Papermill, yes, the Joule White 3 is pretty special! Frankly, I was wowed when I realized its capacity. And this is the beginning. Give it a year or so and it will be quite improved. No regression, forward progress only...

The current experience is a perfect example of how delusional the thought that one is right at the peak of performance. There are always not merely "steps", but "floors" of better sound quality possible. I think I jumped a few floors with this setup.

douglas_schroeder November 07, 2015 12:15

Papermill, yes, the Joule White 3 is pretty special! Frankly, I was wowed when I realized its capacity. And this is the beginning. Give it a year or so and it will be quite improved. No regression, forward progress only...

The current experience is a perfect example of how delusional the thought that one is right at the peak of performance. There are always not merely "steps", but "floors" of better sound quality possible. I think I jumped a few floors with this setup.

douglas_schroeder November 07, 2015 12:15

I happen to be one of those lucky people who have had the opportunity to hear Doug's new Joule White speakers. Needless to say, Doug always assembles noteworthy systems which challenge any of his previous system builds. And his new combination of source, cabling and speakers exceeds all. If synergy is critical to overall performance of a rig, Doug has been able to hit that elusive combination of exemplary definition and stunning musicality. And yes, predictably, the wait for these beautiful speakers was most definitely worthwhile.
Now if I could only convince him to get into vinyl.... ;)

papermill November 05, 2015 13:21

Dgarretson, nice to hear from you; I recall our conversation and invite you to give me a call anytime. I can update you on a few things.

Regarding the status of the new Joule White 3 speakers, though I do not rely upon my friends and industry associates' opinions to reach my verdict on products, three of them who have heard several of my systems unanimously were wowed by the speaker and consider it a triumph. It's rare for us four, who have quite particular tastes and nuances to our systems, to all be in unqualified agreement on the outstanding performance of a system's sound. This is the first time that all four of us have had no criticisms of the speakers and system, a very rare occurrence. In fact, it's the first time it has happened, which makes it notable. :)

Two of the products in use in this particular system are the Exogal Comet DAC and the TEO Audio Liquid Cables (see reviews recently published at Dagogo.com), and the other product is being written up as an owner's review and will appear at Dagogo.

douglas_schroeder November 05, 2015 10:15

Glad to hear it was worth the wait, and good to have chatted with you about this at Axpona. Both Vapor and HHR Exotic lodged firmly in memory at that show.

dgarretson November 04, 2015 09:52

System edited: The Joule White 3 has been in use for about 1 month. It delivers on the promise of extreme performance. It was a long project, but oh, so worthwhile!

douglas_schroeder November 03, 2015 23:10

Things are cooking very nicely now; I have put both a 25wpc Class A amp and a pair of 1,000wpc (bridged) Class D amps with the Vapor Audio Joule White 3. Simply splendid systems, both terrifically captivating. The performance is extreme, just the way I like it.

No subs necessary; the output of the Audio Technology 10" driver is impressive. I was quite concerned about the bass output switching from the Nimbus to the Joule, but all concerns have been allayed.

douglas_schroeder September 21, 2015 09:53

I had a glorious review opportunity in the TEO Audio Liquid Cables, and I didn't waste it. They are my new reference, besting all solid conductor cables previously used. See the review at Dagogo.com Those who are pursuing cost no object sound at the highest performance levels should look into them.

In other matters, I have taken possession of the long awaited Vapor Audio Joule White 3, aka the "Perfect Joule", and they have immediately established themselves as superior to the Nimbus White I enjoyed for so long. Owner's review forthcoming.

douglas_schroeder September 09, 2015 11:23

Douglas_schroeder, I have Cardas RCA caps without the shorting pin. Cardas XLR cap is 2x price of AQ. I bought both to compare and they work the same. I actually prefer AQ output XLR cap without the shorting pin.

knghifi July 30, 2015 15:44

Knghifi, do you have a preference between Cardas and AQ?

I will be trying some Cardas single banana posts soon.

douglas_schroeder July 30, 2015 00:07

Douglas_schroeder, another high ROI tweak I found is covering all unused input and output connectors with Cardas or AQ caps. Several hundred $ covered everything.

The improvement is easily audible. Sound is smoother, less brittle and harsh. One doesn't realize noise is present until removed.

knghifi July 27, 2015 16:06

Knghifi, yes, I'm in complete agreement; one of the greatest joys is the high ROI tune up of a rig!

I'm also having quite an enjoyable time rustling up a premier sounding USB cable. I have tried about 13 or 14 of them now. I think that it is also one of the most cost effective solutions to revving up the digital. It is scary how "choked" the sound can be with a poor USB! But with the right one a system blossoms.

douglas_schroeder July 26, 2015 23:49

I replaced 2 Maestro Receptacles with Furutech GTX-D(R) and very please with the results. The sound is quieter, more transparent and tighter imaging.

I have 10+ hours on them so look forward when fully broken in. Gotta love these high ROI tweaks.

knghifi July 24, 2015 12:41

Eugene2, what were the veneer issues you had? No doubt the upgraded tweeter will be glorious!

douglas_schroeder July 14, 2015 18:19

No not discontent actually had some veneer issues so Ryan is building a new cabinet so we're upgrading the ribbon, the small ribbon is terrific, just figured might as well get the full Monty 😀. With the new outlet feeding the system and the Yale upgrade on the PS Audio DS and upgrading to the Antipodes DX I am getting there...

eugene2 July 09, 2015 10:28

No not discontent actually had some veneer issues so Ryan is building a new cabinet so we're upgrading the ribbon, the small ribbon is terrific, just figured might as well get the full Monty 😀. With the new outlet feeding the system and the Yale upgrade on the PS Audio DS and upgrading to the Antipodes DX I am getting there...

eugene2 July 09, 2015 10:27

No not discontent actually had some veneer issues so Ryan is building a new cabinet so we're upgrading the ribbon, the small ribbon is terrific, just figured might as well get the full Monty 😀. With the new outlet feeding the system and the Yale upgrade on the PS Audio DS and upgrading to the Antipodes DX I am getting there...

eugene2 July 09, 2015 07:37

No not discontent actually had some veneer issues so Ryan is building a new cabinet so we're upgrading the ribbon, the small ribbon is terrific, just figured might as well get the full Monty 😀. With the new outlet feeding the system and the Yale upgrade on the PS Audio DS and upgrading to the Antipodes DX I am getting there...

eugene2 July 08, 2015 19:45

Eugene2, congratulations on taking the call of the wall, and doing the outlet change! I can imagine how much a difference it made moving from stock outlets to the GTX. It was a sizable step up even from the military grade outlets, so from a big box store $1 outlet it would be profound. Glad you found the faith to try it.

Wow, discontented with the Joule already, huh. ;) Seriously, I don't think you will be disappointed in the upgrade to the larger top module. Larger ribbons have an ease to them, just as larger midranges often do. Some people seem to have difficulty with the ceramic drivers in speakers being too sharp for them, but I have never had this problem with the Nimbus White.

douglas_schroeder July 07, 2015 21:51

Doug your last two post have once again transformed my system. Earlier this year I purchased a modded Surge X power conditioner with Furutech GTX receptacles and an fi 33 inlet, what a phenomenal difference it made, but... I never paid any attention to my wall outlet, I just changed it to a GTX gold and it has made an extremely noticeable difference to align with the conditioner! Then a week later PS Audio released the Yale update for its DS Dac which I installed and my system has stepped up to a level I have never before witnessed in my home.
I think my last stop is Ryan is building a new top for my Joule's with the larger tweeter and I may switch to the ceramic midrange and go with all Dueland RS caps (we'll see) then I should be finished...

eugene2 July 07, 2015 10:57

I have now plugged in the DAC as well as the amp, and the results compound; the beneficial qualities of the outlet have been additive. This is the answer to "power regeneration" without the downside that I have been looking for. I am very happy I didn't discount the potential of audiophile outlets.

douglas_schroeder June 13, 2015 23:09

I would like to publicly thank Chris VenHaus of VH Audio for recommending the Furutech GTX-D(G) Receptacle! Chris and I were discussing receptacles recently, and he loaned me a returned GTX, gold version to try.

I hadn't changed my room in terms of the build since it went up twelve years ago, when I put in military grade outlets with brass internals. The improvement conferred by the GTX gold was quite striking. It seems to my ear as though the GTX confers a great deal of the benefit of a power conditioner without the drawbacks. The sound is cleaner, more refined, etc. but there is additional nuance, not less due to filtering of another component. I rather enjoy the improvement and am going to outfit the entire front wall with the GTX outlet for all audio systems I build. The copper internals of the GTX certainly seem to be a winner!

So far I have only the Wells Audio Innamorata amp connected via the GTX, but the improvement has been such that I am moving to make it the "official outlet" of Doug's Audio Den, at least informally. :)

I'm elated that the outlet brought such a noticeable improvement across the board, as it's a fairly inexpensive way to up the system performance. I am especially looking forward to using the Kingsound King III electrostatic speakers with the new outlets, and I anticipate moderate improvement in their sound quality due to the GTX.

douglas_schroeder June 10, 2015 18:52

The only cables from Silnote not covered in the review which I have heard were at the latest AXPONA show. They have a new line featuring more silver conductors, and it was even more rich than last year, with greater finesse. Mark is doing a good job of capturing the detail afforded by silver, but without the thinness of so many silver and silver OFC cables.

douglas_schroeder May 18, 2015 21:00

Thank you again Doug....always enjoy your writing style and dedication laying down your experiences and what you see and hear! I'd be interested in more comments on your SILNOTE related experiences. They seem to have a lot of models and I'm wondering which ones you've heard in-depth and could share (here or email) particularly regarding Analog ICs...

zephyr24069 May 17, 2015 09:16

Zephyr, thanks, I am not paid to attend shows or write reviews and show reports, and it's time away from other pursuits, but I figure people will enjoy the write up. Of course, I wouldn't attend if I didn't think I would come away with a list of superior electronics to pursue. :)

This is it, people; the Platinum Age of Audio! No doubt, systems can be put together that folks 40-50 years ago couldn't have imagined. File playback is MONSTER in it's ability to transform rigs. Get the right software, pre/DAC and amp, and you can blow the doors off the traditional system.

douglas_schroeder May 16, 2015 10:19