Much to my families annoyance, my amp and DAC module are fully burned in having about 425 hours on them now. Someone else said that Gryphon told them the amp requires 50 hours and the DAC module requires 200 hours to burn in. So yeah, I think I’m past that point now. According to my dealers who loaned the cables, they promise that the demos are all fully burnt in, but I can only go by their word of course.
Making cables is an option, but you can only go so far, and certainly not as far as building something like the Valhalla’s with their use of airgaps as dialetrics, silver-coated solid core, etc...
I don’t disagree that ALL of the cables cost way too much, even including the Frey’s. But hey, all audiophile gear is insanely marked up. Take Gryphon’s phono board for example, not to pick on them. There is NOTHING on that board that should make that board cost more than $500, yet they charge over $3K (CAD) for it. However part of the cost is for R&D spent on designing and testing of course.
Inna, you are spot on with the Valhalla 2’s filtering out SOME of what my Gryphon can do. On the other hand, I don’t think the Transparent Reference’s filter out anything at all, and presents the sound in its full unadulterated glory.
I would call both the Transparent’s and the Valhalla 2’s "hifi" cables intended for audiophiles. But, I would say the Valhalla 2’s sacrifice a tiny bit in terms of filtering, in return for making the experience more musically engaging.
What I am saying is I think this is a matter of taste. I suppose I can be called an "audiophile", but only because I started out with an enjoyment of music. For those who value transparency above all else, of the cables I tested the Transparent References are for you. They present a grand soundstage, ultra-clean sound and solid bass, with perfectly presented tones. You get a sense of the blackness behind the music.
But if you are the type that is willing to sacrifice SOME of the accuracy and transparency for musical engagement, then I say the Valhalla 2’s are for you.
If all I cared about was technical "performance" of my system, the Transparent would win hands down. These are not just sterile analytical cables either - they are highly enjoyable as well. But, I can’t imagine finding a cable that increases my enjoyment of the music as much as the Valhalla 2’s. And,many qualities of the Diablo are still present - the "physicality" of the instruments, the detail, the impact of tones, the dynamics, the rhythm and pace. All of these items cannot be added by the Valhalla if they weren’t there to start with in the amp, and with these qualities in combination with the velvety smoothness, high-end openness, and driving pace, are accentuated more than with the Transparents which translates to more enjoyment for me. There is something magic about the combination of the fine inner detail combined with the warmth. Not to mention, you get the illusion of vocalists being in the room with you the most with the Valhalla's.
So Inna, I can see how you and others may pick the Transparent’s. It is my tastes that just make it an easy decision to go with the Valhalla’s.
And Bubb - you need to get some demo cables. I think hearing the differences, even if it goes in the wrong direction, will be an eye opener. At the level of your gear, in my opinion you should be carefully considering cables or you will be potentially missing out on a massive amount of performance your system can offer.
Both the Transparent’s and the Valhalla’s were almost the equivalent of changing a key system component like an amp or source. I think it is Nordost that are always telling people to treat cables as if they are components like a source or amp, and after hearing the difference their stuff makes, I agree with this even if it is marketing BS.
Finally as I said in my other thread I actually am very happy with the sound with the Diablo/Valhalla 2 combo. I no longer feel any need to upgrade my speakers. That will probably change but for now, I think I’m more than okay with my system! Even if I do upgrade my speakers, these same cables would likely be what I’d be able to try with them in my area.