Audio review for 2010 - Cables all the way
BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
First, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. For those who have had problems in the last year, I really hope things get better in 2011. For everyone else, please try to help others who have suffered from this economy, or for other reasons.
I think it will be interesting to hear stories, good and bad, from fellow forum members of our audio journeys this last year, and your audio plans for the new year. So, if you have any audio stories please post them. Your experiences are how we all learn.
Also, I would like to dedicate this post to all those whose closed minds do not allow them the freedom and ability to experience the audio joy which results from better cables. I apologize for its length, but at this point I am really enthused with how my systems are now working, and I want to sing the praises of using better cables. They do make a difference.
Over the Christmas break I was sitting back, and really enjoying how well my twochannel system is sounding, when it occurred to me all I have done this year is add vibration elimination, and change all the cables. This has resulted in a system that is 1000% better than before. I can reach out and pull notes out of the air since it is now that detailed and precise. Both of my sources, SACD/CD, and iPod/Wadia, sound so much better now it is almost scary.
The really amazing thing is how much music I have been able to extract from relatively low level gear. In the past I would have thought to get better music one needs better gear, and while that is true, I now realize that gear alone is not the answer. And, I suspect there is even more music in my gear just waiting to be found with other cable upgrades. :eek:
In that respect, this last year has been very interesting and educational. For the first time in maybe 3-4 years, I did not change, or add, hardware in either the two channel system, or the HT. Mostly, this year was all cables; power cables, inter-connect cables, and speaker cables, but I also added brass footers for vibration elimination to all the two-channel gear.
I added Mapleshade Micropoint Heavy Feet to the two channel gear, and each piece of gear added benefited from vibration elimination, even the power conditioner. As Mapleshade says, adding brass footers is like removing a blanket which is smothering the sound. It is that apparent, and I cannot recommend this enough. It works.
I also changed all the cables in the two channel system, and each cable upgrade made an obvious, positive difference. In the HT, I changed the power cords on the AVR, amp, SACD, and BR player, five analog ICs, and speaker cable, and that too made a big improvement in sound.
For the two-channel system I added Pangea AC-14SE power cables to the Wadia, SACD, DAC, and pre- amp, and added a Pangea AC9 power cable to the power conditioner. I also added a Shunyata Python CX power cable to each amp. This gives everything a better than stock power cable, and each cable added, made the system sound better.
In the two-channel system I replaced the Kimber Kable Hero XLRs cables with MIT Shotgun S1.3 balanced ICs. This means new ICs between the SACD and pre-amp, DAC and pre-amp, and pre-amp to both amps. This was a big, obvious upgrade. The soundstage grew wider, and the musical image is more precise.
I replaced the Omega-Mikro Zephyr digital IC between the Wadia iTransport and the DAC with an MIT Magnum digital IC. While this was an improvement over the previous cable, it was not as striking as when replacing the analog ICs. However, it was still worthwhile.
Finally, in the two-channel system I upgraded the Omega-Mikro Planar 1 speaker cables to the Planar V with an active DC bias applied to the shield. This was another great upgrade. Bass is more defined, and the high end is more precise, but not strident or fatiguing. Additionally, the quiet passages become almost black due to the absence of background noise.
In the HT I upgraded the power cables to Pangea AC-14 and the power conditioner cable to a Pangea AC9. I upgraded the five analog ICs to MIT CVT Terminator 1. While, from an MIT perspective, these are relatively inexpensive, they really made a positive difference in adding detail to the HT sound. I am not a fan of boom, boom, boom in HT. Any fool can add a sub to their system. What I want is the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, glass breaking, footsteps, etc. to be apparent, clear, and precise on the fronts, center, and surrounds, and in this area the MITs shine. Plus when I use the HT for multi-channel SACD it is much better than before.
For the new year I am upgrading my Wadia 170 iTransport to the new 171 model since it is on pre-order, and now expected to ship in January. Of course, I heard the same thing for a ship date in December. I am upgrading because Wadia has addressed two areas of weakness in the 170 iTransport, and I hope the internal power supply, along with better clocking circuitry will provide an obvious sound improvement.
I also plan on getting a pair of the new LSiM 707 speakers to replace my front LSi15s in the HT. Additionally, I would like to get a MapleShade Samson v.3 equipment rack for the two-channel system. I have been using a circa late 80s home entertainment rack for the gear, and while I like the having drawers at the bottom for cables and other stuff, I suspect a more solid rack will yield a sonic improvement.
Heres to the New Year, and a better year of music (and HT). :biggrin:
Two-channel gear:
iPod Classic lossless files
Wadia iTransport
Ciaudio external power supply upgrade for Wadia
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Bryston BDA-1 DAC
Cambridge-Audio 840E pre-amp
Cambridge-Audio 840W amps (two, left and right bridged mono mode)
PSB Synchrony One tower speakers
Panamax Power conditioner
2 4 Mapleshade maple speaker platforms with brass carpet spikes
Mapleshade brass footers under all gear
Pangea AC14SE power cables
Pangea AC9 power cable
2 Shunyata Python CX power cables
Omega-Mikro Planar V speaker cables
MIT S1.3 XLR interconnects
MIT Magnum digital cable
HT gear:
Hitachi 57 digital monitor
Sony STR-DA7100ES used as pre/pro
Sony NS9100ES SACD (provides digital DSD over iLink to 7100ES)
Sunfire TGA-5400 amp
Oppo BD-83 Bluray
Panamax power conditioner
Xbox 360
4 Polk LSi15 speakers front, surround
PSB Synchrony One center (fantastic LSiC replacement)
Polk PSW1000 sub
Mapleshade Clearview Plus speaker cables
MIT CVT Terminator 1 analog ICs
Belden iLink cable
Pangea AC14 power cables
Pangea AC9 power cable
I think it will be interesting to hear stories, good and bad, from fellow forum members of our audio journeys this last year, and your audio plans for the new year. So, if you have any audio stories please post them. Your experiences are how we all learn.
Also, I would like to dedicate this post to all those whose closed minds do not allow them the freedom and ability to experience the audio joy which results from better cables. I apologize for its length, but at this point I am really enthused with how my systems are now working, and I want to sing the praises of using better cables. They do make a difference.
Over the Christmas break I was sitting back, and really enjoying how well my twochannel system is sounding, when it occurred to me all I have done this year is add vibration elimination, and change all the cables. This has resulted in a system that is 1000% better than before. I can reach out and pull notes out of the air since it is now that detailed and precise. Both of my sources, SACD/CD, and iPod/Wadia, sound so much better now it is almost scary.
The really amazing thing is how much music I have been able to extract from relatively low level gear. In the past I would have thought to get better music one needs better gear, and while that is true, I now realize that gear alone is not the answer. And, I suspect there is even more music in my gear just waiting to be found with other cable upgrades. :eek:
In that respect, this last year has been very interesting and educational. For the first time in maybe 3-4 years, I did not change, or add, hardware in either the two channel system, or the HT. Mostly, this year was all cables; power cables, inter-connect cables, and speaker cables, but I also added brass footers for vibration elimination to all the two-channel gear.
I added Mapleshade Micropoint Heavy Feet to the two channel gear, and each piece of gear added benefited from vibration elimination, even the power conditioner. As Mapleshade says, adding brass footers is like removing a blanket which is smothering the sound. It is that apparent, and I cannot recommend this enough. It works.
I also changed all the cables in the two channel system, and each cable upgrade made an obvious, positive difference. In the HT, I changed the power cords on the AVR, amp, SACD, and BR player, five analog ICs, and speaker cable, and that too made a big improvement in sound.
For the two-channel system I added Pangea AC-14SE power cables to the Wadia, SACD, DAC, and pre- amp, and added a Pangea AC9 power cable to the power conditioner. I also added a Shunyata Python CX power cable to each amp. This gives everything a better than stock power cable, and each cable added, made the system sound better.
In the two-channel system I replaced the Kimber Kable Hero XLRs cables with MIT Shotgun S1.3 balanced ICs. This means new ICs between the SACD and pre-amp, DAC and pre-amp, and pre-amp to both amps. This was a big, obvious upgrade. The soundstage grew wider, and the musical image is more precise.
I replaced the Omega-Mikro Zephyr digital IC between the Wadia iTransport and the DAC with an MIT Magnum digital IC. While this was an improvement over the previous cable, it was not as striking as when replacing the analog ICs. However, it was still worthwhile.
Finally, in the two-channel system I upgraded the Omega-Mikro Planar 1 speaker cables to the Planar V with an active DC bias applied to the shield. This was another great upgrade. Bass is more defined, and the high end is more precise, but not strident or fatiguing. Additionally, the quiet passages become almost black due to the absence of background noise.
In the HT I upgraded the power cables to Pangea AC-14 and the power conditioner cable to a Pangea AC9. I upgraded the five analog ICs to MIT CVT Terminator 1. While, from an MIT perspective, these are relatively inexpensive, they really made a positive difference in adding detail to the HT sound. I am not a fan of boom, boom, boom in HT. Any fool can add a sub to their system. What I want is the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, glass breaking, footsteps, etc. to be apparent, clear, and precise on the fronts, center, and surrounds, and in this area the MITs shine. Plus when I use the HT for multi-channel SACD it is much better than before.
For the new year I am upgrading my Wadia 170 iTransport to the new 171 model since it is on pre-order, and now expected to ship in January. Of course, I heard the same thing for a ship date in December. I am upgrading because Wadia has addressed two areas of weakness in the 170 iTransport, and I hope the internal power supply, along with better clocking circuitry will provide an obvious sound improvement.
I also plan on getting a pair of the new LSiM 707 speakers to replace my front LSi15s in the HT. Additionally, I would like to get a MapleShade Samson v.3 equipment rack for the two-channel system. I have been using a circa late 80s home entertainment rack for the gear, and while I like the having drawers at the bottom for cables and other stuff, I suspect a more solid rack will yield a sonic improvement.
Heres to the New Year, and a better year of music (and HT). :biggrin:
Two-channel gear:
iPod Classic lossless files
Wadia iTransport
Ciaudio external power supply upgrade for Wadia
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Bryston BDA-1 DAC
Cambridge-Audio 840E pre-amp
Cambridge-Audio 840W amps (two, left and right bridged mono mode)
PSB Synchrony One tower speakers
Panamax Power conditioner
2 4 Mapleshade maple speaker platforms with brass carpet spikes
Mapleshade brass footers under all gear
Pangea AC14SE power cables
Pangea AC9 power cable
2 Shunyata Python CX power cables
Omega-Mikro Planar V speaker cables
MIT S1.3 XLR interconnects
MIT Magnum digital cable
HT gear:
Hitachi 57 digital monitor
Sony STR-DA7100ES used as pre/pro
Sony NS9100ES SACD (provides digital DSD over iLink to 7100ES)
Sunfire TGA-5400 amp
Oppo BD-83 Bluray
Panamax power conditioner
Xbox 360
4 Polk LSi15 speakers front, surround
PSB Synchrony One center (fantastic LSiC replacement)
Polk PSW1000 sub
Mapleshade Clearview Plus speaker cables
MIT CVT Terminator 1 analog ICs
Belden iLink cable
Pangea AC14 power cables
Pangea AC9 power cable
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
Comments
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Sounds like an expensive, but VERY productive year. Congrats!!! I am also looking at doing all new power cords and wires soon as well. Would you recommend one more than the other?
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Did you say relatively low level!? I wonder what my set up is then
nice system blueSamsung pn64f8500
Sonus faber venere 2.5
Sf venere center
Oppo 105d
Squeezebox touch
Parasound hca1500a
Apc power filter
Audioquest cables asst
Polk rtia3 SB
Polk fxia6 sl,sr
Dual hsu vtf3 mk3 -
I am also looking at doing all new power cords and wires soon as well. Would you recommend one more than the other?
Others with more experience than me can give better answers, but in my case I was a power cable skeptic, so I did the other cables first. Then people on this site started talking about Pangea power cables, and how good they were while being relatively inexpensive. So, I bought a couple AC-14s, installed them, and went wow. These things do work. Naturally, this lead to upgrading them to AC-14SE, and buying power cables for the rest of the gear. :rolleyes:
If I had to make a guess I would say going with better ICs and speaker cables first will make it easier to hear any benefits from upgrading the power cables.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
One shocker of an experience that happened to me this year didn't cost me anything (while all the stuff I did spend money on, has been give-'n-take in the improvement dept.). Because of a no-preamp situation I was in for about a week. I put into action my Yamaha Natural Sound CDP that had a volume control on it. Out of curiosity, I did a shootout with 3 different IC's I had (something that was never possible before, because I only have 1 of each): Kimber PBJ, BEL, and IXOS. I always liked the BEL and Kimber and thought they would kick-**** all over the IXOS, but guess what? The IXOS hands down sounded better than either of the other two well-regarded IC's. Images were more focused, more palpable and had more air around them. Everything else was pretty close...top end, bass, etc., but the presence of instruments and voices was instantly apparent every time I put them back in. And I had these sitting in the closet for quite a few years. :eek:
You never know...
Troy..... ><////(*> -
I thank you for your well-wishs and for you being in this club also. I'm still a power cable skeptic. but I'm using equipment I bought from a great man who replaced not only his power chords but the outlets too, so..
I was still limited this year due to a health issue (frozen shoulder from hell for 1 1/2 years.) but I've recovered almost 100% from it now since April,2010 when the pain stopped.
SO..
I plan on doing ALOT next year;2011
"Larry's Rings" will be put into my SDA-SRS-2's and a set of CRS+'s.
Thank you for the Karma rings with no shipping charges Larry, Thank you!
Getting my RT55 rosewood speakers put into my HT system for the rear or sides or somewhere in it..
Thanks Fellow Polkie.
Switching pre-amps and power amps in my main system to hear differences now that my health is getting better.
Having my M504's power switch fixed...(High on the list.)
Having another onkyo receivers' power switch fixed.
Alot of other things I'll list later on but I've got to go shower now.
Oh, and to Karma more this coming year to give back and to pay forward.Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
My 2010 can be summed up in a few words...
Crossover Modifications
The end.- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
My year in review saw me upgrade EVERYTHING.
Receiver: Yamaha 565 - Marantz 7002
Amp: NONE - Adcom GFA7500
Conditioner: Monster 1600 - Monster 3600MKII
TV: LG 47" - Panasonic 65" plasma
Speakers: Monitor 70s 50s cs2 - LSI15 LSI9 LSIC
Interconnects: Audioquest G-snake - MIT exp3 - MIT Terminator 2
Speaker Cables: Canare 4s11 - Monster z-series - MIT Terminator 2
Subwoofers as of today: Dual klipsch sub-12s - JL Fathom 112
Wow, what a year... I honestly hope 2011 doesn't bring any changes besides a new room to put it all in and undertake the project of redoing my crossovers... maybe in 2012 I will be able to get a pre-amp (the marantz I saw today looked lovely).
Happy New Year everyone! -
Larry's "rings" were the upgrade of the year for vintage Polk owners. I was truly impressed how this inexpensive "tweak" made such a surprising improvement in my SDA sound quality.
My component upgrade of the year was moving to an Audio Research PH-3SE phono preamp (tube). WOW!Carl -
Nice write up man. The true magic lies in the sum of all of the parts and as Max says...
"Everything Matters"
My quest this year will be another tube amp (the ARC in my sig is on loan from a friend). I am really leaning toward a VTL. Gotta get some cash together though.-Kevin
HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
2 Channel:
Oppo BDP-83 SE
Squeezebox Touch
Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
VTL 2.5
McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
B&W 801's
Transparent IC's -
I finally did a much needed speaker upgrade (Replaced Energy C-9's with Fritz Carbon 7's), and I couldn't be happier with the results. I also put a Placette back in the system, but it's now for sale in the FM. I'm going to go back to using the Benchmark PRE as my preamp.
2011 will bring vinyl back for the first time since about 1986, when my Yamaha PF-800 TT was sold off. I've already picked up a phonostage (Simaudio LP3), and TT candidates are the MMF-5.1 or the Marantz TT-15S1 (so far).Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
My year in audio 2010 was mostly about tube rolling and finding that 1 or 2 stellar combination for my 4 peices of tube gear. In the main rig I finally found nirvana in the proper rectifier and driver tubes in my pre-amp. Lots of trial and error with all sorts of combinations and lots and lots of $$$ spent.
I finally found a couple really nice tube combinations for the (3) tube integrated amps I swap in and out in the office rig. One thing is certain all tube rectified gear will change based on the rectifier. It has as much influence on the sound as the other tubes, so don't skimp in that area or ignore it. And yes the Mullard GZ34/5AR4 is really that good!!!!! Nothing compares.
At this point I only have a few more tubes to try. There is a single pair of very rare tubes I'm on the hunt for to use in the main rig. There are a few 12AX7 and 5751 tubes I want to try and I'd love to find a reasonably priced quad of Bendix 5992 (6V6) to try. I missed a quad around Thanksgiving for a very good price and an kicking myself for it.
My focus in 2011 with be completing my SDA 1C's mods which include Larry's rings, spikes and mortite. Also modding the Norh SE9 tube integrated amp with Auricap coupling caps. Spending some time with my new office rig DAC w/a few mods. Building an AI-1 cable so *IF* I make the jump to another Pass amp I'll be ready. I'd really like to get the Pass Labs XA30.5, but that's a lot of coin.
My other main focus for 2011 will be to try and finally aquire a pair of MIT Shotgun speaker cables to replace my MIT Terminator II's.
Great thread, BTW.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
2010 for me was transformational in my hybrid HT/2-Channel rig:
* A Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated Amp with HT bypass which then allowed me to get the most out of my source components. I'm getting *great* synergy from this int and my B&W CDM 1NT speakers!
* New TT rig - Technics SL1200mkII w/ Denon DL-160 cartridge that breathed new life into my vinyl collection w/ that liquid analog presentation
* A Nitty Gritty manual RCM - which made a startling change to my LPs - some as dead quiet as a CD.
* New SACD/CD player - Marantz SA-KI that peeled more detail and presentation from my CDs, and the ability to explore the clarity and musical depth of SACDs that my Oppo can't.
* Speaker and IC cables - MIT Shotgun S2s (speakers) & Shotgun S3s (ICs) that gave a much more balanced and clear sound top to bottom.
I'm at a resting spot on my path for now where I can enjoy the sonic goodness and simply enjoy the music....for now...
Plans for 2011....hmmm....more SACDs, more vinyl, more bluray - I'm getting more and more concert discs.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Great report BF!
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Accomplished in 2010
Dumped all my SS amps and preamps and went to integrated tube amps.
Upgraded the xovers in my SDA 1C's with ClarityCaps.
Upgraded from cheap, crappy interconnects to King Cobra IC's.
Plan for 2011
Upgrade power cables.
Buy a SACD player.
Buy Shuguang Treasure 6CA7-Z's.
Upgrade to MIT IC's.
Upgrade the SDA SRS 1.2 TL's with ClarityCaps with the soon (I hope) to be released, custom crossover boards.SDA SRS 2.3TL's
Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
SDA 2B TL's -
Great post Bf!
I also like the below comment as it shows your heart for this communityFirst, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. For those who have had problems in the last year, I really hope things get better in 2011. For everyone else, please try to help others who have suffered from this economy, or for other reasons.DARE TO SOAR:
Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life
