So ddk got me thinking about pc's
So, I replaced the Anaconda Zitron pc's on the Soulution 511's with their stock pc's.....he might have a solid observation on pc's here
More to follow as the stock cords settle in.........
Kingsrule, glad to see that you have an open mind, just a couple of things to listen for, best is a trio or quartet with voice;
- More natural dynamics, there should be different dimensions and volume levels between the instruments and voice and continue to change along with the music.
- Recordings have their own natural ambience and you should be able to hear differences among them.
- Dark, black, velvety, etc. don't exist in reality, it's a cable artifact.
- Soundstage dimensions should change with different recordings as do the size of images, a framed soundstage with images placed in same locations in soundstage on every recording is a cable coloration.
A telltale sign is when any or all of these cable artifacts are always there impressing you and competing with the beauty and subtleties of music. System artifacts shouldn't impress you! Unfortunately cables, power conditioners and other AC related boxes have an accumulative effect and even one will color everything. It's best to start over, unplug all conditioners, etc. and start with basic stock cords so you have a reference point, then introduce each item individually and listen for any of the above.
The cords I use are Ching Cheng brand, type PVC.PLUG EL-304, 14 AWG. I haven't tested the current version but I'm told by those who have the older versions they got from me sound better but these are still better than anything else they've tried.
http://www.chingcheng.com/ul-csa.html
I also recommend to purge your system of all audiophile wires if you really want to know what's going on. Radioshack has some great inexpensive wires for you to use as a reference. I don't claim that they're best but there's absolutely nothing wrong with them. They're not colored and they don't do anything special so you can actually hear your system instead of your wires. This is what I recommended to all my friends & customers with ultra high end systems as a starting point, many are still using them.
Speaker cable,
https://www.radioshack.com/products/16-gauge-megacable-50-ft
Interconnects, they have them in many lengths
https://www.radioshack.com/products/6-stereo-audio-cable-with-rca
david