Below a fast response from Tommy about using one or all three cables. Alsoo a review from AA.
Hello Bernhard,
Thank you for your interest in Aural Symphonics Optimism emm.
The clock is vital in playback performance as is the data. Wadia customers
realized the vital importance of a high performance clock cable more than 8 years ago.
If you purchase an Optimism v2 or Exelon Digital as a data only, they are not designed to perform with the EMM Labs gear. Sorry.
Purchase the Optimism emm as it is designed to perform as a matched set or continue using the stock EMM optics.
Consumer review to follow on Optimism emm.
Regards,
Tommy
Aural Symphonics LLC
13409 W. Solano Drive
Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340-7361
email: info@auralsymphonics.com
email: auralsymphonics@netzero.com
web: www.auralsymphonics.com
tel: 602-550-3401
First dealer sale to U.S. customer and he writes review on Aural Symphonics Optimism emm. posts on Audio Asylum.
One of the many lessons I've learned during my time in audio is that everything can be improved. Everything. This can be a daunting reality for some, since many of us spend a small fortune on this hobby, and technology never stands still. So it is with even the mighty EMM Labs gear.
Aural Symphonics is a company new to me. I heard through the grapevine that they were working on a replacement fiber-optic cable especially designed for EMM gear, specifically the company's CDSD transport and DCC2/DAC6 processors. Ever the curious audiophile, I contacted the Cable Company to see if I could audition one. I then phoned Aural's founder, Tommy, who graciously sent me the first set in the country. It wasn't long before I realized what a privilege it was, though the price of entry was steep--$3,000 worth of steep, to be exact. But audiophilia is not a cheap disease, so the price didn't exactly shock me, though I did take a deep gulp.
The cable arrived very quickly, as I was demoing my system for a few interested visitors the weekend after I ordered the set. The Optimism-EMM, as it's called, proved a snap to install. Everything was color-coded in the same manner as the stock cable. Even I, who possess the technical ability of a three-toed sloth, managed it is a scant five minutes--which means the average person will be able to do it in three or less. :)
Before installing the cable, I dabbed a bit of Tommy's Io-Gel on the tip of each of the six connectors. According to Tommy, Io-Gel is supposed to enhance signal flow, thereby providing a clear improvement to the sound. In fact, he considers it mandatory for use with any of his optical cables. Since I didn't A-B the cable with and without the Io-Gel, I can't speak to its effectiveness, but I'll take Tommy's word for it.
Now on to the sound. I used a variety of discs and songs to A-B the stock cable and Optimism-EMM. My references are "Water of Love," off of Dire Straits' eponymous first album, and "Telegraph Road," from the band's "Love over Gold." I also use all of Johnny Cash's masterful American Recordings CDs as sonic benchmarks.
Let's cut to the chase: The Optimism-EMM was a quantum improvement over the stock EMM cable. Most obvious was the gain in low-level detail. Resolution, which was already scarily good, became absolutely supernatural. "Water of Love" has a very faint percussion part at the beginning of the track. With the stock cable, it was only barely audible. With the Optimism, it was clearly audible. Faint details in Johnny Cash's "Unchained" were similarly brought forward. But the added resolution did not come at the expense of naturalness. Music attained a liquidity and warmth--particularly on vocals--that was not present with the stock cable.
Dynamics and bass were also greatly improved. At a point in Dire Straits' "Telegraph Road," the drummer hits a series of thundering kick-drum thwacks. With the Optimism, they were not only more clearly resolved, they also hit and decayed with startling power and quickness.
I fear I'm coming down with a case of verbal diarrhea, so I'll conclude my little treatise. In short, the Aural Symphonics Optimism-EMM is a clear upgrade over the stock cable. In fact, I heard no sonic weaknesses. It is superior in pretty much all respects. Its only Achilles Heel is cost. At $3,000, it is undoubtedly expensive. I will do whatever I can afford to keep my system at the top of the curve, but even I took a deep breath at the expense. But if you're an EMM owner and can afford the price of admission, it's a no-brainer. It's taken a state-of-the-art product and fired it into the stratosphere. Great work, Tommy!
