Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8...OMG!!

jtcf694 posts
09-16-2019 3:07pm
Thank you for posting @decooney .I have no answers but I’m very interested in your impressions.I’m still letting my speaker cables and one ic break in.I’m hoping the sound opens up more but if not maybe a second ic (what brand to choose?) will do the trick.I’m hearing many details and layers but somehow at the same time it’s a little too dark and polite.

jtcf,
re: What brand/design/type to choose is personal taste IMO, depending on what you want to accomplish. I was in your shoes in a similar fashion. I knew my older cables from my former SS amps were soft (on purpose) and smooth but veiled over. I concluded this after trying some well known clear/open cables on demo with my current tube gear. The difference was not insignificant. I tend to favor a more lush sound but not at major expense of sound stage, clarity and depth. Maybe wanting my cake and eat it too -or- simply to find something "in between", 1/2 way - wishful thinking, maybe or maybe not. I kept reading about the the AP Crystal Solos after trying the regular ovals. Crystal Solo Ic Pair #1 worked well when placed at the source and paired with a softer cable downstream. However, I kept wondering if I was losing some sound stage or clarity as a result of having a mixed-matched pair of different types. Wanted to try two pairs of the same type. Sure enough. Everything seems to come at a compromise on my system one way or the other. 

As to your Question, yes, I did go with a 2nd pair of Analysis Plus Crystal Solo 1.5M interconnects to run between my tube preamp to tube mono amplifiers. At first they were almost too open, too clear, too clean but was told to be patient, let them relax, settle (in theory). Now in to the 2nd week they are plenty open but softening up a tad but only after I’m running the gear nice and warm 4+ hours. Not sure if I’ll part with my former Cardas Parsec, as I can swap them back in for an even softer sound with a 60 second swap. So far, liking the 2nd pair of AP Crystal Solos for my tube system. Its definitely worth trying the same or mixing and matching as an experiment, YMMV. Good Luck. Feel free to send a PM on Agon if needed.

@decooney  I think we have similar tastes.I like a  lush and organic sound also.I feel I'm 95%of the way to my goal of an organic detailed sound.I'm going to try a Teo gc junior next week and see what happens.If that's too over the top euphonic then something more detailed and neutral,maybe something from High Fidelity.Analysis Plus Silver Apex sounds intriguing but $$$!It's against my thrifty midwestern mindset to invest that much in wire but it may be inevitable:-)

Quick update - I gave the system a day off yesterday after reaching the 50+ hour mark.Today lo and behold....those Analysis Plus spcs are beginning to open up and lose the veil.They definitely need some time and a patient owner.

jtcf700 posts
09-20-2019 1:05pm
Quick update - I gave the system a day off yesterday after reaching the 50+ hour mark.Today lo and behold....those Analysis Plus spcs are beginning to open up and lose the veil.They definitely need some time and a patient owner.

re: Break-in / Burn-in of new or used AP Crystal Solo Interconnects.

I had to check myself and wishful thinking.  A colleague just picked up a set of used AP Solos ICs too.  He said his were a tad bright at first, and they started to settle after some play time.  And, I just found a post by a member on AudioAsylum who's experience was identical to mine and yours (even with already-broken in cables). I could see a new set needing some cable relax time but was not quite onboard at first with used AP cables needing a setting in period.  I do know on many of my former Cardas they seemed to benefit after just sitting and relaxing for 2-3 weeks as in less tension after being coiled up for a while.  Still comparing the APs as time runs on.  

You know,I've always felt 25 hours was enough time for a component,cable,or tube to show most of it's final sound then improve in small increments.I was so wrong.The paper in the box with the Crystal Solo 8 cables said 300 hours for final break in.I'm taking their word for it.Some will claim that it's simply becoming acclimated to the sound but that's not what's happening at all.I keep the sound very low and only listen for about an hour each day,always something different.Every few days I have a couple of specific tracks that I listen to see what's changed or not.After the leap in SQ after 50 hours I've been mesmerized by how clear percussion nuances are becoming.I can almost see the drum kits.
The Teo ics are in route but they're not going in until these APs are fully settled in.I had no faith and got ahead of myself.I'll have to check that thread at AA.Thanks!