Hi Steve,
Yes, in fact you did answer it on your site -- my mistake. And since the XLRs are male/female you can't make a mistake. They're sounding great already with only a few hours on them.
Thanks again. |
Hi Steve,
On my Reflection ICs that you reterminated XLR there is a Gabriel Gold label on one end of each IC but no label on the other end. Should the Gabriel Gold end be attached to the CDP or the amp?
Thanks, Sabai |
Hi Steve, I will be getting the Synergistic Research PowerCell 10SE with the Galileo MPC next month -- which includes their latest Precision Reference power cord. So I will wait a bit before posting a full report here. But I can report a change that I made to my system yesterday that astonished me. I had my GG Reflection power cord connected from my power conditioner to my EMM CDP. On a whim I connected it from my Tesla Plex into my power conditioner -- replacing an SR Master Coupler terminated with Oyaide plug and IEC -- and I plugged the EMM into the power conditioner using the Master Coupler. This has made a HUGE difference in resolution, dynamics and sound stage. I quickly discovered that the GG Reflection power cord gives the best results -- fantastic results -- when used downstream -- its sonic benefits are immediately transferred through the entire system and right through to the speakers. When my PowerCell arrives this configuration will change. The Precision Reference power cord will connect the PowerCell to the Tesla Plex -- and the GG Reflection power cord will be connected directly from the PowerCell's Tesla Plex receptacle to my EMM CDP. After December 20 I will be able to post a full report here. I also intend to do a product review featuring the GG cables, EMM CDP, Merlin speakers -- and my Marantz PM-15 amplifier. |
Hi Steve, I should have prefaced my earlier posting by letting everyone know a bit more about the cabling in my system. I have a GG Reflection power cord, GG Reflection interconnects and GG Reflection speaker wires in my system, along with the Oyaide-terminated SR Master Coupler. Hence your question about the synergy between Synergistic Research and Gabriel Gold cables. |
Hi Steve, I will be adding the SR PowerCell 10SE to my system in a couple of weeks with the Precision Reference PC and Galileo MPC. I am an irrepressible tweaker. So, in the meantime, I have been busy tweaking -- the result of which is that the Gabriel Golds and Merlins have taken a giant step up in my system. I find it amazing that adding a special tweak can change everything in an instant. This happened when I added Ric Schultz's EVS Ground Enhancers to my system a few days ago. Suddenly Gabriel Golds and Merlins delivered a much higher level of performance -- detail, dynamics and a much fuller sound on the sound stage. The Enhancers came highly recommended but I was not prepared for what happened when I installed them in my system. The inveterate tweaker in me now has me tweaking the Enhancers. I have a box full of small items that I have ejected from other systems over the years. I have the straight version of the Enhancers sticking up through the negative speaker binding posts on the Merlins and my Marantz PM-15 integrated amp. Here's how I tweaked the Enhancers. I popped one Cardas speaker pin (gold-plated) onto each of the Enhancers on the PM-15. An immediate improvement. I was inspired to tweak the Enhancers on my Merlins. So, I experimented with various combinations of terminations. After a lot of trial and error here's what I found works best on my Merlins: a Furutech rhodium spade adapter popped onto each of the Enhancers and then two of the Cardas speaker pins (gold-plated, joined together with their set screws) popped onto one of the Cardas spade forks -- not on both -- on each Merlin Enhancer. Crazy? You bet it's crazy. But it works -- please don't ask me why. I have no idea why. I have spent days A/Bing every permutation you can imagine using these little items. With the above-described combination in my system -- YMMV -- there is the greatest improvement in detail, dynamics, sound stage and ambiance that I was able to obtain after all the experimentation. Of course, I use my "reference" CDs for testing each tweak change -- listening to each CD over and over again -- tweaking -- listening -- tweaking -- listening. The venue is now much more "there" on live recordings -- Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Johnny Rivers, Chris Montez, Beach Boys -- you name it. Both live and studio recordings are greatly improved but it helps when the CD is really good quality -- good original recordings or good remasters. But even recordings that sounded "flat" can improve, surprisingly. I had a cheap Duane Eddy CD that sounded like a cheap Duane Eddy CD in my old system. I played it with my new EMM CDP and added the EVS Ground Enhancers. Boy does Duane Eddy ever sound good now. I thought I'd share this with you and those who may be interested in improving the sound in their system. In this case it cost a song -- pun intended -- to get a lot more than song's worth -- A LOT MORE. In other words the improvement was not subtle. The Gabriel Golds and Merlins just keep getting better and better. It's all about synergy. You have a feeling there's a lot more in them thar cables and speakers just waiting to be released then -- wham -- the "more" is suddenly there. I can't wait to add the SR PowerCell 10SE + Precision Reference + Galileo MPC to my system. And a few more tweaks too, of course. I have a feeling it's gonna be "ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN"!! I saw the Righteous Brothers "Live in Concert" in 1976. Beauuuuutiful!! |
Hi Steve, I think this has me just as baffled as you. I can't explain the changes but my ears bear witness to them. I might mention that my hearing is excellent. I always protected myself from loud concert music when I was young by sitting in the back or by putting my fingers in my ears (at a Sly and the Family Stone concert) or with ear plugs or even walking out (I walked out on Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) -- unlike some of my audiophile friends who now have hearing loss. As you know I live overseas. There are lots of EMI/RF issues in my area. Most of the tweaks I have added to my system that are designed to address these problems produce results that are not subtle. The Gabriel Golds sounded incredible out of the box but they sound even better with every tweak I add to the system. Which tells me they have incredible "hidden" potential. The challenge for me is to find what I need to do so that the Gabriel Golds sing with their full potential. I'm sure that adding the SR PowerCell 10SE line conditioner soon -- and some more tweaks -- will elevate the whole system and will show just how good the Gabriel Golds and the Merlins and the EMM can really sound. The system is already well on its way. |
Sutts, I second that emotion. I am using the GG Reflection PC, SCs and ICs, as well as other non-GG cabling. Also, changing the stock EMM fuse to the Furutech T2A (green) has made a big improvement but adding EVS Ground Enhancers and Synergistic Research MiGs has improved the sound even more -- sound stage wider and deeper and more full and more detailed. |
Are Gabriel Gold cables really this good? They certainly are -- in spades. I just installed a Synergistic Research PowerCell 10SE power conditioner with Galileo MPC in my system. I have mostly Gabriel Gold cables in my system -- ICs, PC and SCs. The synergy between the SR PowerCell 10SE -- right out of the box -- and the Gabriel Gold cables is perfect. Wide and deep sound stage, wonderful resolution -- very detailed and warm, at the same time -- and superb dynamics. I could not ask for a more musical sound. Makes me want to run the system 24 hours a day but I have to get a few hours rest between listening sessions. My expectations have been exceeded by miles and miles. Thank you Steve. |
Sts, I agree. I am very happy with the SR products in my system. Synergistic Research and Gabriel Gold both deserve the highest marks -- not only for the quality of their products but also for their excellent customer service. |
Steve, I think I finally got the direction correct. Finally. I have made a lot of changes to my system in the past few months -- swapping cables and playing with tweaks. The GG Reflections -- ICs, PC and SCs -- will definitely not be swapped out. They are great. I do have the Reflection XLR ICs in series with 2 other ICs. Whatever got into my head to put ICs in series has worked out very well for me. The Reflections produce beautiful sound on their own but there is so much more that this combination produces in terms of "being there" -- in my system -- YMMV. I'll be writing a system revue in a while once everything is in place. Thanks again, Steve, for your great cables. |
Jmcgrogan2,
Thank you very much for appreciating my site. And I also thank you for this opportunity to talk about the matters you have raised here. As you know from reading my site, I care deeply about those suffering from the 2 incurable diseases I overcame and I do my best to give helpful opinions based on my many years of experience.
I would like to take a moment to put what you say in your post in perspective. As we know, anyone can say anything about anyone or anything on the Internet where we see paid dis-informers, jealous competitors and all manner of shenanigans. There are even sites that profit from calling other sites scams. All of this is well known if you do the Google searching. In fact, a so-called "report" site run by a convicted felon who I identify by name on my site tried to extort $50,000 from me a few years back. So, lots of things happen out there.
It is true that I have been called names -- but not by those who have read my books and who have actually used my products successfully -- attested to by 714 unsolicited testimonials under 24 indexed categories -- including actress Karen Allen who became famous acting with Harrison Ford in Steven Spielberg's Lost Arc movies. I invite visitors to my site to take their time and make up their own minds.
Yes, all kinds of odd and sometimes astonishing things happen on the Internet. It is really a free-for-all with scant regulation -- and it sometimes can even be a minefield.
Little by little, as people become more familiar with the Internet they are becoming more savvy and less inclined to believe everything they read. More and more people opt for doing their own hard research to find out more. That's the opportunity that the Internet provides for us all.
I talk about all these matters quite extensively on my site so that people can take the information I provide and do their research and find out what is really going on.
Back to cable talk, I have never accused any cable maker of being a scam. I have never seen any cable maker who was a scam. I talk primarily about 3 issues in the cable industry: sound quality, the price/performance ratio and marketing strategy. I don't know out why this generates so much controversy since these things have been talked about by many others through the years.
And I think it is a misconception that I throw rocks at the cable industry. There are many cable companies that I favor including Nordost, David Elrod, Shunyata, Furutech and Bybee. There are cable companies whose cables I do not favor -- such as Synergistic Research -- whose "tweaks" and accessories I have praised. And, in fact, I still have Synergistic Research ART room treatment in my system and I have added extra bowls.
How I feel about the cable industry is this: cables from companies not on my favorites list may fit the needs of many systems. Different strokes for different folks. All well and fine. Regarding my opinions, I am only one of many people expressing their opinions about cables and other audio matters. My opinions should be taken in context as just that -- my personal opinions -- and no need to fuss about them.
In fact, as much as I welcome this opportunity to digress, this discussion can revert to the subject of the OP if folks wish to get back there. No problem. |
Sts,
I am referring to discussions about audio and non-audio matters.
Whatsat mean:
"Continued discussions may very well be taking place with appropriate agencies and not in this forum."
Sounds very cryptic and mysterious. |
Sutts,
I talked about the GG price/performance ratio in an earlier thread. Steve's inappropriate response was to ridicule my company's products -- and me personally, which I found astonishing. Very unprofessional, IMO. By the way. I am not in the audio business. |
Jmcgrogan2,
I see. Instead of staying on topic it is time to try to smear the messenger -- perhaps at the behest of others.
OK -- let's begin. Are you saying that pulse generators are snake oil? If so, then, IMO, you need to get up to speed by looking up Nikola Tesla, the father of electro-medicine and Dr. Royal Raymond Rife who was the great genius of the microscope and frequency generators -- destroyed by the medical system in order to suppress the amazing results he obtained for cancer.
You may wish to read The Cancer Cure that Worked by Barry Lynes about Dr. Rife's work. For your convenience, here is the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Cure-That-Worked-Suppression/dp/0982513860/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425883824&sr=8-1&keywords=barry++lynes
My great uncle, Dr. Jacques C. xxxxxxx, M.D., wrote the introduction to Georges Lakhovsky's book on the Multi-Wave Oscillator. For your convenience, here is the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Cosmic-Radiations-Living/dp/1614275076/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425884256&sr=8-1&keywords=georges+lakhovsky
The U.S. government has approved Electroporation Frequency Generators such as the Eppendorf device. For your convenience, here is a useful link:
http://www.medesa.cz/Data/files/pdf/katalogy/Eppendorf/06-Cell%20Technology.pdf
I designed my first pulse generator 20 years ago. You may wish to look up this relevant information before continuing in the vein of your message, if that is your intention.
You may also wish to visit the Testimonial Archive on my site with 714 unsolicited testimonials in favor of my products that thousands of people are using with great success worldwide. There are 24 indexed categories in The Archive so take your time.
You may not "believe" in my work that originates with having overcome 2 incurable diseases. But I did not overcome paralysis with Multiple Sclerosis in 1989 and near-death with Crohn's disease in 1994 by accident -- through 7 years of blood, sweat and tears. I have written 2 books on the subject.
If you intend to commence a smear campaign on the Forum may I suggest that you need to get up to speed by getting some facts under your belt. Please be so kind as to post fact-based information and questions in place of smearing comments that no one on the Forum can evaluate. I welcome one and all to visit my site so that each person may judge for themselves based on facts -- not based on innuendo and smear.
I look forward to this discussion very much -- if you still intend to go there. This has been my life's work for 26 years. |
I do believe that everyone here has the right to express their audio opinions on the Forum -- without fear of having their professional life attacked and smeared by Forum members. IMO, it is very revealing to see this diversionary tactic rear its head -- in a discussion of audio cables. |
Jmcgrogan2,
I see. You are now backing off by ascribing your earlier reference to snake oil as humor -- where no obvious humor was apparent or presumably intended. A very shrewd move -- after some straight talk from me got a few points across. LOL. I enjoy a good joke.
By the way, if you wish to continue to draw attention to my work in this thread I would very much welcome the discussion. Free publicity is something I never refuse. So, I leave an open invitation to continue in this vein. But if folks prefer to continue off-thread they can message me privately to discuss the science of electroporation, frequency generators, recovering from paralysis with Multiple Sclerosis -- I'm sure there's a good joke somewhere with MS -- and near-death with Crohn's disease -- another incurable disease with jokes lurking in the wings -- and my books that contain original research on incurable diseases that has benefited many people over a period of 20 years.
By the way, what's your first name? -- so I can address you as you address me here by my first name. Jmcgrogan2 is so formal. We really should be on a level playing field with our names. Right, JM? LOL. |
JM,
You're a laugh a minute. LOL. |
I haven't gone away. But it seems my posts are not making it to the Forum. Which makes it look like I have gone away. No problem. People can always message me if they want to know more. Caveat lector. |
There are always at least two parties to every discussion. I think folks may scratch their heads when the discussion effectively ends by allowing only one party to be included. |
Sts,
Do you mean that you don't like what I say on the forum so you are trying to get at my business? No need to be cryptic and mysterious. Just let everyone here know what you mean -- and what you are up to. Honesty is the best policy. |
Jmcgrogan2,
I agree. It is all about synergy and personal tastes. I realize that I come across strong in expressing my thoughts and feelings -- not only about cables but also about components and audio gear in general -- perhaps too strong at times. This is not meant to belittle. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Thank you -- much appreciated. |
Sts,
Just to clarify matters for the record, may I remind Forum members that you originally introduced my professional life into the Forum in 2014, without my invitation, in two separate posts on the Grover Huffman thread that, in retrospect, also sound a bit odd to me now.
Permit me to cite your posts (below) that introduced the subject of my professional life into the Forum:
"08-13-14: Sts
Sabai-How does your new cable design mate with the Ultimate Zapper ?
Sts"
"08-13-14: Sts
Jmbatkh/Dvdgreco
Please bare [sic] in mind that Sabai has indeed tried many cables ... He may have been zapped! too many times.
Sts" |
Sts,
Regarding my work, may I point out that the 714 unsolicited testimonials on my site include that of actress Karen Allen -- well-known for acting with Harrison Ford in Steven Spielberg's Lost Ark movies. Karen stated in an interview that her doctor recommended that she use The Ultimate Zapper for her Lyme disease. 713 additional unsolicited testimonials have been sent to me regarding my products.
So, it is the voices of those who have actually used my products that you are hearing when you view my site and look at my products and my work, centering around helping people overcome incurable diseases including the 2 incurable diseases I overcame -- Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn's disease. I overcame these 2 incurable diseases by looking "outside the box" for the solutions that medical system could not provide. If I had followed "conventional" approaches back in 1989 I would have been dead long ago.
I invite everyone to visit my site to judge my products, my recovery and my work for themselves. Of course, since I am not a medical practitioner, I do not prescribe or give medical advice. I am only able to give my opinions based on my personal experience and to relate the opinions and experiences of others.
There are 2 sides to every conversation. But there are often more than 2 facets to the health problems our aging population is facing. One facet is the "conventional" approach. Another facet is the "alternative" approach that millions of health-conscious people are availing themselves of nowadays, in light of the often disappointing results that the "conventional" approach often produces. These days, many people are looking for and finding answers "outside the box" for their health problems.
In the field of Electro-Medicine, for example, millions of people have had excellent results over the past 40 years for a wide variety of conditions with pulse generators known as TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines that have gained wide acceptance in the medical world. Another example of very effective electro-medicine is the field of Electro-Acupuncture that has been offering excellent results to patients over a period of many decades.
It is a well-known fact that it often takes time for innovation to gain widespread acceptance. Ideas are often denied, rejected and ridiculed before they become accepted. One famous case that comes to mind is that of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. Back in the 1800s, his ideas about reducing mortality rates by his interns washing their hands with chlorinated lime were considered extreme. His ideas were rejected and ridiculed by the medical establishment of his time. It took years for them to be accepted and finally embraced. In fact, it was only after his death when Louis Pasteur came on the scene that Semmelweis was transformed into a medical pioneer. |
|
Sts,
You're welcome. Thank you for your kind reply. In answer to your question, I do not document results, per se. I communicate with people for as long as they wish to be in touch and have seen many people improve their health. I document my research on my site and in my books. I offer my opinions and give free follow-up with my books.
I have seen hundreds if not thousands of cases of MS, Crohn's disease and Lyme disease since 1996. IMO, in the majority of cases there appears to be underlying metal and/or chemical toxicity. Toxins can concentrate in organs and bodily systems causing pathological changes. Toxicity is not often recognized by the medical system as a cause of pathology. But there is specialized lab testing that can be done to determine metal toxicity. I let people know about effective lab testing that patients and their practitioners may use to determine toxicity levels -- testing that few practitioners may be familiar with.
I have seen countless cases over the past 20 years that are related to mercury toxicity from so-called silver amalgam fillings. These fillings are 50% mercury. The medical system is not oriented to look in this direction, although there are many practitioners within the system who are. I provide people with information they may not find elsewhere to help them make informed choices and decisions, not uninformed ones -- which happens to so many people and which happened to me. I also connect people with competent dental and medical practitioners. It is up to individuals to make their choices and decisions in consultation with their practitioners.
I have done extensive research on dental mercury. I try to heighten people's awareness about the dangers and the possible links to pathology. I try to help people connect the dots. I also work with practitioners to heighten their awareness of various issues including safe amalgam removal followed up by safe and effective detoxification after removal.
I remember one of the first cases back in the 1990s -- a young lady from Macon, GA -- bedridden with MS, like I was in 1989. She found me on a Usenet forum. She said they had to carry her from the bed to the wheel chair to the toilet. She was suicidal. Today she leads a normal life -- no disability whatsoever, like me -- and she has a good job in the computer industry. She was the first of many recovery cases I have seen over the past 20 years.
I invented the pulse generators on my site. People use them as personal experimental devices. They are not medical devices that have been approved by regulators. No claims or guarantees are attached to their use. The approval process is beyond the financial reach of a small businesses like mine. In fact, I let everyone know that my pulse generators are only a small part of the picture where there is suspected underlying toxicity. Detoxification may be a higher priority, initially. Anecdotal evidence for my devices in the form of hundreds of unsolicited testimonials is provided on my site. I offer a 3-month trial. There is a return rate of less than 1%.
Recovery from illness can be complex. IMO there is often a chain of pathology created by toxins and pathogens. My pulse generators, while having the capacity to kill pathogens attracted to metal and chemical toxins, does not address all facets of the problem. The challenge is to get to the root of the problem beneath opportunistic pathogens. Sympathetic and competent practitioners are invaluable in this regard.
I do not diagnose, prescribe or give medical advice. Since I am not a practitioner and do not treat people I do not guarantee any results. That's against the law. I am an independent researcher. I offer my opinions based on my recovery, my experience and my research. And I also relate the opinions of others based on their experience and research. Through the years many practitioners have asked for my opinions in order to help assist their patients. |
Jmcgrogan2,
My post was serious.
Audiogon is all about people making changes. It thrives on change. I am surely not unique. If one goes through the history of just about anyone who posts regularly on the Forum and if one looks at the Virtual Systems you will see constant change -- system edited appearing everywhere.
I have made a lot of changes these past 9 years. My system has been pretty stable this past year. There may be some minor additions and changes this year but nothing too drastic is on the horizon. I don't want to upset the synergy that has taken so many years to develop. |
Jmcgrogan2,
Why do you feel it necessary to get personal and abusive with those who disagree with you? |
Agisthos,
I'm sorry but the facts show that your statements are totally inaccurate.
1. This is from the Stereo Times review that lauds Paul McGowan and Ted Smith:
"... DirectStream represents a new benchmark in audio reproduction ..."
2. This is from John Darko's Digital Audio Review:
"... the DirectStream ... takes the listener to an altogether different digital audio realm both in its creative circuit design and its sumptuous sound ... I've put my money where my mouth is: I've purchased the DirectStream review unit ... I think that speaks for
itself."
3. This is from Vade Forrester's review in The Absolute Sound:
"Its easily the best DAC Ive heard in my system, making digitally-recorded music sound better than Ive ever heard it."
4. This is from David Robinson's review in Positive Feedback:
"This is a brilliant design, with exceptional execution, and paradigm-setting sound."
5. This is from Art Dudleys review in Stereophile:
for those who've waited for a computer-friendly DAC that offers, with every type of music file, the best musicality of which DSD is capable, the PerfectWave DirectStream may be in a class by itself.
6. This is from Karl Sigmans Audiophilia review:
The DS is a game changer
The DS gets my highest recommendation; hats off and a bow to PS Audio.
IMHO it is unfortunate you did not get your facts straight first before commenting on the DirectStream DAC. |
Jmcgrogan2,
I am not "isolating" you. I am merely commenting on your manner of addressing fellow posters -- a pattern that is not apparent with most others. There is nothing to be gained by following the lead of "arrogant folks" by copying their ways. IMO. This only leads to a general deterioration in the quality of the Forum which I find lamentable.
Nobody is forcing anyone to accept the views and opinions of others here. We are all free to ignore posts and posters we feel objectionable -- or to disagree using a respectful tone even if we disagree strongly with their views. |
Jmcgroan2,
You're very welcome. |
Denon1,
I do not feel it is appropriate for you to assume everyone feels as you do -- that any given poster's opinion is "always valued and matters" in all cases. This will vary depending who the participants are, what the discussion is about and what each side thinks and feels. IMO. |
