Matt, thanks for running this thread the way you have. Most of us have learned a ton. I put my money where my mouth is by purchasing the Empirical with all mods along with the mac mini server with Steve's power supply. When first reading this thread there was no way I was ever going to purchase from a direct seller either new or used. By reading and listening to everything I could, I realized that I don't care what's inside as much as I care what's inside my ears.
In putting my system together over the last two years I've gone from selling off three other systems and then rolling them into Vandersteen Treo's (about to become the Vandy Quatro;s I believe), the OSDE, Mac Mini, Basis TT with Ginko base, Rhea phono stage, Ayre AX5/Twenty and top AQ cables. Using a Marantz blueray for all discs right now. About to get the Qnap NAS I believe so I can really become a streaming household with my Linn Kiko (bedroom).
Listening to Joe Bonamassa right now. Live from Albert Hall. Apologize for the music reference (also getting tickets to his up coming Carnegie Hall gig). I listen at mostly low to mid levels due to dogs and family concerns. I'm about to post a thread on my thoughts as today I turned it all up. I didn't realize my Treo's could go as low as they did. This DAC just does things right. Not quite vinyl, but better than the other DACs mentioned here for me. I've heard them all, but not all in my system like Matt and not as much time with them. They are mostly excellent DACs that I'd LOVE to have.
I built the system and just recently decided to upgrade my power cleaning from the 2000 (the year) Richard Gray 4 plug unit I was given to the Synergistic Research Powercell 10 mk 2 I believe it is. From first plug in, I heard the lower noise floor. This Ayre/Treo combo really shows up flaws, but also gives you the truth in any changes in your system! I didn't think the power upgrade would do much, but for whatever reason it does in MY system and in MY room. I was going to go with the Shynyata equivalent, but then found out my dealer Audio Connection used the Isotech. I was in the store when a very well known cable manufacturer came to show how great his new 5k cable and 10k conditioner sounded.
System was Ayre digital player, Vandersteen Treo CT's, Ayre AX5 (not the twenty yet), AQ CastleRock speaker cable and the Iso tech (older and not the biggest one.
Short version:
all plugged straight from the wall in the store (older cabling I'm sure) the dynamics were great. Sound was awesome. Transients were there in spades. Clean sound. Leading and trailing edges of notes were almost as they should be. A bit short at times
Plugged into the IsoTech gave similar sound to plugged directly into the wall,however with the lower noise floor the leading AND trailing edges of the notes were amazing. They literally hung in space and decayed naturally like a real instrument. It's not a HUGE difference per say, but it made a big difference and was readily noticed by the three of us.
Plugged into that 10k plus conditioner the sound was truncated a bit. Much shorter leading and trailing edges. The music lost it's air. It was noticed in the first seconds of the first cut. Even the designer/manufacturer noticed. We didn't want to say anything to him about it to hurt his feelings, but I have no filters. He agreed and I'm sure that he's gone back to fix it.
Long and short for me, power was the last thing to do. It does make a difference in various rooms I've heard it in, but not all rooms based on what I've heard and friends of mine have shared. I don't have special cables yet other than one Basis cable I use for the DAC. I don't think you can tune your system with power either. I think often things change the sound, but not always for the best. I'm just thankful that the SR power cell doesn't limit the dynamics my Ayre.
Great thread Matt and thanks again.
