"As an alternative, I believe I will ask my custom cable supplier to manufacture a AB-1266 headphone cable with speaker taps termination, so to minimize the number of connectors."
Are you planning to give them your existing ab-1266 cable to add speaker taps termination or are you buying a brand new cable and start from scratch? Good luck!
Nope, nobody will touch my precious Superconductor
P.S. For people looking for a serious skull massage - and a headphone / amp challenge, try this (Double Negative, by Low).
Not my typical genre, but I found this album extremely interesting sonically and emotionally, disturbing at times but in a very stimulating fashion.
The AIC-10 / AB-1266 combo delivers abyssal bass depth and scale, total control and separation of heavily processed passages with symultaneosly mixes of distorted bass and ethereal treble. Great stuff indeed!
I have ordered a specialty cable from Audio Sensibility to try the TC's with the speaker taps.
One notable difference in the execution of this specialty cable vs normal is that on the connecting end, it will be a 6.3mm TRS jack. I have configured this way because it will be plugged into the High Fidelity Trinity Helix. I currently use the Trinity Helix with the headphone output using a speciality cable. I should have the cable in hand by the weekend - can't wait!
I have ordered a specialty cable from Audio Sensibility to try the TC's with the speaker taps.
One notable difference in the execution of this specialty cable vs normal is that on the connecting end, it will be a 6.3mm TRS jack. I have configured this way because it will be plugged into the High Fidelity Trinity Helix. I currently use the Trinity Helix with the headphone output using a speciality cable. I should have the cable in hand by the weekend - can't wait!
Can you share some pics of this specialty cable and how it connects with the HFC Helix.
I’m a big fan of HFC cables and was just discussing with Rick Schultz on how to use some of his products between the speaker taps and Susvaras. A crazy idea I had was to use a pair of of his speaker cables and have them terminated with a 4 pin female XLR on one end, turning them basically into the speaker tap adapter cable.
Can you share some pics of this specialty cable and how it connects with the HFC Helix.
I’m a big fan of HFC cables and was just discussing with Rick Schultz on how to use some of his products between the speaker taps and Susvaras. A crazy idea I had was to use a pair of of his speaker cables and have them terminated with a 4 pin female XLR on one end, turning them basically into the speaker tap adapter cable.
Sure, are you interested in current set up using headphone output or the new set up using the speaker taps?
Like you, I love high fidelity cables. I am using a URDH signature PC to power the aic10 and It sounds awesome. I am going to compare it to the Sablon Prince PC when that demo cable arrives towards the end of the month.
For those who are looking for a Riviera amp, I have an AFC-10 (no volume control) that I might let go, please feel free to PM me if you are interested
Unfortunately after I decided to get rid of my preamp, I found that the built in volume control on my MAB DAC is not quite up to the task (without upgrade preamp module). I don’t want to be stuck with a bulky preamp just for the riviera
Sure, are you interested in current set up using headphone output or the new set up using the speaker taps?
Like you, I love high fidelity cables. I am using a URDH signature PC to power the aic10 and It sounds awesome. I am going to compare it to the Sablon Prince PC when that demo cable arrives towards the end of the month.
Would like to see both, but I understand the new ones are not ready yet.
Funny you mention the Sablon and HFC. I just completed a two week test comparing my HFC Pro power cord against the Sablon King. The Riviera is now being powered by the Sablon King, though I preferred my DAVE with the HFC pro over the King.
For the last month, I’ve been swapping power cords to “Tune” my system to the sound I want. It’s funny how much power cords can change the sound if your system is transparent enough.
I settled with Kings on the amp and my server, and the HFC pro on the DAVE. Both the Riviera and my server are power hungry so they do really well with the 5awg of the Sablon Kings. The DAVE doesn’t draw as much power so sounds better with the 12awg of the HFC pro. When I had Sablon on all 3 pieces of equipment, I felt it muddied you the sound too much and lost a lot of the speed and transients I crave that the HFC cables bring to the table.
I also extensively tested the Sablon RCAs against HFC pro RCAs and felt the HFC’s were much better but almost at over 10x the cost.
Again, this is all based on my system and for my preferences. YMMV
Since you seem to like to test stuff I would recommend also trying some tubes, the difference is (sometimes) easy to perceive. Old Mullard are great but definitely not the last word in transparency and speed so you may be surprised to find a tube that matches even better your taste and music.
Mullard has the largest and most 3D scene but interestingly using speakers out I feel that the difference is less noticeable compared to some other tubes.
More to come later today.
Well, I pulled the trigger - traded up from Formula S / Powerman to the AIC-10!
Overall, it is simply more musical than the Formula S combo. And it looks so good! Looking forward to trying various tubes with it as well (currently using the JJ electronic tube).
I tried it with my Avantgarde speakers, which are very efficient. It drove them beautifully, and the 10 watts per channel were more than sufficient to drive them as loud as I wanted. The combination of being able to drive my speakers as well as the musicality with the AB1266s is what put me over the edge.
Would like to see both, but I understand the new ones are not ready yet.
Funny you mention the Sablon and HFC. I just completed a two week test comparing my HFC Pro power cord against the Sablon King. The Riviera is now being powered by the Sablon King, though I preferred my DAVE with the HFC pro over the King.
For the last month, I’ve been swapping power cords to “Tune” my system to the sound I want. It’s funny how much power cords can change the sound if your system is transparent enough.
I settled with Kings on the amp and my server, and the HFC pro on the DAVE. Both the Riviera and my server are power hungry so they do really well with the 5awg of the Sablon Kings. The DAVE doesn’t draw as much power so sounds better with the 12awg of the HFC pro. When I had Sablon on all 3 pieces of equipment, I felt it muddied you the sound too much and lost a lot of the speed and transients I crave that the HFC cables bring to the table.
I also extensively tested the Sablon RCAs against HFC pro RCAs and felt the HFC’s were much better but almost at over 10x the cost.
Again, this is all based on my system and for my preferences. YMMV
Wow, similar journey. Very interesting to hear your thoughts on that HFC/ Sablon comparison.
My Chord DAVE is in the "shop" getting fixed so I am using my TT2 in my main set up until I get the DAVE back. Attached are photos showing the AUX cable between the AIC10 and the HFC Trinity Helix. I will update photo with new speaker tap cable when I get it.
TBH, I have a lot to learn about tubes. Going to start to more actively experiment. Got the AIC10 with JJ tubes and I am currently using Brimar CV4003 NOS (made in the 60's). Like this tube a lot and picking up another one along with a couple of others (see the image of what I ordered from Upscale Audio). I would really like to try a Mullard NOS when I can get my hands on one.
TBH, I have a lot to learn about tubes. Going to start to more actively experiment. Got the AIC10 with JJ tubes and I am currently using Brimar CV4003 NOS (made in the 60's). Like this tube a lot and picking up another one along with a couple of others (see the image of what I ordered from Upscale Audio). I would really like to try a Mullard NOS when I can get my hands on one.
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