Thanks @4425 Running a full Odin1 (pcs, xlrs and scs) loom, I agree with WCs observations although I have never compared V2 to O1 xlrs in my system. I have had the chance to compare the O1 vs V2 pcs and scs as well as recently an O2 pc. I would definitely not characterize my sound currently as bright having heard such systems and WC makes a good point re: mix and matching. Glad you have found the right combo for you! |
Hi WC Any further impressions on the speaker and power cables? Specifically on the four comparisons you laid out that you wanted to get to the bottom of? Hope you are still getting some good listening in during this waiting period. |
Hi @lalitk, I think you will find the video you are looking for and the commentary back on 6/18 of this thread...ah, now I see that it shows up as ‘private’... |
Hi WC - Any further observations from experimenting with the power cords and speaker cables that you have had in house? Strengths and weaknesses?
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500lbs each!? that’s amazing. they look insane
btw, for what it’s worth, spent last 4 hours listening to yg’s. pretty engaging for my ears |
Yeah, the second series Hailey & Sonjas use the Billet Dome which trickled down from the Sonja XV. I moved from the Carmel2s to the Haileys 2.2s last year and I do feel the new tweeter added a touch more detail and focus and a slightly smoother presentation. This is particularly true at higher volumes, so not helpful for everyone.
I believe YG felt that metal hard dome tweeters (aluminum, beryllium or diamond) can ring when pushed high enough. They tried to take advantage of both technologies.
But, I have never heard a Be tweeter to compare... and it sounds like WC is finding no trouble at higher volumes...
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Fantastic. Sounds like you have alot of shootouts planned for the weekend! Will be curious to hear any further impressions on the new pieces but also on your current cables (PCs and SCs) and how they compare to the new SC arrival this week. |
sounds like it is going quite well....... |
Awesome WC. With your experience with the Odin 1 PCs so far, are you generally seeing the most upshot when connected to sources/DAC vs preamp vs amps? Or, maybe it is hard to compare, as the upshot for each brings out different qualities? |
WC - Can you share your top 3 tracks that you listen to when making your comparisons that draw on different attributes that you are looking for? You have mentioned a few in the past but it could be 60 pages ago...
I know we all have different music tastes, but it would be helpful to listen to those tracks on my own system to try to discern those same attributes as a point of reference when reading your reviews if you mention a particular track. I forget if you stream from Tidal or another music service, that would be an easy way to compare, but even if you are playing them off a CD we could download or stream the track. |
awesome, thanks. love that fink song |
just so soothing listening to all these recordings tonight. thanks for sending these around. will take some time to know each of these tracks wc - for fun, just a few - Ballad of the runaway horse - Rob Wasserman - Mansa - Djelimady Tounkara (extra nice 24/96 version) - Birds - Dominique Fils Aime - Nameless - Terracentric - Rodrigo y Gabriela - Love came here - Lhasa - for Trouble is what’s your’re in - my favorite version is the live from union chapel in london. (maybe what u listen to already) |
awesome WC. let us know how systems 1, 2 and 3 compare. lots of great tracks to use! |
awesome. thanks for reporting back on this. two different flavors it seems. are any of the cables not ’fully’ broken in yet? |
WC - Is this based on your System 1 or 2 from the weekend? Congrats on all the trials to get to this point! |
Curious too as to your latest findings as you mix and match... |
Very interesting that the 860 v2 would supplant the 870a for less $$ and a pair would outperform the 880s..... hopefully we’ll get some verification, if possible, from Munich |
WC - Is it safe to assume you preferred the Odin 1 speaker cable? Any specific characteristic? Also, still curious about the other interesting observations re: your cables that you mentioned a few days ago, if you get the chance to relay your thoughts... |
Agreed denon1. Thanks WC. |
Hi Vinny, You’ll get your answer to that question. It’s all in there.
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WC. How are things taking shape w the build out? Are you getting any listening time during this transitional phase? Take it easy and looking forward to the next phase of your journey |
Really happy for you that you will have this new room. Awesome. I imagine the baseline sound will be quite different due to room, distances, materials etc etc. and will take some time. Did the Odin’s not quite have enough hours on them? |
Have to admit I get lulled into thinking folks that post here aren’t affiliated with a specific company. That is my bad/naivety. But I do appreciate, and I imagine others do, when people are forthcoming with that info upfront. |
gtaphile thanks for sharing your findings. Sounds like v2 is a major improvement over v1. Any theories on why it may be running hotter in general? Is it too hot to keep your hand on it?
WC - Any chance you can post a few pics showing evolution of new room? It has to be exciting that it’s nearing completion. |
haha i do think there are trends depending on what time people post. very excited for the next reveals. still digesting the boulder vs pandora video. so many insights. thanks again |
!! that’s awesome... the room and an amazing speaker to get your views on |
Very curious about and excited for the reveal. Thanks for all the work WC and congrats in advance on this next phase! |
gorgeous pics WC. very inspiring, man.. Congrats to you to have gotten to this point and glad you are breaking in the room and listening again. Have the cables you have in house changed any in the last 3-4 weeks?
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happy to see this thread re energized again. hey mr D i appreciate your insight over the last 2 years on this thread and particularly your perspective in your last post. thank you |
Glad to hear things are ok and ruminations continue. Bigddesign asked the question i imagine a number of us were thinking. also, in the new room, would you now consider the sonja 2.2s? they seem to have made their latest impression at ramf. i know you were previously concerned about their dispersion... |
awesome WC. For me the post cut out at 28:16... just when your point on innovation and need for change away from needless power consumption was hitting its crux. really appreciated your point on that as well as the synopsis of all 5 amps! |
great wrap up and really looking forward to the next videos u mentioned |
congrats WC. great sentiments on that video.
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Fantastic WC. Looking forward to the duel. |
Toasting 3 years of this chain. Such great info and insights. Thanks of course to WC and everyone else for keeping this good thing going. |
Thanks for sharing ghosthouse. I had a similar exceptional servicing experience with Simaudio in fixing an ailing amp. |
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WC - I really enjoyed that video. You gave many tangible, easy to understand points of comparison. Obviously drawing on your experience w many other amplifiers. Your excitement for these amps was on full display.
I look forward to better understanding your differentiation between resolution, clarity and detail. Have heard other folks use categories like detail, air and transparency to get at these nuances. One other thought, is there an adjustment factor based on your cabling components and speakers at the time of rating. Obviously that will influence your overall sound but may be tricky to translate into ratings for each category.
You have set a great baseline tonight. Really looking forward to how future amps stack up!
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??? I miss the original... |
Enjoying the live feed of the shootout! very interesting pts psnyder |
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absolutely. and I appreciate your no one size fits all perspective |
Man, was just really starting to absorb some great fresh thoughts on this thread, what seemed not a moment ago re: clocks, dacs, inputs, balancing neutrality, transparency vs long sessions/ certain genres vs catering to more genres. The journey to find the elusive balance for each individual’s taste. Love that. Found an interesting experience comparing the simaudio 740p and 850p versus the arc ref 10 in my system this month. For me it really shed light on those trade offs. WC has clearly articulated his goals and motives, and how they have evolved, during his search. I think many of ours evolve as well. Thanks again WC and all for the organic positive discourse |
Agreed tjassoc and riaa on the above. Concerned about wc’s back.... For what it’s worth my 2 cents on the Simadio 740p, 850p and arc ref 10 comparisons as a couple posters asked. A few folks on this thread including WC gave me very helpful advice throughout so thanks again.
Over the span of 2 weeks I had many hours to compare these 3 broken-in preamps in my system. Final notes on the 740p vs the Ref10 in my home system: - Ref10 a touch warmer/richer. 740p can sound a bit thin on certain songs in comparison - Ref10 wider stage. some songs remarkably so - Ref10 a bit more engaging and less fatiguing - Ref10 more bottom weight, but not boomy - same resolution/detail. So, if I had to choose bw these two, definitely Ref10. Perhaps a 15% bump in overall enjoyment. That said I was quite surprised how well the 740p held up.
Then I brought home the 850p. Compared to the 740p my jaw dropped. The 850p performed with an increased overall smoothness/liquidity, brought forward recessed instruments w exceptional spacing, resolution increased/inner details on songs I had never heard before, tidied up the soundstage, added coherent bass,...was hard to put a finger on any one exact change. Overall I had never experienced the lack of fatigue after playing for hours.
That said, I can see why someone might prefer the Ref10 even in my Sim (amp and DAC) dominated system (vs the 850p). The Ref10 adds a touch of warmth and a wider soundstage and perhaps is a slight touch more forgiving. I think the 850p gets out of the way better to play what is on the recording more than the 740p and the Ref10. I decided to stick with system synergy (which I think may be the primary reason for the slight nod to the 850p vs ref10) as I wasn’t quite ready to build a system around the Ref10 (although I was tempted). I think the 850p and ref10 are incredible and a good example of how individual preferences may vary.
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oh man. that’s pretty amazing you are already hearing such a clear difference |
fantastic WC. Thank you for sharing those observations. Unfortunate news in some ways ;) Would you roughly say the O2 speaker cable also gave a 30% boost compared to the O1? or greater? Btw, your finding re: the cardas clear xl PC seems to match mine when compared to a O1 PC. I found while it may have added bass (which also felt less layered) it gave up too many other attributes in comparison especially dynamics and detail.
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Awesome wc. Very excited for this next phase of your journey. One of the aspects I have enjoyed most about this thread is the relatively real-time observations and feedback from the followers here. You have an amazing audience that we all learn so much from and, of course, from you. Will be curious to hear your vision for whether that can/will continue as you slowly transition to the new media and this thread comes to an end (which makes me sad btw)... |
That’s awesome WC. Really cool to hear and see. Your point at the end playing music via the channel is well taken.
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impressive. very impressive merrill. will be most curious to hear your thoughts on how these sounded in your room. |
Awesome. Looking forward to it as well any further impressions on the Odin 2s
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