much, thank you. This room has been my jazz paradise for a number of years now. Last night I enjoyed an intimate session of listening to Sonny Stitt, Roy Hargrove and Charlie Rouse.
Charles,

charles1dad August 15, 2013 13:19

Nice and spacious layout - this must sound heavenly. Like the pictures on your wall too.

hcalland August 15, 2013 02:06

Hi Tjkurita,
Thanks for that information, I don't blame you for getting a 2nd pair of these very special tubes. If I come across a better price I'll certainly let you know.
Charles,

charles1dad August 14, 2013 12:51

Hi Charles! I bought a backup pair of TA-300B from the following website: http://www.audio-accessory.com/ for $1668, including all shipping and insurance to the US. I don't know what the price is at the American distributor because they have never replied to my inquiries after multiple emails. Just wanted to let you know for future reference. If you find a better price, please let me know!

tjkurita August 14, 2013 06:26

You just have to say enough is enough until the next CES of course.

jwm August 13, 2013 12:12

Brownsfan,
Yep, I understand, if your listening revolves around the music rather than contemplating the next component upgrade, you're in a good position. You'll be happy with or without the new ModWright Oppo player.
Charles,

charles1dad August 13, 2013 11:24

Charles, by all accounts, the ModWright Oppo is an improvement on the Sony, and it has not totally fallen off my radar screen. It's not a huge investment, assuming normal resale value for the ModWright Sony. I have an undefined, but relatively short, period of time prior to retirement with the usual list of things I need to get done before the cash flow equation changes. If the ModWright Oppo happens, great, if not, as Bach would say, Es ist genug!
The listening sessions are all about music at this point, not about reflecting on my next upgrade with music playing in the background.

brownsfan August 13, 2013 09:18

Browndfan,
If you eventually decide to do the ModWright Oppo 105 you'll be very pleased with what you hesr. My good friend has one and I've heard it many times and it just reproduces music beautifully and allows the emotional involvement to work its magic. He has a very high quality Basis TT analog system, the ModWright isn't embarrassed by it "at all".
Charles,

charles1dad August 13, 2013 02:52

Hi Brownsfan,
Contentment is the correct term. It gets to a point where you become very happy and really enjoy listening to your system reproduce the music you love. I've been in this state since I got my CSL and Frankenstein amp 4 years ago. Everything since then has been simply fortifying and fine tuning this core. Duelund CAST capacitors in my speakers and DAC just added to what was already there, same with the High Fidelity CT1-U digital cable, further enhancements. Overall the sound became more organic and realistic but the essential character unchanged.
When the core components are basically pure, natural and transparent the fine tuning pays off substantially. So I'm looking forward to the arrival of the Star Sound plateforms. There's no desire to change the current components.
Charles,

charles1dad August 13, 2013 02:32

Charles, I had to laugh a bit at your statement about your components not going anywhere. Funny how Coincident does that to you! I am (I think) at the same point, where fine tuning is the goal. I am so happy with my rig that even the planned update of my ModWright Sony to the ModWright Oppo is on hold. There comes a time when contentment is a very good thing.

brownsfan August 13, 2013 02:06

Ive been very pleased with Star Sound products in my system. Their Sistrum 101 stand and brass audio points have performed as promised and made my music listening more enjoyable with an increase in the sense of realism quality. They now have a new platform called the Apprentice, robert of Star Sound says they are neary as good as the Sistrum 101 but are priced much less.

Robert has been very open, honest and accurate with everything thus far concerning his products (maybe even a bit understated) so I definitely trust him. He said the Apprentice is a significant step above the audio points. Given my utter satisfaction with the points I'm going to try the new platforms . If not impressed I can return them, fair enough for me. I'll place them under my speakers and all four components and just listen.

My components and speakers aren't going anywhere (4 ye a rs and
counting) so it's fun fine tuning what I have. I believe that the Apprentice platforms will extract more from my system than the already very good audio points do currently.
Charles,

charles1dad August 13, 2013 01:15

I'm listening to Shirley Scott (Hammond organ) and Oliver Nelson (tenor saxophone) the CD is "Blue Seven" shirley's solo on the tune "wagon wheels" is pure jazz organ, wow! The EML XLS 300b is a superb tube, it lets the music breath and allows the emotion of music to really get
you involved. 300b amp owners need to hear this tube. This tube is exceptionally dynamic, lots of lively energy but retains good fluidity and flow.
Charles,

charles1dad August 09, 2013 02:14

Hi Spirit,
Your take on Miguel is very similar to mine. I think he touts his products rather smugly and his prices "seem" a bit much. However I do agree with his emphasis on proper electrical grounding and his principles in general. Without question his Tripoint components are highly praised and respected by those who have heard them. I respect others who have chosen to buy them, but they're too costly for me to consider. I use balanced AC power and can strongly attest to its obvious benefits, my system sounds noticeably better with it in use. So he and I would part company on that issue.

I will find your thread and read it, there's always something new to learn and you are quite happy with this grounding product (I've seen you mention them before). I use the Star Sound Technology products for mechanical grounding and boy they do make a difference!
Charles,

charles1dad August 09, 2013 00:08

Hi Charles, I'm totally in the SET way now. Talk about getting a whole layer closer to involvement with the music. Spooky!
Just a couple of thoughts re the increasingly acrimonious set of posts re Miguel's Tripoint gear and the guy who is shouting snake oil and wants to lift the lid on these boxes.
Personally, I've had some contact with Miguel re Troy, and I found his unremitting hard sell set my teeth on edge. I've found nirvana going down the balanced power route, but he claims those changes are insignificant compared to his conditioner which could supply a whole apartment block! with a couple of hundred high end systems!! and not break sweat!!!
I run my own business myself, and resent such self-agrandisement in the extreme. So I have no issue with hush-hush tech black boxes, even at the exhalted prices he charges, but rebel when the relentless hard-sell comes my way.
However, i DO believe in grounding and have gone down the Entreq Silver Tellus/Apollo route, at 10% of tripoint cost, to major benefit in my system.
Check out my thoughts in the "tech talk" forum. My guy in the UK is Fraser of Kog Audio. Splendid man, the v. antithesis of the hard sell, and a great company and product to deal with. Has transformed my system, along with balanced power and SET amps. No affiliation, just passion.

spiritofmusic August 08, 2013 23:05

Isochronism, you will love fingerpainting. This is a cd that you can play 2 or 3 times in a row. Its what my old friend Ko Chen Chou use to say. When your system is right and you play a great cd you can play it over and over again and even want to hear it again. Enjoy Jeff

jwm August 08, 2013 12:31

Detroit historically motored out legendary musical talent to be sure!!

isochronism August 07, 2013 19:47

Johnny A is not really jazz. He does a great rendition of Wichita Lineman. Eliane Elias "everything I love" w/ C McB on bass.

isochronism August 07, 2013 19:31

Sorry, meant Randy Napoleon, a very talented young guitarist out of NYC. by way of the University of Michigan School of Music.He can play!

charles1dad August 07, 2013 17:41

Brett,
Thanks for your kind comments.
I`m not familiar with Johnny A but will followyp on the recommendation.
Enjoy that outdoor jazz next week.
The Detroit jazz festival is in a few weeks. Two years ago I saw/heard Terrence Blanchard,Kenny Barron,Mulgrew Miller and Randy Napolian among others. It`s always a top notch 4 days of jazz.They managed to get very good sound quality that matches the level of talent there.
Charles,

charles1dad August 07, 2013 17:27