Revelation Audio Labs Cryoed Silver Umbilical vs Audio alehcemy OEM


I ordered a Topping D90iii Discrete to hopefully replace my 4-5 yo Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 ~2008, (often available for < $1000/ ORIGINAL MSRP; $2695 IN ~2008 DOLLARS) that still sounds great, has easily revealed changes;  different cables, PCs, even footers, but is lacking a little transparency.
The fly in my ointment is the Topping volume control, whereas the AAs internal dac has an ANALOG preamp. I ordered the Discrete just prior to being made aware of Revelation Audio Labs Passage Cryo-Silver umbilical by AG member @Icherepki. He wrote: I’ve only tried the stock umbilical once, just to get a feel for the difference, and couldn’t get it out my system quick enough. Now Im no stranger to cables and was planning to upgrade the umbilical a couple years ago, but never got around to it. So... thinking, if it doesn’t knock my socks off, I’ll connect the D90 iii Discrete.
 
I just got it and it is a mind blower. This umbilical was all I was missing. If you’re on the hunt fo a quality dac/pre or if you have a AA DDP-1 + PS 5 I highly suggest stop chasing after any other dac, find an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5  (THERES’ ONE ON AG FOR $699) and replace the OEM umbilical with this one for $289/0.5m, which seems like a lot until you hear it 
tweak1

I also have a RAL DC cable from my HD Plex LPS to my Legacy Audio Wavelet II. It replaced a nice Ghent Neotech Cable, it is better. I also have had Brad make me an HDMI style I2s cable for the connection between my DDS and Terminator 15th DAC, that replaced a well regarded Tublus Argentus cable for the better. I also found on USAM a RAL RJ45 cable which replaced a Eno streaming system for the better as well. Brad's cables are really quite good.

I upgraded a Perpetual Tech setup I had some years ago with the Revelation cro'd silver, worthwhile upgrade.

tweak1   So glad the RAL umbilical is also such an improvement for you.  Still going to demo the Topping D90 III?

 

@lcherepkai  I can’t imagine it being equal, let alone better than what Brad’s umbilical does. Anyway,  a passive VC can’t compare to active, and a net savings of ~ $600. Returning it unopened

@westborn  My experience was exceptional. Assuming I would save ~ $39.00 I am happy to it for the fast turnaround

@tweak1 My experience was good as well, just slightly 'extended'. 

I was just relaying that Brad may be amenable to a little price flexibility. His flexibility is a plus and shows he is customer focused. I don't think product pricing has any relationship or effect delivery time(s) at all, or would provide a "fast|er turnaround".