On my SME V, I have progressed through the Graham IC50, then moved up to the Silver Breeze (great value for money, IME), and settled upon the Stealth Audio Hyperphono. The Graham IC50 was clearly an improvement over the VdH cable, and the Silver Breeze a very nice improvement over the IC50. Then I tried the Hyperphono, which just made the music come so much more alive in my system that I was stunned. I have enjoyed it now for ~6 years, and I like it, too, when I switch in my Graham Phantom II. I'd love to hear the top line PAD....
One very strange thing: my phono system always had a low level of 60 hz related hum going on in it - - never too obtrusive, but present in the silent passages of a piano sonata's slow movement. Just like groove woosh and ticks and pops, I learned to listen through it. When I switched to the Hyperphono, this just disappeared! Cannot tell you how or why, but it is a distinct plus. There is NO hum even with the volume knob cranked way beyond a level you could play a record with. Curious, indeed, and most welcome.
One very strange thing: my phono system always had a low level of 60 hz related hum going on in it - - never too obtrusive, but present in the silent passages of a piano sonata's slow movement. Just like groove woosh and ticks and pops, I learned to listen through it. When I switched to the Hyperphono, this just disappeared! Cannot tell you how or why, but it is a distinct plus. There is NO hum even with the volume knob cranked way beyond a level you could play a record with. Curious, indeed, and most welcome.