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Post by brettj on Feb 27, 2024 19:35:44 GMT
Had a listen. Really like it. Will listen again when I get my USB cable. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 2, 2024 12:59:09 GMT
I received my four Stack Audio Auva EQ feet, which is fast work from the very friendly Josh. They appear to be very nicely designed and built, with the 'secret particles' inside which the instructions warn not to tamper with or use harmful cleaning products on. The Auva were destined for my secondary system rack, which is a tall pot plant table holding the EtherREGEN, AfterDark clock, JS-2 and QP-2 power supplies, and a Quartz Acoustic grounding box. I estimated the overall weight to be around 15-16kg so had selected the CSA2 model as being the best fit.  Installation was a matter of gently tipping the table over slightly while removing the AQ sorbothane pucks and sliding in the Auva feet. I opted not to use the optional rubber anti-slip mat as unnecessary. To my surprise, there is an amount of give in the feet roughly similar to the pucks, with the same gentle sway at the top of the table, but remaining quite stable. Llistening now to my current fave Sophie Zelmani, I can hear a further tightening of the sound and even more explosive acoustic guitar, with a touch more soundstage behind them. I wasn't sure what to expect but this is one of those pleasing experiments that has worked out well for not a lot of money. At this stage, anything that improves my system further is very welcome indeed. Thank you, Stack Audio! |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 7, 2024 17:59:48 GMT
A quick system update: everything has had lots of time to settle from the JS-2 power supplies to the P12 regenerator, the Black Ravioli Big Pad Plus feet under the streamer and DAC, the SR Orange fuses and recently the Stack Audio feet for the secondary rack.
For a long time I was hearing just the fuses in the P12 (two SR Oranges) and they, like the Purples, go through a substantial transformation. They sound perfectly decent from new, then go through this rollercoaster of sounding a bit flat one day followed by vivid and insightful the next. This calms down to a stable sound after what has been well over 300 hours now.
The stable sound my system has achieved has gone beyond any description of tonal balance or structural bass. The soundstage seems more 3D and walk-around. Edge transients are explosive in their attack. The detail in transients gives far better cues about the space they're in and the kind of strike. Tiny detail is everywhere. Note decay is incredible: listening to Soul by Sophie Zelmani, the acoustic guitar is mostly in the right channel while the reverb decays away in the left, making it easier to hear what is happening. It sounds like a digital decay as I feel certain I can hear artifacts in it. Listening to Sheryl Crow's voice in Now That You're Gone and Home, the midrange holds it together through swells, sounding rich and nothing like a digital recording. Everything is lit up without being bright, attacking without being harsh. Just like natural sound.
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Post by brettj on Mar 7, 2024 19:20:53 GMT
I received my four Stack Audio Auva EQ feet, which is fast work from the very friendly Josh. They appear to be very nicely designed and built, with the 'secret particles' inside which the instructions warn not to tamper with or use harmful cleaning products on. The Auva were destined for my secondary system rack, which is a tall pot plant table holding the EtherREGEN, AfterDark clock, JS-2 and QP-2 power supplies, and a Quartz Acoustic grounding box. I estimated the overall weight to be around 15-16kg so had selected the CSA2 model as being the best fit. Installation was a matter of gently tipping the table over slightly while removing the AQ sorbothane pucks and sliding in the Auva feet. I opted not to use the optional rubber anti-slip mat as unnecessary. To my surprise, there is an amount of give in the feet roughly similar to the pucks, with the same gentle sway at the top of the table, but remaining quite stable. Llistening now to my current fave Sophie Zelmani, I can hear a further tightening of the sound and even more explosive acoustic guitar, with a touch more soundstage behind them. I wasn't sure what to expect but this is one of those pleasing experiments that has worked out well for not a lot of money. At this stage, anything that improves my system further is very welcome indeed. Thank you, Stack Audio! I have Stack Audio Auva 70 under my speakers, and Stack Audio Auva EQ feet under my Puritan PSM156. Both excellent products. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 16, 2024 21:09:35 GMT
I wanted to see whether it was possible to convey the impression of dynamic range by recording a suitable piece using my phone.
I don't think it's successful, although you should play this at a realistic volume to simulate what I hear.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 17, 2024 11:42:56 GMT
After establishing that Sophie Zelmani allows use of her copyright material, I've amended the above to the whole 51s clip.
The acoustic guitar has tremendous energy in this song, which is somewhat lost in the YouTube process. The soundstage is more successfully conveyed, I think.
The song is All About You by Sophie Zelmani from the album Soul.
Any comments?
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Post by nicholas on Mar 17, 2024 12:35:19 GMT
I find the conveyance of timing and space to be truly remarkable, especially considering your cellphone as the recording source. This sonic portrait clearly wouldn't be the same with a lesser system.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 1, 2024 13:08:58 GMT
Listening to music today (currently Deep Purple - When a Blind Man Cries), I am very happy with the system and the sound I am achieving. It isn't perfect, no system is, but I don't want for anything much. It's well balanced, can do big scale, and has incredible bass. But, most importantly, it does human voice well. Without good midrange, a system is useless to me.
I have been sinking into the music, following performers and bands down rabbit holes and feeling the sense of sanctuary envelop me. Qobuz is helping me discover more music than ever before, and the sound quality is pretty much all down to the recording, with a big variation across the catalogue.
I consider myself lucky to have this setup and try never to take it for granted.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 3, 2024 13:00:05 GMT
Rather looking forward to a session tonight where I shall be comparing my Mad Scientist Ultra USB cable with one of the new Gold USB cables. To quote Mad Scientist:
This should be interesting: will I hear a difference? I have long felt a preference for PCOCC copper over silver, but I do have the Tubulus cables which are silver. Add into the mix the extra damping. I've no idea what to expect.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Apr 3, 2024 14:21:10 GMT
Interesting Martin... I know from years ago that,when l tried a friends Gold wire RCA cable, which l know it's not a USB.
From what l recall, it was more neutral than silver. l have Mad Scientists USB that l should really move on,as l don't run it anymore.
Still.l'm going off on a tangent now... Let's us know how it goes.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 3, 2024 16:02:10 GMT
I've listened to my own Mad Scientist Ultra USB and then connected up the Gold, performing the Sonic Orbiter DAC diagnostics to ensure that all is well. I'm now listening to the Gold and have to smile as the two cables seem to conform to stereotypes.
The Ultra (copper) is the baseline and features good all-round performance with particularly strong and deep but very tight bass. By comparison, the Gold (silver & gold) is slightly less powerful sounding, lighter on its feet and with a strongly developed midrange and more pronounced detail. Treble is slightly finer resolved, too. Soundstage, air and note decay are very good with either cable. Acoustic guitar has slightly more bite (how is this even possible?) with incredible dynamics.
This is just the 'big picture' preliminary view and I also sense that the Gold needs more acclimatisation and perhaps some more burn-in. I'll be putting it on Tara Labs tonight for a further listen over the next few days. I'll also reverse them around a few times as they are easy to swap without switching anything off.
I shall also put the two cables to Mike who is coming over on Saturday for a listen and will report back.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 4, 2024 16:38:00 GMT
One day of Tara later, and the Gold has converged towards the Ultra. Certainly the bass is more powerful tonight.
Midrange detail, especially percussion, is more pronounced. The soundstage is still less expansive than the Ultra.
I'm going to have to swap and compare them more intensely. This will have to wait until the weekend.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2024 16:22:42 GMT
After another 24 hours of Tara on the Gold, I listened again and things are even closer now. The bass has filled out nicely.
I then switched back to the Ultra and it's now at the point where it becomes mostly a balance choice. They are much more similar than different, with the Ultra being very slightly darker than the Gold. The Gold also has a more finely resolved upper mid / lower treble. Soundstage remains evenly matched (now).
More listening needed as I'm determined to get this right.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2024 19:22:16 GMT
I've done a couple more swaps and things have become clearer. More lower-mid energy in the Ultra, more upper-mid energy in the Gold. It makes the Gold sound a touch brighter, the Ultra a touch darker. As yet, the Gold is a little behind in overall dynamics, but there isn't much in it. My Ultra is very well burned in, the Gold probably needs more time on it as yet.
Interesting comparison and nowhere close to, say, how the Tubulus cables comprehensively outperformed what they were replacing.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Apr 6, 2024 15:32:04 GMT
Interesting.... Had kinda of reflection of how l felt when testing Gold Vs Pure Silver years, apart from a toneal difference, l struggled to hear the reason to invest down that path.
My only regret... I did have the chance to listen to platinum cable, but declined... as it was too expensive at the time, but looking back now and how metal prices have gone up,l'd would have only needed to weigh them in for a profit.
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Post by palace on Apr 6, 2024 15:47:50 GMT
Interesting.... Had kinda of reflection of how l felt when testing Gold Vs Pure Silver years, apart from a toneal difference, l struggled to hear the reason to invest down that path. My only regret... I did have the chance to listen to platinum cable, but declined... as it was too expensive at the time, but looking back now and how metal prices have gone up,l'd would have only needed to weigh them in for a profit. I use copper speaker & digital leads annealed silver phono leads that are very neutral. a good few years ago I read that Palladium hifi leads were the most neutral of all though not the best conductor which is silver. forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-palladium-in-cables-wiring-etc |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Apr 7, 2024 7:05:16 GMT
Interesting read... Myself l stopped at pure Silver, and preferred it over Gold.
lt's all system dependent l guess,but l can't help feel your buying into tonal difference,rather than a low noise cable,sure you may hear different elements of your music, but that could be just down to the metal used.
Sorry if we hijacked your thread Martin.... I was just reminiscing when metals so where cheap in the 2000 you could DIY a pure 5n silver RCA cable for £20!.
I meant to ask... ls the Gold Black Magic USB on demonstration? You sound on the fence, or do you think it's needs a longer burn in period?
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Post by brettj on Apr 7, 2024 8:30:15 GMT
I think that's a yes to all three Damien
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Post by MartinT on Apr 7, 2024 10:08:26 GMT
It's on demo, Damien, so no pressure. I was curious and, to an extent, my curiosity has been satisfied. I shall listen a little more to the Gold but right now my preference is for the darker Ultra. It suits my system and my preferences.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 12, 2024 17:41:06 GMT
My final thoughts on the Mad Scientist Ultra USB versus the Gold USB. Both use graphene in their shielding with the Gold having more damping. The Ultra uses copper strands, the Gold uses gold and silver strands. Both are thick, well made and with good connectors. They are both excellent cables, highly resolving, non harsh and with tremendous power and bass extension.
The Gold casts light on the upper midrange while the Ultra has a darker upper mid. In other areas they are very similar. The Ultra suits my system better, which is just lucky. I've really enjoyed the comparison as how else can you learn about these things?
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