Hey,Jfrech....Funny thing is....some years back I was working for a corp that had it's training fascility in Austin....As a consequence,the mayor gave all of the 'trainees"(myself included)a KEY to the city of Austin.
I never knew what to do with it -:)
Best |
Jloveys,my friend has the Venustas arm cable,on a Graham Phantom/Transfig Orpheus.Running Magico Minis,which go "way out there" in high freq....There is No drop off/softening,or treble shyness in the high freq, in his set-up.The Venustas does a superb job there,yet we are always digesting the particular attributes of the new arm cables appearing on the scene...
But to pull the trigger,and replace something that is known to perform well is taking a chance.Especially with all the hype in the high "end game"! |
Jloverys,be careful,or you'll find yourself with a "not so nice" web-stalker,in Audiofeil...just looking to spew crap at a whim,for lack of better things to do,and not giving a damn about anything but a good ha-ha.Like when we were in grade school....I speak from experience.
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Great that you guys are so happy!I hope to be on target soon,myself.
Just some thoughts,and believe me I know "nothing" about cable design....
From what I have read,silver is the best conductor of electricity.Gold apparently is NOT so hot,from what Bob Graham told me.
Now this "single crystal copper" stuff seems to be "viable" for it's own benefits(and voicing),especially after Purist,then, gives it's "solid core stuff"(I believe "strands" have their own less than SOTA issues,from my research) three cryo treatments,in the Proteus.Then,also in the case of the Proteus,there is aside from the superb shielding, another seemingly good idea,in the liquid damping used.I can see a VERY QUIET signal carrying ability,which so we are told,gives superior "music signal"! Am I on track,so far?
I like the idea of the liquid damping(I "think" it shields too)if I am thinking it through properly(I could easily be off here),as it would damp out external resonance,and allow all of the "tiny" signal characteristics to come through.Since here we are talking about millivolts.Hope I'm on track with this way of "assuming" things.
So,though the Stealth Hyper Phono utilizes SOTA construction techniques,it still uses a combo of 50% silver(very good)with 50% gold(not the best conductor).We already know copper is a very good conductor,but a little warmer than silver,which is quite good,from my own experience with the "better than you might think" IC-70.
As much as I like to view things,the Proteus still comes from a royal family heritage,when it comes to taking technology to the max!
Of course you simply have to hear this stuff for yourself,and my bloviating should mean absolutely nothing!!!Yet this is "the" forum to have "hobby speak" so what the heck....I'm beginning to like the Proteus,as "supposedly" the cable to hear,as of now...It is obtainable,at least.
Of course,since I am on the cusp of "finally" getting my system up again(don't even ask...you'd not believe it),I'm going to let the dust settle,and I DO get superb results from my IC-70.But I have always felt the entire phono link was a dorrway into my system,which is incredibly revealing.
This "new" cable talk relates to my Venustas owning friend,who is on the fence about a new cable.....Previously my little "pushes" have been influential in helping hime to spend his money,AND giving me "new" insights -:)...He won't need a big shove this time.That I know,from our last conversation.
This will definitely happen again...and probably in the early fall....Hmm!
Best to all. |
Jfrech,I was wondering if your thoughts are "solely" for the difference between the Venustas and new Proteus,"or" did any other changes to the set up come with the addition of the new phono cable?....Also,what is the exact cost of the Proteus phono(RCA connectors)......Btw,"3-4x the cable" is alot!!!Are you sure this cable is 300-400% better than the already superb "V"?
If so,that would certainly be great.At the very least,it would mean there is a phono cable to really(legitimately)push the "more common standards",like the Venustas and IC-70 which I am very familiar with.
Too many fine looking(on paper) new tech/expensive phono cables are talked about,in industry mags/web-sites,but not auditioned by legit hobbyists like yourself.To me,your previous track record,in posts,gives you very good credibility.
I ask this,not to question your fine posting,but because I have a close friend(owning the Venustas)who would be very interested in the comparison,as long as "nothing" else in your system changed....Informative post,nevertheless.
Best |
Yes,it helps and will be much appreciated by a close friend,with deep pockets,and a non stop quest for the "N'th" degree of fabulosity! -:)
Enjoy your great stuff |
Here's my hesitation,in recommending ANY phono cable,as "written in stone"....
I've already compared the superb Venustas with a fully broken in IC-70,at a friend's home.
There were other "experienced" ears present.The IC-70 was far from defficient to us,and as a matter of fact clearly outperformed the Venustas in dynamics,and bass(at the time).It was equal in virtually any other area,and seemed more open as well.
Yet,it seems this is a touchy subject,and with the extreme pricing of cabling,you simply have to tread carefully!Partnering equipment,and personal tastes really are a factor!
Since the original comparison,the Venustas has broken in,and though we haven't bothered(it "IS" a bother,btw)to re-check our initial findings,the "V" does sound damn good in my friend's set-up.Mainly because his set-up is SO damn good,in the first place!!
As to the Stealth,I have NO doubt it is a good cable,but after viewing the all too common high pricing on their site,it is just becomming too much to keep abreast(from an interest standpoint)of all the competition!Then there's the "Zero One"...Faggedaboutit!!!....This is exactly where the "OLD TAS would have come in!!Not gonna happen again,sadly!!
Purist "IS" a well known name,and we already know the Venustas is very good,so the Proteus is to be considered,by some(not me,btw).Actually a close friend,who is a bit obsessed.
What can I say?I'll be happy to simply spin vinyl again when my pre/phono comes back,with the new V-Teflon caps,I'm having installed!...But by "then",there will be new/better updates....NO?
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Jafox,I've been doing some research,awaiting the "near closure"(finally) of my component issues(I should be "way" ahead,sonically,of where I started,if I've done my homework correctly,and have my fingers crossed).
Yes,the Stealth looks to be a "fabulous" product.I DO see where the little things,in the design,can "really" benefit a high res set-up!
The web pages referring to the difference between sensitivity of a phono interconnect vs a line level interconnect is eye opening,and thought provoking!!
My "Venustas" pal(who is on the fence regarding a new/improved phono cable) will most likely be looking at the Proteus,and the Zero One,but I've got to "pitch" the Stealth you mention,and let him make the choice(with my independant "influence",ahem,ahem -:)....Only problem is,I don't believe it is made any longer.
Is this the case?
Also,Jfrech...still loving the Proteus?
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Dear John(I "had to say that-:),you are absolutely correct!!
Like I said,I know nothing about cable design,but am very good at bloviating...I set up a nice arm/cartridge too,but after that "nada" -:)
Thanks for the enjoyable responses |
BTW John,I just want to emphasize that I "DO" believe your observations!!
I have always been a bit too analytical,and know it is not always a good thing.I doubt if I'll change,but definitely....sometimes you just have to go with simple observations!Here,your observations should be irrefutable,based on your experience in the hobby..
Btw,one thing I am "just a touch" sceptical about is the dismissal of the IC-70,as not being a very good performer.I previously did a controlled comparison of "it" against the Venustas,with two other serious LP collector/hobbyists present.The IC-70 clearly was the superior cable(to all of us),in "that" set up.....(yet,I am very interested in always "considering" the best way to "protect" the "tiny signal",from a good cartridge,so I remain open,and interested in ALL opinions).
You definitely have good "cred" here.Too bad I don't have too much discretionary income lying around....It's ALL been going to the Oil Companies....The bastards!! -:)
I'm not at all trying to be defensive here....just schmoozing the hobby,on a hot,slow day in July!
Anxiously awaiting the opening of the new X-Files movie tomorrow!!...My boring,but somewhat fun existance!
Enjoy your great sound! |
