Confessions of an Audiophile Junky-I Got Center Stage With Pitch Perfect Sound

and transform this site into a new marketplace of ideas, discussions, reviews, brand promotion and sales:

You wont attract more readers if the forum content becomes biased heavily towards commercialism...
all opinions and reviews of those with vested commercial interests are treated with skepticism .. not just in audio..all that will happen is there will be more noise to sift thru to find the nuggets

Yes indeed. This would be my concern also. I seems to me that the site is moving in this general direction. It is pretty easy to see what a thread is all about by seeing the participation of those who have commercial interests. There is a fine line to tread here, imo, and going a bit too far might very well turn members off. Once could also simply decide not to read those threads, but as you write, there will be more to sift through.
 
Hello Steve. Since we have been discussing the marketing of the CS footers, could you please clarify something? Based on previous posts in this thread, I am under the impression that there will be no individual dealers for these new footers. As the international distributor, will you be the sole global source to the retail consumer for these products, or will you act as the middle man between Joe and international dealers/sale reps for overseas markets? If you are the former, that seems to be a different situation that some of the distributors who come to WBF to discuss that they are now carrying a new brand from some well established manufacturer in addition to the many other brands that they distribute to other distinct retail outlets. In essence, they are using WBF to announce a new product line as a service to the reader and promotion of their distributorship.

It seems that this is slowly evolving Peter. I have been welcoming the news of new products released to the marketplace. ElliotG began advertising his new product here along with his own dedicated subforum on Gobel a speaker and cable manufacturer that to me looks so uniquely different that I believe will add to the mix here at WBF. Surely this is all good thing. So also with the new Gryphon subforum at the request of the distributor

As for Center stage, yes, that is the sole product that I represent.

Steve, I realize that CS is the only product you represent, but could you answer the question I asked in my previous post? Are you the sole channel worldwide through which one can purchase these footers at the retail/consumer level? I understand that companies can buy them in bulk as OEM products to install under their components. You say that you are the international distributor. I think of a distributor as someone who imports and then sells at wholesale a product to a retail seller and then sells to the consumer. Do distributors usually have direct contact with the customer or are you following some new direct sales model? You seem to be acting more as sole direct seller for the manufacturer, which to me distinguishes your business from that of a guy like Elliot whom I assume is both a distributor/importer and a traditional dealer representing multiple brands and product lines.
 
Thanks Joe. Assuming that the other Joe is not going to have 12 or 3 Qpods under each of three component in order to switch them all out for three complete sets of four CS footers, would you recommend this approach rather than having all of the components on their stock footers and then just directly comparing one set of Qpods to one set of CS footers on the one source component?

What you recommend seems more akin to having an all MIT cable system and then replacing just one cable link at the source with one cable from another brand. I agree that a complete system approach is best, but it is also the most expensive, and I think Joe has the Qpods under just one component, the phono stage.

Hi Peter

Honestly, the best way to get a handle on the differences (IMO) given the product supply circumstances is as follows:

Assumptions: 12 CS / 3 Qpods

Work solely with the digital signal path.
We want to work in the same direction the signal moves. Network device to network device.
Place 4 CS under the DAC, and 4 CS under the preamp.
If the next step is a stereo amp, 4 go under that. If the next step is monoblocks, hold the last 4 out, or put them under the preamp power supply if there is one. If there is no preamp power supply, for sure put them under the server. If none of this is there, put the last 4 aside.
Pull out every other similar device in the signal path (Stillpoints, Qpods, Harmonix, whatever, it all comes out)

So, now we have a pretty clear shot down the signal path with all CS.
Let that cook until it's settled in.
When you're confident you have everything settled, pull the CS out from under the DAC and replace them with the Qpods. The Qpods will drive the signal and I guarantee you something will change as a result. I suggest picking maybe 1 or 2 or 3 pieces of music you know intimately and playing them in the same rotation for about 2 hours after you make the change while you're sitting and listening. You will clearly hear the sonics shifting. That will tell you the difference.

You could do the same thing if a cdp were the source.
 
Steve, I realize that CS is the only product you represent, but could you answer the question I asked in my previous post? Are you the sole channel worldwide through which one can purchase these footers at the retail/consumer level? I understand that companies can buy them in bulk as OEM products to install under their components. You say that you are the international distributor. I think of a distributor as someone who imports and then sells at wholesale a product to a retail seller and then sells to the consumer. Do distributors usually have direct contact with the customer or are you following some new direct sales model? You seem to be acting more as sole direct seller for the manufacturer, which to me distinguishes your business from that of a guy like Elliot whom I assume is both a distributor/importer and a traditional dealer representing multiple brands and product lines.

Perhaps, I should take this one. Yes, Steve is.......both. I don't want to get too far into our business plan (or anyone else's), but the idea is to keep the cost down. There are markets that can be well-served by a single source. There are at least 2 markets where this may not be the case, and Steve could distribute to another outlet in those markets. So, the arrangement has built in flexibility, but Steve sits at the apex no matter the model. I hope this answer is sufficient.
 
. . .

When Ron and I decided we were going to begin banner ads of manufacturers and distributors it wasn't a spur of the moment decision but rather based on months of requests from manufacturers to advertise on WBF as they told us time and again that WBF has become an effective e-zine based on its USA and Global standings in internet sources. Every manufacturer told us that they believe they reach a better and different group of people when they commit to an ad on WBF rather than to the rags. This seems to be a shifting trend elsewhere also as we can see from the other sites to which I have alluded. Ron and I continue to get requests from manufacturers to place ads on WBF. Have a look at all of the dedicated manufacturer subforums.

. .


.

+1

When Steve and I made the decision to offer banner ads to select manufacturers and distributors whose products we use or know well ourselves we should have deleted the Terms of Service provision which prohibits manufacturers from writing about and promoting their products. Overturning that provision is consistent with permitting advertising on WBF.

I personally have always enjoyed it when manufacturers themselves join WBF and found it valuable when manufacturers answer members' questions directly. Offering banner advertisements has prompted several additional manufacturers to register WBF accounts and to write to and respond to members directly.

In such a unique and small industry I think it is both very fun and very helpful for us to have this direct communication with manufacturers and distributors.
 
(...) I personally have always enjoyed it when manufacturers themselves join WBF and found it valuable when manufacturers answer members' questions directly. Offering banner advertisements has prompted several additional manufacturers to register WBF accounts and to write to and respond to members directly.

In such a unique and small industry I think it is both very fun and very helpful for us to have this direct communication with manufacturers and distributors.

+1!
 
I personally have always enjoyed it when manufacturers themselves join WBF and found it valuable when manufacturers answer members' questions directly. Offering banner advertisements has prompted several additional manufacturers to register WBF accounts and to write to and respond to members directly.

In such a unique and small industry I think it is both very fun and very helpful for us to have this direct communication with manufacturers and distributors.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't! ;)
 
Perhaps, I should take this one. Yes, Steve is.......both. I don't want to get too far into our business plan (or anyone else's), but the idea is to keep the cost down. There are markets that can be well-served by a single source. There are at least 2 markets where this may not be the case, and Steve could distribute to another outlet in those markets. So, the arrangement has built in flexibility, but Steve sits at the apex no matter the model. I hope this answer is sufficient.

Thank you Joe. It is clear now.
 
CenterStage, day 0 + 45 minutes:

Trying to recover from the withdrawal of the Constellation Audio Centaur II + Virgo III, I re-inserted my usual components and masochistically - yes, audiophiles like to suffer - re-listened to the same recordings that I had listened with the CA combo. Curiously the best combination I can get now is DCS-Vivaldi - cj GAT - ARC REF250 at 4 ohm - XLF all wired with Opus, TA XL + PLMM2x power cables.

The Misa Criola http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?13407-Constellation-Audio&p=475519&viewfull=1#post475519 entered the stage . It is great music, but a lot was missing. A few hours warm-up improved things a bit, but after the clear and powerful CA's the Mercedes Sosa voice seemed thicker and bass too round. Harmonia Mundi great recordings did seem not so fluid any more ...

As a recently arrived box with CenterStage feet was showing in my desk, I decided to insert them under the GAT. A thirty second affair, expecting now to wait for a few days for the miraculous effect. Well - not needed. The differences were immediate upon start - the tonality of the voice become more clear, bass decay and depth unproved immediately. The spatial and tonal improvements were easily perceived, small instruments sprinkled more freely. A nice thing is that I could A/B it immediately - I inserted thin plates under the GAT feet, bypassing the CenterStage that do not touch the GAT bottom plate anymore, and it returned to the "thicker" sound. Fortunately not for long, I have now returned to the CenterStage feet.

Surely the tubes did not become the CA SS, but it clearly went a bit in that direction in some aspects, bringing some clear improvements. Really bizarre devices ...
 

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CenterStage, day 0 + 45 minutes:

Trying to recover from the withdrawal of the Constellation Audio Centaur II + Virgo III, I re-inserted my usual components and masochistically - yes, audiophiles like to suffer - re-listened to the same recordings that I had listened with the CA combo. Curiously the best combination I can get now is DCS-Vivaldi - cj GAT - ARC REF250 at 4 ohm - XLF all wired with Opus, TA XL + PLMM2x power cables.

The Misa Criola http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?13407-Constellation-Audio&p=475519&viewfull=1#post475519 entered the stage . It is great music, but a lot was missing. A few hours warm-up improved things a bit, but after the clear and powerful CA's the Mercedes Sosa voice seemed thicker and bass too round. Harmonia Mundi great recordings did seem not so fluid any more ...

As a recently arrived box with CenterStage feet was showing in my desk, I decided to insert them under the GAT. A thirty second affair, expecting now to wait for a few days for the miraculous effect. Well - not needed. The differences were immediate upon start - the tonality of the voice become more clear, bass decay and depth unproved immediately. The spatial and tonal improvements were easily perceived, small instruments sprinkled more freely. A nice thing is that I could A/B it immediately - I inserted thin plates under the GAT feet, bypassing the CenterStage that do not touch the GAT bottom plate anymore, and it returned to the "thicker" sound. Fortunately not for long, I have now returned to the CenterStage feet.

Surely the tubes did not become the CA SS, but it clearly went a bit in that direction in some aspects, bringing some clear improvements. Really bizarre devices ...


Interesting Micro. will wait a bit longer for your 7 day report. what footers were you using before or are you just comparing vs the stk feet? I use Stillpoints V's under my GAT and they sound wonderful, especially in cleaning up the thicker sound you mention.

Can you turn the centrestage fee around so we don't have to see the garish large, for the almost blind CENTRESTAGE logos :)
 
Can you turn the centrestage fee around so we don't have to see the garish large, for the almost blind CENTRESTAGE logos

you can't even see them under the components as they are only 13/16" tall but of course you can turn them around
 
+1

When Steve and I made the decision to offer banner ads to select manufacturers and distributors whose products we use or know well ourselves we should have deleted the Terms of Service provision which prohibits manufacturers from writing about and promoting their products. Overturning that provision is consistent with permitting advertising on WBF.

I personally have always enjoyed it when manufacturers themselves join WBF and found it valuable when manufacturers answer members' questions directly. Offering banner advertisements has prompted several additional manufacturers to register WBF accounts and to write to and respond to members directly.

In such a unique and small industry I think it is both very fun and very helpful for us to have this direct communication with manufacturers and distributors.

I also like that. However, I suspect once the trolls start with their nonsensical questions and hostile attitudes the manufacturers will think it isn’t worth the grief.
 
Interesting Micro. will wait a bit longer for your 7 day report. what footers were you using before or are you just comparing vs the stk feet? I use Stillpoints V's under my GAT and they sound wonderful, especially in cleaning up the thicker sound you mention.

Can you turn the centrestage fee around so we don't have to see the garish large, for the almost blind CENTRESTAGE logos :)

Interesting indeed...on the CJ GAT 2, I use HRS couplers and HRS M3X shelf underneath. On top, I use 2 HRS damping plates plus Artesania damping plate. I also use EAT tube dampers. I noticed, Micro, you are using the red tube rings from CJ...I have to say, after a lot of back and forth, i took those out. Both on the ACT 2 as well as the GAT and now GAT 2. The EAT tube dampers cost 19 bucks or so, and they worked (for me) much better.
 
Interesting indeed...on the CJ GAT 2, I use HRS couplers and HRS M3X shelf underneath. On top, I use 2 HRS damping plates plus Artesania damping plate. I also use EAT tube dampers. I noticed, Micro, you are using the red tube rings from CJ...I have to say, after a lot of back and forth, i took those out. Both on the ACT 2 as well as the GAT and now GAT 2. The EAT tube dampers cost 19 bucks or so, and they worked (for me) much better.

Hi LL21

Just a quick comment about using damping plates with CS under your components. We would advise against using damping plates at least for the 1st 14 days of settling. We're trying to bring out the very highest level of engineering DNA native to the component. We feel that allowing the component to operate as released by the manufacturer is the best way to go. If damping plates are applied down the road, we ask that you please pay very close attention to soundstage changes over a 5 to 7 day period after application. In short, it's not where you start that is important, it's where you end up. And this could possibly be a with a spatially and dynamically constrained sound stage that restricts the immersion effect and puts the "wall" back onto the front plane of the loudspeakers.
 
Hi LL21

Just a quick comment about using damping plates with CS under your components. We would advise against using damping plates at least for the 1st 14 days of settling. We're trying to bring out the very highest level of engineering DNA native to the component. We feel that allowing the component to operate as released by the manufacturer is the best way to go. If damping plates are applied down the road, we ask that you please pay very close attention to soundstage changes over a 5 to 7 day period after application. In short, it's not where you start that is important, it's where you end up. And this could possibly be a with a spatially and dynamically constrained sound stage that restricts the immersion effect and puts the "wall" back onto the front plane of the loudspeakers.
Hi Joe,

Thank you. I very much appreciate that manufacturers who are passionate and clearly experts will take the time out of running a business to speak with members of Steve and Ron's forum.

Yes, I sense that you have designed something that requires time to adjust to the intrinsic movement of the unit (as originally designed). Very very intriguing.

The HRS equipment operates as an 'isolation sandwich' which is something I have made quite a lot of use of. 14-16 sandwiches at last count. If I were to move to CS, I would (as with HRS or Artesania) look at implementing as per manufacturer.
 
Hi Joe,

Thank you. I very much appreciate that manufacturers who are passionate and clearly experts will take the time out of running a business to speak with members of Steve and Ron's forum.

Yes, I sense that you have designed something that requires time to adjust to the intrinsic movement of the unit (as originally designed). Very very intriguing.

The HRS equipment operates as an 'isolation sandwich' which is something I have made quite a lot of use of. 14-16 sandwiches at last count. If I were to move to CS, I would (as with HRS or Artesania) look at implementing as per manufacturer.

Thank you for allowing me the latitude to comment!

I always feel compelled to say that none of my comments are intended to diminish the work of my contemporaries. We all do it differently, and get different results as a rule. I respect their work.
 
Yes. I have other four that will probably go under the DAC.

Hi microstrip

Thank you so much for trying CS. Yes! The DAC would be the perfect place for the next 4. I'd still expect degradation of the soundstage for a long period. If you don't experience this I need to know your secret...... :)
 
Hi all,

Is purchasing CS currently only direct from the manufacturer?

Thanks!
 

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