Received the Lush cable and listened yesterday for a while.  First impressions are: detailed, dynamic, and "full-bodied" with no hint of bloat or roll-off.  I still have the NOS1a (no 75B or G3 upgrade yet).  I find that both with Clarixa and the Lush cable, SQ is considerably better (depth and realism particularly) with the Intona, which for me seems to only work with the short cable on the DAC end.

Of course, all of this is while also getting used to the Orelos, which are "breaking-in" and truly fantastic.

The system is sounding so insanely good.  The test for me always is getting lost in the music.

Peter,

200 cm for me please

Ramesh

THE ORELOS HAVE ARRIVED!  This sounds a bit like the announcements made about mussels in Belgium and wines in California.

I have a lot more detail to provide, but for now:they look fabulous and sound exceptional.  It took a good week for them to "settle" and I can hear on-going opening up of the sound.

My major anxieties have vanished: no hiss or noise, excellent imaging, not too finicky of a sweet spot (one does need to be sufficiently far back), deep and wide sound stage.

The dynamics, precision/detail, realism of instrument timbre are better than anything I have owned or heard.  This fact has been validated by friends who have heard my previous speaker incarnations.  At least in my setup SQ with Intona is superior.

The Orelos are LARGE!  I was asked snidely if I was compensating for anything.

A more detailed review and photos soon.  One for now in its new space.

Quoting something from a reddit forum (FWIW)  from Antipodes on design of their music server:

"In the context of Antipodes music servers, USB is the best connection. With a noisy server (most other servers), using an Ethernet input to the DAC makes sense because it provides the greatest isolation from noise interference with the digital signal. But Ethernet generates high levels of noise within the DAC. This means that Ethernet is a band-aid, not an optimal solution.

SPDIF, i2s and AES/EBU suffer because the system clock is in the server, not in the DAC where it really should be, and this is typically heard as dirty and less coherent sound.

USB is ideal for an Antipodes server because it is architecturally superior to SPDIF, i2s and AES/EBU, and generates much less noise in the DAC than Ethernet. But it needs to be emphasised that USB is the best solution only when the server is very low noise, and when the DAC manufacturer has done a competent job of isolating the USB receiver from the analog power supply and circuitry - fortunately most have. But some DACs may sound better via the SPDIF digital output of an Antipodes music server, for this reason. Using Ethernet will always sound softened with images being less distinct."

I could not resist posting another view.

Peter informed me (a while ago) that my new Orelos are finally ready.  I've been on a crazy travel schedule ever since, and so am only now getting back to arranging logistics, etc. to have them shipped to me.  I will post photos and my impressions once I have them.

BUT, I could not resist posing this sneak preview.  Peter and Bert have been amazing working on the aesthetics collaboratively, and I think we have ended up with a real work of art.  Providing just a glimpse for now, a slow reveal.

More soon...

Ramesh

VJ,

I have not watched the video, but am somewhat familiar with Toole, and I think Linkwitz more or less follows Toole's design ideas.

What I have understood from Toole/Linkwitz is that they treat reflections as good and necessary BUT only if the reflected sound and direct sound have the same quality, so that as we humans "stream" the two together it creates a realistic auditory scene.

So both Toole/Linkwitz seem to prefer monopole/dipole type configurations with uniform power response (on-axis and off-axis).  This seems very different from designs that stress constant/controlled directivity (like horns), and more direct vs reflected sound.

What you seem to be doing is increasing the direct/reflected ratio, is that correct? Or just minimizing certain problematic reflections?  Wondering if the lack of open space behind you in your room is a unique situation you need to manage.

Also, at least with Linkwitz, there is little discussion of IM distortion (he likes long throw drivers for example), need for high sensitivity, dynamic range needed, and so on.  Not to mention generally ignoring the "front" end!!

Robert,

There is a note in the 2.07 upgrade that indicates that for 2.07 SQ improvements it is necessary to go back to Base OS, then min OS, and then min RAM OS.  Wondering if everyone is doing this right away after installing the upgrade because I did not, and only later realized that it was needed.

Just in case anyone else like me missed it when reading the upgrade notes.

Ramesh

I just upgraded the Stealth Audio PC to XXHE 2.07.  Peter: you have made this so easy now, with the 2.xx folder!  Listened to a few albums, and I can hardly believe the further improvement in SQ.  What a lovely Christmas gift.

I was noticing Peter's signature line, and see that the clock res is set to 1ms, and not the earlier suggested 15ms.  I also noticed the DAC device buffer at 4ms, not 16ms.  Is this a revision based on the Phisolatar and B'ASS setup that you have Peter, or generally applicable for those using the Stealth PC.

Wishing everyone a wonderful new year!

Ramesh

A quick question on installing the 2.07 upgrade.  I want to do this on both the Stealth Audio PC (running 14393.0 from RAM-OS) and the original XXHE Music PC (running W8 from HD).

- The Stealth PC came with what is identified as 2.06b.  Does the patch work for this version?   
- I am also somewhat ignorant about the proper activation process when installing the patch on a machine not connected to the internet.  Presently neither the Audio PC or the Music PC are connected to the internet.  Do I get a code from a machine connected to the internet, and then use it?  I thought it was necessary to get the activation code from the machine where it will be used.
- Any special procedure required for the XXHE that came already activated with the Stealth PC SSD?

Still catching up on so many fronts. 

Ramesh

I'm losing track of upgrades.  But I believe I am signed up for B'ASS and Phisolator (are these together now?), and of course I want to sign up for the magic, string tight, ass taught upgrade!

Adding one link to contribute to the discussion.  A good discussion (with tests) of the distortion behavior of chip amps

http://www.customanalogue.com/diytubegainclone/gainclonesound.htm

Mani,

I've had the same experience as you in the past about being more "relaxed" listening to the radio, or even my in-wall speakers, than to "hi-fi" systems.  Once one reaches a certain level of quality, however--and this has been the case for me only recently with Stealth, RAM-OS, XXHE and Phasure--I find myself listening as if at a concert, not necessarily critically, and music is music again, without worry about the "system."  There is an unexpected quality to this experience, just as when one hears an unexpected sound in real life, a sudden "what was that?" feeling.  So the music does draw attention to itself, but not to marvel at the "system" but to be immersed in the piece itself and the performance.

Ramesh

Peter,

I want to second Alain's sentiments.  It has really been a most amazing experience to participate in your obsession with perfect sound, and this community which goes so much beyond customers and vendors.

I had some "audiophile" visitors over a couple of weeks ago, and they were literally shocked at what they heard; and this is with the LX521 speakers.

Ramesh

Peter,

There is a lot of material on the Linkwitz website (www.linkwitzlab.com) on stereo perception, recordings, affect of reflections, etc.

I'm linking to the initial primer on stereo recording and reproduction for anyone who might be interested.  You are do doubt already familiar with all of this.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Recording/AS_creation.htm

Ramesh