magiccarpetride
26-03-2012, 20:10
As an avid audiophile, I've been through my share of experimentation and a lot of odd or bizarre experiences. But this one definitely takes the cake:
About a year and a half ago I've ordered Stan's digital coaxial cable TRC-222 (http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/DIGITAL_COAX_CABLE_.html) When the cable arrived, I remember installing it and then getting very disappointed with the results. So disappointed that I just yanked it out and shoved it into a drawer.
Now, 18 months later, as I was doing some tweaking around my stereo, I suddenly remembered this cable. I thought "what if I tried it once again, just for a lark?" So I went back to that drawer, found the TRC-222, and then installed it between my Squeezebox Touch and the Caiman. But before I did that, I sat down for a 'null hypothesis' listen (meaning, listen to a representative track using my regular digital coax cable). I chose "Mais Que Nada" from Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 Greatest Hits CD. That track has a lot of driving percussion, aggressive piano and bass, plus excellent vocals. It's a veritable sonic fireworks. So I've listened to it using my regular cable, and tried to memorize and retain the impressions.
Switched immediately to TRC-222 and replayed the track. My gosh, I'm suddenly hearing the ride cymbal playing slightly off centre to the right! Am I imagining things? Stopped the track, swapped the cables, played the track again -- yes, the ride cymbal is missing (or badly muffled) when using the old cable!
Furthermore, with Stan's cable, I get much more musical sound overall. Meaning, I can now crank my stereo up and not have to cringe. What is this, reduced jitter or something? Certainly reduced glare, grit, hash and hardness in the upper mids.
So this got me totally puzzled -- 18 months ago I found this cable sounding subpar, and now I've realized that it's actually superior. How does that work? I don't believe that cables improve with age, like a fine wine sitting on the shelf. Has something like this freak accident ever happened to you?
P.S. Thanks for the awesome cable, Stan! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying the improvement. Cheers, and can't wait for the Bushmaster!!
About a year and a half ago I've ordered Stan's digital coaxial cable TRC-222 (http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/DIGITAL_COAX_CABLE_.html) When the cable arrived, I remember installing it and then getting very disappointed with the results. So disappointed that I just yanked it out and shoved it into a drawer.
Now, 18 months later, as I was doing some tweaking around my stereo, I suddenly remembered this cable. I thought "what if I tried it once again, just for a lark?" So I went back to that drawer, found the TRC-222, and then installed it between my Squeezebox Touch and the Caiman. But before I did that, I sat down for a 'null hypothesis' listen (meaning, listen to a representative track using my regular digital coax cable). I chose "Mais Que Nada" from Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 Greatest Hits CD. That track has a lot of driving percussion, aggressive piano and bass, plus excellent vocals. It's a veritable sonic fireworks. So I've listened to it using my regular cable, and tried to memorize and retain the impressions.
Switched immediately to TRC-222 and replayed the track. My gosh, I'm suddenly hearing the ride cymbal playing slightly off centre to the right! Am I imagining things? Stopped the track, swapped the cables, played the track again -- yes, the ride cymbal is missing (or badly muffled) when using the old cable!
Furthermore, with Stan's cable, I get much more musical sound overall. Meaning, I can now crank my stereo up and not have to cringe. What is this, reduced jitter or something? Certainly reduced glare, grit, hash and hardness in the upper mids.
So this got me totally puzzled -- 18 months ago I found this cable sounding subpar, and now I've realized that it's actually superior. How does that work? I don't believe that cables improve with age, like a fine wine sitting on the shelf. Has something like this freak accident ever happened to you?
P.S. Thanks for the awesome cable, Stan! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying the improvement. Cheers, and can't wait for the Bushmaster!!