QSA : My take on their expensive products

[flkin]

Good to see you hear differences in cables. So you’re a believer that cables make a difference like me. Seems your main issue is marketing methods and price/value.

It’s true QSAL sells direct and so the only way to get to hear it is to visit an existing owner or borrow it from them. Still pretty rare unfortunately I guess.

 

[ssfas]

Good to see you hear differences in cables. So you’re a believer that cables make a difference like me. Seems your main issue is marketing methods and price/value.

It’s true QSAL sells direct and so the only way to get to hear it is to visit an existing owner or borrow it from them. Still pretty rare unfortunately I guess.

I'm not much of a cable believer. I do believe in high quality DIN phono cables for MC, which is why I first contacted Mark Sears at Vinyl Passion.

I believe in good insulation of power and signal cables. I have cheaper XLR cables from Mogami (via Amazon). I think the Vinyl Passion ones are better, not blind tested.

I love the floppy Puritan cables as they take almost no space.

Ethernet and speaker cables - made to specification and I use Belden cables that cost $10 and $70 respectively.

The marketing amuses me. There's no evidence any of it is true. No evident research. No measurements. Lots of words. Not just QSAL, others as well. My usual approach is to call the manufacturer and speak to them direct. Many of them are very helpful and direct, they don't spew marketing babble, just talk like normal humans. This is how I've chosen most of my hifi, along with home loans.

 

[Roger]

Gold and 2 silver and blackred ultra and blackred
In my power list
fuse is 2 gold and silver and blackred and wellow
And blue

 

[highstream]

I'm not much of a cable believer. I do believe in high quality DIN phono cables for MC, which is why I first contacted Mark Sears at Vinyl Passion.

I believe in good insulation of power and signal cables. I have cheaper XLR cables from Mogami (via Amazon). I think the Vinyl Passion ones are better, not blind tested.

I love the floppy Puritan cables as they take almost no space.

Ethernet and speaker cables - made to specification and I use Belden cables that cost $10 and $70 respectively.

The marketing amuses me. There's no evidence any of it is true. No evident research. No measurements. Lots of words. Not just QSAL, others as well. My usual approach is to call the manufacturer and speak to them direct. Many of them are very helpful and direct, they don't spew marketing babble, just talk like normal humans. This is how I've chosen most of my hifi, along with home loans.

You better not read Alpha Audio's soon to be published review of the QSA-Lanedri Ultimatum Infinity power and speaker cables, or check their listening and instrument test links posted on that WBF thread "QSA Lanedri Series."

 

[Willgolf]

Gold and 2 silver and blackred ultra and blackred
In my power list
fuse is 2 gold and silver and blackred and wellow
And blue

Wow, that is a major investment in fuses. Was there any particular fuse to component that you could identify as a major uptick in performance?

 

[ssfas]

You better not read Alpha Audio's soon to be published review of the QSA-Lanedri Ultimatum Infinity power and speaker cables, or check their listening and instrument test links posted on that WBF thread "QSA Lanedri Series."

I did read the review. The problem with cables is that when one measurement goes down another goes up and you can reduce resistance just by making them thicker or shorter. So it is very easy to pick and choose one measurement as exceptional and milk it to death, which QSAL are doing and they are not the first to do so. Then there is the issue if the measurement matters and, if so, how. I did a post to that effect, referencing Townsend Isolda.

I have absolutely no interest in anyone else’s subjective listening tests unless they can be correlated quite specifically to measurements (in that there are quite a few things that can be measured that have known impact on Sound quality). I agree with @Synaxis that we should all do our own listening tests and more for you if you don’t.

 

[Roger]

Wow, that is a major investment in fuses. Was there any particular fuse to component that you could identify as a major uptick in performance?

Gold Fuse is the best
I change from silver in my linemagnetic 219ia
I have one gold Fuse 1A over

 

[highstream]

I did read the review. The problem with cables is that when one measurement goes down another goes up and you can reduce resistance just by making them thicker or shorter. So it is very easy to pick and choose one measurement as exceptional and milk it to death, which QSAL are doing and they are not the first to do so. Then there is the issue if the measurement matters and, if so, how. I did a post to that effect, referencing Townsend Isolda.

I have absolutely no interest in anyone else’s subjective listening tests unless they can be correlated quite specifically to measurements (in that there are quite a few things that can be measured that have known impact on Sound quality). I agree with @Synaxis that we should all do our own listening tests and more for you if you don’t.

Not sure what you’re doing on this thread — or any other than the ASR thread. This at base is obviously a thread for those who make subjective judgments (check with a moderator if wish to verify that). Some may be interested in measurements, probably most not, but listening is the ultimate decider.

For the record, QSA hasn’t published any measurements. Alpha Audio was recently approached by QSA-Lanedri as an independent reviewer because of its impeccable reputation and thoroughness. It’s they who did the measuring and listening and then documented it online. QSA is just citing or linking to their review(s).

Since it’s been well established, as you imply, that not everything that can be heard can be measured, it seems that you’ve set up impossible standards for yourself.

 

[Kingrex]

I agree measurements are useful. Necessary??? Not sure. But useful, yes. I have reached out to a few forum leaders such as ASR that do measurements to go through one of my all copper panels and tell me what had changed. Its very audible. People will tell you that. Same for the wire. (I don't make the wire at this time). No one has responded. I personally want to know. And on a professional/sales level, I feel its invaluable to have data to back up any claims.of sonic change and why it may be happening.

Without measurements, you may be telling me you had serious flaws in your audio system or power supply, and the device you inserted is fixing it. I may not have those flaws, thereby, the device might be a complete waste of money.

 

[Willgolf]

Everyone can judge cables the way they want. If you are an electrical engineer and believe in measurements knock yourself out. I personally believe my ears are way more important than any measurement. I have completed at least 7 different power cords and more than that of various USB and RCA cables A/B comparisons over many months of experimenting. It comes down to what I think sounds the best. QSA Lanedri has outperformed my expectations.

 

[nirodha]

Maybe measurements are only useful for producers of cables (to reach a goal). For me (and my heart) it’s all about emotional satisfaction. And for my (silly) brain it is nice to “know” I am not being screwed. Yes, I know, I know…

 

[Kingrex]

My point is that if I can put a scope on something and show ringing or harmonics or something has improved, it brings credibility to my claims. Otherwise, it's a bunch of audiophile with a very specific and unique situation that has absolutely zero.bearing, on any other audiophiles unique situation, claiming a product will improve it. Maybe it will maybe it won't. It might actually make it worse. I know plenty of people who have bought say an $18,000 cable and are disappointed with it and find the less expensive model was better. But hey, everyone said that $18,000 cable was the best in the world. So why didn't it work in their system.

The only changes I have seen across the board that are always an improvement and never a degradation are improving the room.or the electrical power to the system. Everything else is a flavor.

 

[highstream]

My point is that if I can put a scope on something and show ringing or harmonics or something has improved, it brings credibility to my claims. Otherwise, it's a bunch of audiophile with a very specific and unique situation that has absolutely zero.bearing, on any other audiophiles unique situation, claiming a product will improve it. Maybe it will maybe it won't. It might actually make it worse. I know plenty of people who have bought say an $18,000 cable and are disappointed with it and find the less expensive model was better. But hey, everyone said that $18,000 cable was the best in the world. So why didn't it work in their system.

The only changes I have seen across the board that are always an improvement and never a degradation are improving the room.or the electrical power to the system. Everything else is a flavor.

Whatever works for you. But electrical power is also “flavor,” as choices of external run cables, along with internal power components and cables that are all voiced by developers, affect the end result, what we hear. I always have to shake my head when I read those claims, whether by reviewers or customers, about how such and such cables or components are just “letting the signal or original performance through,” unadorned. The victory of exuberance over thinking.

 

[Kris]

My point is that if I can put a scope on something and show ringing or harmonics or something has improved, it brings credibility to my claims. Otherwise, it's a bunch of audiophile with a very specific and unique situation that has absolutely zero.bearing, on any other audiophiles unique situation, claiming a product will improve it. Maybe it will maybe it won't. It might actually make it worse. I know plenty of people who have bought say an $18,000 cable and are disappointed with it and find the less expensive model was better. But hey, everyone said that $18,000 cable was the best in the world. So why didn't it work in their system.

The only changes I have seen across the board that are always an improvement and never a degradation are improving the room.or the electrical power to the system. Everything else is a flavor.

Great point.
Room and Power are the top two most important things.
Once you have it you can base your system on this 2 fundamental principles.

But a top speaker cable will do the job extremely well.
QSA Lanedri in Ultimatum Infinity specification will be far superior to almost anything available.
It is much better in my system.
I was extremely conservative with buying only top well known brands until I had a chance of zero risk QSA Lanedri testing. 100% return if not happy.
This direct comparison was a very deep experience.
I believe everyone should try this route. Until than there is no point to post any judgment.

Also if the people are buying 2 cm QSA fuse and they pay 10k for it being happy
The 18 k or 22k for 2.5 m speaker cables ( 4 gigantic thickness wires) is relatively not expensive I think.

 

[Willgolf]

I would never buy a 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k cable or cord without first trying it out and comparing to other cords/cables. I had a full loom of Hijiri cables which are fantastic. The Ultimatum Infinity line just is flat-out better sounding in my system. You won't want to to send them back even with their money-back guarantee. You will be disappointed if you do.

 

[Kris]

I would never buy a 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k cable or cord without first trying it out and comparing to other cords/cables. I had a full loom of Hijiri cables which are fantastic. The Ultimatum Infinity line just is flat-out better sounding in my system. You won't want to to send them back even with their money-back guarantee. You will be disappointed if you do.

After seing list of your system components I must say it is one of the very top systems.
Congratulations. It is a fortune located into the all components.
Especially Aurora, the newest AC speakers are crazy good sounding.
Fantastic blend of 3 different technologies in one speaker. Partially active.
Would you mind posting the room size dimensions? I am curious whats the space needed for them.

 

[highstream]

After seing list of your system components I must say it is one of the very top systems.
Congratulations. It is a fortune located into the all components.
Especially Aurora, the newest AC speakers are crazy good sounding.
Fantastic blend of 3 different technologies in one speaker. Partially active.
Would you mind posting the room size dimensions? I am curious whats the space needed for them.

I can’t answer your question, but Will told me about his system while it was on order. One thing I hadn’t noticed were the Aurora speakers until you mentioned them.. Here’s what Aeres Cerat says about their Crossover-Bluetooth system re room size (there’s a photo of their system in a very small room):
“The value of this system was evident when we tested the Aurora in spaces from 20sqm to 400sqm. We believe no speaker can perform optimally in spaces that vary 20x without the abilities that our Crossover module can provide.”

 

[Willgolf]

Kris
Many thanks for your kind words about my system. Sometimes, when you have a near-death experience and you lose the majority of your eyesight, you can change your perspective on life. I never thought in a million years I would own an all Aries Cerat system with a Lucas Audio Music server and QSA Lanedri cords and cables. I am blessed and lucky.
Yes, my system cost a ton of money, but I will reiterate that I won't buy cords or cables for any price without A/B comparisons at my. home first.

Regarding your question on my room, I don't have a dedicated audio room. It is our family living area plus kitchen. It is rather large, with cathedral ceilings of 30'W x 45'L x 16'. To echo, Highstream, The bluetooth crossover was the key to tuning in the speakers to my environment.

I do not want to derail the QSA thread so I will leave it at that. Thanks again for your kind words

 

[Kingrex]

Whatever works for you. But electrical power is also “flavor,” as choices of external run cables, along with internal power components and cables that are all voiced by developers, affect the end result, what we hear. I always have to shake my head when I read those claims, whether by reviewers or customers, about how such and such cables or components are just “letting the signal or original performance through,” unadorned. The victory of exuberance over thinking.

Im not talking power cables. I'm talking 10 awg NMB properly grounded and bonded as well as routed and terminated. As little aluminum in the loadcenters as possible. All copper is always superior. A good duplex.
Generators or other back up power applied properly. The correct meter centers utilized.
Most houses I see have poor power from the meter to the rack. Doing it correctly is always a benefit.

Its the power cords, fuses, duplex that create a flavor. Even using stranded instead of solid wire is sonically audible. Using 8 awg instead of 10 awg is audible. Any aluminum, even just a termination lug is audible. Its all audible.

Kris
Many thanks for your kind words about my system. Sometimes, when you have a near-death experience and you lose the majority of your eyesight, you can change your perspective on life. I never thought in a million years I would own an all Aries Cerat system with a Lucas Audio Music server and QSA Lanedri cords and cables. I am blessed and lucky.
Yes, my system cost a ton of money, but I will reiterate that I won't buy cords or cables for any price without A/B comparisons at my. home first.

Regarding your question on my room, I don't have a dedicated audio room. It is our family living area plus kitchen. It is rather large, with cathedral ceilings of 30'W x 45'L x 16'. To echo, Highstream, The bluetooth crossover was the key to tuning in the speakers to my environment.

I do not want to derail the QSA thread so I will leave it at that. Thanks again for your kind words

Lets see a picture. Sounds nice.

 

[highstream]

Im not talking power cables. I'm talking 10 awg NMB properly grounded and bonded as well as routed and terminated. As little aluminum in the loadcenters as possible. All copper is always superior. A good duplex.
Generators or other back up power applied properly. The correct meter centers utilized.
Most houses I see have poor power from the meter to the rack. Doing it correctly is always a benefit.

Its the power cords, fuses, duplex that create a flavor. Even using stranded instead of solid wire is sonically audible. Using 8 awg instead of 10 awg is audible. Any aluminum, even just a termination lug is audible. Its all audible.

Lets see a picture. Sounds nice.

What leads you to believe that 10 awg NMB doesn't have a sonic signature, just because it's not voiced?