Before I give a recap of last night's listening session, I'd like to start by saying that as these SR PC's are breaking in, they have provided a new level of silence to the system. Its almost uncanny how quiet it is. I don't think they are even half way to full break in at this point, so if they are like the Black fuses, I can hardly wait to see the end results.
Here's the recordings played last night:
1. Chopin Etudes ---- John Rusnak pianist.
This is a thrift store find. As it turns out, its a private recording transferred direct from the DAT. No added reverb, just the natural sound of the room. The dynamics were incredible, the piano was in the room and the performance was superb. Very natural piano sound. Its always been my philosophy that if a system gets the piano correctly from a tonal standpoint, its pretty much going to get most everything else right. This is now one of my demo discs.
I decided to switch to vinyl. The PC feeding the phono stage is the least broken in because I've been listening to so many CDs.
2. Miles Davis/E.S.P.
This is the Impex Records reissue. I love the Impex reissues because they take pains to get the EQ right. All of them I own are really good transfers from the master tapes with no added artificial reverb. Most notable improvement was the wide sound stage. It was wall to wall and completely outside of the speakers. In fact, there were no speakers. Wayne Shorter's Tenor sax had this big voluptuous, beautiful mid range. The SR PCs have afforded such detail (in a very musical way) that I could discern in which direction Tony Williams' brushes were moving on the snare. When he brushed against the symbols, I could hear the last edge of the brass shimmer and marveled at the way is just decayed into silence. If you like Miles ... I highly recommend this album.
3. Julie London --- Julie is Her Name.
This is a 45rpm Boxstar reissue. This was originally released in 1955, so its mono. I had to laugh because I bought my first copy of the original when it was first released. I was in the 11th grade. I chuckled thinking ... did I buy it as a 17 year old kid because of the music... or because of the cover?
I've got to say, what these SR PCs are doing for the human voice in the system is simply amazing. I've never heard "Cry Me a River" sound so real. Julie baby was in my face and I was looking down her throat.
4. Belafonte Sings the Blues.
This is another Impex 45 rpm reissue. I'm not a big Belafonte fan, nor do I consider him to be a blues singer. But ... this was the very best sound of the evening. I have to say, the folks at Impex have their act together. If you want to amaze your friends, buy this reissue. Totally demo quality, good music and Belafonte makes a good stab at singing the blues. He's no Big Bill Broonzy, and he should have stuck with calypso ... but a stellar recording non the less.
So, here we are about 30 hours into the break in period with these SR PC's and at this point they are exceeding my expectations by far. The designers at Synergistic Research have really hit on something with this Graphene technology. Their literature makes the claim that they "perform way above the price tag." They do that. If anyone is considering PCs in the price range of these cords, or even many more times the cost, I'd highly recommend a trial on these. With a 30 day money back guarantee ... I don't see how one can lose.
More reports to come as they continue breaking in.
Stay tuned ...
Here's the recordings played last night:
1. Chopin Etudes ---- John Rusnak pianist.
This is a thrift store find. As it turns out, its a private recording transferred direct from the DAT. No added reverb, just the natural sound of the room. The dynamics were incredible, the piano was in the room and the performance was superb. Very natural piano sound. Its always been my philosophy that if a system gets the piano correctly from a tonal standpoint, its pretty much going to get most everything else right. This is now one of my demo discs.
I decided to switch to vinyl. The PC feeding the phono stage is the least broken in because I've been listening to so many CDs.
2. Miles Davis/E.S.P.
This is the Impex Records reissue. I love the Impex reissues because they take pains to get the EQ right. All of them I own are really good transfers from the master tapes with no added artificial reverb. Most notable improvement was the wide sound stage. It was wall to wall and completely outside of the speakers. In fact, there were no speakers. Wayne Shorter's Tenor sax had this big voluptuous, beautiful mid range. The SR PCs have afforded such detail (in a very musical way) that I could discern in which direction Tony Williams' brushes were moving on the snare. When he brushed against the symbols, I could hear the last edge of the brass shimmer and marveled at the way is just decayed into silence. If you like Miles ... I highly recommend this album.
3. Julie London --- Julie is Her Name.
This is a 45rpm Boxstar reissue. This was originally released in 1955, so its mono. I had to laugh because I bought my first copy of the original when it was first released. I was in the 11th grade. I chuckled thinking ... did I buy it as a 17 year old kid because of the music... or because of the cover?
I've got to say, what these SR PCs are doing for the human voice in the system is simply amazing. I've never heard "Cry Me a River" sound so real. Julie baby was in my face and I was looking down her throat.
4. Belafonte Sings the Blues.
This is another Impex 45 rpm reissue. I'm not a big Belafonte fan, nor do I consider him to be a blues singer. But ... this was the very best sound of the evening. I have to say, the folks at Impex have their act together. If you want to amaze your friends, buy this reissue. Totally demo quality, good music and Belafonte makes a good stab at singing the blues. He's no Big Bill Broonzy, and he should have stuck with calypso ... but a stellar recording non the less.
So, here we are about 30 hours into the break in period with these SR PC's and at this point they are exceeding my expectations by far. The designers at Synergistic Research have really hit on something with this Graphene technology. Their literature makes the claim that they "perform way above the price tag." They do that. If anyone is considering PCs in the price range of these cords, or even many more times the cost, I'd highly recommend a trial on these. With a 30 day money back guarantee ... I don't see how one can lose.
More reports to come as they continue breaking in.
Stay tuned ...