I've started this project back in 1/2005, since then it has gone through to a few revisions stage
Ver 1.0
Sheng Ya S10
M/F 3Cr Pre.
Bryston 3bst
Dynaudio Contour 1.1s
I wasn't happy about this system, most of the time I found that the vocal was behind the instrument playing. Everything was constricting together, it failed to produce the soundstage I was looking for.
Ver 1.01
Added P/C VH Flavour4 to 3bst
Bass was more tight and extended. Vocal is more up front, yet more airy. Soundstage has become widen; also the floor noise was gone.
I was so happy with VH's products; I went a head and ordered 1 more Fl 4 for CDP, 1 Fl 2 for Pre, and 2 pairs of I/C
Once everything was broke in. I was please with the results. The soundstage was more 3d, better depth and height. However I felt that there was some glare on the high frequency (typical SS), it wasn't edgy, however it did produce a small degree a fatigueness after a long period of listening.
Thanks for the comments. I'm not sure about the smoothness from fl4, however from my experience the fl4 add a fuller body to music especially with the midrange. It also a little forward which can be a good and a bad thing depending on individual system, definitely added sparkles to my system.
I don't have anything else to compare the Fl4 with so I can't tell you whether it's good or bad at imaging, nevertheless I enjoy music a lot more after I upgraded from the stock cable.
The Opera is on a different league compared to ShengYa. It was more refine in everyway. However it is unfair to say that ShengYa is a bad player, after all it cost less than half of the Opera. I was comparing the ShengYa with my friend's Rega's Planet 2k, and found that the tube based (Shengya) CDP sounded more electronic than Solid Stage. I replaced the original Philips Jan 6922 for a buggle boy 6922 and found that it was a bit more relaxed, however still sound too hard for my taste.
I ordered a pair Cardas Cross to connect from CD to Pre, and found that vocals again have improved. It has become thicker and better depth comparing to the Pulsar. However it was less airy than the Pulsar, I found that the Pulsar is on more of a neutral side. Nevertheless I chose to keep the Cross due to the fact that it was more enjoyable for me; I felt that there was better connection between the singer and myself. In no way I'm indicating that the Pulsar is bad, however it wasn't for me. I'm ordering another pair of Cross to complete the I/C range.
Please feel free to make recommendation for further improvement, however I'm, not allow to do any room acoustic treatment as they were found to be ugly and expense by my wife
Ver 1.2 Opera Consonance R2.2 After 100hrs non stop, I'm pleased to announce that the fatigue is no longer exists in my system, instead it has been replace by blooming vocals, airy & non glaring top end. Bass wasn't as tight however it not bloated. The soundstage is now better in every aspects i.e more open yet relax, non fatigue, better placement (instruments),more refine vocal, most importantly more enjoyable.
