hey everyone- been following Rick & crew for over a year now (he's a great guy by the way- very patient & knowledgeable), and being a careful purchaser, I have only purchased one of his cords (so far)- the top-of-the-line (albeit non-cryo'd) Power Signature.
It has worked best for me on the amps, and especially in concert with other brands as a mix (particularily Ensemble- see my thread 'Virtual Dynamics + Ensemble Power Cords- good mix'). I believe it would also work well on digital, HOWEVER, I was using it between digital (HT processor) and an Ensemble Isolink power transformer, with the Ensemble Megaflux PC from transformer to line conditioner- this was NOT a preferable combo- increased resolution, but a loss of 'presence', and grainy/edgy highs, etc. I now believe the problem to be twofold- 1) no break-in; 2) the application- The Ensemble Isolink seems to work best with the Ensemble PC's.
SO... put the VD Power Sig on the big Theta Dreanaught amp, and the Ensemble cords back on the Isolink/processor combo- YES!! the perfect combo- natural tonality (hallmark of the Ensemble PC's IMO) returned, but the amp w VD PC now had a shot of adrenaline, and the increased resolution now comes with NO grainy/edgy quality.
Also tried the VD Power Sig in my other 2-ch rig- hooked it into one of the 300B amps- nice resoluition benefits- vocals and soundstaging pinpointed better than stock cords too. AGAIN (caveat)- I also found a MIX of cords worked best here too- the Ensemble Isolink/Megaflux PCs on digital (Audio Aero Cap 24/192), to retain the natural tonality I crave, and the VD on amps.
Summary:
1. Rick's cords should NOT be underestimated, and do not hesitate to try them in a mix with some of your other 'fab' PC's
2. Break-in will GREATLY improve your impression of these cords- and try to do it in a higher-current source (for me- it was my 5-ch SS Theta HT amp)
3. It is yet undetermined (for ME, anyways) whether or not a FULL COMPLIMENT of VD PC's system-wide (in both my systems) would prove the ultimate move, or 'too much of a good thing' as they say- i.e. amazing resolution and transparency but with compromises in tonality & warmth- hmmm.... I will be ordering more VD PC's, and will hope to post some further thoughts. Something tells me that a full VD Power Sig setup (cryo'd) may be amazing (caveat- FULLY BURNED IN!!), however that remains to be seen.
4. Rick & the VD crew are a first-class operation, and great to deal with- $$-back gurantee as well (I believe 14 days- but you can ask Rick/Brett at 1-877-347-4489).
5. Rick was the first guy in Canada to be distributing Audiopoints, and more importantly (to me) Sistrum component racks- the Sistrum SP-1's have been wonderful under my larger Altec tube monoblocks in the 2-ch rig. What I am trying to say here, is that Rick's concepts of the application of Coloumb- sp?? friction and the reduction of MECHANICAL micro-vibrations (a relatively newer concept over the last few years in the audiophile world of resonance control) have pervaded through his choice of products to carry as a distributor, and, ultimately, now his own creation of the VD cable line. If you buy into this philosophy (as I have, as I've heard the benefits), then you should take Rick's products very seriously, and give them a try in your system.
