Gun,
Leave your speaker cables exactly the way they are now and put the jumpers in place.
I used to run AQ Argent to the highs and AQ Midnight to the lows. Now I just have AQ Argent to the lows and using a Goertz jumper.
By forgoing bi-wiring, I snapped the center of the soundstage back into focus with increased cohereny in the midrange. It is much more natural sounding than bi-wiring. The bi-wiring seemed to work before because it compensated for my speaker's lack of dynamics, but this is before using the VD cords.
Now with VD and running full range speaker connection, I get more dynamics, details and coherency. |
Ahh, very interesting ideas here. Thanks!
Keeping the biwired Audition speaker cables the way they are and adding jumpers will be easy for me, because the cables use all banana termination and my jumpers are spades.
Bluenose, right now I have Power 2s on my transport, DAC and preamp, and the cryo'd Audition on my amp. I figure the amp will burn in the PC the fastest, then when the other three Auditions come in I'll switch the burned in Audition to the transport and swap out the Power 2s to my home theater.
Viggen, Bluenose, it sounds like the three of us are getting very similar results with Rick's cables and cords. Pretty neat. I have never experienced this type of ethereal, holographic soundstaging in my room before. Not even close. That quality is very seductive, and once everything is settled in I'll have to see how the Golden Cross and Tsunami sound in my system, and which sound I prefer. Not to mention all the tube rolling I have planned as well.
No need for me to buy anything for awhile. Lot's of fun ahead! |
It's only been 2 days but I had to make a preliminary report.I've had the P2 cord on the CD player and already I can tell a big improvement,bigger soundstage,less noise with a smoother and more natural tone to voices and instruments,particularly piano.I listened to a good CD recording of a Steinway piano recorded live on a large ambient theatre and I couldn't believe the sound.I could actually hear the strings resonate inside the piano after each sustained note. I plugged my T.V.and DVD into my P2 extension.Although a good cable channel came through before, it now comes close to a good DVD and HDTV.Amazing.I got a shot of double luck on this recall deal.I had ordered a P3 and P3 extension for 50.00 each,and after a little while I have instead a P2(Power 2) of each instead,for no additional charge,and the icing on the cake at no charge,cryo'd.Everyone has to admit that this is the deal of all deals.Rick has taken a leap of faith by probably losing a lot of money initially with this recall situation.I can only hope that he will be rewarded with many future sales based on the rave reviews seen here in these threads.I'm going to tell...uh,ask the wife that I will be trying the Virtual Dynamics interconnects soon.I told my wife that I had reached a plateau in my spending and was going to really start enjoying my system...that was 6 months ago and already I have thoughts of upgrading to the Audition or maybe the Signature or maybe the Nite...any psychologist-audiophiles out there who can tell me what's wrong with me? |
Sherod, enjoy. When it sounds right we can't help ourselves. Last night I was enjoying the power2 extension on the cd and concur with what you're hearing. Before I shut the system down I put the cord on the power supply of the TT[roxan].....oh my god..... the nylons were right in the room.....and dead quiet background.it was if the space between the speakers had beome bigger and alive.....I was awed before but this is religious....Now I'm going to try the powr 2 on the monster 2000 and see if it works on a power bar...the filtering in the monster may work or not work with the cable, I have no idea....if anyone tries this let me know....life is good. |
Hey looks like I got a problem. Just recieved my cryo'd power 2's installed them on my amps and now I've got a hum. The power 3's that I retured did not have the hum. Anyone got any ideas? |
Thanks for the encouragement,Bluenose.It seems the better I get my system the more I keep telling myself," can it really get better?" The answer is yes.I really do want to live with this sound for a while,though.Thanks again Rick from Virtual Dynamics for a good deal.I don't have a hum problem,though.Can't make a suggestion other than to call Rick.Sounds like a ground problem interaction with one of the components.Have your tried the cable somewhere besides the amp? |
Looking good, looking good. Bluenose, I have everything hooked into a Monster HTS 2000 right now. Maybe some day down the road I may experiment with it out of the system, but so far I'm getting fantastic results with it in.
Bro, let us know when and how you are able to resolve your problem. I'm sure we could learn from your experience one way or another. Good luck. |
Gunbei, yesterday I moved the power2 off the tt and put it on my small panamax that I run plugged into the monster. The reason for this was to use the on/off switch of the panamax for the pam [no switch] and two outboard power supplies which I plug into the panamax. Well, on a whim I put the panamax on the power2 into the wall and connected the cd and tt into the panamax with the pre.....played the nylons again[any a lot of other stuff on vinyl...it was incredable .... this was the best I've ever heard vinyl sound here.voices sound so alive.....then in the evening I played cds....again the same level of improvement. I'm one very happy camper......enjoy the tunes, everyone. Bro57, give Rick a call. See what he thinks...Sherod, I'm sitting here with this big silly grin on my face...I'll live with this... |
Bluenose,it's funny you mentioned the big,silly grin on your face.My wife asked me last night why I had one on mine. This is day three of VD P2 in system.Sound continues to get better,especially in bass and midrange.Voices are becoming more palpable and coherent.I am amazed how much noise comes through your outlets and when reducing or eliminating it,more music comes through.I think about the time back in 1978,79 when I was reading TAS,Stereophile,and The Audio Critic and I began to lean stronger towards the views of Editor Peter Aczel until he wrote one day that cables( either power,interconect or speaker) make no difference in sound quality.Boy,what a letdown for me when he was my hero.Needless to say I stopped my subscription and began my pursuit of choosing good cables.Thanks again Virtual Dynamics for pursuing the truth of the laws of physics. |
Just thought I would let everyone know about the hum problem.
JC audio E-mailed me and told me to try lifting the grounds. Well it worked! No more hum. I want thank JC Audio for the help. I had been without my system for just a little to long. I was going crazy! Well now back to the break-in process. |
Bro, that's good news. It's always great when the barrier to enjoying your music is broken down, and even better when you know exactly what the fix is.
Viggen, I tried running my biwired Audition Scs to my ProAcs with AP Silver jumpers. It worked on one speaker but seemed the other just wouldn't play. If I removed one cable it played, but otherwise wouldn't work all hooked up. I experimented with reversing phase on one tweeter, then an entire speaker, and while both seemed to snap the center image in it killed the size of the soundstage. Here's the weird thing. I retuend everything to normal, and my center focus issue was completely gone. I don't get it, but I don't care because now I have both a huge soundstage and good center focus.
The Auditions are still improving, and I couldn't be happier. |
Hey Gun,
It's weird how one of the speakers don't work when you slot a jumper in. Oh wellz, it is not mean to be. But, at least you are enjoying the sound you are getting the way it is now.
Rick sent me one Power 2 about 2 weeks ago, and I discovered 2 things:
1)
The Power 2 and my amp pair up gorgeously, way better than when I was using the Power 3. My speakers move much more air now with that spine tingling decay effect in the high frequencies.
2)
The Power 2 and my digital preamp pair up gorgeously. My digital preamp is also a dejitter device. The mirange became frigtheningly real when the Power 2 is on the preamp.
But, I only have one Power 2 cord. Rick still owes me one since I had a pair of Power 3s. I also have an Audition powercord that I am still waiting for, patiently.
For now, I have the Power 2 on the amp. Using Lat International on all the other stuff. |
Viggen,You might want to call Virtual Dynamics and give Erin Lawley a gentle reminder.I think my "gentle reminders" helped expedite the process.I'm glad to hear you and Gunbei are enjoying the sound with the new Power2's and Auditions.I am glad Rick substituted the 2's for the 3's in this recall.Keep us posted. |
Hey Sherod,
Yup, I've given them a few gentle reminders. As you can see from the first reply to this post, I said I had just got off the phone with Rick regarding this matter, which was on March 25th. I sent him another email last Saturday. He hasn't replied me, and I have yet to talk to Erin. *waiting~waiting~waiting~waiting~* |
They finally arrived! Erin FedExed them to me on 4/9. *dancing on top of a table with the cloth around my head* |
I can relate. They are that involving.....enjoy.... |
Great news,Viggen.I was beginning to think they had overlooked you.Erin is good about pushing the boys to get a movin'.Keep us posted as they break in.They only get better.I have been involved with long hours at work so I haven't had a chance to enjoy the music but my Power 2's are cooking 24/7 so this weekend I'm going to send the wife to the mall all day and get reaquainted with my baby,I mean my system.Life can be good sometimes.Have a nice weekend.By the way Gunbei,are you still mesmerized with your VD cords? |
Yes, I am Sherod! To the point where I care less about break-in on the Auditions, and am beginning to experiment with different tubes in my DAC and preamp. I already know I love the Virtual Dynamics and they'll only improve, so I've gone ahead and started trying some tubes out. It'll be interesting when my three remaining cryo'd Audition PCs arrive. By then the rest of my system should be close to full burn-in. |
I have had my VD (Audition PC and IC)cables installed for a bout 60 hours so far. I am starting to notice some real differences. First off, much more bass, not just deep loud bass, but much more detailed, melodic bass. I am hearing things in the music that I have not heard before. Good stuff going on! |
Stbhorn that's great. It's funny, because for me I didn't notice much of a difference in bass, but experienced a huge improvement in soundstaging and clarity. The again, I haven't put any Virtual Dynamics cables or cords on my powered sub yet.
It seems that the Virtual Dynamics cables clear up any congestion in your system and allows it to flow unimpeded. In my case I guess my cables were restricting soundstaging. I'm still amazed at what I'm hearing. |
A summary on my experience with Power 2 cables.
It has been a week since I received a pair of Power 2 cables. After playing them for about 6 hours a day, I don't feel they burned in at all.
That is my summary. |
I also am hearing an increase in soundstaging and depth.Definitely more quiet allowing subtle nuances through.Bass also seems to be more visceral but I'm experimenting with ic's also so I'm not sure what's providing the difference.Overall view of the sound is more cohesive and enjoyable,so I'm content at this time. |
Viggen,I seem to feel that at this juncture you are not yet satisfied with the cords.Perhaps with your system they may require more time to cook.Are you leaving the system on continously with something going through it? Keep us posted cause we're not happy if you're not happy. |
Hey Sherod,
We're starting to sound like a support group, haha.
Well, I think I like the sonic signature on P3 better, even though, the P2 is more open and detailed. The P3 just sounds more involving.
Maybe they need more breaking in. So far I got about 50 hrs of playing time on the P2. |
Viggen,I was kidding about the "we're not happy..." In a way though we are sort of a support group,not necessarily for Virtual Dynamics but for all us audiophiles that have a little bit of compulsiveness to them.I recall someone accidently pushing the "pay" button at 4 in the morning.Hmmm'I wonder who that was.....I just talked to another VD Power 2 cord owner who said their cord took over 100 hrs. before it really opened up.I also talked to a dealer in Florida about cable "cook" time.While we were talking he said there is a phenomenon where one day you are listening to your system and it sounds absolutely "magical" and in your mind couldn't possibly sound any better and then maybe the next week,without making any changes,you are listening to that same favorite piece and it sounds congested,veiled,etc.and you're stumped as to why.His explanation is that somewhere in the system,be it cords,electronics,etc.,there is a build-up of magnetism that needs to be released.He found a solution in a CD that when played for so many minutes it wipes out this magnetism throughout the system.The website for this is:oops,I wrote it down and left it in my truck.I'll post it later if anyone is interested.He said the cd sells for @ $20.00. Anyway,keep the cords cookin' and have a nice weekend. |
That CD you are referring to is called "Densen", they are available at musicdirect.com, ask for Bes. |
|
It was Gunbei who pressed the "buy" button at 4am. (I am the on still in denial in this support group.)
When I got my first P2 power cord, it sounded already burned in when I first attached it to my transport. Maybe cyro treated cables take longer to burn in.
Speaking of compulsiveness, I just got an ARC amp. I didn't even ask if the amp has detachable ac cord iec input. I just assumed it did. Sure enough, it doesn't. I so badly wanna use duh P2 cord on it. |
Those damn "buy" buttons, I can't seem to resist them.
During break-in I've noticed big jumps in sonic improvement, then a plateau, then another big jump. I've had the cryo'd Audition Package for almost three weeks now, and we'll see if there are any more improvements.
An ARC amp without a detachable PC? I would have never guessed that either.
I just checked FEDEX tracking and my three missing cryo'd Audition PCs have arrived at my doorstep! My plan is to move the one cryo'd Audition PC I do have from my amp to my transport, and replace all the Power 2s with the new Auditions.
We'll see how that goes! |
Keep us posted,Gunbei.I am curious to see what differences you hear between the two.Would you know what trade-in Rick allows from cryo'd Power2 to cryo'd Audition? |
Now I remember, Viggen.It was Gunbei who turns into Homer and yells,"DOH!" when he pushes the buy button.Is there a chance that ARC can provide you an adaptor to iec? I just e-mailed a guy in Puerto Rico who has both the Power2 and 3 and says the Power2 is better,especially in dynamics after one month break-in.There seems to be a magic # of 1 month with power cord break-ins.If so then we all have something more to look forward to.I'm curious if Gunbei found him that magic tube he was experimenting with. |
A whole month for breakin? Okay, a couple more weeks then for me...you know what scares me? Even Celine Dion is listenable with this cable[for a couple of songs]. Who picks her songs? It's like falling into a vat of maple sugar...Other wise the system is cookin....the bass alone has taken an leap. But the VD2 on the panamex is working very nicely...the preamp, cd, and tt seem to all benefit...here is something neat. When cd first came out I bought some old complilation cds[you know the type, hits of 60. 70', usually bad sounding]. Well, I threw one on last night and on a drifters cut"on broadway....I was hearing the song for the very first time....these VD's put the fun back into music....happy listening everyone. |
1 month? Patience is a virtue. Speaking of Virtue, where is my Audition Powercord, Rick? I am tired of calling you and emailing you...
Yup, the ARC doesn't have an IEC thingy, but, as some of you know, I have a ps audio juicebar which I have a P2 cord attached from wall to bar. So, the ARC is still somewhat benefiting from the VD P2. You still get the best sound by connecting the cord straight into the component. The sound is smoother and less fatigueing, but the noise floor isn't lowered by not directly hooking up the VD cord to the amp.
I will look into maybe getting an iec thingy installed with a local arc dealer. btw, the arc component is an integrated amp built in 1997. I assumed all ARC amps built after 1990ish have detachable ac cords. I guess not for the integrated.
Oh, sherod, i am the 4am guy. I just wanted to place blame on gunbei cuz i am supposed to be in denial. |
Ok,Viggen.I thought I had the 4 a.m. person right.Now we need to work on this "denial" thingy.Maybe getting the Power 2 cord hooked up directly to the amp will help. |
Hah, Viggen always trying to shift blame! Gotta watch out for this one Sherod. :•)
OK, it's 8am Los Angles time, I'm having my coffee, and planning on installing the three Cryo'd Audition PCs after a brief listen of my current set up. Then later in the day I'll drop some nice NOS tubes in my Kora DAC and have some more fun.
Keep hitting that buy button Viggen! Ain't it fun. |
Gunbei, ain't single life great? I assume you're single anyways = X. We can hit the "buy" button, and no wife will hit us back.
I just sent another reminder email to rick about the audition powercable today.
One thing about these Virtual Dynamic power cables, they are very hard to hide. They are like those very tall unmanageable weed that sticks out from the ground. My once clean looking system looks like something out of Terminator 2 now. |
Good assumption Viggen. Actually, having no wife can be kinda dangerous with our hobby/passion. It's too easy to make a buy decision when we don't have to consider someone else. My last girlfriend thought my system was pretty cool sounding and looking, but she wasn't thrilled with all the time I spent with it.
Still no Audition PC? When my last PCs shipped from Virtual Dynamics, they alerted me via e-mail and supplied a FEDEX tracking number. Hopefully you'll get a headsup soon.
It's still early in the break-in process, but so far I don't hear a significant difference from the Power 2s yet. But we'll see. |
I can see now why Viggen and Gunbei hit those "pay" buttons so easily.A wife can be a great deterrent to that.I hope you see that Audition PC soon Viggen.If not,we may have to call up our friend in Tulsa,Mr.Roy D.Mercer to give someone a good "ass whooping".Keep us posted Gunbei on the Audition cords.I have heard that as you go up the line dynamics and soundstage improve.If you don't hear a significant improvement with time,then you've saved me a good "reaming out" from the wife.I just noticed a Signature and Reference VD cord up for sale in the classifieds.I wonder why.Well,you all have a good day and as soon as Viggen gets his new cords we can watch him "dancin'on the table with a cloth on his head"...Bro57 started this thread.How are you doing,Bro? |
How much do cryoed Power 2's cost? |
Fiddler,your best bet is to call or e-mail Virtual Dynamics for a quote.They are starting to go through dealers so who knows how long they'll sell direct.You'll still see some of their products for sell in auctions,but because of their current popularity I'm sure they are swamped in production so be prepared for a little wait to get your order. |
Viggen,I was looking at all these huge cables behind my equipment and you're right.It does look like something out of Terminator.The wife has reminded me about this too often lately so today she got an idea.She went and bought a few medium-sized silk plants and spread them around the cables.I carefully threaded the cords over and through the plants and it looks much better.Even the wife approved.Now instead of the Terminator-look, it looks like something out of Predator...snakes in the jungle effect.I even was able to lift some of the cords off the floor so maybe it will sound better by picking up less magnetism...Now if I can only convince the wife to let me hang my Arnold Schwarzenegger Mr. Olympia posters... |
Hey Sherod,
I rewired my system on friday nite. I wounded up the VD cables very tightly, navy rope style, and they look very managed now. I no longer have Terminator 2 cable system. I wonder, does your system sound better after you immersed your system inside thick vegetation? I think they absorb ambient frequency between 500-900 hz. |
Viggen,it's probably psychological but the rerouteing of the cables through the vegetation seems to sound more open.I'm glad I got some feedback.It's bad enough when one starts talking to oneself,but when one starts answering himself then that's scary.I just got a disturbing,lenghthy e-mail from Rick at Virtual Dynamics regarding certain unscrupulous individuals out there who are using his technology to promote their own new cable line.Has anyone else received this e-mail from Rick? I told Rick to post this but he has a personal rule to not post in our threads as a manufacturer. |
it is finally here, the cyrotreated audition powercord. it is certain dimunitive in size compared to the power series, althought, the connections look very similar to the power3, atleast color wise.
i never got an email from rick. i dont think i am on his email list. he never emails me. not on his preferred customer list. pretty smart considering i am now in degrading stage as opposed to upgrading stage.
i never saw any ad of another cable using similar designs to vd. on a side note, go check out vd on audioreview.com. someone did a comparison of vd with wireworld i think. |
I just order cyrotreated Power 3 , but rick been telling me that audition are much better,
Have you did a comparison between the two?
Do you think is it worth spending the extra $175 , I am considering the upgrade but can't seen to get a clear answer. The PC will use on my Integrated Amp. |
Hi Onyx. Recently, I upgraded from all Power 2s to all cryo'd Auditions. When I first made the switch I felt the Power 2s were better, but after three weeks the superiority of the cryo'd Auditions is starting to show. Blacker background, and an even bigger soundstage then what the Power 2s presented.
The difference isn't as dramatic compared to when I swapped out my Absolute Power Cords in favor of the Virtual Dynamics Power 2s. Now that was a huge improvement. As for how the upgrade would affect your setup, I really couldn't say. But the advantages of the more expensive power cord are the increased filtering of the Audition and the cryo treatment which some feel smooth out the sound.
If you're still uncertain, hopefully other members will chime in with their thoughts. Good luck. |
Rick,if you are following this thread,please e-mail Viggen .Just when we thought he was getting over this "denial thingy" your not e-mailing him has caused a regression.Now if he can be patient and let this new Audition start cookin', I'd love to hear some feedback as to how he likes it,especially compared to the Power2's. Also,Gunbei,good to hear the positive feedback on your Auditions and I was impressed with your "humble" system you recently posted.If only mine were as humble.I have often wondered how the Blue Circle components sounded.I've read great reviews about them. |
Which component would you retrofit if you had only one VD Power 2 cryoed and had to remove (de-solder) the old cords and install IEC plugs to attach the VD pc:
CDP
pre
amp
1st Question:
If I realize a significant difference with the one cord, I will purchase additional cords. I just want to know which component should yield the most improvement. I realize this is a very generalized question, but if you only had one VD pc, and you had to make a decision, from your own experience which component would you install it on?
2nd Question
Would you remove the plug from the component end of the VD pc and hard wire directly to the component or would you install the IEC? The hard wire option would probably be better sonically, but the IEC more convenient. And I don't know if Rick would advise cutting his pc or if it would affect the cords performance at all to cut the plug off. |
Hi Fiddler. In my conversations with Rick, it seems he feels that the closer to the source you place the PC the better. I asked him the opposite question you posed, "where would you NOT put the PC if you had to skimp?" He said on the amp. I don't know if I would hardwire the PC to the component. Just a personal preference, but I like the convenience of being able to change cords or upgrade if needed. Give Rick a call, he'll definitely help you out.
I appreciate the kind words Sherod. Rick said that after break-in with his cables and cords, I would realize the true nature of my components, and changing tubes would then really show a difference. When I swapped out my mish mash of cables for an all cryo'd Audition Package the sound became slightly leaner, but opened WAY up. Last weekend, I changed out the Siemens CCAs in my Kora Hermes for a pair of Mullards and am now enjoying full rich sound with all the glorious soundstaging the Virtual Dynamics initially brought to my system. Now my Blue Circle gear display all the detail, pace, and expansiveness that I had hoped for. And with the ability to swap tubes in my preamp and DAC I'm able to tune the music to the way I like it.
So much fun! |
Sherod. Is there someone trying to do a knock-off on rick's cables? You could e-mail me with the info if you do not wish to mention here.....Gunbei, that's nice gear....enjoy...yesterday I played one of my nephews vhs tapes through the system.....it was capenter's"Vampires"....the newforms were shaking the place.......I've never heard so much dynamics from the system before and this is on vhs playback????//I was impressed.....haven't jumped to dvd yet.....I believe this virtual dynamics stuff frees the music from the playback chain more than anything I've tried....Go, my banged up Leafs, go..... |
