聖HIJIRI Users thread

@rareace 

I understand the rationale to use IsoTek Syncro PC on your conditioner. Sorry if i wasn’t clear before, the limited edition 聖Hijiri SM2R-L PC is not above Takumi 匠 Maestro which remains the flagship PC in Combak lineup. 
 

As per Colin, the SM2R-L is brought back for those who loved the X-DC PC sound back in the days. The 聖Hijiri SM2R-L is further improved on original X-DC350M2R design. So I decided to try this new cable to see if this cable bridges the gap between entry level Nagomi and flagship Takumi, can’t wait to find out 😊

@pokey77 Forgot to ask which generation Optimum cable you are using? Is it the EVO3?

-Alex

@rareace 

Yes, it is an EVO3. It is probably two years old.

@lalitk 

Hey Lalit, will be very interested to hear your impression of the new limited edition聖Hijiri SM2R-L. See my updates below.

@grannyring 

I get it! You will have to wait longer for my impressions as I've still a few more weeks until all six outlets on the Sigmas are burned in. Then I'll decide if the amp stays plugged into the Sigmas or goes back in the wall. Totally loving the musicality of the Sigmas though; was not sure at first but after some time (4+ weeks) it really opened up with quite good realistic sound - snares sound like snares, cymbals, guitars, piano, etc.  I wish I'd have used all six outlets from the start, but only used four so am waiting for the final two to finish breakin. After I've settled the amp into the Sigmas OR into the wall test, then I'm going to introduce my last Network cable from router to the A side of the ER and wait for it to burnin/settle. Then I can move on either to more Network tweaks or to Hijiri.

Hoping to hear from @waltersalas at some point as he experiments more with Hijiri.

@pokey77 

Glad to see this thread carrying on with continued sharing of experiences with the excellent Hijiri cables. I have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride with the Takumi. As I reported earlier in this discussion, I was utterly transfixed by the difference it made on my Boulder 866, but then I auditioned a Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear+, which turns out to be a fanstastic match for my Fyne F704 speakers. At the same time, I bought a Lampizator Baltic 3 and found that I preferred the combination of the Baltic 3 and Ultralinear+ to the Boulder.

Fine, but there was a catch. The LTA integrated does not really seem to care what kind of power cord is on it (a consequence of the David Berning design, I am told). While the Takumi elevated the Boulder to breathtaking levels, it made little to no difference on the LTA. So I relunctantly put it up for sale...which turned out to be premature, I think.

For kicks, I tried it on the Baltic 3, and--boom--the magic was back in a big way. I already had tried excellent cables on the B3, including the Nagomi and a TWL Obsession, and both were terrific. But the Takumi on the DAC has taken my system to an unprecented level of musicality, leaving those two very strong other cables in the dust. Clarity, layering, tone, decay, and impact were all significantly improved with the Takumi on the DAC.

I have had several offers on the Takumi, but I just do not think I am going to be able to sell it after all, barring some other unforeseen twist or turn. The "whoa" factor is back!

@waltersalas 

Wow, thanks for all the info. 

I am glad you mentioned the Nagomi and TWL Obsession. I will definitely try the Nagomi this year. I had been thinking a few years back about giving the Obsession a try but moved on from that for whatever reason I can't remember.

Would you provide any comments comparing the Nagomi to the Takumi? Probably wouldn't go that way since the Takumi is $5k or so, but it would be nice to get your impressions on the two compared.

Congrats on the Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear+ and Lampizator Baltic 3. I'm assuming the LTA is the integrated?

Cheers