I spent one week comparing 4 sets of different RCA cables: Sablon Reserva + Kondo KSL-LPz vs Nordost Valhalla 2 vs Kubala Sosna Elation vs Arkana Animus. Arkana cables were brand new and very strange sounding. I think they changed the sound and not in a good way. Valhalla sounded very detailed, but too analytical for my taste. In the end, I was choosing between Sablon + Kondo and Kubala. Kubala won, although Kondo and Sablon were really close. Kubala sound was just beautiful, the tembers were so rich and musical, Kondo/Sablon combo sounded too dry in comparison.
Since my last post, I've received and setup the Star Sound Rhythm racks. The pre and power amplifier power supplies are placed on the Apprentice platforms.
Charles, I have not compared Coincident to Sablon. And I now I can't do it as I've got only one coincident cord left. Previously, I compared Sablon to other brands and could only hear difference on my integrated amplifier. But it was before BP and Total Victories. Aziz
Guys, I need your advice again. I need 2 new power cords for the Border Patrol amplifier. I currently have 1 Shunyata Sigma for the Triton and 3 Sablon Quantum Grand Coronas, which I normally use for the server, DAC and the Line Stage. I had 2 Coincident Statement ST-10 on loan, but now only 1 is left and I will have to return it soon. Anyway, I was very happy with the 2 Coincident cables, they seem like a safe choice and are relatively inexpensive (under $1K). Any other safe choices? I do not want to spend days and nights comparing different power cables. I know there are better power cables out there, but is it really worth it? By the way, I now have Coincident on the line stage, 2 Sablons on the amplifier, one on DAC and a stock computer cord on the server. And I am quite happy with the sound I get! Yesterday, I put the stock cable on the DAC and Sablon on the server. I could not hear a difference:)) Thanks, Aziz
Charlesdad and Brownsfan, thank you for your responses. They just confirmed what I thought and hear. For now, I will leave my amplifiers plugged in into the Triton. This is just another advantage of a SET gear.
Hi everyone, I have a question about the use of Shunyata Triton or similar power conditioner with a SET amplifier. Shunyata normally does not recommend plugging in a power amplifier into Triton. Strangely, so far I prefer the sound of the BP when it is plugged in into the conditioner. Maybe, this recommendation is only valid for high power transistor amplifiers? What is the power consumption of a typical SET? Thanks.
I have compared Frankenstein to 2 BP models: SE300B and S20EXD. SE300B is the least expensive model with one external power supply, S20EXD is the parallel single-ended model, dual mono with 2 external PS. Most of the comparison was done with SE300B.
I spent several weeks trying to hear the difference between BP and Coincident. Initially, it seemed that BP were more delicate and lacked bass compared to Franks. After several weeks I realized that BP sound just a little bit cleaner. Anyway, I kept switching back and forth, in some cases I could not hear any difference at all, very frustrating. Finally, I called Dmarkov, the guy who kindly gave me all these amplifiers to audition, and told him that I am ready to order Frankenstein just because it's cheaper. He said we should have one final listening session together before I make a decision.
So, he came with a pair of Takatsukis and that was the deciding moment. With Takatsuki tubes it was just easier to hear the difference, I could hear more details with BP, it was like listening to slightly better recording.
In the end, I ordered BP S10, but I am still amazed at the fact that two different amplifiers can sound so close. I could easily live with the Franks, they are great amplifiers and a real bargain.
Charles, Thank you for the kind words. Your numerous posts on Coincident gear really helped me to make the right choices. By the way, I wanted to build an all Coincident system and spent over a month comparing Frankensteins with Border Patrol amplifiers. It is amazing, how two different amplifiers can sound so close. In the end, I went with BP, but it was a very hard choice to make, the difference was only audible with Takatsuki tubes. Franks are really wonderful amplifiers. Aziz
