My thoughts on the power cord agree with kren0006's thoughts - the stock cord should be used on the Boulders.
Here's the thing - if you are an audio manufacturer and you decide to make your power cord setup unique and not very conducent to upgrading the power cord, then you are basically telling the world that they should use the power cord that comes with the component. And, you better make sure it's a decent enough power cord to do justice to the product you are selling.
Can it be upgraded? Sure, anything is possible, but it's not easy or cheap. Again, I think that Boulder is basically saying - do not use the Dragons.
With that in mind, I think it's totally fair to compare the Boulder with its stock power cords to anything else with upgraded power cords.
Anyway, just my opinion.
Dave
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techno__dude,
I would not fault WC, kren0006, or even myself for the use of stock cords on the Boulder - it's Boulder's fault, In fact, it seems to me it's their intention.
Dave
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I've mentioned Soulution a few times in this thread. I believe WC mentioned that he's heard it before (not in his system?), so perhaps he was not impressed enough, given the cost.
Dave
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Regarding the DAC Direct vs DAC->Preamp approach - I'm thinking that the DAC Direct must incorporate some form of a preamp, in order to allow for volume changes, etc. I'm sure it's very simplistic, which can be good, but is it really better than an outboard preamp?
Following that logic, I guess you could also claim that an integrated is better than a preamp/amp?
I also seem to understand, from the comments, that the "hard to listen to and/or bright" sound of the DAC Direct equates to better clarity?
Am I understanding this point of view correctly? Because it seems to oppose what I've experienced.
Dave
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kren0006 mentioned on page 282 - "I can get onboard with WC conclusion that Gryphon/SR the best of the four combos." I had thought that WC liked the Boulder/SR better, but when I saw this comment from kren0006, I thought I might not have heard WC correctly on his video.
However, I do see in WC’s list that Mephisto is in only 1 out of the 10 (9 actually), while Boulder is in 4 of them. I guess we’ll see what sticks around.
Dave
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Got it - thanks WC, mrdecibel, and viber6.
Dave
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grey9hound,
"Probably closer to 94db-96db. like the...4 way ......
FOCAL--GRANDE UTOPIA EM EVO
That is the new speaker he has in his room."
I believe the only issue with that is WC mentioned that the speaker is under $100k MSRP, and that Focal speaker is ~$140K.
Dave
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rsf507,
Which receptacles did you have? I actually had the opposite experience - I did not like the Furutech Rhodium outlets that I had, but I like the SR Blue. I had the SR Red (Tesla Plex SE) before that - can be a little forward sounding - I did not like that one compared to the SR Blue.
Dave
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WC,
Just FYI....
For your Take 2 video, I think you have the second song listed as "Baby, I love your way", but it's actually "Keep on Loving You" by REO.
Dave
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Good to know - thanks WC!
Dave
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WC,
I might have missed it, but I don't see the Powercell SX listed for that video - was it not in yet when you did the video?
Dave
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WC,
Great video! I like how you talk directly to the Tekton folks - you were very fair and made a lot of sense.
So, are you keeping the footers in for another 6 days on the Boulders?
Dave
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WC,
I had thought it was supposed to take three weeks with the Center Stage footers, but was supposed to take less time with the Center Stage 2 footers?
I agree with moving the footers close to the existing feet - at least, something to try. I'm sure Boulder has reasons for putting their stock footers where they are located. Then the CMS footers will be on the frame of the stand, just like the stock footers, instead of the filter area of the stand. I don't blame you for not wanting to wait another 3 weeks :)
In the end, you might find out that the Boulders prefer their own feet.
Dave
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One other thought - since you are going with a bunch of SR stuff, you could also try the MiG SX footers. As with a lot of Ted's demonstrations, you should be able to install and evaluate much quicker - no need to wait 3 weeks.
Dave
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WC,
Just wanted to add that I appreciate your honest impressions in the videos with Mikey, and your car comparison is a great analogy. The discussion with you and Mikey about Consulting Services will hopefully be helpful going forward. Consulting ends up costing less overall, because the money spent on consulting is much less than the money lost on the equipment merry go round - which most of the time is inevitable without an Expert.
Dave
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WC, I'd also be curious where the Pass Xs300 fits in ranking order - especially with this being the "My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!" thread. Of course, I realize the Cons are probably that they take up a bunch of space and that they run hot (or at least very warm), as well as taking a good while to sound their best. It would be interesting to have those Xs300's in place on the CMS stands and with the current cabling and see how they compare to the Boulders and the Mephisto. I don't expect that you will be getting the Xs300's again. If you really don't care about whether you keep the Boulders or the Mephisto, then I'd sell the Boulders. That way, you only have to invest in one power cord, one stand, etc. You can then spend money elsewhere. However, as techno__dude pointed out, I'm sure you will sell the one that goes first. Then you can try out one of other amps on your 2021 list. Dave
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True techo__dude - I forgot about that. OK, so you save a stand and possibly footers (if you use them).
WC - that's a tough one on the power cords. If you are buying those cords and end up not liking them, they could be tough to sell.
Dave
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My guess is that Stillpoints would still require a few days to settle in, but definitely not the 2,3, or 4 weeks or more of the CMS footers.
Dave
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WC,
Quick thought on the Transparent Opus - this won’t be able to be a comparison of Transparent vs Dragons vs Nordost. It will be more of just how an upgraded power cord does with the Boulder vs. the stock cord. Too bad you could not try the Opus out before you had it converted to a Boulder type of cord. That way you would know what it does vs the Dragons and/or the Nordost.
For the Momentum, perhaps just having different cabling on hand - depending upon your mood. Nordost cabling will give you one presentation, and Audioquest will give you another.
Do the Pass Labs Xs300’s give you the best of both worlds? Of course, i realize they’re a bit more of a pain with heat and with time to warmup.
Dave
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Zero posts from viber6 in 2021 - I hope he is OK.
Dave
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techno__dude,
Mono = single or one by definition. To me, even if they are dual mono amps, the second they are bolted together, they become a stereo amp - it's now two channels in one block.
No worries if you see it and define it differently - don't stress about it. I understand the gist of what you are saying - the two channels are more isolated than typical stereo amps - more like two separate amps than typical stereo amps.
Dave
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robert1976,
My guess would be the Soulution+Mephisto, because prior to that post, he mentioned that he had finished with VAC setup and was now working with the Soulution/Gryphon setup.
Dave
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WC,
You could also do the absolutely ridiculous and give the Emotiva XPA-DR1 monos (650W into 8ohms, 1000 into 4ohms) a try with the Wisons - can you imagine that? An under $2400 pair of monos with an over $100K speaker.
Or, maybe it’s not too ridiculous, considering that you had the lower priced Tektons with your higher priced electronics.
I think there’s a lot of Emotiva followers, so you might gain a whole crowd with that kind of video.
Anyway, just fun things to think about. Ultimately, you always bring the fun WC.
Dave
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Break in is another one of those highly controversial subjects in audio. For those who don't believe in break in, I'm jealous, because you don't have to go through the painstaking wait, the ups/downs, etc. I will never say to those who don't believe that they are wrong, I just say they are lucky.
WC, with components that are used, my thought is that there really is not any need for a thousand hours of break in. Just a couple of days - a week at the most. For new components though, well, that does take a varied amount of time, depending upon the item.
If you were into this for your pleasure and not for the entertainment of this thread and/or your videos, then it wouldn't be as much of an issue. However, if you are here for the entertainment, then you need to be able to bounce around with different component, cables, etc. The pace needs to keep up.
The Consulting is yet another that can be impacted by this. Some folks will disqualify your credentials with regards to speaking about the sonics of different items, if according to them you did not break it in enough.
Speaking of all of this break in - shouldn't we know about the CMS footers now?
Dave
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"One" might be a clue :-)
Dave
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On first pass of listening, I liked aspects of both presentations, but my initial thought was that the first presentation had a little bit extra on the top end, whereas the second presentation was more balanced and natural. For this first pass, I would pick #2. I will need to listen a second time on my home system later tonight.
Dave
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If I had to guess on what viber6 will choose, I am guessing #1 - seems like it would fit his preferences.
Dave
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Good points from everyone. Thanks viber6 for your terrific response to my post :-)
Dave
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rbwnc,
These comparisons are fun - and I enjoy having fun. I will probably never get to hear this type of comparison in person, so it's fun to at least experience it this way - even though YT doesn't at all equal the in-person listening. Plus, WC eventually provides his take from in-room listening, which is why those videos are so popular.
Dave
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Same thing for me Kren - first listen to Vid 2, I choose Presentation 2.
Dave
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OK WC, understand what you are saying in your above rant. However, in yesterday’s post, you presented it as:
"Gryphon Mephisto versus Dan D Agostino Momentum m400s tonight at 7pm eastern time."
I think when you present it that way, it appears to be an amp comparison, rather than a presentation comparison. Perhaps some folks haven’t followed you long enough to know that you don’t always have the same cables, accessories, etc. on each side, when there’s a comparison like this.
Dave
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WC,
One curious item - did you find that there were major changes from the time you installed the footers to the time you did the video? Were there changes inbetween? Or, did it just kind of seem the same, once you installed them? Just wondering if folks who try these truly need to wait the 1-3 or 4 weeks?
Dave
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kren0006,
Like I said, while I agree that WC can confirm those particulars....
I am not convinced, because he's got a different setup now from what he had back then. I'm not sure how to slow that down any more :-)
Dave
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So, by comparison, if WC says that the XA60.8 is not as good as the Mephisto or Boulder, and if kren0006's statement is correct - that he's deducing that WC says the XA60.8 sounds as good as the Xs300, then we can say that the Xs300 is not as good as the Mephisto or Boulder.
I think though that WC had different speakers, cabling, etc when he had the Xs300's, so that would be a tough one to confirm.
Dave
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I did say that you are "deducing what WC says", not that you are saying it - so I'm not trying to put those words into your mouth :-)
While I agree that WC can confirm those particulars, I think it still might be difficult, given the differences in the system now vs back then.
Dave
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Based upon what I'm reading about the Wadax, it seems to be a game changer, so it definitely fits WC's description.
Dave
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Just listened to the video. Most folks are picking #1, but I'll be different and pick #2 - that's what I preferred.
Dave
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kren0006,
I agree - wondering if choices would be the same if we listen in-room vs YT.
Dave
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WC,
Will you be doing a video with the VAC pre and Mephisto monos? Would love to hear that combo.
Dave
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Honestly, I don’t see viber6 changing at all. I understand that viber6 has his preference and wants to help others with theirs and uses their comments and good logic to deduce what would be best for folks. Good intentions for sure.
However, I think that along with the good intentions, viber6 does not respect others. Seems like a weird combo, but that’s what I see. For example (recent examples), WC recently requested that viber6 take a conversation offline, but viber6 bucked that. kren006 mentioned that he doesn’t need any tips on his purchasing decisions, and viber6 then replied with a few suggestions for purchase, such as the M1200 and the LSA. It’s this lack of respect that leaves sour notes on his good intentions.
I hope I’m wrong and viber6 starts respecting others.
Dave
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Gryphon 300? I liked the way the Pass Labs sounded today, btw.
Dave
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For me, I'd be happy if I had the Pass Labs 60.8 and Boulder 2110 combo. I think I actually might prefer this synergy to other setups you've had. Or, perhaps I'm just a Pass Labs kind of guy.
Dave
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I agree kren0006 - name calling and system shaming are not good ways to handle criticism. Yes, faxer has a right to defend his Company - after all, it's his livelihood - which is even more reason for him to avoid the negative ways of handling things.
Dave
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faxer - no need to get personal (name calling, etc), unless you wish to have your posts removed by a moderator. And, it's not helping you at all with the valid point you can make. If anything, it's turning folks off, as can be seen here.
As I mentioned, you have a valid point to make. WC has put up the challenge to manufacturers/dealers, and you are responding. If WC doesn't care for what you are doing, I'm sure he will let you know. In the meantime, you are just doing what he's agreed to have you do.
kren0006 mentions that nobody cares - but WC cares and is daring folks to step up. You are doing that. Perhaps a classier approach is to take the high road with folks like kren0006 or ignore their posts altogether. If you wish to dispute what they post, there's always a nicer approach.
Dave
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Sounds great with the SR cabling.
Dave
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"...Any slight movement and the entire presentation changes. ..."
Is that desirable? I understand it is sometimes necessary. A trade-off I am guessing.
Dave
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Of course, I just realized that WC probably will not be indicating if the new speakers are less or more expensive than the previous ones, because that would narrow it down. I think only two of the choices are less expensive - the Vivid and the Kharma.
Dave
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Not sure if it's the song or what, but my first impression is that it's a step backwards. Looking forward to the next video to hear a bit more.
Dave
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