Pragmatist, as they say in China, "In a New York minute." I have yet to try the Ack! Dack and the 47 Labs' dacs. If the price is right, I'd like to get a Progression or a Shigiraki dac. The Audio Note 1.1x sigs looks promising too.

Dean, the Kangaroo jacks are the blue stuff you see in my pics, the Eichmann bulletplugs. Also, I've added an outboard psu for the dackit.

I thought the system sounded too airy with the Stealth with the new stuff in the system. Now, I am getting more transparent at the cost of the airiness. So, you'd probably like the system less now since you are such a tube afficianado.

viggen December 11, 2003 02:33

Dean, you go lacquer your own GF...

The Buddha cables with Kangaroo jacks helped out so much that I removed all the Michael Wolff powercords and the Mini Stealth. These will be up for sale. Downsizing is an ego trip. Then again, so is getting lacqured.

viggen December 10, 2003 21:37

Hi. Changed my system again. Nothing extraordinary in terms of components, but the sound did changed dramatically with a few tweaks.

Tweak#1-swapped out all my Ratshack magnetwires with 47Labs' OTA cables.
Tweak#2-swapped out majority of Michael Wolff powercords with OTA cables with Furutech plugs. This is made with one male and two female connectors so only one outlet is being taken up on the AM-Stealth while powering the Dackit's PSU and Gaincard.
Tweak#3-rewired the Dackit with stripped OTA cables. These cables are first dipped into C37 lacquer. Check component page for pic of its guts.
Component addition#1-Scott Nixon's 3XDC, external PSU for the Dackit. Still burning in...

Pending tweaks, waiting for my girlfriend to be done with her finals, so she can help me varnish my speakers. She's an artist, so I assume she's pretty good with the brush. Going to give the speakers a few coats of the C37 lacquer.

Not to boast, but I think the dackit is so much more transparent, delicate and detailed after the modification, it can really give good analog a run for the money. *run and hide* None of that detail coming out of the black stuff. There is no black at all. And, before, I can tell where the strings or horn players are sitting, now I can hear what direction they are sitting in as well. And, the C37 supposed to sound better as it takes a month to cure... *grin*

viggen December 07, 2003 22:03

Yo Marco, Unlike the Night Train Express, the ERS not only tastes good but it is good FOR you. I don't remember Stiff records or know of their logo, but my ex coworker who used to be in the music business told me Rick James used to have a song called "Too Fat to Fuck" but was banned it offended weight-challenged people. I guess stiffy isn't the only requirement to be worth a fuck.

viggen November 15, 2003 18:53

ERS stands for Energy Releasing Stimulants. It's for old guys who have trouble getting up the stairs or getting anything else up for that matter. I use these on my interconnects, so they'd stay straighter for longer. They work wonders on my system. Been listening to it for 6 hours straight today and still going strong.

viggen November 15, 2003 06:45

Hey Dave,

Thanks a bunch! I was well on my way finishing this project for class, but you got me on a cable swapping frenzy againnnnnnnn.

Well, I never got the chance to try to Double Helix digital cable. But, I do have the original Gladbag analog cables which I used for digital as well.

Lately, I found small faults in my system here and there. With classical music, I feel my system is pretty good. But, 80% of what I listen to are techno/lounge music which comes off a tad harsh in the mids. My hypothesis is the material my speakers are made of greatly contribute to this. Since, the cabinet is made of MDF; whereas, I bet the mids will have more of that "organic" sound if the speakers were made of birch or pine.

So what does this have to do with the digital cable you're asking about? Well, after I read your post, I dug out the Mapleshade ICs and spent about two hours comparing this cable in both digital and analog applications. The other cables are Stereovox, Bogdan, and my homebrew USB and magnetwires.

If there is one major positive that the Mapleshade contributed to my system either in digital or analog application is that it allowed my speakers to sound less "MDF". However, ofcourse, I didn't stop there. Since my last post, I've stopped using the Stereovox and have been using the USB in its place.

The USB IS more organic sounding than the Stereovox. The Stereovox is more transparent and let all the information through but at the cost of sounding more fatigueing a la D-60. The USB is "rounder" sounding in that it is a bit dull but with "aroma". I can listen to the stereo for a lot longer time with the USB. The Mapleshade sounds more like the USB but not as good.

However, as you might have read from my post from that recent copper vs silver thread, I used to rave about the Bogdan silver IC and used it in both digital and analog applications. But, they sounded inferior with time. Even my homebrew cables beat it in terms of ........ well just about everything.

Well, today, I opened up the IC barrel of the Bogdan and experimented by inserting small sheets of ERS within. This somehow brought the Bogdans back to life. As analog IC, the bass improved while the highs sounded more detailed with less tizzy. But, it still sounded a bit fatigueing. So, I switched it over to digital, and this is where it has stayed in the last 2 hours. I feel the Bogdan with the ERS is my best digital cable at the moment.

If you want to send your Mapleshade digital IC over for me to audition, that's more than fine with me = D. I am more curious about those OTA cables though... Are you still using them plastic connectors with them?

viggen November 15, 2003 02:38

Hey Dean, Can you ask Dave to stop bringing his Sister's of Mercy CDs over to my apartment when listening ot my stereo? Regarding the granite block, I got it in Temple City I think. There is a link in my virtual system. They do come in different sizes but make sure the pair you get have the same height. Surface plates don't guarantee uniform height.

Marco, Afraid I got nothing over Clodagh. I got the tables from Crate and Barrel. I will put up a clearer picture of the cans. Speaking of audio furnitures, have you ever seen one that you would use even if you're not an audiophile? I sure haven't. They are all pretty much as ugly as my dad's 1982 Buick Park Avenue.

In retrospect, I feel very fortunate to have the system I got now. All the time and energy not to mention opportunity costs paid off. Now, I think, I know the real reason behind wives being audiophile'hatahs.

New to my system is the Stereovox HDXV digital cable. I really did not like the Illuminations' D-60. And, I was told by John at the cablecompany that the HDXV and D-60 do sound a like. I still decided to give the cable a test drive since this cable boasts a 4gps bandwidth. Though my gear is different since I had the D-60, the HDXV does have a much more natural sounding attribute that I felt the D-60 lacked. However, both cables do share a slight aggressiveness in the high mids. But, the cable has only been in my system for less than a week, so, hopefully, that will go away. Althought, I suspectm being that both these cables are very compactly constructed, they might transfer mechanical resonance as well as it does digital information. Just a thought.

Also, I did convert a digital cord from an USB cord. It sounds very good and very warm in my system easily beating out a lot of cables I've tried including the venerable D-60 (if my memory of the D-60 can be used to compare accurately). The HDXV is more balanced and with a tad more clarity but with a bit of that aggressiveness I mentioned.

Also, onto another component, I have two fairly competent components that seem to have a magical synergy. I am speaking of the Eichmann Express AC cord and the Furutech E-TP60. These two components do share some physical characteristics in that the Eichmann does use Furutech connectors. I don't think they have any other elements in common. However, to answer Dean's query, my system seems like it has a pRat on off switch and it is on only when the Eichmann is feeding the Furutech.

These components along with the Gaincard, AM Stealth, Wolff cords, Parasound transport, Nixon DAC and ERS carbon sheets are irreplaceable. Well, perhaps I can mod the Nixon and get a higher grade Stealth. But, I feel the Symposium stuff is something I can do without; way overpriced for a varied material density vibration absorber and lateral vibration disperser.

viggen November 08, 2003 07:28

System edited: Changed some stuff around. DIY cables replaced the Carolina cables. The Furutech and Eichmann Express are back into the system. Regarding the Eichmann Express, I conclude there's no pRat without it. The Bogdan AC is back in the system as well. And, one Michael Wolff Silver Gaincord is out to make room for a Carbon Silver Sourcecord on the transport. There ought to be an addition of a Nixon PSU for the Dackit soon. All new pictures for you audio-porn lovers.

viggen November 07, 2003 10:13

Dave, How many times do we have to tell you... stop borrowing money from Guido!! Take plenty of Glucosamine.

viggen September 16, 2003 19:32

Dean,

You ARE crazyyyyyyy!! The Dean system is turning into a monster!

I have a few spare Wolff cords you can try if you want to. Although, these cables are already discontinued. You just have to drive here to pick them up along with the BDR you left here last time.

I am good on most weekends and see if Dave is up for it.

viggen September 12, 2003 20:36

I took out the Furutech ETP60 filter and added some ERS carbon sheets at various places in my system most notably using some as CD mat. Changed some pictures out too.

It might look like I've been doing nothing much to add to my system, but I did audition some really good power cables from Michael Wolff during the past month. Along with the Silver Ribbon Source cord I have already, Mike also sent me a Carbon Silver and a Carbon Ribbon source cord with the latter being radically different cord and price.

Each cord has its own attributes with me liking the sound of the Carbon Ribbon the best. However, its resistance is higher than normal powercords and doesn't like to share AC such as when plugging it into a powerbar.

After much deliberation, I've decided on keeping the original Silver Ribbon cord. For the performance, it is hard to find a better cord for cheaper and doesn't leave me too much yearning to upgrade. That is a good thing.

Well, enjoy the pictures... I decided to use a flash this time on most them.

viggen September 12, 2003 01:41

Hey Marco,

Your pics turned out great. Are those headphones the original Stax? I see you got the Bedini clarifier. How effective is that thing? I've been thinking about getting that or the Furutech RD-2.

viggen June 06, 2003 17:46

Hey Marco,

It's too bad you can't make it here. Atleast you can see how my system looks. It would be very nice to be able to see how your system is set up too being that your pictures must come out very sharp. I'd be waiting.

viggen June 05, 2003 03:32

Hey,

My system has similar sonic attributes since you were last here, Dean. However, there are subtle improvements across the board. I'd say the sound is more refined than before. It no longer sounds like a system in progress. Atleast, I hope it doesn't.

And, regarding the toys, the more the merrier. The cables and dacs are good ideas. This way, I can hear how my system sounds with the "right" cables and compare how the "I am not a crook" DAC stacks up against the vernerable Kora. Most of all, bring your "MR. Critique" hat.

TIC, as you know, we are in CA. So, if you are ever in the left coast...

viggen June 03, 2003 23:50

Just to emphasize, Dean meant CIGARETTES!

Both you two are welcome to drop by on the weekends. Just finished finals last week, so I am pretty free. I just hope you old guys are up for the trek *smirk*.

viggen June 03, 2003 18:41

TWL,

There you go, Porter Ports it is.

Yup, I got tons of filtering going on. But, they are all passive filtering so no power choking going on here. Also, I do wish one of these days I can go about generating "green" energy as you do. Not only does this save the environment, the system should sound better to boot. And, is there any doubt that single driver speakers are not the best musical transducers? I've been looking at Cicadas, Rethms and Horshoppe's Horns as well as the Carolinas. I think I made the right choice. The Rethms are over my price range anyways.

viggen June 03, 2003 04:02

Hi TIC,

To say the least, I was also the most curious about the Nixon DAC and Carolina speakers.

1) Keep in mind that I am not a bass head, but the speakers actually produces gobs of tuneful bass when the music demands it.
2) The low output of the DAC doesn't seem to affect the Gaincard at all. I do however turn the attenuator up a step compared to when using the CD player's output. Interestingly, I do not invert the speaker cables to accomodate the DAC's lack of analog stage. I did invert initially, but then it sounded out of phase that way. So, I swapped the cables back to original configuration and then everything is right again. I emailed Scott asking how come the DAC sounds better without inverting phase. He answered that each CD is phased differently. So go figure.

System attributes? Well, the sound is very clean. I attribute this to the Nixon DAC which is completely quiet and has no boundaries in terms of background or soundstage. There isn't a hint of digitalitis anymore which were demons that plagued my system since day one. I attribute this to the Furutech power distributors and the Wolff cords which both have RFI/EMI abosorbtion properties. Thirdly, the Audio Magic Stealth Mini adds a bit of smoothness yet brings out more detail but in a more palpable way rather than a precise/etchy manner. Fourth, the transport is very flat in terms of frequency response. Lastly, the Gaincard is very good at doing nothing at all.

viggen June 02, 2003 16:41