Thank you Bombaywalla for your keen observation. I have reasons to believe that all three devices were in a similar state of warmup. They all were stationed in their regular spots at this dealer's showroom and the consultant asserted that the equipment is left on continuously. You are correct, I did not listen to the Burmester with the Python powerchord. The reason is that the X-01 with its stock chord so much outdistanced the Burmester that I felt no immediate incentive looking at that device any further. I do agree though, that had I had more time I would have indulged in a more rigorous matrix test with every device undergoing the same environment permutations.
But as an old software engineer, with years of test management on my back, I also know that good system tests take a lot of time and effort.
It is quite possible that the Burmester may have improved with the application of the Python and Black Diamond Racing Platform, but I had already determined that stock X-01 was extremely superior to stock Burmester. I am interested in applying tweaks to a winning device, not in ameliorating a looser. I should also like to point out that the Bel Canto PL-1A was already setup with the aformentioned augmentations and yet it did not perform as well as X-01.
I am not in a position of commenting on EMM Labs gear, as I have never had the opportunity of auditioning it. I would rather pass the baton to MGOTTLIEB on the subject.
Please note that the day after my marathon audition I did go back to the dealer and auditioned the X-01 connected to the AC by an Anaconda power chord and resting on an HRS isolation platform. THis time the device was in a slightly larger and more resonant room and was driving a Burmester Reference series system and a larger pair of Utopias (don't remember the model but they costed 30K).
I did experience further tightening of the bass and opening of the sound stage. On the other hand transients were becoming excessive and were thus uncharacteristic of a Baroque ensemble. As too many variables had changed, it is rather difficult to guess which component of the new setup was responsible for both the positive and negative changes.
Finally, as the Burmester 001 has been available for a fair amount of time and the X-01 has just become available, It is rather likely that the 001 was more broken in than the X-01. But I will call the dealer and will ask the consultantt.
Guido
