audiophilac8
Previously known as markishwong
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How's the imaging?
Does it provide a sense of wide open space?
High End Cables Thread (digital, analog, power)
- Thread starter Roasty
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Does it provide a sense of wide open space?
Imaging, space and separation are all outstanding. It also has that Cardas musicality.
Do I think one gets more space and even better separation with the TOTL flagship Clear beyond? Yes, but that level of interconnect is just beyond what I'm comfortable spending.
audiophilac8
Previously known as markishwong
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Somebody who has tried all these 3 (Puritan, Gordian, AQ)?
added a Lab12 Gordian power conditioner recently. yep, I know it isn't a cable.. (but I did get an accompanying Lab12 Knack mk2 power cord though!).
was fortunate enough to have a local distributor for Lab12 gear. their audio components are quite nicely priced. I had a choice between the Gordian, an AQ Niagara 3000 and Puritan psm156 and decided to give Lab12 a go.
I also added a Lumin U2 mini (taking the place of an Sotm streamer + external clock) and a NAD M23 power amp. this is so far the best I've gotten my TC Phi and Solitaire-P to sound. but I'm not entirely sure which component is making the difference.
Yes, I'm currently running the Cardas cygnus interconnects and Cardas clear power on both my amps.
Which power cord is this in the picture?
Which power cord is this in the picture?
audiophilac8
Previously known as markishwong
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Its a Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX Euphoria High Current
Just received Triode Wire Labs The Obsession
The sound field is very wide and natural, the background is extremely quiet, and the notes are full
This power cord is priced way too low, it shouldn't be in the 1500$ zone, it's a killer
The sound field is very wide and natural, the background is extremely quiet, and the notes are full
This power cord is priced way too low, it shouldn't be in the 1500$ zone, it's a killer
Just received Triode Wire Labs The Obsession
The sound field is very wide and natural, the background is extremely quiet, and the notes are full
This power cord is priced way too low, it shouldn't be in the 1500$ zone, it's a killer
nice! I knew you would like it! heh..
After two days of testing, everything became more natural.
Since the power cord is paired with Furutech FI-50 (R) NCF, it may take more time to burn based on past experience. We are currently moving in a better direction.
Thanks again @Roasty for the recommendation
I finally stumbled upon this fancy cable thread! The only high-end cable in my collection is the Shunyata Delta v2 NR. I have it connected to my Ferrum Erco. For whatever reason, this power cable (and other Shunyatas that I've tried) only seem to benefit DACs. I tried another Shunyata (Venom v10) on my Stax amp and it did absolutely nothing. Maybe because it's a high-voltage, low-current, Class A amp whose current draw doesn't vary much during transients. But the Delta has a pretty pronounced effect on the Erco, and surprisingly also on my FiiO K9 Pro. I personally think that with the Erco, the Shunyata Venom and Delta cables make a bigger difference than the Hypsos power supply. I didn't hear any difference with the Hypsos; I did hear a difference with the Venom, and more with the Delta. When I asked for a demo of the Erco, my dealer gave me the Hypsos and the Venom too. I was skeptical of the Venom, but after trying it out on the Erco, I ended up getting the Delta as he gave me a substantial discount on it.
My impression is that the Delta intensifies dynamic swings across the entire frequency spectrum. The Venom mostly improved bass dynamics and impact, but the Delta improves treble dynamics too, though with perhaps slightly less noticeable bass impact due to the added treble dynamics. It's similar to having a dynamic expander plugin enabled across the whole frequency range. Bass notes feel more physical, like there's a punch in your head/throat when they hit. Sort of like chest punch with speakers, but localized to the upper throat and lower nasal passages. That's the most noticeable change. Vocals have more pronounced attack and decay and sound more open as a result. Treble is crisper, more dynamic, and more textured.
That change to the treble is a double-edge sword though, because it can push some headphones into being harsh or sharp sounding. My main example is my Shangri-La Jr. It has a lot of treble, and I always liked how smooth that treble is despite being so elevated in quantity. Well, the Erco intrinsically adds more dynamics even with its stock power cable, and the Delta bumps that up even further to the point where the sound got a bit piercing to me on some tracks because the dynamics compounded the level of treble. However, it does sound more detailed and "alive" than it does with the stock cable. I just let my brain get acclimated to the sound for a bit and kept the Delta on the Erco for that maximum punchiness.
I don't think I would have paid list price for the Delta; the improvement over the Venom-X (which I demoed for a few weeks) isn't that large, all things considered. But with the dealer's discount, it was only $200 more, and at that point, why not? I certainly don't regret the purchase.
My impression is that the Delta intensifies dynamic swings across the entire frequency spectrum. The Venom mostly improved bass dynamics and impact, but the Delta improves treble dynamics too, though with perhaps slightly less noticeable bass impact due to the added treble dynamics. It's similar to having a dynamic expander plugin enabled across the whole frequency range. Bass notes feel more physical, like there's a punch in your head/throat when they hit. Sort of like chest punch with speakers, but localized to the upper throat and lower nasal passages. That's the most noticeable change. Vocals have more pronounced attack and decay and sound more open as a result. Treble is crisper, more dynamic, and more textured.
That change to the treble is a double-edge sword though, because it can push some headphones into being harsh or sharp sounding. My main example is my Shangri-La Jr. It has a lot of treble, and I always liked how smooth that treble is despite being so elevated in quantity. Well, the Erco intrinsically adds more dynamics even with its stock power cable, and the Delta bumps that up even further to the point where the sound got a bit piercing to me on some tracks because the dynamics compounded the level of treble. However, it does sound more detailed and "alive" than it does with the stock cable. I just let my brain get acclimated to the sound for a bit and kept the Delta on the Erco for that maximum punchiness.
I don't think I would have paid list price for the Delta; the improvement over the Venom-X (which I demoed for a few weeks) isn't that large, all things considered. But with the dealer's discount, it was only $200 more, and at that point, why not? I certainly don't regret the purchase.
What are you using the Obsession with? I like mine with preamps and the wa33. but preferred Digital American on dacs. I have the Digital American II and Digital High Power II arriving today. thinking of using them with the Cary SLP-05 and nad M23.
I had the Venom X pc and Venom xlr a while back but they couldn't gel in my setups. read that Shunyata stuff only really get good Delta upwards. they're pricey stuff lol I really didn't want to get sucked in, power cords interconnects etc not to forget the conditioners. was eyeing the Denali for a while.
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
Those conditioners are tempting tho.
For power conditioners, I've used Blue Circle Audio (now Entracte Audio by Gilbert Yeung) and think they are very good, and I'm also using PS Audio Power Plant 12 (not a conditioner, but serves an equal purpose).
Not sure how they compare with Shunyata or Audioquest conditioners. Ansuz and Gigawatt also interesting with some good reviews, but the pricing on Ansuz is astronomical!
Not sure how they compare with Shunyata or Audioquest conditioners. Ansuz and Gigawatt also interesting with some good reviews, but the pricing on Ansuz is astronomical!
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