Leica man,

Does your recommendation of not using the ceramic-type cable elevators apply as well to other speaker cables or to just the SR models ?

sherod April 02, 2008 21:56

thanks for the tip - one problem is that 1 of my speakers is only 2' from my amp while the other is close to 12'. I also have big dogs that live in the room with the stereo.

fplanner2000 April 02, 2008 21:43

Fplanner,
When you get your Apex speaker cables you need to elevate them with non-conductive cable risers. This means do not use the ceramic risers with the brown iron oxide glaze on top when doing the job. I learned this trick after talking with Ted at SR. To hear the huge improvement cable elevators provide try opening four CD cases per speaker cable and laying the Apex along the "V" of the open CD cases with the CD cases laying on a V or L pattern on the floor-not an unstable Tee Pee or pyramid. This "tweak" easily doubles the Apex's performance.

Cheers!

leica_man April 02, 2008 11:19

SO far, the SR cords and cables have transformed my system for the better. Still using the VD bi-wire Revelation speaker cables, since SR Apex haven't come in yet. The VD speaker cables actually sound very good with the new SR cabling, so it will be interesting to see which I end up liking better. The good part is that the system sounds substantially better now than it did when I was just demoing some SR cords. Quatro helps as well as T-3 UHC from wall to power conditioner and t-2 to preamp, which I didn't have before.

fplanner2000 April 02, 2008 10:58

System edited- in an effort to get more transparency, layering, imaging, etc. out of my system, I have been demoing a number of different cables in the past month. I settled on Synergistic Research as the best fit of the several other brands I tried Although the VD cables did have their strengths, in the end I didn't like the sonic tradeoffs I was having to make nor the wear and strain on the connections and binding posts my gear was enduring due to the very heavy Genesis and Revelation cables. Good cables but not a very good match for the VR-7s and the rest of my gear in my system. After hearing some other cables in my system, I knew I had to make a change and I have done so. I'll report later on the results.

fplanner2000 March 27, 2008 00:35

System edited: Whispers are gone - replaced by Von Schweickert VR-7SE's - synergy with VAC gear is supposed to be phenomenal - I will know shortly - they are a few days away. Hitachi TV has also been replaced with a 60" Sony SXRD that has an incredible picture and a much smaller footprint than the Hitachi.

fplanner2000 February 13, 2008 22:46

System edited: Added VD Genesis 1.0 ICs between CD player and preamp, moving VD Revelation Signature ICs, which used to be there, down the system to connect the VAC preamp to the Steridian(speaker equalizer). Pulled the Siltech 110 ICs, which used to connect the preamp to Steridian, out of the system. I already hear a positive difference with a larger soundstage and more "energy" coming out of the system. The highs are fuller and the bass is both deeper and more solid. The midrange, always a strength, seems to be more 3-dimensional already. I also realize this will only get a lot better as the Genesis ICs break in over the next several months. Rick added some set-screws to the ends of the Genesis ICs to help hold them in place. They GREATLY assist in keeping the cables where they are supposed to be - pre-bending is also a must. I got around the issue of 15 lb. ICs pulling my 10lb Steridian off the top of my 3910 by velcroing the front 2 legs of the Steridian to the 3910. SO far, this has WORKED, in combination with the set-screws of the Genesis!! I'm amazed. My APL-modded 3910 now has a Genesis PC going to it and Genesis ICs coming from it - it/I could get spoiled, especially as break-in continues..............

fplanner2000 December 09, 2007 12:51

I'm glad to hear that you still have the VAC amp and you're enjoying it. I have a pair of the lesser VAC Musicbloc amps that Kevin is currently upgrading for me with better resistors and caps. Although I am very happy with these amps, my dream is to one day own a PHI amp from VAC. Enjoy your system.

sherod December 05, 2007 22:45

Thanks for asking - I've been busy and have forgotten to talk a little about the new amp.

Kevin sent me another new one at the beginning of September and I have been smiling ever since. There are no weaknesses that I can detect in this amp - it just does everything very, very well. It shouldn't be leaving my system unless Kevin improves upon it. The first time I turned it on, it just sounded "right" with both a wider and deeper soundstage as well as a much better placement of the instruments than I have been used to with the McCormack (also a good amp and highly reviewed) As has broken in, the palpability has increased and the musicality has gotten even better than I thought it would. The bass is also better than any other amp I have ever heard, SS or tube - it just sounds the way a live performance does, with no exaggerations. The prior reviewers of this amp were right - it is indeed a "statement" piece and I'm proud to own mine.

fplanner2000 December 05, 2007 22:36

Fplanner2000,
Whatever happened to that Vac Phi 300.1 amp you had. The last you mentioned, it was damaged in shipment and you were returning it for repair/replacement.

sherod December 05, 2007 22:14

Update- Hitachi TV replaced with Sony KDS-60A3000 SXRD - amazing picture (60") and only weighs 80#. Billy Bags also made a custom rack for the TV and ancillary components to match my existing rack. Much cleaner look and more user friendly since I can now get to the rear of the componenet rack much more easily. Also acquired a Sony Blu-ray player and will probably be getting a HD processor within the next month or so to replace the Sunfire processor.

fplanner2000 December 04, 2007 23:29

This is a good thing which you brought up. I also have had an issue with some heavy after-market cords not keeping a good connection to the iec connector on the component. I wonder if a thread has been started about this issue and what others have done to help remedy this situation.

sherod October 08, 2007 17:28

Sherod-
D. Elrod told me the cord I sent to him for retermination showed evidence of arcing. I believe this was caused by the particular eccentricities of my set-up. The BPT is a few feet off the ground in my rack and the heavy Statement PC is held in place by mostly the plug connection itself. This has had a tendency over the past 18 months to come loose - when it does, my system dies. I have used various methods to help support the cord. I believe it is basically gravity that is responsible for the "arcing" problems - I will be pulling the BPT out of the system later this week, so will be able to better determine what was going on.

fplanner2000 October 07, 2007 22:26

How did you make this discovery of the arcing of power on your BPT iec? This could be a problem that other BPT users aren't aware of. Thanks.

sherod October 07, 2007 15:30

Just discovered (with help from David Elrod) that my power from the wall is arcing at the BPT input IEC. Result is that I've only been getting about 50% available power to my system. This will be remedied at RMAF as Chris from BPT will put a new connector in the BPT and David put a new Oyaide connector on the power cord. Interestingly, I just put the cord that comes with the BPT into the system from wall to BPT and the sound opened up noticeably. Can't wait to get the new connector in the BPT and hook up the Elrod Statement cord again into the system. Apparently, I've been missing a lot!!

fplanner2000 October 04, 2007 09:54

Just put the 300.1 into the system (easier said than done w/Genesis Revelation spkr cables) and immediately I notice more decay to the sound as well as BETTER BASS than my McCormack DNA-500(which I would not believe if I wasn't hearing it). Additionally, the images are clearer and more 3-dimensional. Not sure if this is a tube vs. solid state thing or not, but I really don't care - I like it better and it is nowhere near broken in or into the system. The exciting part is that I know its only going to get better. Too soon to go into details yet, obviously.

Also talked to Roy Johnson of GMA yesterday - looks like he will be building a replacement to the C-3 by spring that may fit into my system very nicely, especially with his assurances that it will be more appearance-friendly than the C-3.

fplanner2000 July 21, 2007 16:28

Fplanner2000,
I am very sure you will be very happy with the VAC Phi 300.1. I had mine about two weeks. I always have a smile when I listen to it. It is incredible and I love it all the way...

oanhu April 04, 2007 20:36

UPDATE: Effect of new Genesis PC becoming even more profound on the APL Denon - greater musicality and actually picking up subtle sounds, for example, faded bass lines that were just either absent or muddy before. Bass is much clearer and more weighty, highs are extended and mids are just really nice. There is also a much greater depth of soundstage and more of a "you are there" feeling.

Looks like VAC 300.1 amp will be here week after next, assuming things go as planned (which does "sometimes" happen). Can't wait..........

fplanner2000 April 04, 2007 19:14

UPDATE: VD Genesis PC replaces EpiphanyX on the APL Denon.

fplanner2000 March 03, 2007 23:56

Dave-
I am very happy with my recently upgraded Denon - it now has reached its apex in performance and I'm impressed. Like yours, you hear the differences immediately compared with any other player I've had in the system.

From a power cord perspective, so far I've been very impressed with the VD Genesis, especially now as it settles in. Excellent macro- and micro-dynamics, soundstaging and musicality. The player REALLY opens up with this PC. If you send me an e-mail, I'll be glad to discuss the other cords I've tried. I have VD PCs on my preamp and APL, with Elrod Statements on my Amp and power conditioner. I spoke with Rick of VD over the weekend and in a moment of weakness, he got me to agree to TRY a Genesis on my power amp. I was very reluctant, since I really like how the Elrod PCs perform in my system on the back end and really don't want to deal with the cable installation hassle again. However, I really don't have anything to lose by just trying it.
If you haven't at least tried a VD PC, I would suggest demoing one from the Cable Company, at minimum with your gear, a Master 3.0. This will at least give you a pretty good idea of what these PCs can do for your sound. Again, I've never heard anything else like them, at any price.

As far as the amp is concerned, last I heard was 2 months. I hate the waiting, but am pretty sure it will be worth it once the amp finally arrives.

fplanner2000 February 26, 2007 08:42

Harve,

FWIW - I saw a comment of yours on another thread regarding APL. I have a EMM CDSA-SE right now in my system and my Upgrade Company DV-50 is better to me. You notice the differece right away rather than just long term listening. I had another Agon member over for several hours. He had the same conclusion.

PCs...what a pain in the A**. I am realizing bigger differences in PCs than ICs...an I cannot logically explain this. The search is on. Any advice is appreciated.

When do you get your new amp?

dbld February 26, 2007 00:51

I got the Genesis PC to actually hold between my power conditioner and CD player this am. We are closing doors very gently for fear of disturbing the perfect balance. I pre-bent everything and then placed the bulk of the weight on an insulated 4" pipe about 18" long. Took me 1/2 hour to plan and prebend, 10 minutes to install - a new record for VD and me. It has been working for several hours now.....

Initial comparison with EpiphanyX it replaced - no contest - better imaging, depth and width of soundstage, and most of all, the ability to draw out the depth of the music, especially the bass, much more clearly and completely. I realize this will only get better as the cord settles in, but so far, so good.

fplanner2000 February 18, 2007 13:46

Yes - the Steridian is still there,until it misbehaves again. It knows this, so has been on good behavior for the past year or so. The knob is set at 2:30 = that seems to work best in my system. Speaking of system, today I just got a Virtual Dynamics Genesis power cable in the mail from Rick S. to demo. It weighs about 15 lbs - see their website for a picture. I've got to pre-bend it/them (actually 3 cables) so that it fits both the power conditioner (2nd shelf from bottom of rack) AND the CD player (top of the rack) without pulling either off and creating a loud, expensive problem. I'll probably wait till the weekend to tackle this. Supposedly this cable does things to the staging, imaging and musicality that need to be heard to be believed. We'll see............
Still haven't tried the Whisper toe-in - sounds like this will be a busy weekend.....

fplanner2000 February 14, 2007 19:05

The Cable Company is pretty close to me in New Hope, PA, about an hour away. I have gotten some odd-ball items from them in the past. They did a cable evaluation for me a while ago, but my situation changed and it didn’t include any new cables at that time. I am really interested in their Cathedral sound dampening panels though. I recently got some acoustic analysis software in an attempt to occupy my audio focus and help curb my own upgraditis. I don’t understand all that the software does yet, but it is fun.

Speaking of upgraditis…I really am trying to recover…but right now I am demoing an EMM CDSA-SE and just recently got my Esoteric DV-50 back from another trip to The Upgrade Company for some recently discovered tweaks. To top it off, I have also wound up demoing a Bent Audio TAP passive pre-amp at the same time. Just coincidentally all this stuff landed here together. The Bent is very nice compared to anything I have heard before in my own system. Changing the pre has forced me to be more objective while checking out the player. It all sounds much better due to the pre.

Regarding the toe-in, the guys at Legacy had suggested to me that the intersection point should be about 18" in front of you. When it is like this, the second baffle is just barely visible on the outside. That’s where I ended up setting them again. It is just so unconventional, but it seems to work…for me anyway.

Do you still keep your Steridian in the system? If so, where do you have the knob set?

dbld February 14, 2007 10:02

Dave-
Apparently the VAC is VERY special. Kevin and I have been talking about his Phi 300 for about a year now. My reluctance to switch has been pretty strong to this point,as you know, since the McCormack really has been doing a good job. However, when I critically look towards taking my system to the next level, the 500 is probably my weakest component, including PCs, ICs, etc. I was in fact looking to upgrade my CD player as THE change, and will probably still do that at some time in the future. My current player has just received all the latest mods APL can do to the 3910 and sounds really, really nice. Due to recurring upgraditis, I am wanting to hear even deeper into the music, so that my system totally disappears. With the help of a friend at the Cable Company who is very familiar with my system and has heard both the future CD player as well as the Phi 300.1 at CES, my immediate decision became very clear. Without any prior prompting from me, he actually said that when he heard the Phi 300.1 amp, the components disappeared and all you heard was the music. "Breathtaking" and "phenomenal" were 2 of the words he used. SO, AMP first, then we'll see where we are.

As far as the Whispers, I am getting nice staging with them crossing just in front of me, but now will try crossing them a little sooner and see what happens. Thanks for the response Dave and I'll let you know what happens.

Harve

fplanner2000 February 14, 2007 00:26