Cables more hype than value?

Bo1972, You feel that the source component alone at the beginning of the signal will either make or break the 3-D image regardless of what follows? I have nice other stuff further down the chain :)

I have a 12ax7 and two mullard 6922 picked out. since I will review the unit, I must get permission from the distributor to review the player using NOS tubes.

In my own Vincent cd s6, I am using a tesla 12ax7 and mallard gold pin 6922.

A source is able to break the 3-D image. What I did was using speakers and amps which cab give a deep and wide stage. After this you can test sources how they buid a stage. So you easilly can hear if they are 2 or 3 dimensional. It is quite easy. And yess there are big differences between all the brands. Testing speakers is the same. Use amps which can give a deep stage and compare speakers how they build a stage. Even with cables it is the same. For example; I sold a lot of Nordost for over 9 years of time. So I did hundreds od tests with Nordost cables. So it was easilly to hear and compare with others how they react.The biggest advantage of all these tests is that I can bring in missing properties/talents which should be in a set which are not there. In 10 seconds I know of every system what is there and what is missing. I can even describe the stage and were instruments and voices are standing. I also can hear the sound in those 10 seconds. And how big instruments and voices are projected. And how the low freq. are and if there are any layers within the low freq. And also how much resolution/information there is. Most people who use audio as a hobby often can hear one of two parts of all the parts were you Judge a system for. This is the main reason why often there ssytems miss essential parts which should be there. Tje nice thing about cables is that you can bring in new properties/talents which are not there.That is why I love cables and what you can change in every system.

I can only agree with the importance of 3D image in Stereo system. The problem is the "subtleties" many amplifier designers choose to offer this result.
Some amplifiers seems more forward because of a bad dynamic control.
Some others offer deep soundstage but poor dynamic.

Naim amps, for example, are quite flat because of their particular dynamic but it's also very "foot taping" kind of amps with an engaging sound. People doesn't care about depth or even notice it because they focus on the fun they get with Naim.
Brand like NVA or Naim are cheaper and give a lot of fun for a small amount of money. All is compromise in Hifi.

I don't know where you can find 3D amp for a small amount of money? I admire your dedication to your customer Bo1972, and if you're able to give the 3D emotional result for the same amount of money, i'll be very interested in the brands you promote?

For me (and i think for many others readers here), the perfect amp combine Micro and macro dynamics, depth and wide soundstage, 3D when you can feel each instruments on the scene, acurate timbre and most of all : EMOTION. I find it with my Music culture combo...for 25000€ (32000$)!
I didn't find many electronics nor cables that fit my requirements of perfection. 3D image, i only here it on High-end (and expensive) products because for me, 3D means the "you are there" kind of feeling, the impression you can turn around the musicians. It's a lot more than depth, a complete new universe. If you can't have the money for that, stay on a fun NVA amp cause it gives this vividness that comes with real music. There is only a few brands capable to give that on the market. There is flaws but, man, so fun and so immediacy!

The last brand that i discovered and surprised me was TSAKIRIDIS Devices. It's a greek company with tube devices. The sound is really engaging and on the neutral side of warm for tube amps. It's really good but not perfect...and cheap.
Perfection doesn't exist in Hifi, at the end, it's just you and the music you love...only your own satisfaction.

These days I even can get a stunning 3-dimensional image out of a Onkyo TX-NR525 of 449 dollar. Also with this amp I can use my way of measuremt to get a lot more dynamic and resolution out of the amp. The fun thing is to give even people who spend less this experience. I can influence the stage of a system by measuring. I use Audysseu and Pro particulary from a highend perspective. For me it is very esasy to outperform any Naim at an audio show. I love use a level which is superior to any system on a show. That why I was the best at a big audio show this year. I am a perfectionist and I Always want to win. It is that simple!!