JOB, BelCanto, Perpetual, MilleniumDACs?

Sugarbrie Whether there was a measurable shift in spectral balance, my guess is probably not, I mean can a power cord result in that type of change? The effect noted was purely subjective in my descriptions since I don’t have a spectrum analyzer to measure the real effects of what I heard, now that you mention it. The effect on spectral balance subjectively noted was the improvement in balance and placement of the elements without any of the frequencies giving rise or loss to the others relative to the recording venue. What was most apparent with the cord, to put it more succinctly is that the mid band frequencies appear fuller and more immediate as opposed to leaner and/or more laid back without the cord. (the Bel Canto is laid back relative to my recent experiences with digital) I hope I articulated this so you understand what I am hearing. The blacker background and immediacy certainly has something to do with the RFI filtering that is built in the JPS digital cord. I also spend a lot more time adjusting the volume from recording to recording. Microwave energy abounds where I live (near KSC/Cape Canaveral Florida). The cord has had a direct effect of allowing more of the detail at all frequencies to come through. That effect also is manifested in greater resolution of the recording venue. Recording variations are much more apparent now and that is quite impressive and a big deal to me. The realization of how good and system dependent these Merlin’s are is more apparent than ever. Their only limitations to my ears are low frequency extension, below 30hz. They are quite accurate/neutral transducers. The overall effect aurally especially on great recordings was more real and immediate as previously noted with greater micro/macro dynamics, again getting back to real. I did welcome the laid back sound of the Bel Canto initially but what I really was looking for in an upgrade was removal of digital edge. The Bel Canto succeeded well in this respect. The Merlin’s themselves measure flat across the frequency band according to all reports and measurements by the reviewers that took the time to measure. I don’t notice any anomalies with reference to peaks in any frequencies, a first for all speaker systems in my room. Their sound is immediate which makes system balancing more difficult. I have had a difficult time balancing all the elements with this system because of the immediacy and resolution. Too much and the sound has you pinned back in the listening position. This has been my problem up till now, the Merlin’s don’t have a problem with laid back, their not! I probably noted less change in the upper frequencies after the cord change but I don’t have a problem overall with leanness as you appear to with the Bel Canto. Massed vocals now have such a realness with greater inner detail resolution that I also attribute to the noise reduction brought on by the cord. The massed vocalists come into the room with a distinctness of individual voices and air that is breathtaking. I have heard this before on few systems. On mine it is getting closer to that ever elusive live sound. It is a first on any system I have owned at least relative to digital. Unfortunately for me I don’t have a Steinway in my house to compare directly but my aural perceptions of how a piano sounds are intact. Audio systems generally DO NOT realistically give the weight and tonality that a real piano has. I only heard it sound REAL once in a large system in a large room. Piano and vocal recordings are always used as a benchmark when I make changes. I am quite satisfied with what I am now hearing though there is always room for improvement (maybe an OTL amp?). So far as noise is concerned, I also thought my system was relatively quiet. How quiet is it in the middle of the woods with no sound but the crickets and creatures of the night? The cord may have helped me much more than say it might you, I’m sure that is going to vary system to system. After speaking with Joe of JPS Labs it is his finding that a greater effect can be noticed by an after market power cord in the DAC/CD player than any other component. He’ll get no argument from this camp. This is not the first power cord I have used but it has by far offered the biggest change (improvement). The gentleman who I purchased the Bel Canto from told me he tried the Shunyata Black Mamba mated with the Bel Canto and noted little improvement in HIS system over the less expensive after market cord he was using which would probably indicate that he doesn't have the degree of RFI grunge in his AC that I do. And on a final note there is the matter of tubes versus solid state. No leanness with my 80’s vintage ARC amp and pre-amp. As to this is better than that all I say to that is you never know until you hear it in your own system. I try to look for concensus in my buying decisions which is why I have found this forum so very helpful. In my system the Bel Canto is working out well. Synergy Ernie synergy, that's the ticket!! Good luck. Will

Subaruguru not sugarbrie sorry Ernie.

hi subaruguru, perhaps ewe should try a toobed preamp - mebbe that's the key to why tubegroover is having better luck w/the belcanto in his system. i know a toobed pre helped my system tremendously - much greater than upgrading my $500 nad cd changer w/either a $1700 alchemist nexus, or a $3500 res-audio cd-55. regarding the belcanto, there's a local guy here that makes & sells tube equipment (really cool, czech out his www: http://www.bws-tube.com/), & he sez he has a mod for the belcanto that will make it smoke *any* dac under $4k - *his* words, not mine. good luck, doug

Suburuguru........whew.......I thought I was loosing my hearing. I'll try not to get distracted by the fact that my DAC 1 is changing Steinway models, (at least it doesn't sound like a Yamaha!) That was a spectacular evaluation and post. Amazingly thorough. I think your problem is those cheap Nordost cables [:)] Please let us know if your cord experiment makes a difference, this might be one of the best proofs for those that are proponents of power cords. I am using the bottom line Blue Circle cord, (about $100,) which is just slightly higher than that $8 job from Bel Canto. What are those guys trying to do? Save us some money? First, the DVD transport and toslink, now an $8 power cord? You have got to love that! Now, if they could just get the price of that SET amp down a little.......Take care and let us know. Charlie

SuburuG, great description of your audition of Bel Canto. I actually hope that you do _not_ experiment with a new power cord (or IC changes) too quickly, because I'd love to hear what you think about the sound you're getting after a week or two passes. That's 'cause I think the psychoacoustic theory about perceived tilting-up of spectral balance after increasing the resolution of the system holds water. I mean, I don't know about your situation in specific, but in general a system with lower resolving power might give mid- and high-range sounds a certain "thickness" that seems comforting when one is used to it and when taken away makes the new sound seem lean and "whitish". (I don't know why this would give a "smeary" sound, which you also mentioned, though.) This perceived effect might change, however, after the brain no longer hears the new sound as "new." Maybe the new sound will sound purer and more emotional, and the old sound will sound veiled -- stranger things have happened! For sure, it's tough to remain objective through this kind of listening process. Still, sometimes I think just leaving things alone and forgetting about the stereo for awhile yields these occasional realizations that, "hey, this is sounding different in such-and-such a way," that are truer to long-term listening happiness than focused A/B-ing, which also can drive one nuts. Anyway, it'd be interesting to see if your perceptual response changes with the passage of a little time.