The new Bending Wave Gobel Divin Noblesse Reference System

[Elliot G.]

After spending the day with Grant from Shunyata yesterday I have a amuch greater understanding and appreciation for the part that noise plays in the audio chain. I have been talking with my personal journey and observations about getting more and more from my system, These changes are almost exclusively about the reduction of various types of noise that you don't know is there until it is not. This may sound strange but it is what I have experienced. The noise that from comes from everywhere that is above my pay grade as to knowing one from the other is crazy. Grant showed me with a tool the amount of noise on my electrical noise that you can hear very clearly when isolated and how thier products , specifically these Sigma -and Alpha X products just simply kill it. Its jaw dropping.These products when added to the power work I have done , along with the grounding from Altaira , have moved my results to a very different place. Its quit startling once experienced. I had a great sounding system before but I'm not in Kansas anymore now I am not saying that getting one of these will change your system into what it isnt only that the path to greater involvement truly runs through the noise that is present and is generated in your room, home and system

 

[Elliot G.]

Everytime I think I 'm out they pull me back in! LOL
This morning I had a thought and decided to run a ground wire from my Alataira component ground box to the Reiki switch and presto/changO the whole system got better again. Thsi noise stuff is incredible and kind of fun at the same time. I asked one of the guys that works here and is an audiophile to come in the ref room and I asked him to sit, he wanted to know what I did, I told him Im not telling him if or what I did and maybe its just a placebo LOL
I played a track I played yesterday and is one of my reference tracks, He stopped me 45 seconds in and saie WOW what did you do,
I like that kind of results!
Now I feel Joy!

 

[Elliot G.]

So all the changes I have made except for the SIgmaX and Alpha X power cords are settled in the system and its almost finished with the cable and grounding install. There is magic that ocurs here on a regular basis. I had a few guests in the last few days and its getting really annoying cleaning up all the drool LOL . Seriously I am amazed and in awe with this is doing. I've always been a set up guy and I have always wanted to take my systems as far as I possibly can but I do it in my own time frame. I am for sure not the fastest nor the most experienced with all the differetnn gear thats out there but I do know the gear I have and what I am looking to accomplish and this is it.
I have a few items that I ordered for the system that will arrive this coming month. These are the new power cords I tried from SHunyata and a couple of grounding cables I was missing to complete the whole system but I am very close, very very close.
Its really fun to see where audio has gone and how this time machine can take me anywhere I want.

 

[gleeds]

Elliot, the Altaira is indeed a special component. After hearing what it did with my Westminster amplifiers at Robert's place, I bought one for my reference system. My next move is to get the grounding unit for the front-end components. I'm glad to hear you're advancing things in sunny Florida!

 

[Elliot G.]

Elliot, the Altaira is indeed a special component. After hearing what it did with my Westminster amplifiers at Robert's place, I bought one for my reference system. My next move is to get the grounding unit for the front-end components. I'm glad to hear you're advancing things in sunny Florida!

You should try the Typhon T30 on your amps and a T2/T30 and Denali on the rest of your gear. All of this with the new power cords X versions , which I tried and ordered for my system have made incredible differences in my thought process and of course in the end result of incredible sound. I have also grounded both the front and back of my system, including the switch from Reiki and my subwoofers. All of this is quite "ear" opening
These items exceeded my expectations and that doesnt happen very often!

 

[Elliot G.]

Today has been interesting. Some of the new things I have tried are hard to wrap my head around. Today I installed two Alpha X ground cables that Shunyata sent me to complete the grounding installation. I was missing a couple when I did the original set up and made two cables here at the office. I replaced the ground cable from the Reiki and the ground cable that connects the two Altaira pieces together.
I was expecting very little however I was very pleasantly surprised. This was not a OMG moment but there is another level of resolution particularly noticeable on percussion, cymbols. I guess making the ground noise flow easier works, who knew

 

[Elliot G.]

So my journey down the rabbit hole continues and at this point nothing surprises me anymore. I installed two ground cables earlier this week and was happy with the result but who knew that they like every other thing is this universe breaks in, settles, and changes. I guess I was fooling myself not thinking that they would. I am laughing at myself as I say that. Audio, like life is full of twists and turns as one meanders down the road. So this afternoon I assumed the position and started playing . First a few standards that I use to get a quick image of what the system is doing and then I ended up with some rock n roll and ended up with some Lyle Lovett live in Texas. My system will play anything at almost any level these days and it never is boring in its ability to really let me into the music. Damn this is fun, the fun I always wanted and only now have.
I have some more toys arriving next week. I have heard the prototypes and now the final production is coming and I am going to re power cord my entire system with these . Should be fun. Next time . Enjoy the weekend and tune it up!

 

[Elliot G.]

So yesterday afternoon was the best it has sounded ever. I had a friend from out of town stop by and later a client from my partners business and the system was just to die for. So my only thoughts are that grounding cables have a longer break in period than I had considered. Maybe the best is still yet to come? Audio consistently surprises and amazes me as common sense does not always apply equally.
I think sometimes break in is confused with getting used to something and in my experience most items don't turn to a butterfly from some cacoon. I do think this things are more subtle than that but that I am sure is up to the items. I don't ever remembering hating something and then a few days later loving it. I am having fun listening and I am doing it with total ability to play anything and that is amazing. yesterday was Spooky Tooth " I am a Walrus" serious blast from the past.

 

[Elliot G.]

so I received a present this moring .The new Sigmax and Alpha X power cords from Shunyata.
I just finsished tearing everything apart and runpacking the new power cords ( which come beautifully packed in a box/clothsleeve) and installing them on my amplifiers, from the typhon 20 amp to the wall, to the Wadax power supplies ( 3). I have only one more put that I ordered late to go to the switch and there for now I am using a SHunyata Theta power cable.
Letting in play and I will listen later or tommorow. Fun again

 

[Elliot G.]

I dont truly know how to explain what I am hearing and what exactly has happened.
I can't say to anyone that these power cables with change thier relationship with their system or their favorite component. I have gone on a journey and this recent change has created non linear results. Is it the combinantion of the power conditioners, grounding and cables or is the cables reduction of noise allowing everything after them to work better or even be maximized? I truly don't know. I am not an engineer , nor a scientist, nor did I sleep in a holiday inn express last night either. I am a serious music lover and very experienced listener and what I am hear is an existential threat to audio
Yes I said that because my system and my room is a place I do not want to leave and these cables could and should get better. They have only been in play for a few hours.
So what exactly is happening. Grant from Shunyata was here a few weeks ago with some prototypes and we played with them and IMO they were clearly better than the Omega's I had been sent. I was told that they were samples and the production would be better.
Great balls of fire he was wrong. They aren't somewhat better they are way way way way better . I had a couple of other listeners pop in to take a spin and they heard the difference immediately.
Its so good it could make someone like Taylor Swift hahaha

 

[Elliot G.]

So we are 24 hours later.Ths system is on and warmed up and here is what have I found.
There are some interesting observations in audio and one of the most described incorrectly IMO is acoustic space.
There is imaging, depth and soundstage along with dark backgrounds. These terms and mixed up and jumbled by many such that IMO they become meaningless or at least have less significance in having a discussion.
What do I mean ?
Soundstages are 3 dimensional, they have height , width and depth. Instuments should also be three dimensional. Few systems can create 3 dimensional images within a three dimensional space. There are many that create two dimensional images with in a sound stage but that is lacking in my version of realism. Ive been on this journey for a few months now working closely with Shunyata and been geting in bits and pieces the overall spacial condition of my system to a brave new world. The sense of "you are there" is dramtically changed. The micro and macro dynamic level are far more obvious and "real", the placement of 3 d images within 3d air is uncanny and it is rock solid. What I mean is the instruments and the players are in in the double 3 d space of both the spaces between the notes of the players and the spaces between the players versus the recorded environment is astounding.
The elimination of different types of noise, noise that to be honest you don't realize you have, once removed is astonishing. The latest version of their power cords called Alpha X and Sigma X are not only reasonable in price ( whatever that really means) and fairly flexible but they are the last piece in this journey that only has enhanced the ability of my system to do this level of resolving and allowing the music, the rhythm, the pace, the dynamic, the tone and the soul and passion of the performers to flow. They flow more like real than ever I have had the privledge to hear on recorded music and I am only digital folks so perhaps there is even more for those who believe that other sources could be better. I'm not going there but I don't negate this thought process for those who do .
This tells me that some companies really are capable of technological feats that turn into musical enjoyment and not just marketing word salad.
Ive felt that Oliver Gobel makes some of the worlds best speakers, I have fallen in love with the sound of Riviera Amp s and Preamps, I am as you know a Wadaxian believer and supporter and now I am part of the force that is Shunyata. Bravo to all as I am a very happy man.

 

[Elliot G.]

I guess its all broken in now and today listening was just about having some fun and pushing the system and the envelope to know whats possible.Started off today with
Van Morrison - This weight- Healing Game
CityCountry City- War - The World is a Ghetto
All Night Long- Lionel Richie- Cant Slow down ( not the best but fun)
Papa was a rolling Stone- Temptations- Psychodelic Soul
Miss Riddle and I JJust Go- Boz Scaggs-Dig - This is so sick!!!!
and the coup de gras
Space for the Papa- Jeff Beck- Who else- this track is so insane and loud its like sitting front row to the Alien Master himself with Pino Palladino on Bass and the incredible Manu Katche on drums.

I know I am in the business, I know I am a distibutor and a dealer, I know this is my work and my system but Damn it its the best I have ever experienced anywhere by anyone and its not even close

Sometimes you just have to keep pushing to find the boudaries and the limits of the speakers/room/gear and talent to make it your own legacy.
Thats just how I feel . Those who have traveled the path with me know what I am talking about.

 

[Elliot G.]

Back from my trip and listening to the system for the first time in over a week, trying to get some tune time before the bad weather. I missed this and today’s program ,all versions of the Steve Gadd band , just reminded me of how amazing this all sounds.
When you can hear everything, all distinct yet seperate , the spaces and the music , all together at the same time that’s truly special .
I wish it was possible to share this in an easy simple way but alas that’s not reality

 

[Elliot G.]

This letter is from client who in Divin Marquis /Gobel Cable loom/ Shunyata power conditioning and just traded his CH 10 series for Riviera

Now that my system is fully broken in, I have to say, this is the happiest I have ever been with a system. I’m glad I listened to and trusted you, both in the recommendation of the Riviera and trusting you with the final setup of my room. Replacing the CH M10 and L10 with the Riviera has been not just an evolutionary step but, to me, a revolutionary one.

While I like to subscribe to the De Niro philosophy in Heat, of “don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat” when it pertains to high end audio, I also prefer to listen to music rather than constantly looking for the “holy grail”. My philosophy is one that even if I have spent a lot of dollars, if there is something more inviting and engaging and if I have the funds, I won’t deliberately cheerlead what I have for the sake of rationalizing. This is how I felt after listening to CH (back then M1.1 and L1) when compared to my then AR and how I currently feel about the Riviera compared to my recently departed M10 and L10.

The Rivera has the most effortless and dynamic capabilities I have ever experienced in my system. I will leave the description of tonality, balance, imaging, transparency, timbre, and dynamics to those who do it for a living, as from my perch, it is about listening and enjoyment which have surpassed all expectations. I really wasn’t expecting what you had promised and couldn’t be happier.

 

[Elliot G.]

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Huge project in China by AE . Incredible!!!

 

[Elliot G.]

As I posted this past November I enjoyed listening to Elliot's, Jonathan Halpern's, and Brandon Lauer's Gobel/Riviera/Wadax system at Capfest. It was my Best of Show by a considerable margin against the many top-level systems exhibited. There was great music and a level of musicality and emotional connection in that room, which I find exceedingly rare in modern high-end systems. It left me intrigued to know more soI told Elliot that when time and opportunity permitted, I would visit his listening room and learn more.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending several hours at Bending Wave in Florida and found the Noblesse set up in the room with the Divin Sovereign subwoofers. The smaller Divin Marquis from Capfest were off to the side. The first thing that surprised me was how approachable the Noblesse were in Elliot's ample, yet by no means large room.These are large and deep speakers, but I found them surprisingly appealing and exuding a level of craftsmanship second to none.

Elliot sat me down and said for the next forty-five minutes played a variety of great tracks. He proceeded with a selection from Hilary Hahn to Paul Simon to Andrea Bocelli to the wonderfully scored soundtrack from The Last Samurai to Louis Armstrong. I finished with one of my selections from the soundtrack of No Country For Old Men, John Scofield covering Your the One.

Immersed in music and sound reproduction for nearly five decades, I can count on one hand when I have experienced recorded music sound as natural and emotionally engaging. I have never encountered a more realistic sense of dynamics and more convincing expression of instrumental dynamics.

What I find unique about the Noblesse is that they check all the audiophile end-game boxes:
Sense of space
-precise imaging
-detail in spades
-extended bandwidth from the lowest lows to the highest highs
-thunderous bass and,
-unlimited dynamics

Cymbals shimmered, the piano had the fullness and body of the real thing, the voices were shockingly accurate, and on it went. Of course, no system is perfect, and the system could have had slightly better attack and decay and a touch more transparency. Then again I heard those things dependant on the recording so my conclusion was the limitation was likely in the recording and not the system. FYI, Elliot played zero audiophile music or hi-rez files. In fact he streamed every single song I referenced above!

Credit must also be given to meticulous set-up, Wadax front-end (also experienced and thoroughly enjoyed at Robert Harley's a few months back), not to mention the subtlety, nuance and control of the Riviera electronics.

Thank you, Elliot, for being a great host. Anybody who is serious about knowing what all the fuss is about (especially considering the spiraling price of today's best systems) should make the pilgrimage to Bending Wave and experience the Gobels. Congratulations, Oliver, for creating a masterpiece, and Elliot, for assembling a system that allows the Noblesse to soar to such lofty heights!

View attachment 125290View attachment 125291View attachment 125292

This past week I visited a client I. The Tampa area. He has been a client for over 20 years. I had the great pleasure of designing and helping him create this lady listening room and system. We started with a horrible echo chamber and have created a world class space in which to listen to music and totally get lost in the sound.
The project is complete and unless he wants to make some changes or additions it’s damn terrific . In my opinion it’s one of the best systems I have heard and a truly comfortable space to
Listen .
The plan has been for some time to try to do better in the digital front end and he and I were waiting for a more accessible choice as the centerpiece. He might have wanted a full blown Wadax reference, which he has experienced, but even for those who can there is the question of should I or can I pull that mighty trigger. I think anyone would consider this a major purchase and that’s to be expected.
So the studio player comes along and captures a lot of the Wadax DnA and performance and sound .
The studio may not be a reference but it is the real world version of a reference product with state of the art adjacent sound quality.
At 1/15 the the cost the sound to cost ratio of the Studio is just insane .
This product exceeded his and my expectations.This doesn’t happen very often.