Thanks Lloyd. Just to be sure: the Zanden 2000p cd-transport is connected through a Tidal (and silver) AES/EBU cable to the Wadax reference dac. So - for obvious reasons - I am not playing with the Zanden dac anymore. In my current set up I (regretfully) cannot use an I2s cable (I know I2s is the best connection for the Zanden cd-transport) because the Wadax Reference dac misses such an input. Although to my ears the Wadax Reference dac and Wadax Reference server in combination with the (very special) Akasa interlink seem to have less artifacts casu quo less distorsion than the Zanden 2000p/Wadax Reference dac combo, the Zanden cd-transport is imho still a mighty fine piece of equipment.
Could you please provide me a link or some additional info as regards the umbilicals you mentioned? At the moment I am still using the Zanden umbilicals but I understand that you clearly prefer the other umbilicals.
And yes, it is quite a commitment. I am very glad that phase one of my rearrangement scheme is behind me: not only took the polishing of all 19 full copper platforms a lot of time and effort but transporting the Tripoint Audio Troy Elite boxes - each piece weighs a little over 72 Kg! - is no pleasure at all. In all honesty I am still feeling my back.That said, the mark two version of these - already before this update wonderful sounding - ‘grounding’ devices is stunning and completely worth all the efforts. Imho Miguel or Tripoint Audio does not get the full credits he or his brand deserves for their groundbreaking ‘grounding’ efforts. The mk two version of the Troy Elite is so much - and I really mean: much!! - better sounding than its mk one version. Since the two Troy Elite mk 2 units are back in the La Assoluta system I am ‘glued’ to my listening chair. In audiophile terms: out of this world dynamics, added transparency, more command and density, wider and deeper soundstage, etc. But by far the most striking features are the added purity, serinity / calmness, beautiful tonality and continuity: the mk two version of the Troy Elite NG sounds so much more like unamplified live music. Apparently it removes (clearly) more distorsion than the mk one version and as a consequence the music presentation becomes so more real or less mechanical. In all honesty I am still amazed about the magnitude of the progress that Miguel has been able to achieve with this mk two version.
However, the ’scary’ part is that according to Miguel the new Tripoint Audio Emperor NG unit will be in a class of its own: inter alia due to the use of more copper and 25% larger - silver - filter modules this piece is going to weigh around 100 KG. In combination with Tripoint Audio ‘s new cable technology the Emperor NG will (according to Miguel) bring the following to the table: less distortion, more power casu quo better dynamics, more command, more beautiful tonality, more purity, more scale, more transparency, better fluidity as well as better image density. For me it is hard to imagine that this new grounding device is going to be that much better than the Troy Elite mk two because the latter is already so incredible good! But I am going to find out in two months or so.
The inclusion of the two Troy Elite mk two units in the LA system confirmed (again) the following to me: the Tidal La Assoluta loudspeakers are magnificent transducers. Their (real) diamond tweeter in combination with their two (real) diamond midrange units per loudspeaker are
unique in creating a wonderful refined and pure music presentation. Although Tidal Audio as a brand has in the meantime ‘moved on‘ by introducing the Tidal for Bugatti loudspeakers and equipment line the La Assoluta loudspeaker is imho a masterpiece.
