Misternice and Audiolabyrinth,
I use a Furutech GTX-D rhodium from the wall to my system. There is not a hint of brightness. On the contrary, it eliminates the brightness of other receptacles. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Thank you for your welcome. I took the GTX-D rhodium from a component. It was already burned in with at least 100 hours on it. The rhodium is now installed in the wall feeding the whole system. The sound is open, warm and clear as a bell without any harshness at all compared to other receptacles I have used. I cannot compare the gold to the rhodium because I have never used the gold in my system.
But I did compare The Furutech gold IEC inlet to the Furutech rhodium IEC inlet in my DIY power conditioner. The gold came back out as quickly as it went in. It made the sound so cloudy that the music was unlistenable. With the rhodium reinstalled everything fell back into place.
I have installed a Furutech rhodium IEC inlet in my power regenerator and the sound is beautiful compared to the stock IEC inlet. Regarding the use of gold accessories, in the past I have tried the Oyaide P-079 gold-plated plug in my system -- at the wall. The sound was so cloudy that I had to remove it. Actually, I prefer cords with Furutech FI-28 terminations to most cords with Oyaide terminations, even Oyaide M1/F1 terminated cords. The exception to this is the David Elrod Statement Gold power cord that is terminated with Oyaide M1/F1. But I suspect that if it were terminated with Furutech FI-28s the sound might improve. Some of us have suggested to David Elrod that he try out Furutech FI-28 terminations on his cords. I hope he does in order to compare. |
Melbguy1,
Sorry but I beg to differ. You can "go wrong" with either in my system. There is in fact a "drastic difference" between them in my system. Gold was a step down, not a step up in my system.
Audiolabyrinth,
The rhodium is not forward sounding in my system. I have a tube amp and tube preamp. I would not believe everything "they say" about rhodium. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Beyond my tube amp and preamp -- simply listing components will not do much to describe how my system sounds, and why it sounds as it does, because I used a daisy-chained front end and I run cables in series. These are kinds of things you don't often hear about, but that can attract a lot of negative attention here. So, I don't really like to go into things on the forum. You can MP me for more information. |
Melbguy1,
When you stated "Everyone's system is different, so ultimately you'd have to make the call on what is right for you", you hit the nail on the head. Nobody can make rules for your system, especially if it includes anything at all unconventional. You have to experiment and make the call regarding what works, what does not work, and what works best. |
Melbguy1,
Rhodium has never made for a more forward sound in my system. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Rhodium can also work well for ss equipment. Of course, this is system dependent. I will be glad to reply to your PM. |
Tboooe,
I should point out that this is the sound of the system -- not the sound of the rhodium. I can say that the rhodium makes the sound much more natural and pleasing to the ears than the gold. Of course, this is system dependent. |
Melbguy1,
Audiolabyrinth did not state that he has ss gear. He stated he wanted my opinion on ss gear and I gave it.
I have clearly stated why I want to chat privately about this. What could possibly be the problem with using this service provided by Audiogon?
My observations may be "incongruent" with the observations of others. This does not negate their validity. No one has more experience with my system than me. Frankly, I never worry too much about what others say. I always trust my own ears. After all, they are not listening to my system. |
Melbguy1,
Accusations should be carefully backed by the facts. In your case the facts contradict your accusations. Referring to the GTX-D I clearly stated "I cannot compare the gold to the rhodium because I have never used the gold in my system." You are accusing me of something I clearly never stated nor implied.
I have stated clearly that rhodium usually works better than gold in my system. This refers to both my ss and tube based systems. I have also used Furutech rhodium-plated spades and preferred them to most gold-plated spades used on speaker wires from different companies. I may be mistaken but I believe there is a very good reason why Furutech makes rhodium products.
Regarding rhodium versus gold, there are no authorities here -- neither Chris VenHaus nor his customers nor anyone else. No one knows their system better than themselves. The only authorities are one's own ears. If gold works for you it works for you. If rhodium works for you it works for you.
By the way, unless I am mistaken I think that Audiolabyrinth can speak for himself. |
Melbguy1,
You are an example of the reason I referred to earlier about preferring to MP with those who are serious -- not those who use the forum to try to score brownie points. |
One might imagine that I am the only audiophile who prefers the Furutech rhodium products to their gold products. In which case Furutech has obviously made a terrible mistake in their design. Of course, I doubt that this is the case. I am not alone in my preference. So, "in my system" obviously does not mean only in my system, and my system alone, whatever anyone else including Chris V. or others say. You see, the problem is that you cannot make rules about everyone's systems. Need I state the obvious that not all systems are alike -- so one size does not fit all. Hence, Furutech offers 2 choices to its customers -- rhodium and gold. And for a good reason. I believe this is obvious.
I believe I am not alone in my preference for Furutech rhodium. I also believe Furutech knows what they are doing. Those who imply that Furutech does not know what they are doing may have underestimated Furutech. I believe that Furutech's rhodium receptacle is right on the mark and that this fact is underlined by a well-researched review on enjoythemusic.com that covers outlets from various companies, including the Furutech rhodium.
Here is a 2-paragraph quote from the aforementioned review:
"GTX-D achieved the highest levels of both resolution and smoothness, something usually not seen together in one product. If one switched from the $1 house outlet to GTX-D, the staggering amount of previously-unheard resolution, clarity, and dynamics will likely be startling to the listener. All that extra information and energy is delivered in a defined, controlled way, without various sound bites getting out of control and ragged as can happen with lesser outlets. Bass is not overblown or obscuring; instead, it is tight, defined, and extended with energetic dynamic punch. Tiny sounds from various nooks of soundstage come alive with crystalline and pure delivery while instrument positioning, layering, and depth become effortlessly obvious. To make matters worse (?), GTX-D delivers a gorgeous, tasteful, 3-dimensional solidity in the all-important midrange without going overboard with overly round and thick presentation. This outlet is not held back by a overly "balanced" but boring presentation with polite, reticent midrange presence, either. The voices have superb reach into the room and soundstage, vivid and forward enough to be engaging while not overcooked, especially in the sibilance and presence region."
"What are the flaws? Well, Furutech must have a reason for making the gold plated version of GTX-D as well for a different flavor. Some of the Furutech vendors recommend the rhodium version for neutral to warm systems, probably with tubes, which may mean the gold version, may fit better in neutral to cool systems. Not having the GTX-D Gold in house to compare to Rhodium, it is difficult to say for sure, but going by prior experience with gold vs. rhodium plating, one might presume that GTX-D (g) might have a warmer tonality with possibly more bass quantity, albeit with less tightness. It may also have more forgiveness but not as much detail resolution. Would that make (r) version any less worthy and flawed? Any well-heeled audiophile would already know that systems are different and that one does not fit all. One outlet may serve a certain type of system better while the other outlet may synergize a little better with a different type of system, with final results heavily being dependent on the listener's personal tastes as well. Once again, there is no substitute for actually trying the product in one's own system, and for those audiophiles who are willing to pay the tariff and do the hard work, the Furutech should be on the rather short list."
The rhodium doesn't sound too shabby at all in this well-written review -- despite comments to the contrary on this forum and despite references to Chris V. and some of his customers. The obvious fact is that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, not in the talking. Some folks just happen to enjoy the taste of rhodium -- knowing that others prefer the flavor of gold. It may surprise some but there is room for both in the world of high end audio -- and, obviously, a need for both. |
Welcome to the party -- one and all. |
Sabai-taged -- by some simple facts. |
Mapman,
I love your sense of humor. Perhaps you and other readers of this thread can help here. I wonder how may feel that my statements in this thread -- please see below -- suggest or imply "Rhodium religion" and constitute a "snow job".
"I cannot compare the gold to the rhodium because I have never used the gold in my system."
"If gold works for you it works for you. If rhodium works for you it works for you."
"I have stated clearly that rhodium usually works better than gold in my system."
"I may be mistaken but I believe there is a very good reason why Furutech makes rhodium products."
"Regarding rhodium versus gold, there are no authorities here -- neither Chris VenHaus nor his customers nor anyone else. No one knows their system better than themselves. The only authorities are one's own ears."
"You see, the problem is that you cannot make rules about everyone's systems. Need I state the obvious that not all systems are alike -- so one size does not fit all. Hence, Furutech offers 2 choices to its customers -- rhodium and gold."
"Those who imply that Furutech does not know what they are doing may have underestimated Furutech."
"The obvious fact is that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, not in the talking. Some folks just happen to enjoy the taste of rhodium -- knowing that others prefer the flavor of gold."
"It may surprise some but there is room for both in the world of high end audio -- and, obviously, a need for both."
And quoted from the review:
"Any well-heeled audiophile would already know that systems are different and that one does not fit all."
"One outlet may serve a certain type of system better while the other outlet may synergize a little better with a different type of system, with final results heavily being dependent on the listener's personal tastes as well." |
Audiolabyrinth,
Thanks for your considerate post. You hit the nail on the head. Melbguy1 is frustrated. It is not pleasant when one member is frustrated and others feel they have to placate him to keep the thread from being ruined. We have seen many instances on the forum where one opinion wishes to dominate the others. IMO, this only causes problems.
As you so rightly point out, we should be here to learn and to share our experiences. Certainly, no one's experiences should be dismissed out of hand, nor should they be denigrated. As I said earlier, there is room for all opinions. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with this point of view. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Surely we can have some fun here, can we not? After all, high end audio life is not restricted to serious matters. This breaks up the monotony. I'm sure some members can appreciate a good laugh between all the serious stuff.
Anyway, what about putting in a good word here for David Elrod and Shunyata cables. I believe they can compete with the best of Tara -- system dependent, of course.
Full disclosure: I have no affiliation whatsoever with the audio business except as a customer. |
Misternice,
Have you considered Raidho speakers? Killer sound. I'd be interested in knowing how the GTX-D rhodium works out in your system. |
Calvinj,
I have heard the D series. They are stunning. I have the C1.1 which are perfect for my system. |
Audiolabyrinth,
I know the top Tara cables are great. But since I cannot afford them they are a moot point for me. David Elrod cables are worth a listen. |
Misternice,
Glad to hear you're getting good results with the rhodium. I suspect this will be the case for many people. |
Misternice,
You're welcome. I can think of 3 low-cost things you might want to try.
1. Try making your own HFTs. Placement is crucial.
2. Try putting Tupperware-style containers filled with sand under components.
3. Try putting copper sleeves over IECs and plugs. You need to experiment here. Some locations work very well. Other locations may not work well. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Thanks for letting me know about the screws. I had no idea they could make a difference. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Thanks for letting me know. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Yes, I have a Shunyata at the moment. |
Audiolabrynth,
I am having computer troubles. I will be online maybe tomorrow. |
Audiolabyrinth,
I think I changed the minds of a few people regarding the rhodiums. I cannot comment on Tara cables because I have never had them in my system. But I can say that I feel you are being criticized by others for doing virtually the same thing they are doing on their own threads -- albeit more subtly. In the end it amounts to the same thing, IMO. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Yes I am still using the Furutech GTX Rhodium. In fact, I just ordered a generic carbon fiber wall frame. I find the price of the Furutech wall frame a bit on the high side. Which wall frame are you using? |
Audiolabyrinth,
Yes, I still build cables. What Stereophile article are you referring to? |
