From Audio Exotics forum:
“Anton Bruckner was afraid of asking the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to premier the Symphony No 7, which turned out to be his most successful ever. His stardom would vanish if the Vienna establishment did not endorse it. Indeed, the Vienna authority sneered it but it won the love of the public. The second movement of Symphony No.7 was played everywhere in memory of Bruckner after his death.
Richard of Esprit from France would like to know my opinion on his flagship creation - L’Esprit, which is above the existing pinnacle on the catalogue - Gaia. It has been increasingly difficult for me to evaluate in audiophile language ever since I met Aaron Kwok (Asia’s King of Dance) who co-wrote “Kwok’s 8 Principles” with me. It was published in April in Chinese language. I had not translated it into English version yet. I will do so soon when time permits.
The evaluation criteria goes beyond the conventional domain of imaging, soundstage, and mid range warmth etc. As technology progresses, our listening criteria must improve in tandem. For instance, diction of any vocalist must be clear regardless of image precision. The lyrics communicates musicality with the listener, whereas the holographic imaging satisfies the sensational aspect of listening, which is nice, but we should demand more. We focus more on communication amongst instrumental groups because physical separation of them does not speak musicality. We want to listen to the wholesomeness of the performance. Radiation of energy is also a new criteria for evaluation. Without energy penetrating through the body in a controlled manner, there is no musicality, especially the bass. When I met Stirling Trayle two years ago, he told me the same. Aaron told me the same from his decades of experiences performing on stage.
Under such new criteria, I do not want to amplify the merits of any cable in any system because it is the holistic management intelligence that matters. Against such context, the evaluation of a single power cable has become a very challenging job.
There are some very great power cables under my portfolio. This includes Argento FMR EE, Dalby’s Kyuko, Skogrand’s Stravinsky, and Ikigai’s Kangai S. Now comes the L’Esprit. I see each of them as essential ingredient in making a cuisine. The choice of cuisine dictates what ingredients to be deployed. From this perspective, the L’Esprit is the finest ingredient for the cuisine of Symphony. And I can tell Richard must be a symphonic lover even I had not talked with him ever before. Audiophiles usually concern smoothness of high frequency particularly on the violin. I rarely encounter them demanding triumph blasts of brass instruments such as horn and tubas.
The connection of the L’Esprit power cable from the Pranawire Cloud 9 AC distributor to the wall immediately required me to lower the gain of the Synaestec Igniculus phono stage from medium gain of 67db to low gain of 62db. All electronics are plugged into the JMF PCD 102 35th Anniversary Edition before going into the Cloud 9. In other words, the L’Esprit powers up the whole system. Everything is grounded to 2 x Tripoint Troy Elite NG. Ground cables include Kangai, FMR EEE and Dalby Kyuko.
After a week, I was totally engulfed by symphonic energy. I could easily follow the glorious, deeply felt beginning in C sharp minor for Wagner tubas and string. The appreciation of Bruckner Symphony No. 7 reached a new height. The 2nd movement transcends emotion timelessly. I understand gradually why the public chose to remember Bruckner by it. The music does not only praise God, it also exemplifies the serenity of conscience, the grandeur of Mother Nature, down to the pure joy of a countryman. The orchestra under Otto Klemperer pacifies my soul. It is a tremendous experience.
I also played the last session of Noye’s Fludde by Benjamin Britten. The children sang in unison to bless Noye’s final destination arrival. The character of the children is distinct and outspoken with different ascent. The voice of God remains thunderous and yet inviting. The grandeur of the whole act is enormous in energy heightening my emotions to share the joy of their safe arrival to the promised land. I didn’t feel like listening to a reference recording because I was actually watching a play traveled back in time.
Should I apply other top power cables in the same position, it has become slightly more difficult for me to discern the joy of children off boarding the boat and the inviting posture of the God towards the very end. There was no loss of resolution here. But I reckon the dramatic improvements come from differentiation of energy at the microscopic level such as the diction energy of different child, all the way to the macro level triumphed by the powerful organ and horns. The contrast in energy radiates musicality. That is phenomenal.
For symphonic cuisine, the L’Esprit is definitive. This is also a function of one’s understanding of music. I am learning everyday. Other top cables will perform well in other positions. I discourage drawing conclusions so easily by ABAB in the same position when all other things are held constant.
Aaron Kwok told me Divin Lab is for Symphony playback. It won’t show off its true potential by playing pop and rock music. If we don’t understand the strength of the system and choose the wrong music to test electronics/accessories/cables, the conclusions are meaningless. No system however high the price tag would play everything musically correct.
Richard, you don’t have to be afraid like Anton Bruckner before his premier of Symphony No.7, because I am sure many would endorse the L’Esprit power cable.
Chris Leung”
www.whatsbestforum.com
