I always find the path one has charted in this hobby (as well as the associated knowledge and relationships) to be illuminating.
Agreed. The "journey" is typically shockingly haphazard and fickle despite the measured, anal retentive, retrospective analysis that gets thrown around on these threads. We are not the captains of our own audio ships. If I had snagged the Kronzilla or Solista, I would probably be flapping my gums on another thread about how it was the answer to everyone's prayers....lol.
I am curious about the NCore from Hypex
read one of their white papers and, although over my head technically, was interesting nonetheless. There seems to be enthusiasm, if not true potential, in the class D approach. Consider me a casually interested bystander at the moment though.
Color me an interested bystander as well. The specs are stunning. It "appears" as if class D has arrived. If you follow the US tour thread on AC, there is a lot of enthusiasm, but time will tell. I am skeptical due to my past experiments with class D (Hypex, classD, etc) on high efficiency speakers (Emerald Physics). It sounded pristine but the soundstage was slightly flat and cardboard sounding. That was even with a tubed pre-amp. You find that many class D devotees stress the need to a tubed pre-amp. I would be very interested to hear how the NCOREs did on the IVs or any Zu speakers for that matter.
....power and room issues being essential to get a good sound, after all it is the foundation (power) and enviroment (room acoustics) that the gear is constrained by.
That is what I have bumbled into. I did an experiment with a Topaz isolation transformer, and the results, in a crappy, unfinished basement with no dedicated lines, etc were NOT subtle. I have read or been told that ITs can limit dynamics and can have a sound of their own. Here is a little blurb from Pure Powers website:
"Q. Won't an isolation transformer make a new clean power supply?
A: Expensive isolation transformers can be used to create a new clean ground at the point of use and this will fix a common mode noise problem but at a high cost and a risk of dampening audio system dynamics. It will not correct voltage sags or spikes. It is better, and cheaper, to run new, uninterrupted wiring from the service entrance to a single isolated ground receptacle. This simple step will almost always be effective at cleaning up common mode noise that can cause hum."
Spirit, since you know and like Clayton Shaw's offerings, have you thought about digital room correction? He offers that service (SpatialComputing.com). I believe it has a lot of potential merit in difficult rooms and real world settings.
His viewpoint on the current direction and sound of(most) 'high end' components is near identical to my own thoughts formed over the past 20 years.
So Charles, other than SETs being the shizzle, what specific elements of Phil's theology do you ascribe to? From what I surmise from some of his writings, room acoustics, power conditioning, and wire are a waste of time. Do you agree with that? Several older audiophiles and manufacturers I know whom I respect greatly share similar views. It almost appears to be a generational residue of sorts.
