Subaru, that's a good one, just think how my dinky Bel Canto DAC 1.1 went airborne with my VD Power 2s. The Auditions I'm getting have three smaller strands. so hopefully they'll bend easier.
Viggen, I'll keep your review and experiences in mind when I get my cables and go through the install. |
Cool deal Bro57, the Power 2s did wonders for my system's sound. Looks like a whole lot of us will be trying out Rick's cables and cords, then writing reviews. |
Hi Jim, I was first awakened to the Virtual Dynamics line of cables and cords by Audiogon member Ewha. He had noticed nice changes with just a single Basic power cord. I replaced 3 Absolute Power Cords with VD Power 2s and was just plain stunned at the difference.
I'm thinking of trying the entire Audition package which Rick is selling here on Audiogon discounted. Try running a search in the discussion forum here, as I know there is at least one current thread running regarding Virtual Dynamics and a few more less recent ones singing their praises.
Boy, those Signature cables must be sweet! |
Brulee, I've got VD thrice, and I love them! Done wonders for my system! I'm thinking of upgrading the VD ladder and also springing for some ICs too. When and if that happens, I plan on lending our friend Dekay my three VD Power 2s to see if he likes them in his system, although his wife may not appreciate it. :) |
"...accidentally pressed pay". I love that! I can't even count how many times I've gone "doh!" right after I pressed "order" or "buy". |
Hi, I just wanted to let you all know that Rick with Virtual Dynamics is now offering full cryogenic treatment of his interconnects, power cords and speaker cables. He said even if you already own his cables and cords you can send them back to him for the cryo treatment if you want it done.
Rick just recently got the cryo-freezer and has been able to get the cables down to about minus 190. If you'd like some info on cryogenic treatment, Buckingham directed me to some good info on it at the Jena Labs website.
I ordered the first Audition Package of cables with the full cryo-treatment. I should get them in 2-3 weeks, and after proper break-in I'll post my impressions. |
Viggen, thanks for your detailed reports. I'm sure many people considering Virtual Dynamics cables and cords will find your experience helpful. I have the Audition Package with full cryo treatment on order and should be receiving them in 1-2 weeks. I'm not as patient nor as thorough you, and will probably do a complete system wide swap out when they arrive. Plus, I want them to break in as fast as possible, so I'll most likely give them a listen when I first install them, then leave everything on and cycling for a few days. I'll probably listen every 24 hours or so to check the progress. I've been doing this with a newly acquired set of NOS tubes and I'm amazed how different they've sounded at each stage of break in. Keep us posted on your progress, and I'll write again when I feel confident that I can contribute any usable information. Later... |
Viggen, actually I've never posted a virtual system, because it keeps changing so often. But, I think I've settled into something that I both like and maxes out my budget. I'll definitely let you know what I think of the Audition Package when I get it. |
Hi Mzn50. Yeah Rick said the orders are piling up and the wait will only get longer now that word is getting around about the cryo option and his cables in general. I should have my cryo'd wires in a week or two so I'll be able to give you a one week in advance preview. Good luck! |
Hi Erik, sorry to hear they didn't work out, which cords did you swap out for the Power 3s?
I'll be receiving the cryo'd Audition Package soon and am a bit nervous because if I don't like it, I've already sold all my speaker cables and will need to buy a new set. Presently, I have no music at all! |
Hi Ed. I know that the Audition PC is a triple strand design, where the similarly priced Power 1 which is designed for big monoblocks, is a single super suspension bridge thick cable. I think the level of filtering also goes up with the Reference and Signature PCs.
I currently own three Power 2s and will be receiving the Audition Package very shortly, so I'll have something to compare then, albeit not at the higher end that your asking about. |
Bro, it'll be interesting what if any difference you'll experience in the change. I hope they're better. I went straight with the Power 2s and they were a definite improvement over the Absolute PCs in my system. Hopefully the cryo'd Auditions I'm awaiting will be that much better as well. |
OK folks, I just received my cryo'd Audition Package yesterday. First off, I must note that I was missing part of my order. My order consisted of two pairs of ICs, one digital IC, a biwired pair of SCs and four PCs. I was missing 3 PCs, but after a quick call to Brett, I was assured that the other three would be built and shipped to me ASAP. Brett was very apologetic. The folks at Virtual Dynamics are the nicest people in the world, and because of the buzz surrounding there products they're also among the busiest. I have complete confidence in their service.
I've been sitting idle for about three weeks without any music at all, because I sold both pairs of Analysis Plus Oval 9s I had. So the first thing I did last night was to hook up the biwired Audition SCs and try to make an aural comparison through memory. I opted for the WBT bananas instead of the standard WBT spades. When I placed my order, Rick said that WBT Topline bananas were optional at no extra charge. Well I was pretty darn surprised when I realized he had placed the more expensive 0645 angled Safety locking bananas on them. Thanks!! Initially, I was a bit apprehensive because the VD cables are so stiff, and running four separate conductors to my little ProAcs could potentially create flying/suspended Tab 50s! To my relief, all VD cables while being stiff, are also very bendable. I found it easy to bend all the cables into any twist or shape. Try and imagine big expensive pipe cleaners. Once you bend them, they stay put.
Even cold out of the box I can tell the cryo'd Audition speaker cables are very good. Overall very smooth and at the same time satisfyingly [for me] detailed. From what I can remember these beat the the AP9s as far as soundstage width and depth, but right now the VD's focus is out of wack. Instruments such as pianos and guitars are decently placed, but Ana Caram sounds as if she's standing at a 45° angle to me and singing to the guy standing by the back door. I'm sure this will be resolved as they break-in.
I hooked up the digital cable, interconnects and the one power cord this morning. One thing I noticed was that the digital cable was not differentiated from the other ICs. This leads me to believe that it may not be a true 75 ohm design. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Also the biwired SCs have the Virtual Dynamics logo on the terminator jacket on the source end while the speaker end is blank, so I arranged all my ICs in the same manner. The interconnects come with locking WBT RCA jacks just like the ones Harmonic Technology uses, but these are gun metal grey. Oooohh. The ICs have the same bend characteristics as the SCs.
With all the VD cables and cords installed, I sat around for a couple hours this morning listening to music I'm very familiar with. After running brand new Virtual Dynamics cables for only a few hours, I will say that they are very smooth. I'm not sure if this is an effect of the cryogenic freezing, but I'm pretty impressed. The background is blacker and quieter than before. While still a bit unfocused, the soundstage is larger than I've ever experienced in my system, and there's more air around the instruments as well. Right now my system lacks the romance it had with my other cables, but hopefully that will change with time and break in. And if not, that's something I can address with some tube rolling.
I'm playing a CD on repeat while I'm at work, so I'll have a chance to see if there are any improvements when I get home. I realize the full break-in may take one to two months though. I'll write again when I have something significant to report. |
Thanks for the heads up Viggen, that's good to know! Even if the Virtual Dynamics isn't a true 75ohm, it's sounding pretty good even now. I have a D60 as well, but it's been long demoted to it's velvet box. |
