Stillpoints and reference-level speakers

Well, i guess I want to reopen this thread. I now have seven Star Sound Tech Apprentice Platforms as well as a lot of StillPoint devices. In terms of philosophies the two are quite different as the SPs seeks to convert all vertical vibrations into heat and Star Sound wants to transfer all to ground. They sound quite different also. The Star Sound are very quick sounding with sharp leading edge. The Stillpoints give a very holographic image, which may or may not be real.

Under my speakers the Star Sound platform worked better given the design of the BMC Arcadias as well as sounding better. The same is true under amps and my Koda preamp, which I should say is a hybrid use of both. The Koda sits on an Apprentice, which sits on a Accapella platform sitting on the rails of the Stillpoints Rack.

My best advice is to try both. I also think this thread ignored the Stillpoint Ultra Minis which on light devices are excellent. Most of my source components are on the Ultra Minis. My Nantais Lenco Reference is on a separate Stillpoints Rack on Ultra Fives, which were clearly better than the Ultra SSs.

Tbg

I just purchased some new Lahave speakers that come with 8 Ultra SS Stillpoints. The speaker is "voiced" with these footers it seems. Anyway, I will compare the stock Stillpoint footers to the Star Sound Apprentice 103 platforms I have.

I use the Apprentice under my Romulus cd/dac and just love it. It does amazing things to my music.

I will report back on my findings.

Grannyring, I would be very interested in your findings.

What I expect you to hear is speed, quickness, sharp leading edge, whatever you want to call it. It is the 103 with their 1.5" Audio Points that I have.

Congrats to Granny and Tbg. I had Apprentice stands under $75 Pioneer speakers I bought on Craigslist as surrogates until I got my speakers from Dale Pitcher. It was nothing short of astounding. I had a golden eared friend over and he stated that he has heard a lot of speakers in the 10-15K range that did not sound as good as these humble, vintage, Vietnam era speakers! Bravo Starsound.

Psag, what say ye?

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,