What Gifts Did You Receive For The Holidays That Upholds, Serves or Elevates Your Audiophile Obsession ?

[Michael Davitt]

I was grateful to receive:




This tiny adapter from Hyper Design serves a simple, but important function: its male lightning jack plugs into the charging port of an iPhone, and terminates in a female USB-C port. It gives users the functionality of a USB-C input—a common port for many accessories—right on an iPhone .. like a DAC to headphones.

 

[Scott Naylor]

NCF Clear Line | FURUTECH

NCF Clear Line<br /> AC Power Supply Optimizer<br /> <br /> NCF Clear Line-US (NEMA AC male version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-EU (Schuko version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-UK (UK version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-AU (AU/NZ version)

www.furutech.com

 

[Michael Davitt]

NCF Clear Line | FURUTECH

NCF Clear Line<br /> AC Power Supply Optimizer<br /> <br /> NCF Clear Line-US (NEMA AC male version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-EU (Schuko version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-UK (UK version)<br /> NCF Clear Line-AU (AU/NZ version)

www.furutech.com

Happy Holidays Scott, Thanks for your response .. How did this change the sound on your system, I have looked at these also, inquiring minds want to know ?

 

[Scott Naylor]

Happy holidays to you, Michael!

I have such a modest system by the standards here (no separate AC spur, power conditioning, and most of the components are over twenty years old) that I doubt my opinion has much heft to it, but here goes: I've been enjoying how the Furutech helps to clarify musician's technique - their use of dynamics, rubato, intonation…even showing bowing choices I'd not been able to sort previously. Yes, there are sonic improvements too in soundstage depth and image focus, but unlike some tweaks I’ve tried this one seems to be allowing better musical communication with few apparent downsides?

Btw, we live in a suburb of a large metropolitan area with what I suspect are a fair amount of gremlins about that the Furutech is teaching better manners to. HTH

 

[Michael Davitt]

Happy holidays to you, Michael!

I have such a modest system by the standards here (no separate AC spur, power conditioning, and most of the components are over twenty years old) that I doubt my opinion has much heft to it, but here goes: I've been enjoying how the Furutech helps to clarify musician's technique - their use of dynamics, rubato, intonation…even showing bowing choices I'd not been able to sort previously. Yes, there are sonic improvements too in soundstage depth and image focus, but unlike some tweaks I’ve tried this one seems to be allowing better musical communication with few apparent downsides?

Btw, we live in a suburb of a large metropolitan area with what I suspect are a fair amount of gremlins about that the Furutech is teaching better manners to. HTH

Scott thank you for your kind reply, although though I must argue that no system is modest in demeanor that allows music to infuse the soul with reverie. From your descriptors, I can tell you are well on your way. Do you play a bowed instrument? I took lessons in elementary school for cello. But that was short lived, after my sister was accosted by a bully on the path home. I think he was startled when I got the drop on him with the instrument. It was unfortunate for the rented item when a large crack resulted. In short order I was moved to a non transportable device to produce music . . . . . the piano.

 

[tima]

Happy holidays to you, Michael!

I have such a modest system by the standards here (no separate AC spur, power conditioning, and most of the components are over twenty years old) that I doubt my opinion has much heft to it, but here goes: I've been enjoying how the Furutech helps to clarify musician's technique - their use of dynamics, rubato, intonation…even showing bowing choices I'd not been able to sort previously. Yes, there are sonic improvements too in soundstage depth and image focus, but unlike some tweaks I’ve tried this one seems to be allowing better musical communication with few apparent downsides?

Btw, we live in a suburb of a large metropolitan area with what I suspect are a fair amount of gremlins about that the Furutech is teaching better manners to. HTH

What do you connect with this? Any changes in tone? Sounds like you know music.

 

[Scott Naylor]

What do you connect with this? Any changes in tone? Sounds like you know music.

I need to spend more time with A/B comparison to get a definite take on effects on timbre. At first blush it just seems to be allowing more subtle differences through. I need to spend some time with Coltrane and listen for his alternate fingerings, and then there's a Vivaldi cd I like to use for hearing how much gets through the system in that regard (some non-standard orchestration choices from the ensemble and the mystery recording engineer made some interesting decisions) Vivaldi, London Baroque - Musica de Camera E da Chiesa, EMI Reflexe

Also need to try different locations for the Furutech. Now it’s in the power strip, but I should try the unused outlet at the wall receptacle. System is Sony 550ES tuner (may God bless WFMT and WDCB!), Rega with DV, dynavector pre-, Brown Electronics amp, Lavry DAC, NEAT floor standing speakers, some old MIT cable Mr. Brown said was safe to use with the amp.

https://www.discogs.com/master/1398...-Musica-Da-Camera-E-Da-Chiesa#images/32113357

 

[Scott Naylor]

Scott thank you for your kind reply, although though I must argue that no system is modest in demeanor that allows music to infuse the soul with reverie. From your descriptors, I can tell you are well on your way. Do you play a bowed instrument? I took lessons in elementary school for cello. But that was short lived, after my sister was accosted by a bully on the path home. I think he was startled when I got the drop on him with the instrument. It was unfortunate for the rented item when a large crack resulted. In short order I was moved to a non transportable device to produce music . . . . . the piano.

Michael- Now that's a story! And the presence of mind to press a cello into personal defense duty is pretty much LEGEND. Fair play to you looking after your sister no matter what.

Began piano at five (Dad was a church pianist and organist his entire adult life, and Mom was a fine amateur soprano) and continued through conservatory as adjunct to a vocal performance degree. Started on double bass in sixth grade and continued until sophomore year in high school when the school district pulled the plug on the orchestra program. Now retired from performing and because of dodgy health had to close down my voice studio when COVID started up. Finding musical solace from the hifi and trying to keep some facility on guitar and piano. Oh, classical guitar was the balm for losing high school orch.

 

[Michael Davitt]

Michael- Now that's a story! And the presence of mind to press a cello into personal defense duty is pretty much LEGEND. Fair play to you looking after your sister no matter what.

Began piano at five (Dad was a church pianist and organist his entire adult life, and Mom was a fine amateur soprano) and continued through conservatory as adjunct to a vocal performance degree. Started on double bass in sixth grade and continued until sophomore year in high school when the school district pulled the plug on the orchestra program. Now retired from performing and because of dodgy health had to close down my voice studio when COVID started up. Finding musical solace from the hifi and trying to keep some facility on guitar and piano. Oh, classical guitar was the balm for losing high school orch.

Thanks for your kind response. This story has been repeated many times in my family.

My father was quite the authoritarian, My mother telling me... just wait until your father gets home! You can imagine how the minutes ticked by like hours. Finally the door opened and
I could hear my father's heavy foot steps in the hall and with his booming voice I was summoned. With my head bowed, he simply handed me a small package. "This is what you play in prison"
It was a harmonica.

 

[Michael Davitt]

I need to spend more time with A/B comparison to get a definite take on effects on timbre. At first blush it just seems to be allowing more subtle differences through. I need to spend some time with Coltrane and listen for his alternate fingerings, and then there's a Vivaldi cd I like to use for hearing how much gets through the system in that regard (some non-standard orchestration choices from the ensemble and the mystery recording engineer made some interesting decisions) Vivaldi, London Baroque - Musica de Camera E da Chiesa, EMI Reflexe

Also need to try different locations for the Furutech. Now it’s in the power strip, but I should try the unused outlet at the wall receptacle. System is Sony 550ES tuner (may God bless WFMT and WDCB!), Rega with DV, dynavector pre-, Brown Electronics amp, Lavry DAC, NEAT floor standing speakers, some old MIT cable Mr. Brown said was safe to use with the amp.

https://www.discogs.com/master/1398...-Musica-Da-Camera-E-Da-Chiesa#images/32113357

Good evening Scott:

Sounds like an enticing system, Brown amps sound quite musical to me. Is it one of the classic models with red and blue speaker connections at the rear? I will hunt a copy of Vivaldi for my collection, thank you ! Wishing you health in the New Year, and a fading memory for the last.
Cheers,

Michael

 

[Scott Naylor]

What do you connect with this? Any changes in tone? Sounds like you know music.

Happy almost-New Year. I've spent some more time with the Furutech Clear Line and find it is consistent in allowing the clarity of music insights I mentioned above (in my system). Regarding tonal balance, I’ve listened closely to area radio announcers I know well - three of whom I’ve had face-to-faces with at various music functions over the years - and there isn’t any detriment to the female voices, and while the deeper male voices seem at first blush to have slightly less chest resonance, closer listening reveals there to be better differentiation of the men's individual instruments. This was consistent when listening to males singing; with Wunderlich, Fischer-Dieskau, Ghiarov, and Warren used for this comparison.

Overall, I'd say there is subjectively a lighter balance that shows itself with large-scale music, but for me, the greater insight into musicianship is worth the trade. I’m hoping to have benefit of an audio friend's perspective next month and will pass on his views should they be
different from mine in any way. He's also a better resource for thoughts on aspects like soundstage and imaging.

 

[Michael Davitt]

Happy almost-New Year. I've spent some more time with the Furutech Clear Line and find it is consistent in allowing the clarity of music insights I mentioned above (in my system). Regarding tonal balance, I’ve listened closely to area radio announcers I know well - three of whom I’ve had face-to-faces with at various music functions over the years - and there isn’t any detriment to the female voices, and while the deeper male voices seem at first blush to have slightly less chest resonance, closer listening reveals there to be better differentiation of the men's individual instruments. This was consistent when listening to males singing; with Wunderlich, Fischer-Dieskau, Ghiarov, and Warren used for this comparison.

Overall, I'd say there is subjectively a lighter balance that shows itself with large-scale music, but for me, the greater insight into musicianship is worth the trade. I’m hoping to have benefit of an audio friend's perspective next month and will pass on his views should they be
different from mine in any way. He's also a better resource for thoughts on aspects like soundstage and imaging.

Thank you for this thoughtful reply, I for one appreciate your subjective engagement. May good fortune in 2022 quickly eclipse the shadows cast by the recent past.

“It's bad luck, not to believe in luck.”
? R.J. Lawrence, The Xactilias Project

 

[loki1957]

I bought myself an Allnic H8000 phono and an Allnic D5000 dac.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I bought myself an Allnic H8000 phono and an Allnic D5000 dac.

I saw them on the way to you via NORAD Santa Tracker.

 

[bonzo75]

I bought myself an Allnic H8000 phono and an Allnic D5000 dac.

Superb phono. Please swap the recti of the phono.

 

[loki1957]

Superb phono. Please swap the recti of the phono.

I'm working on that. David Beatles offered me a set of some very expensive tubes. He didn't say what they were though and I didn't ask. I just can't justify 2500.00 for 2 tubes.

 

[Michael Davitt]

I bought myself an Allnic H8000 phono and an Allnic D5000 dac.

Lucky Dog !

 

[loki1957]

Superb phono. Please swap the recti of the phono.

Do you have any suggestions for rectifier tubes? Unfortunately it takes two.

 

[Michael Davitt]

Do you have any suggestions for rectifier tubes? Unfortunately it takes two.

Western Electric rectifiers and Emission Labs WE 300B tubes ?

 

[Al M.]

Power cables from ZenWave (company of WBF member DaveC).

Zenwave PL-11 cable for preamp and amp.

Zenwave Clear Bass cables for CD transport, reclocker, DAC, two subwoofers.

Compared to stock power cables very substantial improvement in sound quality. Very reasonable price for PL-11 cables, incredible price/performance ratio for the cheaper Clear Bass cables.