I had been using the unpowered Sablon Audio Panatela Reserva USB cable with my GG for the last few months, and have really enjoyed it. Great cable, particularly for the money. better than the powered one it replaced.
2 weeks ago when Ed was here and we were listening to the Nagra HD, I received a package with the Sablon unpowered USB cable with the 'secret sauce'. on the Sablon
website it's called the 'Panatela Reserva USB cable (enhanced for 2017)'. I only briefly, for one evening and morning, listened to that cable while it was breaking in. it did sound a bit better than the previous 'non-secret sauce' version. but then when I got home that evening Ed was already listening to the Aqua Formula, which needed a powered USB, and we did not have a Sablon example. so for the last 2 weeks I have used the stock USB which came with the Aqua in the box. obviously it was 'ok' as I've really enjoyed the Aqua Formula.
yesterday, the 'powered' version of the new 'secret sauce' Panatela Reserva USB (enhanced for 2017) arrived and I inserted it into the system last night. Mark Coles had warned me not to listen critically for 24 hours, so i'll only say I noticed an up-tic from the get go in terms of overall lowering of the noise floor and dynamic life, and as it warmed up over the first few hours it did get better, but was wooly here and there.....but a net gain. then this morning a slight step up from the previous night, and no more woolyness.
tonight, now fully 24 hours later on the repeat, it has gone to a new level of 'not there-ness'. overall the Aqua Formula is now more vivid and it's like the picture went from Blue Ray to 4k, more focus and fine nuance and depth of color. more decay trail, more ambient substance, more bass texture and 'life'.
nice.
bravo Sablon. highly recommended.