聖HIJIRI Users thread

@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

@pokey77 

Yeah, the LTA Ultalinear+ I have is the integrated, and it's terrific, especially with the Baltic 3. I believe Linear Tube Audio uses this combination at some audio shows, and I can certainly see (and hear) why. It's a dynamite combo.

As for the cables, my advice is do not listen to a Takumi unless you intend to buy it. Once you know, you know, if that makes sense. The Obsession has a very dynamic sound with excellent soundstaging and detail retrieval, without sounding the least bit "hard," strident or clinical. I would say the Nagomi is more nuanced and does take some getting used to, especially if you are accustomed to cords with a bolder, more forward sound. The sound stage of the Nagomi at first seems to emphasize the mids and back off a little on the extension of the higher frequencies, but that sensation may just be relative to what I have been used to. It is a very musical cable that draws you in more than it blows you back. But for me it represented a paradigm shift that took me a good while to get used to.

Both are very fine cables and are still in service in my system. TWL has upgraded the Obsession to a new "Statement" series that I have not heard, but may try later in the year, along with the mid-tier Hijiri cable that falls between the Takumi and Nagomi. I'm in no hurry, though. My system has never sounded better!

Can someone write out a flow sheet regarding the development of the Comback Corporation power cords? I'm getting confused regarding the various models?