Michael
I have read before that small value caps sound better in electronics. What are your values? Mine are the standard vintage .022 and .047. Most modern amps are larger values? Are your Tannoy's 2 way?
There is no doubt VCap Cuft are better than almost any cap out there and would improve any signal path. There some serious competition for them right down the road in your home land.
They are for sure very Neutral and very quiet. Super Natural? Not sure on that? You don't hear that? |
Tom
In the start of this thread I was not really trying to sway someone one way or the other. Just hoping to give someone an idea of what to expect. (info I was looking for) I do say try for one to try themself and give a good idea where to start, like tweeter caps.
I could make a really good case against changing in pairs. You must then go to memory. How accurate is one's memory? Mine is not very good. I can go from speaker to speaker and feel it out over a long period of time, with the money already being spent. Duelund is not about imaging but harmonic structure.
I also think when we first buy something we hear something different, but is it better? Time does tell this. I think there is bias to when buying in pairs to think it better after all we spent a pile of money it better be better!
Take the speaker wire for example I bought enough for one speaker from Irish65. After a long period of time I have sent him money to buy the other side.
It is just simply better. It is not that I wanted to send Irish a pile of money!
I must admit my biggest worry is someone is going to come out with something better than CAST or VSF for $50 a cap! In fact that is what made me buy Ampohms, but no way. They tilt the sound. Is the Alexander going to be that? As good as CAST for 1/10 the money?
There must have been a reason Steen thought that this must be hand made? He did say for example an inductor would have to be big and have a lot of copper (or Silver or whatever) no way around it. |
Sorry that response should have been to Undertow who has been skeptical of testing methods all along.
I did buy several amps at the start of the test but have been using just two lately and only one for the last while. This is for lazy reasons (now) it takes awhile to change all those caps. In fact at the start I used (several) tube and modern SS and (still) vinyl and digital. I felt like Tom I wanted to make sure it was not somethign else. Now there is no doubt to me.
I must say again I am using Lascala's and the crossover is going into Khorns which are of course more difficult to work with and as pointed out are corner sensitive so maybe not ideal for a test. I can also say I have owned these speaker for 30yrs so am very familiar as to how they sound.
I have a friend who did buy Khorns (and same amp) after hearing these speakers and after listening to some very expensive systems. He is in the process of doing a whole sound room. (I think he is becoming obsessed)
I have also said he thinks both speakers sound fantastic Duelund Silver wire or not. He does admit to hearing a difference (cleary) but does not know what to make of it? |
Sorry Duelund
I must have posted late or tired? My English was not clear.
I would expect the Alexander "not" to sound as good as VSF was in reference to what Steen had said about the VSF having to be hand made. I know the Alexander is machine wound. (so I would not expect them to sound as good or why would you do all that work by hand?)
Steen was saying (at least in my reading) that there was no way to machine make the VSF and I understood him to mean now or in the likely future?
Sorry I did not mean the Alexander to sound better. I think you took that from another post I said it would be my only fear that someone (possibly you) will come out with $50 cap or less that sounds as good or better. (meaning machine cap prices) |
Utahusker
I have stuck to PWK original designs. I have used Sonicaps (and sold) a long time ago and they were bested by a long shot (to me) by Mundorf Supreme's in dynamics.
The Duelund VSF's are in another complete league.
There is only one cap that I have not tried that I am curious over and that is the VCap Copper Teflon.
I have been listening to the all vintage amp (just Jensen power supply cap) to compare to the Duelund Silver wire and I am not sure if I will be able too. The sound is MILES off. The image is blurry, distorted and splashy. It might be to poor of an amp to make this comparison?
In my testing I bought several amps all from the same company all vintage point to point so for easy swaps. I started with my least favourite the Fisher 500c and switched out coupling caps. I knew that if I messed up the sound it was my least favourite anyway. I left all orginal (till power supply cap) my favourite the EL84 Fisher.
The 500c is MILES better with new caps. |
Face
Agreed on image or sound stage.
I admitted a long time ago a poly cap vs. foil caps sound out of phase and is hard to listen too. Same thing with plastic covered wire and silk wire and the difference is easy to hear.
I can make an argument on sound stage. When I hear live music there is over lap of the instruments. I think that is an audio thing sound stage and imaging (not a bad thing mind you) more then reality. The last time I listened to a small jazz trio I did not know (eyes closed) if the drummer was behind the saxophone player or the bass player and by much, there is overlap in sound.
I remember in my old system thinking of who was in front of whom. When I listen to live music if the band is close there is overlap.
Small string quartet the same thing the sounds overlap.
The Viola player and the Violin are not seperated. They overlap there is no way to stop it.
I feel (live) sound just does not work that way. Sound overalaps by radiating out from the source. In Audio in can be seperated by a small sound stage.
Duelund parts as you know Face are about tonality. They make each instrument sound more like the real deal. Noise reduction as well in case of CAST for sure.
My system is about LIFE size sounds. The piano seems as big as a real one.
What you mentioned is the exact first thing people say about my system. ``It doesn`t even sound like a stereo`` it freaks them out. |
dgarretson
How did you end up feeling about the Silver Wire?
How did you determine a long break in was needed?
To be honest I doubt long break in periods and wonder how much of that is us getting used to the part? Are you talking the same chip? If so I can easily imagine not hearing a difference.
If I had one speaker with the same caps as the other but one new and one broke in I do not think I could hear the difference? |
dgarretson
How did you end up feeling about the Silver Wire?
How did you determine a long break in was needed?
To be honest I doubt long break in periods and wonder how much of that is us getting used to the part? Are you talking the same chip? If so I can easily imagine not hearing a difference.
If I had one speaker with the same caps as the other but one new and one broke in I do not think I could hear the difference? |
Wow Dave! (Dgarretson)
You modify everything! I knew you were doing lots but I did not know that much.
I should put some pics of my system up. (for sure of the crossover) Pretty dull though just caps and inductors and wire.
My turntable, CD player, Linn Lingo power supply all stock or almost. (just the base of the LP12 changed)
The friend who did hear the system had some of the same concerns as you guys. He said yes I hear a difference for sure but was not sure what caused it? He never heard before and after the Silver wire.
I just switched speakers from side to side by results still the same. (so not the speakers) I already moved tubes from side to side but results still the same. (so not the tubes) I could not get over how much more dynamic Silver wire was and already thought it tubes, but not that.
A good amount of scepticism is healthy in Audio for sure. |
Micheal
I first bought VSF for the tweeter and had 2 VSF (in series) and then bought CAST caps. I tried back and forth with the all combinations and ended going CAST followed by VSF. (partly because I already owned VSF but really liked the combination)
CAST and CAST or CAST then VSF were my favourites of the combinations. (wayyyy better than VSF & VSF) VSF can be flatter sounding. They resonate and lose some dynamics compared to CAST.
If you read from a long time ago and I am not sure I would want to go back through all of it. I was shocked when the CAST went in over the VSF to the point of putting my ear to the tweeter to see if it was working! (it is that big and that is coming from VSF) Before I put them in I was wondering would I even hear a difference? After I could not believe it!
I said Tony Gee should rate the CAST a 17 if VSF is a 12. This was before Tony came out with the ratings.
Going to two CAST tweeter caps is something I may want to revist. I think Duelund said it on here before Steen thought the CAST added nothing to the sound and even the VSF does. (CAST tilts to more bass due to no noise)
I find CAST more demanding of upstream components though.
Sorry for the ramble. In speakers CAST are "somewhat affordable" in low voltage high uf's. For tweeters this may be the one spot we can afford to try CAST but there is a very big difference.
Things I wish I could still hear. (if only I was made of money)
1. CAST woofer inductor (I bet amazing and I can not imagine a downside)(mine is VSF)
2. CAST in Electronics.
3. CAST power supply. (complete dream land) |
Micheal
Yes I did do some of that to start with. I had a VSF followed by a Mundorf Supreme. Yes much better than stock foil caps. (before that a Mundorf Supreme followed by Sonicap then two Mundorfs)
I am not sure if you have heard of Tempo Electrics cap review but I agreed with them. I thought the Mundorf Supreme was pretty good for the $$$. (way better than a cheap poly cap) I had the Mundorf Silver in Oil (still do) and thought it tilted the sound to the treble and cost a lot more.
It is 1+1 for "AA" networks Klipsch.
My crossover is not modded in the sense it is still a "AA" network of course with a much larger footprint because of parts size but still a "AA". I just replaced parts with the same value. |
Price I paid was $250 for CAST 2.0uf 100v now $362.77 up 45% in U.S. $.
My 13uf VSF was $335 now $585. Up 75%.
Wonder why the VSF has went up more. Both a lot for the U.S. $ thank goodness the C$ has taken much of the sting out.
Hmmmmm the Mundorf Supreme has went down in price over 10% in U.S. $ |
Hi Micheal
I will get to those pics nothing special though really as far as fancy box or anything.
I think I have driven up the Danish GDP around .1%. |
This is a very interesting thread.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1308149563&read&keyw&zzmarantz
This is basically what started this thread. After having my new gear blown away so clearly by vintage this thread started on the why, not whether it was but simply to figure out why?
I would have bought a Marantz vintage pre and amp but you do not go and change parts in a valuable vintage piece. So I used pedestrian Fisher amps to test.
I have not heard a Marantz but have no doubt they sound fantastic. Look at the size of the coupling caps. Marantz 9
http://pic8.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/image?ampstube&1312686115&pic&class&i/c/f/1273441533.jpg&Marantz-Model--9-(Original)
They are MUCH bigger than the ones Fisher used at the time the Vishay ERO caps. Marantz at least was aware of this affect even then. So was Fisher as the better models would have more bigger caps. (physical size)
When changing to the Jensen Copper Paper tube they were MUCH more dynamic (and wayyyy bigger) then the original. The VSF even better.
One thing of this thread was you just do not go throw in new coupling caps and be better than the original vintage ones easy. By the looks of the size of the Marantz coupling caps one better be ready to spend $$$ to replace them as with as good.... |
For sure Micheal.
I have VSF in the Fisher. Big difference and that is from Jensen Copper Paper Tube which was even a bigger difference from vintage.
I am looking into going all VSF and CAST for the entire signal chain.
The only spot I have not tried VSF is the pre-amp section and the phone section. |
I would not say Duelund was not a big upgrade but the most cost effective is the tweeter cap because of the noise of the original foil caps. If his are the can type foil in oil? Every cap will change the sound but improvement? The woofer inductor change was bigger for the $ than mid range caps. Also internal wire to Duelund is big change but not cheap if Silver.
The next cheapest is to re-wire the woofer in Duelund copper if they still sell it. klipsch put a screw in the signal path! |
Switched amps to double check the Silver Wire after some good criticism over testing methods. Will give a few days to see. This is an almost stock vintage EL84 just power supply switched to Jensen Electrolytic. Both signals identical except speaker wire.
I just hope I was not too harsh on the Jensen Electrolytic? It sounds fine now? There is something about tube based power supply sounding more natural in the timing. I really like El84's just weak and wimpy vintage coupling caps but with decent tone. |
Hmmmm Michael.
Which Mundorf did you prefer?
I have always wanted to try some VCaps. If I remember correct in small values they were much more cost effective? (compared to Duelund)
Keep us paired on those copper Teflons. |
Just ordered some VCap Copper Teflons for the phono or pre-amp stage.
If they do not work out it is only CAST or VSF left.
I have a gut feeling the VCap Coppers will work in the phono stage. Seem to agree with Tempo's opinion often, could be that we are running similiar style speakers and most people do hear the same things.
To me the phono stage is slow in my amps. The Jensen's were a LARGE improvement there and caps that I like and will keep for sure even if in a second system. Duelund is expensive in high voltage and small values. If the VCaps do not work out it will be VSF's for the rest of the system. (or CAST ouch)
I am getting very close to done though either way, without going crazy with Duelund CAST Silver. (not happening) Power supply work maybe?
It has been a very interesting journey in which I have learned lots from so many people.
One thing I could not agree with more was Dgarretson's opinion of not spending too much on one part, if there is weakness elsewhere. Like having Silver wire hooked up to an all vintage amp with tired coupling caps. Silver wire is $500++ that is enough for good quality coupling caps and wayyyy better money spent and for sure if it is a wear item. 2 Jensen's on the phono stage is 10x the difference of Silver if the phono or pre-amp caps are lousy.
This is one area where the internet is excellent. In the past none of us would be able to share opinions in a small hobby and an obscure part of it. (passive parts)
With the internet it is becoming accepted knowledge that these parts DO matter and a lot. |
I have to admit every time I put in a Duelund part it just gets better. So far I can not hear ANY negative or signature to their parts which both Mundorf and at least the old VCaps had. (so I hear on the VCaps)
The problem is CAST does not drop in price in small values. (I know hand made) |
Micheal
I live less than 100k from Partsconnexion and they are already here! (quicker than normal)
I am going to try and install them right away. They are much smaller in size (but heavy) than the Jensen or Duelund. If someone does not have much space this could be helpful.
I am thinking in the (almost) untouched vintage amp. I started with vintage tube amp and SS for testing in the crossover but at some point there was no need to keep hearing the SS as it was not even close. That is how I feel now about vintage capped amp as a reference. |
Micheal
Yes I am Canadian and they are based in Canada. I think you do get a PDF then a bill with shipping once that happens. Almost all of the parts I have got oddly have come from Denmark (Duelund and Jensen) and I have almost always had to wait.
I just took the pics of one of the amps. It has all Jensen and Duelund caps and put a pic of the not yet installed VCap Cuft. I also took pics of inside the speakers but not really much to look at just a bunch of Duelund parts. Once I figure out how to post I will.
I do hear very good things about the VCaps and for sure the Cuft ones. I hear they are in VSF range. This I have got to hear as you have noticed even good parts like Mundorf have a signature, Duelund is the only one I have heard that do not?
In the one amp I thought was all original did have one Ampohm Copper foil cap in it. There is very little difference from vintage and to be honest I actually thought the vintage channel sounded better. I can not understand why living in Denmark you just don't pop over to the guys at Duelund? |
I spent an hour+ trying to post the pics and save a system but no luck? |
Micheal I have some pics up now. |
Sorry I did not mean to put the pics up as another thread?
Spent another afternoon at another high end store. I try and go as often as I can. As much to hear can I just buy off the shelve gear and be better off?
The speakers were Martin Logan's and Totems? ($14k I think) The Martin Logan's are interesting but as a hybrid the woofer sounds like a sub not connected to the system, to me. The spatial sound is interesting but without hearing them I think I would prefer all panels even at some bass extension?
The Martin Logan's had a $5k Dynavector on the table all expensive cabling etc.
There is NO doubt in my mind what I would do again. I would cut to a $500 cartridge like I have and use that $4,500 on caps.
All the speakers I have heard all sound black and white. There is just no contest to how mine sound in comparison. It was there the very first time I heard it. The vintage tube amp with all foil caps through my speaker with all foil caps and my eyes were like pie plates! I owned these speakers for 28 years at the time at it was the first time I "heard" them.
I have found it tough at times to focus with all the Duelund parts you get listening to just one instrument for tones.
There is one area where things are not even close. |
I have the VCap installed in the phono stage. Can't say anything yet except they are fast.
What I like hearing about other systems in what weakness does it reveal in your own? Well the Martin Logans have way deeper bass. With speakers cut off at 55 or so hz Lascala's do not go that deep.
The frustrating thing in audio is dealing with the trade-offs. |
Micheal
Not sure if you have heard of Arthur Salvatore? He has the Khorns rated Class C were Class B in a VERY tough list. The highest of all vintage speakers. He has not heard a full out set only the stock set with cheap wire and caps. I did invite him to hear mine, but better here in a few months when the room is done. I am curious were a full out set would rank? I can say it is a BIG difference from stock. (Duelund caps and wires)
I agree with you on the harshness on the top end for stock speakers. (midrange as well)
I really like the basic design of the Khorn woofer though. It is sooooooo fast. |
Doumike
I was expecting the VCaps Cuft to be rough at first as well from what I have read about VCaps. They are not terrible out of the box. Teflon without a doubt is fast! I have the second speaker to be hooked with Duelund Silver wire (next week or two) and will need to get too just one part difference to really say. So far faster but maybe more stark?
Teflon seems to charge and discharge with lightning speed. |
I am unsure about being the expert but VSF's are fantastic! I have the other section of Duelund Silver Wire coming from Irish65 and will complete after lengthy break in. Irish might be the expert with having CAST Silver caps and inductors. |
Sorry Micheal confused?
I would change the woofer inductor 2.5mh to a Duelund VSF or CAST. I would not change the tweeter inductor .0245mh.
Although Duelund is an excellent part changing the DCR (ohm resistance) is not always a good idea.
Duelund's inductor (air core) is almost the same DCR as vintage iron core. I wish I had the money for CAST inductors.
I could not believe how much less noise the woofer made after the change.
The parts that they make 200k from where you live Micheal are almost slam dunk the way to go. As long as you do not change the DCR they are VERY tough for anything to beat.
I am not saying I like the Teflon better yet either just you can hear the effects of Teflon, I just do not know what it fully means. |
K2 Thank You!
I have stated many times in this thread that the Jensen Copper Paper Tube is very good! It is what I use as a standard reference. They seem unloved? (old news?) No one seems to care about them? People run out to buy other lesser caps?
I have tested Jensen against the VSF and like the VSF better the difference would depend on the system as to whether it is worth it? The VSF is clearly less muffled with better tonality. An excellent cap and the Jensen Copper Paper tube very good.
Another thing I have mentioned is how one cap in the chain throws things off. The first time I heard an all foil chain (all vintage) I went Holy Smokes! Real sounds! (high noise level but still REAL sounds)
Right now I have a VCap Cuft with two Duelund's in one side in the amp and all Jensen Copper Paper Tube in the other. The all Jensen sounds more dynamic than the VCap followed by two Duelund VSF's
The ENTIRE chain is Duelund except one VCap and it matters natural tones are not as good by changing out just ONE cap.
Where the Duelunds are better is in tonality, clarity then Jensens.
But they sound like the same family of caps.
I can not comment for sure on the VCaps as I am nowhere near the painful long 500 hours! One thing I love about good paper in oil caps is put them in today and things are better right away and then they improve.
That "thin" sound you talk about seems to come from the fast charge and discharge of Teflon. It is a more mechanical sound.
I have mentioned on here before that you can not have ANY poly or other types of caps to get the "full" effect of paper in oil. (some scoff at the idea) I had never heard full signal paper in oil till hearing all vintage. That is what started the thread.
So far my thoughts are Duelund in large value and Jensen in small value just for cost reasons.
I feel (and have said before) Jensen Copper Paper tube is the "lowest" (if one calls that low) I would want to see in the signal path. |
Micheal
I will let Duelund respond to the price questions but the fact that they are hand made is going to be a price problem. I suspect the reason they came out the Alexander line of machine wound caps.
K2
In comparing the Duelund's VSF vs. Jensen Copper Tube it is in an all Duelund/Jensen signal path. I have agreed a long time ago with Dgarretson the weakest link is the most important. So a crossover with lower level parts will not show the full difference.
If I was looking at a new amp it would be Jensen Copper Paper tube minimum, I share your enthusiasm for the Jensen caps as well. If I was a high end amp builder trying to make a $$$ I would use Jensen Copper Paper tube. If I am going all out and the whole signal is at least that good the only place left to go is Duelund VSF or CAST.
(I have not heard the full break in VCaps Cuft)
Undertow
I had stated a long time ago (like 28 pages ago) paper in oil foil caps do not mix well with Poly. In fact I could not listen to speakers with the two types in each crossover. What did work was Duelund mixed with vintage foil. Jensen also works well with Duelund.
What I meant by this was you can not through one Duelund in the chain and reveal it's full potential.
I have said as well this has been known since the '60's at least. In the vintage Marantz expensive amps they use large paper in oil caps. In the less expensive amps from the time, smaller (physical) paper in oil caps. I suspect why someone is paying $14k for some old amp!
What I would love to compare is a vintage Fisher (like mine) with Jensen caps or Duelund vs. the Marantz. I can not imagine the Marantz being as good? First off the caps are old and I do know the Jensen and Duelund are wayyyy better than the vintage caps used by Fisher.
K2
When Steen Duelund designed these caps (who worked for Jensen) he was very frank that there was no board to stop him. It was his passion for the best that was the motivator not the $$$ to be made from hand made parts. He knew that hand made was NOT the way for a business to go. If you have noticed Duelund has been sensitive to Jensen partly as they are competition and even Frederik admits a Jensen is better than any poly.
I have thanked Duelund on here many times as if it was not for Steen (and his passion) I would not know what is possible in audio.
|
"I'm very curious to your experiences with the Cufoil V-cap, especially how it performs compared to its tinfoil sister or brother"
I have never heard the tin foil VCaps. I never bought them the reviews were always mixed.
So far the VCap Cuft is fast but thin in comparsion to the Jensen Copper Paper Tube. This "thin" sound does take away from the music. I can say one does become impressed by cymbals etc. but dynamics matter. |
Need help
My CD player is not working. (Linn Karik hated it till I got the tube amp and did the caps then really good) Any advice? I did have it over to a friends months ago to compare to the OPPO. On Blu-Ray the Oppo was clearly better for sure but not on Red Book. Any advice what to get? I hear very good things about the Oppo and it would be nice to be able to play formats other than Red Book. |
Since my CD player bit the dust. Laser not working.
I have wanted high res digital for some time. I am looking at an Oppo and thinking of having it done by Modwright. I have already contacted Dan to see if a Duelund cap will fit.
Any comments on mod'ed digital players? or Oppo in general? |
Oh Micheal 250 hours. That is so long! |
Micheal
Duelund sound great out of the box. They do get somewhat better but never sound bad. They are an easy break in. The CAST are a little tight though at first. |
Other side of Duelund Silver Wire is in. In the next few weeks I will be able to test the VCap Cuft with exact same signals. |
Dgarretson
I was worried you were undecided on the Duelund wire. I do agree with you. I think the flat solid wire covers all freq's MUCH better and stranded as stranded seems to favour the high's giving more air.
I found when rewiring my speaker the drivers work much better in unison. With the stranded there was target freq for each driver.
Is there a price? Maybe. Have you went back and tried your old wire?
I also find the plastic coating causes an echo which I can not see any good from that.
I think it comes back to the Clarity White paper saying 70% favoured low resonant caps in a blind test. The other side was still 30% favoured high resonant caps. I think we like the air? Tony Gee liked the Ampohms and they sound just like vintage to me, quite high resonance. (I can't tell them apart) |
Dgarretson
Which do you think is more correct?
When I heard the CAST vs. VSF I knew the VSF was adding noise but I was Ok with it, or at least some combination of VSF and CAST.
I do want to hear CAST in electronics sometime.
The VCap Cuft is interesting and not thrown in the trash bin so to speak as I have with so many other kinds..... at least not yet. They are at least neutral I can not hear any tilt like Mundorf Silver in Oil, Ampohm or vintage. Only 20-30 hours so far likely. Just not sure if they are natural? |
Dgarretson
Interesting you ask about the super tweeter and yes considered it for sure. I seem to remember a high end super tweeter on the Duelund site? I remember mentioning this in the past wondering if they felt they needed one? |
Sherod
Yes I am not saying anything conclusive about VCap's as they have almost legendary break-in time |
Regismc
I think you are going to be shocked at what caps mean. To me it is the sound of a system. |
No regrets
I would not assume right off for the Jensen to be better? I think Jensen priced the Paper Tube to give reasonable value to the VSF or expensive CAST. |
Micheal
I agree on the Klipsch Lascala or Khorns can be just amazing but also agree with someone who would say they were awful, as they can be with wrong upstream components.
A friend of mine who came over to hear them after we were out listening to new (up to) $100k systems was shocked! I asked what he thought of the stereo and he just had a puzzled look of it does not even sound like a stereo?
I was getting e-mails from him at 4am for days after as he was looking for the same stuff. He drove 9 hours each way to the U.S. To buy the speakers and another 6 hours in another direction to buy the amp which I told him was nothing special.
He has had done a whole room around them for Audio and Video, but is having a tough time with the concept of more money in parts for a crossover than the speakers cost and that certain drivers are better.
That is what I have been doing is getting ready to finish the whole basement but for Audio first not concerned about video. |
Grannyring
I have no experience with Duelund Alexander but can say the VSF and CAST have never gone south. The started good and got only better.
That being said I am not sure of the relationship of the two as VSF and CAST are hand made and Alexander machine? |
My old CD player had went on the fritz laser gone so I was out listening to systems and new digital products.
I want to keep in touch with strength's and weaknesses of my own system.
Heard
Linn Majik LP12 with McIntosh tube gear Sonus Faber Speakers. ($30k system)
Heard Linn Akurate DS and Bryston gear PMC speakers. (about $50k system)
Heard 100k++ system with Silver Cables every piece on it's own line conditioner Dynaudio Speakers forget the tube Mono blocks. Crazy expensive.
Then went to where I bought my Linn Karik/Numerik not wanting to spend a ton on digital. Private guy had just a well set up system not crazy expensive. Just B&W speakers, Bryston SS amps tube pre amp Cardas cables and a sub and it sounded quite good.
At the store B&W is now showing the crossover outside the speaker. Nothing to be proud of! In my mind cheap parts for sure. WIMA caps and cheap wire wound air core inductors with no resonance dampening. Sound's Ok for cheap parts which of course is the name of the game for making money!
I am now listening to speakers to guess which caps they use? My guess is a Sonicap or Solen level poly cap in the Dynaudio's? All I could think is they could be much better. All I could think was CRAZY! I would have upgraded the caps wayyyyyy before a $3k line conditioner for EACH component and mega $ power cord! (running through a $3 tweeter cap!)
Whenever you listen to other system one can hear your own's weaknesses. None of them sound smoother even the 100k+ system but it does go down deeper.
What would be interesting is a $100k+++ system with a smoking crossover to take out the courseness. |
Michael
No not yet on the Oppo.
Trying to find time to finish basement. Just deciding on floors and insulation. I think there might be something to the theory of wood sounding better.
One system I heard and one thing I liked from the professional installers was how he anchored the bass to the room. I am not sure if that can be done on carpet over concrete? |
Another question is what is going on with the CAST caps? Total new look.
Duelund any comments? |
Grannyring
That is good to hear as I could not imagine Duelund putting out a poor cap. |
