I suspect that your sound system (your Straightwire Crescendo cables, your racks, footers, etc.) is not transparent enough to hear the differences (the micro details) between the two optical cables.
I am writing to share my listening session earlier: The album: The Best of Tacet on SACD 2004 / 2005 (SACD). Previously (and before replacing my signal cables (Ansuz Acoustics Diamond) with the Ansuz Acoustics D-TC supreme and D-TC 2 signal cables, plus PowerBox), I found the violin playing in many of the tracks (Meditation from Thai's, Ave Maria, Humoreske, etc.) quite deadpan, lacking subtle dynamic inflection. However, this afternoon, I was surprised to hear them for the first time! What's more - those tracks that sounded good (Bach's Brandenburg Concerto, Partita; St. Martin by Georg Rox) now sounded excellent! These tracks have lots of jump factor (St. Martin by Georg Rox), dynamic openness, dynamic inflection.
Those on this forum that purchased the DA2 and later upgraded to the V2 can explain what they hear in the upgrades better than I can. I’ve heard the DA2 but it was too long between hearing it and the V2 to genuinely compare them - different systems as well... I know the DA2 didn’t impress me, it didn’t move me. The V2 was an immediate I want this (over the MSB Select II - but the MSB and EMM were close)
Those on this forum that purchased the DA2 and later upgraded to the V2 can explain what they hear in the upgrades better than I can. I’ve heard the DA2 but it was too long between hearing it and the V2 to genuinely compare them - different systems as well... I know the DA2 didn’t impress me, it didn’t move me. The V2 was an immediate I want this (over the MSB Select II - but the MSB and EMM were close)
If you feel like embarking on an adventurous journey, listen to this disc: Kalevi Aho Symphony No. 12, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, John Storgårds, conductor, BIS SACD. This powerful, visceral music begins with some of the most ferocious drumming ever. The recording was made in the Sibelius Hall, so you should be able to hear the bass drums reverberating in the hall without any muddiness. A great disc to show off your state-of-the-art sound system!
If you feel like embarking on an adventurous journey, listen to this disc: Kalevi Aho Symphony No. 12, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, John Storgårds, conductor, BIS SACD. This powerful, visceral music begins with some of the most ferocious drumming ever. The recording was made in the Sibelius Hall, so you should be able to hear the bass drums reverberating in the hall without any muddiness. A great disc to show off your state-of-the-art sound system!
+1 on all the Aho. BIS has done a great job with his SACDs -- great in multichannel. Love how he's written a concerto for virtually every instrument in the orchestra.
BTW, Andy, how do you connect your DV2 to your sub(s?)? Assuming your DV2's XLR's go out to the amp, do you use the RCA's out to the sub?
+1 on all the Aho. BIS has done a great job with his SACDs -- great in multichannel. Love how he's written a concerto for virtually every instrument in the orchestra.
BTW, Andy, how do you connect your DV2 to your sub(s?)? Assuming your DV2's XLR's go out to the amp, do you use the RCA's out to the sub?
Yes, I am using the RCA. I would have preferred to used the balance connections because the Magico Q-15 Sub has only XLR. Currently I am using an adapter on the Subwoofer's side.
Just to share my impressions after relistening to this SACD again: Curse Upon Iron, Works for Male Choir by Veljo Tormis, performed by Orphei Drangar, Male-Voice Choir (BIS SACD). I would not have expected that attaching an Ansuz Acoustic D-TC PowerBox to my D-TC Supreme and D-TC2 signal cables can made such a significant improvement in capturing the Uppsala University Hall's acoustics. Now the voices of the Orphei Drangar reverberate like the real thing. The voices too has more clarity and 'presence' and a more enveloping sound.
Another great DSD recording to listen to: Yo Yo Ma, Solo, MARK O'CONNOR - Appalachian Waltz, BRIGHT SHENG - Seven Tunes Heard in China, DAVID WILDE - The Cellist of Sarajevo, ALEXANDER TCHEREPNIN - Suite for Solo Cello, ZOLTAN KODALY - Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8.
This is one demo disc to show off the clarity, inner detail, and overtones of the cello now possible with the EMM Labs DA2 V2/DV2. Heard via my sound system, Yo Yo Ma's cello has a woody, mellow, lustrous, sonorous, weighty, and sensuous sound.
I know I have asked before, but anyone heard any dramatic improvements on your DV2 with upgraded power cords?
I've tried a few - Analysis Plus Ultimate, Evolution Acoustic, Purist Audio Design Dominus.
They may have added a little more sparkle but no dramatic improvement.
Perhaps this is testament to the superior DV2 design and circuitry.....
I know I have asked before, but anyone heard any dramatic improvements on your DV2 with upgraded power cords?
I've tried a few - Analysis Plus Ultimate, Evolution Acoustic, Purist Audio Design Dominus.
They may have added a little more sparkle but no dramatic improvement.
Perhaps this is testament to the superior DV2 design and circuitry.....
Thanks for your advice!
I did a little swapping around of my power cords -
Moved the Evolution Acoustics power cords to the 925 amps
Moved the Shunyata Sigma power cable to the DV2
Wow - a lot clearer and open sound.
Think I like this.....
(Also put some Critical Mass Center Stage footers under the DV2)
I listened to the Soulnote S3v2 SACD player and noticed very dramatic sonic differences when operating with the remote control as compared to operating with the front panel buttons.
There is a very physical sense of ear fatigue each time the test tracks were played after being selected via the remote control.
On the TX2 and DA2v2 combo, this sense of ear fatigue when used with their remote control is virtually non-existent.
They are the most un-susceptible digital product to the detrimental effects of remote control that I've ever encountered so far.
I am almost happy to use the remote when I am feeling a bit "lazy" when switching quickly between different CD singles.
Definitely. The difference was immediately heard. Everything was better. The three EMM boxes (PRE, DAC, and SACD) have a wonderful synergy together. The PRE and DAC are a match made in heaven. And in my room, I enjoyed the EMM DAC more than the MSB Select II. I compared them - here.
Definitely. The difference was immediately heard. Everything was better. The three EMM boxes (PRE, DAC, and SACD) have a wonderful synergy together. The PRE and DAC are a match made in heaven. And in my room, I enjoyed the EMM DAC more than the MSB Select II. I compared them - here.
