Plush wrote:
"The real Stellavox is alive in the person of Jean-Michel Simonet in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
Monsieur Simonet
http://www.audioprojpg.com/
A refurbished machine will cost around $6000, so reach into your pocketbook!
If fully up to spec, the Stellavox will offer the best sound in the world.
Yes, Mr. Simonet is in business and does service, parts, and modifications on Stellavox machines. Jean Pierre Gurtner died in 2018 and formerly the website that is up now was his website. It is the deceased expert Gurtner who did not update the website for some time.
Stellavox is superior sound to Studer but it is not a studio machine. The Stellavox SM8, which I use here, is outstanding for stereo captures. More detail, more pure analog tone, and better sound than Studer which I have also used for many decades.
Inquire with Monsieur Simonet about what is available from him. You can always buy a Stellavox SP8 and have it modified to run as a master machine, SM8. SM8 runs at 15 ips only.
Transport of the Stellavox machines is not as gentle on the tape as a STUDER A-80. It will not harm the tape but start up is not instant. Once stabilized there is vanishingly low wow and flutter. Use the Stellavox ABR accessory to run 10.5" reels.
In the studio, a better use for the Stellavox would be in mastering to tape. Play your completed program into the Stellavox for ultimate sound quality.
All Stellavox machines are made for capture, not for post-production.
The STUDER A-80 is a Buick. The Stellavox is a Ferrari.
ean-Michel Simonet is actually a part of the new legitimate Stellavox company, founded by Schertler. Jean-Michel Simonet will be responsible for the small recorders, which is what he has done for the last 30 years.
The founder of Stellavox, Georges Quellet is also with the new company. He gives important input for new developments, despite his old age. Because of covid, they haven’t been able to meet in person recently to discuss developments and plans for the future.
On the official Stellavox website there will be a new category “Behind Stellavox” added to the home page very soon but it is not quite finished yet…
Please check in a few weeks to see the news on the Stellavox home page.
https://stellavox.swiss/
Interesting news! If indeed Messrs. Quellet and Simonet join, that would go long way to adding value to the new proposition.
Schertler certainly has the monetary resources to back whatever they decide to do with the "new" Stellavox.
However, making input modules for the very few Stellavox TD-9 machines sold world wide is very small potatoes. Likewise, the harebrained idea to make an expensive new Swiss analog mixer based on the poorly reviewed Schertler "ARTHUR" mixers is a dead end. Majority of engineers today buying budget digital consoles like Yamaha, Midas, and Behringer. These consoles offer excellent audio performance far outclassing what Schertler has offered with its noisy mic preamps (EIN of 122.5dB.)
I do not yet consider the company to be legitimate.
The Schertler sponsored website states that the Stellavox website was created "for entertainment purposes."
I used to work for the US distributor for Stellavox back in the GLORY days. I worked with Georges Quellet.
I don't understand the comments RE: SP 7 recorders and maintenance.
Any mechanical piece of gear requires maintenance and Monsieur Simonet can do it for you. He is the only one I trust. There is NO credible Stellavox service in the US.
I never recommend buying a specialist piece of gear on eBay or sight unseen.
Don't buy an old SP7. Instead buy a refurbished SP8 or SM8 from Simonet or similar.
When you buy an old recorder from the 1970's, all the parts and electronics need to be replaced and it is a dumb idea.
The resurgence of analog tape recorders has brought rank amateurs into the marketplace who do not understand what they are getting into.
A refurbished machine will cost around $6000, so reach into your pocketbook!"
