Jeffreybehr,
I am not declaring Jihad (being a smart ass) on AudioQuest but I must say that I find the whole DBS theory and technology a little thin. I too have owned a ton of AudioQuest and even upgraded every time a new model came along. Until my recent system, I was using AQ Anaconda and Volcano for my reference 2 channel system and was happy.
Then the new DBS came out. Me being a sick in the head audiophile who needs the latest and greatest, found the DBS version of the Volcano and the NEW Panther Interconnects which replaced my precious Anaconda to audition. Guess what? I was not hearing anything I already did not have. No better, but no worse. Hmmmmm...That just cannot be.
Then a good friend and fellow crazed Audiophile came over to audition the AQ DBS out of curiosity and brought his month old Audience Au24 Interconnects and Speaker Wire just for grins and to A/B.
The Audience Au24 TRUMPED the AQ in every category and believe it or not sounded much more natural. Not to mention, it was a fraction of the price. These little black wires simply sounded better than the big, pretty, battery powered, AudioQuest. Now I will say this, I do not work for Audience but I do swear by the Au24 now as well as their PowerChords.
The one thing I mentioned above as well is please see the review in Stereophile on the DBS stuff. Art Dudley (no I am not a big fan) did some A/B comparisons and even unhooked the batteries and heard ZERO Difference and stated so in the article. It really struck a nerve with Bill Lowe as he wrote a two page reply in the Manufacturers Comments telling Art what he "should have heard". (I am not making this up, go look)
Anyway, to each his own and I believe system synergy goes a long way but I am just not buying into the whole DBS thing. Not to mention, the fact they are changing voltages and selling upgrades makes me even more suspicous of the "HYPE" factor.
My opinion above is based on my system with a friend in my dedicated listening room and no I do not own an Adcom Stack and a Pair of Legacys. The review I mentioned is in Stereophile and can be found in the Archives.
Good Listening!
Chris