XR-2 Impressions

[tyrion]

Ray was kind enough to send me a demo unit of the XR-2 phono stage. It's no longer a demo, now that I am the owner. I liked it that much. The thread indicates that I was going to post my impressions of the XR-2. Well, I'm not, at least not yet. I have a few pages of notes, was all prepared post them today. However, I wanted to visit my friend Oz, who owns a local audio shop so I could hear the XR-2 with his Scoutmaster. I have an mmf-5, which is a nice entry level tt but I felt that my tt was holding the XR-2 back.

So off I go to Let There Be Sound with XR-2, IC's, Sophia Electric EL34 integrated and some Quail and stock computer power cords. I get there and we connect the XR-2 to my amp and his Scoutmaster. We start to listen to the MFSL of Hotel California. To me it sounds real nice but I am looking at Oz who has a puzzled look on his face. I could tell he did not seem to be enjoying it as much as I was. We then connected his Brinkman Phono to my amp and the same tt. Brinkman makes some beautiful gear and the Phono is no exception. I notice that there is a difference but of course the Brinkman is a $2000 piece of equipment.

There is a point to all this, by the way.

Oz notices that the Brinkman is using a nice power cord and the XR-2 is using a cheap computer power cord that I brought. He does the obvious and moves a better pc to the XR-2 and we try it again. I will add at this point that Oz has tried to get me try better power cords for a long time. I have always said to him, how can a 1m cord change anything after the electricity has been traveling for miles before reaching the power cord. Well, let me say now, that I am a believer. The change in sound was dramatic. Everything from dynamics to imaging to soundstage all improved. It was perhaps the most dramatic change in the sound of a system I have heard. The bass was deep and focused. Everything seemed to slow a bit or became more relaxed. The decay on notes improved. If believing this is possible is nuts, then come take me away, I am nuts. We then did the same test with the Berendsen CDP-1 and my SE EL34 with the same result.

That was a long way of saying that I will have to start my note taking all over again with a better power cord. It will be as long as a week because Oz is auditioning my XR-2 for the next few days, at least. I didn't want to wait before posting because I wanted to share my findings regarding the differences a power cord can make.

 

[vinylrules]

Don't know how it happens but it does. Glad I was able to convert Mike since he had always been, um, fairly skeptical

I guess every inch of copper right up to the time/place it enters the component counts folks, what can I tell you! The trick is to experiment with different types/brands to find a "flavor" that will suit your system best. Who would have thought a stinkin' power cord can make as much of a difference as good interconnects or speaker cables? Shoot, as much as changing a component for that matter!!!

In short dynamics become far more explosive, frequency extends in both directions, soundstage imaging and resolution WAY improves. Veils gets lifted. A clearer view out the window if you will.

In any event, yes, power cords can make a tremendous difference, usually (and hopefully) for the better, but sometimes for the worse so buyer beware.

Cheers,

Oz

 

[djbnh]

I recommend trying some cryoed VH Audio power cords (in the various Flavor iterations) when replacing stock PCs. The ones I have in my system have made significant, relatively low-cost improvements to my audio experience. Glad to see others have found a noticeable, positive benefit to upgrading PCs, with their respective gear.

And if you're going to go that route, why not dab on a bit of Walker SST while you're at it?

YMMV

 

[tyrion]

Thanks Oz, for nothing. Maybe I should just come by empty my wallet.

Just kidding. It was an eye opening or should I say ear opening experience. As always, I had a great time at the store.

djbnh, thanks for the recommendation. I bought a Soundstring power cord. I may give one of the VH's a try as well.

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion Ray was kind enough to send me a demo unit of the XR-2 phono stage. It's no longer a demo, now that I am the owner.

Must... Fight... Vinyl... Urges...

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer Must... Fight... Vinyl... Urges...

You can't fight it, we all give in eventually. You know you want a nice Scout with that big platter and beautiful tone arm sliding across that perfect piece of vinyl.

Don't forget the power cord for your XR-2 (you will own one).

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion You can't fight it, we all give in eventually. You know you want a nice Scout with that big platter and beautiful tone arm sliding across that perfect piece of vinyl. Don't forget the power cord for your XR-2 (you will own one).

Dude, I'll be honest with you. The XR-2 has gotten so many excellent reviews that I avoid it like tha plague at meets. I know if I ever heard that puppy it'd all be over and I just choose to control myself!

Sort of like JoeLongwood and the HE-90s, if I can't hear it, it doesn't exist!

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer Dude, I'll be honest with you. The XR-2 has gotten so many excellent reviews that I avoid it like tha plague at meets. I know if I ever heard that puppy it'd all be over and I just choose to control myself! Sort of like JoeLongwood and the HE-90s, if I can't hear it, it doesn't exist!

Send my your address and I will ship it up to you. Just let me know when the Scout arrives.

Or I could bring it up, I need a reason to return to the homeland (you're in Jersey at the moment I think).

 

[PsychoZX]

I just got the a demo XR-2 from todd. All I can say is wow!

This phono stage makes such a huge night and day difference over the kenwood intergrated that I was using before. The bass is deeper and seems to have much more punch to it. The biggest difference to me is the soundstage. Not only is it wide but it has great depth to it as well. Sounds very 3 dimensional. I think i'm gonna have to buy one now.

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion Send my your address and I will ship it up to you. Just let me know when the Scout arrives. Or I could bring it up, I need a reason to return to the homeland (you're in Jersey at the moment I think).

Must...... Continue...... So...... Hard......

 

[reynman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer Dude, I'll be honest with you. The XR-2 has gotten so many excellent reviews that I avoid it like tha plague at meets. I know if I ever heard that puppy it'd all be over and I just choose to control myself!

That was my logic as well at all the Chicago meets, until the last one! I decided to listen to Ray's vinyl rig - Yamaha TT, Stealth and XR10B. I listened to Diana Krall's latest and I was floored! After emptying my wallet (again!) I have a new rig - Sota TT, Sumiko BPS cart, and XR2.

Hmmm. I have a leftover Quail PC and a Signal Audio PC, I should swap out the standard PC on the XR2 and see if that makes a diff.

gpalmer - The dark side beckons!

Regards - reynman

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynman That was my logic as well at all the Chicago meets, until the last one! I decided to listen to Ray's vinyl rig

Yup, that's exactly what I've been avoiding... I know better than to listen to vinyl because I KNOW it sounds better! Then, much like a heroin addict comes:
1) Frantically traveling all over the place on weekends looking for somewhere you can score.

2) Realizing that you have a need and you can't be picky about it because there just isn't enough of the good stuff to go around. You wind up purchasing Spooner Oldham because you can't find Ella Fitzgerald.

3) Realizing that as soon as you start enjoying your latest score, you've already partially finished it and it's time to look for the next stash.

4) Spending all your free time fiddling with your "gear."

5) Hanging out in dark and dusty rooms full of condescending men who only want to rip you off
You -> What you want $50.00 for that album, are you crazy?
Them -> Shut up and buy it vinyl boy or I won't sell you your next fix.

6) And lastly, that wild rush when you get the good stuff. If you've seen "Train Spotting" the phrase "That beats any ****** in the World" springs to mind...

Let's see, how's that opening monologue go...

Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a ****** big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of ****** fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the **** you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing ****** junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, ****** up brats you spawned to replace yourself.

Choose your future.

Choose life

 

[Kurt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer Let's see, how's that opening monologue go... Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a ****** big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of ****** fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the **** you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing ****** junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, ****** up brats you spawned to replace yourself. Choose your future. Choose life

Choose Vynil.

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt Choose Vynil.

D'Ohhhh!!!!

 

[tyrion]

Just got the xr-2 back tonight. I've been switching out various power cords, thanks to agile_one's care package. I have to say that my vinyl has never sounded better. Well, perhaps when my mmf-5 was paired up with the XR-10b. Through my speakers the music was wonderful. Soundstage, imaging, bass, it was all good. I can't believe how sterile sounding my Rega Mira 3 was by comparison (for the same price as the xr-2 you are getting a very versitile integrated). Was the Brinkman for double the price better, I don't know. I didn't spend enough time with it to judge. I will say this, for me the xr-2 is as far as I believe I need to go. Now, I have to add a Rega P5 or VPI Scout and all will be good in the universe.