20-Mar-2019, 12:43
Zambie, thanks for prompting me to re-examine this. I did another listening test, with clearer results now that I've upgraded other equipment.
I have a Cerious Technologies "Graphene Extreme High Current Optimized (Blue)" cord which I've used in my power chain, but connected to my Shunyata Research Denali power conditioner not directly to my Devialet amps. When I got it I found it slightly better sounding than a Shunyata Research "Venom HC". That was with a Devialet 400. In the mean time I've upgraded to a Devialet 1000 and Shunyata Research "Alpha HC", so repeated the test. There is a much greater difference now. The Shunyata cord is far better: adding much more "meat to the bones" of the sound. I'd otherwise describe the difference as a bigger soundstage with more bass extension, more separation between instruments, and more tonal texture. For example, in Keith Murphy's "Great Big Sea" he both plucks and thumps his guitar while singing. The percussive thump of the guitar body resonating is more noticeable and separated from the sound of the strings and Keith's voice is more realistic and present through the Alpha HC. The Cerious Technologies blends all those sounds together and makes it sound further away as well as less tangible. The Cerious Technologies is comparatively bright, which emphasizes details. I hear more detail with the Alpha HC, but within a fuller mix of sound so the details don't stick out so much. It is similar to using small monitors (like the KEF LS50) versus full-range speakers (like B&W 802): some high-frequency details are more obvious through the small speakers but only because they lack the ability to convey the full range of sound in the recording. So if one's system were a bit soft and not full-range the Cerious Technologies might be excellent to bring out detail. I do really respect the Cerious Technologies cord for this. If I still had the LS50 I might prefer the Cerious Technologies cord. With my B&W 804d3 I clearly prefer the Alpha HC cord. Again, thanks for prompting me to re-examine the difference with my updated equipment. I hope my thoughts are useful to you.
I have a Cerious Technologies "Graphene Extreme High Current Optimized (Blue)" cord which I've used in my power chain, but connected to my Shunyata Research Denali power conditioner not directly to my Devialet amps. When I got it I found it slightly better sounding than a Shunyata Research "Venom HC". That was with a Devialet 400. In the mean time I've upgraded to a Devialet 1000 and Shunyata Research "Alpha HC", so repeated the test. There is a much greater difference now. The Shunyata cord is far better: adding much more "meat to the bones" of the sound. I'd otherwise describe the difference as a bigger soundstage with more bass extension, more separation between instruments, and more tonal texture. For example, in Keith Murphy's "Great Big Sea" he both plucks and thumps his guitar while singing. The percussive thump of the guitar body resonating is more noticeable and separated from the sound of the strings and Keith's voice is more realistic and present through the Alpha HC. The Cerious Technologies blends all those sounds together and makes it sound further away as well as less tangible. The Cerious Technologies is comparatively bright, which emphasizes details. I hear more detail with the Alpha HC, but within a fuller mix of sound so the details don't stick out so much. It is similar to using small monitors (like the KEF LS50) versus full-range speakers (like B&W 802): some high-frequency details are more obvious through the small speakers but only because they lack the ability to convey the full range of sound in the recording. So if one's system were a bit soft and not full-range the Cerious Technologies might be excellent to bring out detail. I do really respect the Cerious Technologies cord for this. If I still had the LS50 I might prefer the Cerious Technologies cord. With my B&W 804d3 I clearly prefer the Alpha HC cord. Again, thanks for prompting me to re-examine the difference with my updated equipment. I hope my thoughts are useful to you.
