Best Of
Re: Audiolund versus Takshaka digital cable shootout
Day three, after having the cable being burnt in for almost an additional 48 hours -
The focus of singers are no longer smeared. You can look at an object (or nothing) in the room and "see" the singers.
Height locational cues have improved, along with the depth perception. The depth layering of images have come back. Not as good as they were with the MC A/C conditioner, but somewhat close.
Listening to Joe Morello's "Take 5"? The depth has definitely improved.
My word, has the sound that emanates from inside the cavern/body of a guitar become clear. Same with the variating pressures of the horsehair on string instruments.
I find myself listening at louder volumes.
The sounds from Yellow's "Takla Maklan" are so crystal clear and all over the place. It's as if you are listening to a surround system that immersed you and envelops you into the music. As I listen, I would swear that there are speakers to the left and right of me, doing the same things as the mains.
At this point, the room is no longer part of the equation. The walls mean nothing.
There has been a rather dramatic shift in sonics since I first installed this cable. The more I listen to familiar tracks, and even unfamiliar tracks, the more impressed I get with the Takshaka digital cable.
The emotion and envelopment with getting sucked back into the music has returned with a vengeance. At this point, there is a very clear winner in this shootout.
The background singers are just as pinpoint and focused as the lead singer(s), with the vocal fluctuations in their respective vocal cords being just as pronounced as the lead singer.
Listening to Eva Cassidy's Autumn Leaves is presenting a stage, aura and finesse with the instruments that is unlike anything I have been presented with before. It is simply stunning, as if the music is dancing a liquid dance that is pure and graceful on every aspect. What I had mentioned before about the unwanted artifacts, has now revealed subtle vocal fluctuations in that same (what used to be annoying) passage. If you would have told me that this would have been the case before? I would have laughed and told you to get out of the room, because you were spewing some BS. In this case, I didn't know what I didn't know. Now I know and it's wonderful.
I have found that today, I have been listening at much louder listening volumes without any ounce of listening fatigue. This allows for a greater visceral impact, more spatial "air" and a greater sense of the performance being performed in front of you, instead of listening to a reproductive effort.
The extreme clarity and separation of instruments and their distinct place within the sound field is ultra precise, yet without any hint of being clinical (which I can't stand). In fact, other than the now slight loss of depth layering that the MC A/C line conditioner, this is the best I have heard to date. Even with the lowest of frequencies. The subs stereo effect is just as prominent now, as with the mains. That makes for an incredible sound scape of musical information.
The timbre of so many instruments as well as vocals are top notch. Very palpable, tonally correct and they are presented with an ease and calm that simply needs to be heard to understand what I am trying to relay here. Simply awesome. Especially when you listen to harmonies in the vocals....wow is an understatement.
Mark Knopfler - you all know him. The song, "Wherever I go"....damn. The vocal presentation of each singer is separate and distinct. As if each singer had their own system, amplification and set of speakers. So clear, so precise, so different....yet, it is the same recording.
"My Immortal" by Evanescence sounds completely different from what I have ever heard before. From the background singers to the subtle string instruments. The piano during the first 2 minutes has not had so much impact as it has until now. Nice. The background singers have always been there, but now, they are more equal to the rest of the music/performance.
Day 4 -
Listening to "Antiphone Blues", by Arne Domnerus, it isn't like I heard new sounds, but the spatial cues were definitely more lifelike...like you had way more of a feeling that you were actually at the event. The change is not subtle and it was a wonderful experience.
One thing I have noticed, starting yesterday, is that you don't need to listen at loud volumes to hear the full range of music. You can actually feel the lower regions of the spectrum on a volume level of 1. The speed and attack is truly fast, extremely textured and chop full of detail and note delineation. Since this is a digital cable and given its location within the rig, it affects not only the mains, but also the subs. No changes were needed for either (movement or adjustments on the subs). There was just an unexpected improvement in the speed/attack on both. There is a much more noticeable stereo effect when it comes to the lower regions now. Not just to the outside of the speakers/subs, but also in-between the both of them. In other words, you can "see" the drum kick, where the bassist is and with electronica music, you can "follow" where the low notes go throughout the sound stage. This is not only perceived from front to back and side to side, but on height as well. Very cool aspect.
The sense of the venue in many recordings is greatly enhanced. This is one of the strongest attributes the Takshaka digital cable brings to the table. I have had this aspect for some time. TroyD even commented on it years ago, when he played a CD he brought that was recorded in his hometown church. That was a great recording that really gave you a sense of the venue it was recorded in. The difference is that now, this aspect is greatly enhanced.
Speaking of greatly enhanced - the body of string instruments is very noticeable now. Great palpability on that aspect. It is now very easy to tell that the sound from within the cavity/body of the guitar (for instance) is just as much a part of the instrument, and not just the strings. You don't need to strain to hear it either, as it is very obvious.
While listening to "Walk a mile in my shoes", there are two singers. One to center right, one to center left. As they sing, you can very clearly tell where each singer is placed. There is no second guessing.
Going back to the body of an instrument for a second...listening to Roger Eno's, "The turning year". You can easily tell that the body of the piano is part of the instrument, and not just the strike of each cord/wire.
The emotion and engagement of the music is now back. Since I sat down 3 hours ago, I have only gotten up once to drain the lizard and down a cold glass of milk. Then it was back to listening. Not for this evaluation/comparison, but because I am truly enjoying the music. It pulls you in and makes you yearn for more.
-
2 weeks later and with the re-introduction of the Master Class Dynamic AA/C line conditioner? The rig has never sounded so pristine and the enjoyment level has risen in spades. These ears are in a state of constant musical bliss. The Takshaka digital cable was the clear winner in this shootout.
Tom
The focus of singers are no longer smeared. You can look at an object (or nothing) in the room and "see" the singers.
Height locational cues have improved, along with the depth perception. The depth layering of images have come back. Not as good as they were with the MC A/C conditioner, but somewhat close.
Listening to Joe Morello's "Take 5"? The depth has definitely improved.
My word, has the sound that emanates from inside the cavern/body of a guitar become clear. Same with the variating pressures of the horsehair on string instruments.
I find myself listening at louder volumes.
The sounds from Yellow's "Takla Maklan" are so crystal clear and all over the place. It's as if you are listening to a surround system that immersed you and envelops you into the music. As I listen, I would swear that there are speakers to the left and right of me, doing the same things as the mains.
At this point, the room is no longer part of the equation. The walls mean nothing.
There has been a rather dramatic shift in sonics since I first installed this cable. The more I listen to familiar tracks, and even unfamiliar tracks, the more impressed I get with the Takshaka digital cable.
The emotion and envelopment with getting sucked back into the music has returned with a vengeance. At this point, there is a very clear winner in this shootout.
The background singers are just as pinpoint and focused as the lead singer(s), with the vocal fluctuations in their respective vocal cords being just as pronounced as the lead singer.
Listening to Eva Cassidy's Autumn Leaves is presenting a stage, aura and finesse with the instruments that is unlike anything I have been presented with before. It is simply stunning, as if the music is dancing a liquid dance that is pure and graceful on every aspect. What I had mentioned before about the unwanted artifacts, has now revealed subtle vocal fluctuations in that same (what used to be annoying) passage. If you would have told me that this would have been the case before? I would have laughed and told you to get out of the room, because you were spewing some BS. In this case, I didn't know what I didn't know. Now I know and it's wonderful.
I have found that today, I have been listening at much louder listening volumes without any ounce of listening fatigue. This allows for a greater visceral impact, more spatial "air" and a greater sense of the performance being performed in front of you, instead of listening to a reproductive effort.
The extreme clarity and separation of instruments and their distinct place within the sound field is ultra precise, yet without any hint of being clinical (which I can't stand). In fact, other than the now slight loss of depth layering that the MC A/C line conditioner, this is the best I have heard to date. Even with the lowest of frequencies. The subs stereo effect is just as prominent now, as with the mains. That makes for an incredible sound scape of musical information.
The timbre of so many instruments as well as vocals are top notch. Very palpable, tonally correct and they are presented with an ease and calm that simply needs to be heard to understand what I am trying to relay here. Simply awesome. Especially when you listen to harmonies in the vocals....wow is an understatement.
Mark Knopfler - you all know him. The song, "Wherever I go"....damn. The vocal presentation of each singer is separate and distinct. As if each singer had their own system, amplification and set of speakers. So clear, so precise, so different....yet, it is the same recording.
"My Immortal" by Evanescence sounds completely different from what I have ever heard before. From the background singers to the subtle string instruments. The piano during the first 2 minutes has not had so much impact as it has until now. Nice. The background singers have always been there, but now, they are more equal to the rest of the music/performance.
Day 4 -
Listening to "Antiphone Blues", by Arne Domnerus, it isn't like I heard new sounds, but the spatial cues were definitely more lifelike...like you had way more of a feeling that you were actually at the event. The change is not subtle and it was a wonderful experience.
One thing I have noticed, starting yesterday, is that you don't need to listen at loud volumes to hear the full range of music. You can actually feel the lower regions of the spectrum on a volume level of 1. The speed and attack is truly fast, extremely textured and chop full of detail and note delineation. Since this is a digital cable and given its location within the rig, it affects not only the mains, but also the subs. No changes were needed for either (movement or adjustments on the subs). There was just an unexpected improvement in the speed/attack on both. There is a much more noticeable stereo effect when it comes to the lower regions now. Not just to the outside of the speakers/subs, but also in-between the both of them. In other words, you can "see" the drum kick, where the bassist is and with electronica music, you can "follow" where the low notes go throughout the sound stage. This is not only perceived from front to back and side to side, but on height as well. Very cool aspect.
The sense of the venue in many recordings is greatly enhanced. This is one of the strongest attributes the Takshaka digital cable brings to the table. I have had this aspect for some time. TroyD even commented on it years ago, when he played a CD he brought that was recorded in his hometown church. That was a great recording that really gave you a sense of the venue it was recorded in. The difference is that now, this aspect is greatly enhanced.
Speaking of greatly enhanced - the body of string instruments is very noticeable now. Great palpability on that aspect. It is now very easy to tell that the sound from within the cavity/body of the guitar (for instance) is just as much a part of the instrument, and not just the strings. You don't need to strain to hear it either, as it is very obvious.
While listening to "Walk a mile in my shoes", there are two singers. One to center right, one to center left. As they sing, you can very clearly tell where each singer is placed. There is no second guessing.
Going back to the body of an instrument for a second...listening to Roger Eno's, "The turning year". You can easily tell that the body of the piano is part of the instrument, and not just the strike of each cord/wire.
The emotion and engagement of the music is now back. Since I sat down 3 hours ago, I have only gotten up once to drain the lizard and down a cold glass of milk. Then it was back to listening. Not for this evaluation/comparison, but because I am truly enjoying the music. It pulls you in and makes you yearn for more.
-
2 weeks later and with the re-introduction of the Master Class Dynamic AA/C line conditioner? The rig has never sounded so pristine and the enjoyment level has risen in spades. These ears are in a state of constant musical bliss. The Takshaka digital cable was the clear winner in this shootout.
Tom
treitz3
3 ·
Re: Polk CS350-LS Center Channel in NC
Thank you for the offer. I seldom use the HT system as it is. Daily I listen to 2 channel vinyl/cd on the rta15's. If I did go that direction I'd also have to get sub(s) & I'm not sure, as it's been forever since I've done any upgrades to my equipment.
boston1450
1 ·
Re: Post a picture.....any picture...part deux...
KISS sucks!!!
I thought so too, until I had front row center seats and backstage access courtesy of Paul Stanley himself... The show was a helluva lot of fun.
nooshinjohn
2 ·
Re: Snub Way road test
Looking forward to your impressions. We still on track for Friday?
Tom
If this was for me, I will most likely be shipping it out to the next in line tomorrow!
Thankfully I was given a bit more time with it so that I could get it into my fathers system, as I think he will want one of these.
As for initial impressions, I'll leave it at this, I've already placed an order for one.
Upstatemax
2 ·
Re: Projects: what are you all working on?
Not a VR4 Spyder, Spyder SL. Couldn’t afford the vr4 spyder.
Do have a 92 vr4 and it’s next for this fun as **** 60k service.
I agree on these cars, one of the best cruising GT vehicles ever.
All are great on long interstate trips.
Do have a 92 vr4 and it’s next for this fun as **** 60k service.
I agree on these cars, one of the best cruising GT vehicles ever.
All are great on long interstate trips.
skipshot12
1 ·
Re: Projects: what are you all working on?
VR4 Spyder? The convertible was done by ASC. The 3000GT Spyder is rare, but the VR4 is hen’s teeth rare.
nooshinjohn
2 ·
Re: Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 Speaker and Interconnect Cables
These are really good btw. The rca alone is good enough to even double as a phono cable. That good.
Joey_V
1 ·