I've the 'Alex's in my 'mig amps' for a couple of weeks now. Probably about
50hrs total. These r the best 'oil caps' I've heard, Mundorf SGO being the others, in my amps. Up to about 20hrs. a 'wee bit' of stridency on some leading edge female vocals that has now disappeared. Compared to the Aeons, they sound is much more visceral & tonally correct. They have more body & 'flesh on
bone', & the family resemblance w/the more expensive Duelands is apparent. They've opened up & become more spatially distinct & both lows & highs seem
clear, tight, & extended. The presentation is more, 'out of the box', and the Daedalus disappear more as the source of the music, the soundstage is also
deeper. Perhaps this contributes to the 'greater body' sensation. Detail is improved across the frequency spectrum & dynamics seem very good, w/tracks
such as Warren Haynes, River's Gonna Rise, pounding out its drum intro. In the 'Migs' they seem organic, natural, earthy & rooted. A bit 'softer' in presentation, but more 'lit from within', at least that's how the 'oils' seem in the 'Migs'.
All said, i'm still at a bit of an impasse looking for degrees of
'more optimization'. I'm wondering if using the Clarity MRs in my pre & 'Alex's
in the amps is the optimal use of such. I don't have experience in 'what should
be where' placement. Am I getting the best of both or half/assed of each?
Any suggestions/experiences? If the MRs aren't as 'transparent' in the pre, yet
bring nice air & extensions high & low is that bringing anything that the more
well toned 'Alex's would in the pre? The Clarity seem a terrific cap for the money, but I want to 'eek out' as much performance via the pre as I can & anything lost in the pre, can't be reclaimed by the amps. Is there any 'consensus' as too using the MRs in say speakers, & the more 'exotics' in electronics, as to being optimal? Am I correct in 'assuming' that going to
'exotic' caps in the pre will pay dividends heard downstream. Matching up
Alex's, or mixing the more upscale Duelands or even the copper Vcaps?