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What Was Your Favorite “Game Changer” Moment?

I've been rebuilding and modifying my system since the summer of 2029. I have a pile of rejected cables and assorted gear to sell sometime soon. Several times I told myself that I was finally finished with upgrades, only to be tempted to try just one more thing. Happily, I stumbled upon an unexpected game changer in the past week. I purchased a used pair of Fusion Audio Romance 1 interconnects.

The reviews, some on this forum, suggested that this cable is “warm and romantic,” as the name implies. My biggest concern was that the top end might be somewhat muted. I have been using Shunyata Venom interconnects and speaker cables. They have plenty of top end sparkle that I didn’t want to lose. But I’m always in favor of curbing harshness.

Well, not to worry. The Fusion Audio interconnects did not just keep the high end sparkle, they extended it. And they did it in a very musically pleasing way. I played a native tropical bossa nova album, and the percussion instruments danced around in a stunning holographic fashion. On some other albums, I heard female vocals served with a sublime, expressive quality that surpasses anything that my system was capable of before.

I consider myself a “warm side of neutral” kind of listener. Fatiguing harshness has always been the obstacle to overcome. But I want the details at both ends of the spectrum. As for Fusion Audio cables, they are available at Audio Surroundings in Boca Raton, Florida. Here is the link: https://www.audiosurroundings.com/store.php?seller=Ericlove&navt1=263817&per=6&num=6&...

Does anyone know how to contact Eric Love, who was mentioned in numerous threads a few years ago as the maker of these cables? I would like to contact him.

Please share your favorite “game changer” moments with cables and other items. I'm still looking for the “magic” USB cable.

My system:

Exposure 3010S2D integrated amp
DynAudio floor standing speakers
Topping D70 DAC
Auralic Aries Femto music streamer with SBooster power supply
Kitsune modded Singxer SU-2 USB bridge
Netgear S8000 Network switch with streaming music preset
Cables and power cords by Shunyata, Lessloss, Wireworld, PS Audio, Chord Company, Fusion Audio


boakey39
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,043 posts
 
You're right. It's cables. Back in the day, solid core blew away stranded VdH and Naim speaker cables. I've been solid ever since.
molersteve
3 posts
 
I had a similar problem, I solved the problem easier, I just bought a new PS from Studiologic and the problem was solved, and did not search for a cable.
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
I will say that my own take on the Op's inquiry, and the one that has the most profound effect is:

That as an outcome from multiple experiences and encounters with people who share an enthusiastic interest for HiFi similar to my own and 
to be at certain times introduced to their equipment, be it a item bought in for their use or as a device produced by themselves.
The knowledge of being able to comprehend that their are exceptional systems to be heard and thoroughly enjoyed,  that are at times quite different to ones own choices for their own systems, but able to leave a indelible and attractive impression, is quite satisfying.

When a experience is had that can impact on another, leaving them with the impression and motivation that they must have something from anothers collection in their own system, be it a Device, Cable or Music, serves as a stimulus that keeps the interest in the Hobby Alive.

It is these experinces being met that is the Game Changer for me.
When there is a reality check and lesson learned that  teaches that when like minded people work to maintain a connection and take the time to work as a  interactive group of enthusiasts.
Actively participating in and sharing in encouragement and creating extended enthusiasm.
From this as a activity there are great lessons and methods to be taken in and ultimately integrated into ones own activities within their Hobby.

  
pauly
1,012 posts
 
Power cables/filters and bass traps. I was very skeptical about tweaks but these turned out to be massive upgrades. They changed changed my from being a skeptic (read, narrow minded) to being open minded. 

It also made me understand why we have so many man made disasters like the RMS Titanic, Gleno dam, Tacoma narrows bridge, Chernobyl, Fukushima etc.
larryi
4,182 posts
 
I've experienced a number of pleasant surprises over the years.  One of the early surprises, after hearing some Klipsch, Altec, JBL and Electro Voice horn systems, was hearing an Edgarhorn system that lacked the coloration that I thought was common to horn systems.  After that, I've heard many other good horn systems.  Likewise, I did not think that single driver speakers could do reasonable bass and have a reasonably smooth frequency response (i.e., absent a high frequency peak) until I heard Charney's quarter wave backloaded horn systems.

For amps, my early exposure to tube amps were primarily Audio Research amps and I did not particularly like them.  I heard a number of other higher powered tube amps that also did not really excite me.  It was later that I got introduced to lower-powered pushpull and single ended amps and I still like those kinds of amps.  The most surprising single amp I heard was a custom-built output transformerless amp that is one of my all time favorites--very dynamic and exciting sounding without being artificially edgy or harsh sounding.  
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