Shunyata
Research versus Siltech
June
28, 2012
Marc,
You
seem to have been very impressed with the Shunyata Zitron Cobra interconnects and speaker cables. How would you
rate them compared to the top-of-the-line Siltech offerings that seemed to have impressed
you similarly a few years ago?
Jean-Pierre
Sarrato
You
are correct -- I am very impressed with the Shunyata Zitron cables (I reviewed the Cobra,
and I have the Anaconda now), which compete with top cables from other makers that cost
far, far more. The Siltech cables I reviewed were from the G6 and Classic Mk 2 series, and
at the time I thought they were the best cables I had ever heard. But that was seven years
ago, and I haven't heard a Siltech cable since. I hope to rectify that situation soon (I'm
scheduled to review the Siltech Explorer cables), but for now it's impossible for me to
compare the latest Shunyata cables to those older ones from Siltech, as my sonic memory
just isn't that good. Sorry. -Marc Mickelson
H-3000V
or Reference Phono 2?
June
25, 2012
Marc,
I
wonder if you can help me. Someone told me that you use both the Allnic H-3000V and Audio
Research Reference Phono 2. I am choosing between them and was wondering if the Reference
Phono 2 is on a par with the Allnic and how you think they differ.
Over
here in the UK, a couple of friends were disappointed with the Reference Phono 2, saying
that it was fairly easily matched by a Tom Evans The Groove SRX (which itself is quite an
inferior jump down from the Mastergroove). I am a bit cautious with some of the big US
brands, but if the performance is good, then I will go with whatever.
Rich
Murray
I
have firsthand experience with both the Allnic H-3000V
as well as the Audio Research Reference Phono 2 SE (and Reference Phono 2 before it). They are the two best phono stages I've
heard in my system. In terms of design, both use tubes, offer alternate EQ curves, have
multiple inputs, and have enough gain for even the lowest MC cartridges. However, the big
differences between them is that the Allnic phono stage uses an LCR EQ network along with
step-up transformers, while Audio Research has a remote control (with which you can change
loading and EQ from the listening seat) and derives all of its gain from active devices,
having no step-up transformers.
There
are some broad sonic similarities between them, including tonal purity and weight, and a
unique way with space. Both always bring out the best in analog, never adding crispness to
enhance the sense of detail or speed. Their fullness (especially from the Allnic) gives
musicians a kind of authenticity that I find particularly appealing. The difference in
their spatial fingerprints really comes down to the enormity of the Reference Phono 2 SE's
soundstage versus the spooky holography of images within the soundscape with the H-3000V.
Just when I think I prefer one of these phono stages, I listen to another record on the
other and question my conclusion.
I
have no experience with the Tom Evans unit you mention, so I can't help you there. But. .
. -Marc Mickelson
As
a long-time user of the Tom Evans Groove SRX, and having had both the Allnic and the Audio
Research phono stages in the system as well, I'm perhaps uniquely placed to comment on the
differences between these units. Marc is spot on with his description of the virtues of
and contrasts between the two tubed contenders. There is an undoubted sense of solidity
and presence with the Allnic, space and dimensionality with the Audio Research. The Tom
Evans design is a cat of quite a different color. Unlike the other two phono stages under
discussion, the Groove SRX is a solid-state device throughout, with a circuit that
features multiple, independent stages of the super-quiet Lithos regulation. The result is
a level of detail and dynamic resolution, a blackness to the background and a precision
and stability to the placement of images that betters either of the tube designs. The
Groove SRX is about transparency and a reach-out-and-touch sense of immediacy. What it
lacks is the color, the dimensionality (especially the substance of individual images) and
that uncanny "atmosphere" that both the Allnic and Audio Research units possess
(although the Master Groove -- that's planned for imminent review -- might extend those
properties). It also lacks the ability to switch replay EQ curves -- vital if you listen
to older recordings, especially classical and jazz; irrelevant if you only listen to
relatively recent rock or pop and 180-gram reissues.
You
don't list the rest of your system, so it's impossible to get a steer on where your sonic
preferences lie. I'd suggest you ask yourself the following questions: Does the crisp,
quick precision and rhythmic drive of the Tom Evans appeal -- or the warmer weight and
solidity of the tube designs? Are your record shelves weighed down with early Deccas, DGG
pressings and a selection of original Jazz discs? Finally, have you heard any of these
phono stages yourself? The answers will tell you what you should be seeking out.
One
last consideration; if you don't need the EQ curves but do fancy hearing a tubed
alternative to the Groove(s), I'd take a serious listen to the Aesthetix Rhea, a genuinely
versatile and highly musical tube design. -Roy Gregory
Buying
a Scuttle
June
21, 2012
Marc,
I'm
finally ready to purchase a Silent Running Scuttle rack for my Cary preamp and CD player.
Once I get the rack in place, I will start saving for a turntable and phono stage. Tim at
Silent Running thought the new Scuttle˛ was best for my purposes, but I know he is busy
and I don't want to probe him with questions. Do you know what improvements the second
generation made over the first, and more importantly, what the third generation will add?
According to a review on Silent Running's site, the Scuttleł will add three times the
isolation of the Scuttle˛. If this is really the case, and I am correct that the
Scuttle˛ costs $7000 and the Scuttleł costs $9000, then should I pay the extra? (I'm not
quite sure where I came up with these prices; I am interested in the three-shelf,
six-component double rack -- as pictured in TAB's review.)
I
would appreciate any clarification or advice you can give me. This is the last rack I will
ever buy, and I want to make the best choice.
Jeff
Levine
According
to Kevin Tellekamp at Silent Running, the first-generation Scuttle, of which there are
"hundreds" in use, is no longer in production. It has been replaced by the
Scuttle˛, which features newly designed 1”-thick shelving material similar to that
for the Craz rack, along with an improved footer material. The price went up a little more
than $300 (from $6667 to $7000 for the three-tier wide Six unit). That $300 covers the
difference in material costs only.
Silent Running also has a "hot rod version" of the Scuttle˛ that
features the same mass-loaded supports and weight-specific isoPods used for Craz. This is
called the Scuttleł. According to Kevin, "These parts are expensive to produce, so
this upgrade would tack on another $2000."
Regarding which rack to buy, you can always throw
money at the issue, but at some point, you have to set your budget and stick to it. Doing
that will make your choice clear. -Marc Mickelson
Reference
75 for Wilson Sashas?
June
17, 2012
Paul,
My
system comprises Wilson Audio Sasha W/P speakers, a Wadia S7i CD player and an Audio
Research Reference 5 preamp. I thought of buying the Reference 150 power amp, but I was
deterred by the large number of tubes and by too much heat. I eventually bought the Krell
302e. The Krell is good, but I still long for tube sound. From what I heard, the earlier
Reference 110 was insufficient for the Wilson speakers. Can you please describe (as much
as you can) the difference between the Reference 150 and the Reference 75. What would I
lose by using the Reference 75, if anything?
Naseem
Yacoub
I
have only heard the Reference 150 on a few occasions. The Reference 75 was easily able to
drive the Wilson Sashas in my new room (23' x 14' x 9') with powerful orchestral music.
The Reference 75's power supply is proportionally identical in storage capacity to the
Reference 150's -- same capacity per watt -- and is equal to that of the discontinued
Reference 110. The size of your room and your musical tastes will have some effect on the
suitability of the Reference 75 for your system, but in a normal-sized room it should be
able to handle almost anything you care to play. As I pointed out in my blog, the
Reference 75 was designed and voiced primarily on Sasha W/Ps.
If
you have any doubts, try to get your dealer to let you audition the '75 at home for a
couple of days. -Paul Bolin
Robert
Koda K-10 and Lamm LL1 Signature
June
14, 2012
Marc,
Many
thanks for the nice review of the Robert Koda K-10. Very elaborate and soulful. Love
your style.
I
would kindly ask where you would say the K-10 sits compared to the Lamm LL1 Signature.
From
what I could conclude, it seems that the K-10 is one of the finest preamps that has come
through your listening room.
Matt
Turner
The
Robert Koda K-10 and Lamm LL1 Signature are qualitative peers -- both would my
make preamp top-five list (along with the Audio Research Reference Anniversary, Zanden
Model 3000 and CAT SL-1 Legend). However, they also sound rather different. The Lamm
preamp emphasizes the music's forward momentum through the sheer force and punch of its
sound. The K-10 is about ease and naturalness throughout the sonic spectrum. It possesses
a graceful musicality (for lack of a better term) that integrates detail from recordings
instead of parsing the music into its constituent sonic parts. While both approaches will
have their adherents, I doubt these people will see eye to eye in terms of which one makes
for better listening. -Marc Mickelson
Zanden
vs. Stahl-Tek
June
11, 2012
Marc,
I
have (somehow) only recently discovered The Audio Beat and now consider it (by
far) my favorite review site. Thank you for such incredibly incisive reviews, which always
include comparisons that I find to be some of the most valuable parts to your reviews.
I
read in your August 2011 letter that you named the Zanden four-box rig as your
favorite CD-playback source. Have you heard the new Stahl-Tek Vekian Opus at CES 2011 or
2012? I own the Zanden Model 5000S DAC and love it. The original Vekian (nearly) convinced
me to trade. That is the first time ever (I've heard and passed on dCS Scarlatti, EMM Labs
CDSA, Wadis S7i, Audio Research Reference CD8, Krell Evolution 505, Metronome Kalista
Reference/C2A, and Meridian 808i.2).
But
I have now heard that the Vekian Opus is superior -- from several former Zanden owners who
have since moved over. I don't know these owners, so do not know if this is a "buy
the new thing" thing or if in fact someone has finally managed to surpass the mighty
Zanden.
Many
thanks for any guidance. Meanwhile, I look forward to reading more on your great site.
Lloyd
Lee
As
you know, the hierarchy of digital playback continues to reshuffle at a rapid pace.
Judging by the list of equipment you've heard, you may have more experience with digital
gear than any reviewer. Within my experience, the Zanden Model 2000P transport/Model 5000S
DAC combo still reigns supreme, mostly for how it contrasts with much digital equipment
I've heard: its naturalness and ease replicate the sound of very good analog.
I
say all this not having heard the Stahl-Tek equipment you mention and about which others
have written to me. Time is never on my side when it comes to adding review products to my
queue, but I'll inquire just the same about the Stahl-Tek rig and perhaps you'll read
about it on TAB at some point in the future. -Marc Mickelson
Room
size?
June
6, 2012
Marc,
I
saw the pictures of your Wilson Audio Alexandria XLF installation on Facebook. What are
the dimensions of your listening room?
Dan
Evert
My
room is 20' wide by 29' long and has a 10' ceiling. It's on a cement slab -- no floor
movement -- and completely carpeted. It's big enough and lossy enough that the minimal
treatments I've tried changed the sound but didn't necessarily improve it. Best of all for
a speaker like the Alexandria XLF (and my back), the front door of my house opens directly
into my listening room, so heavy gear can be carried or rolled right in. -Marc
Mickelson
Furutech
or AudioQuest phono cable?
June
2, 2012
Marc,
I
noticed that you use or have used the Furutech Ag-12 and the AudioQuest LeoPard in various
reviews. I am debating whether I should purchase the Furutech or the AudioQuest; these are
the two I am currently interested in. I could demo the AudioQuest but not the Furutech, so
it will not be possible for me to compare the two side by side. Can you give me your
opinion of the sound characteristics of each cable, or more specifically the differences
between them in the bass, midrange and high frequencies?
I
am currently using an Ortofon Cadenza Blue into an Avid Pulsus phono stage with a cheap
phono cable, so I know that either one would make a huge difference compared to what I
have now.
Paul
Loussia
I
haven't heard either cable in many months -- even longer for the Furutech -- so I can't
really be sure of anything beyond what I've already written about them. Neither cable
sounds unforgiving, and both possess clarity, the Furutech just a bit more, as I recall. I
do think Furutech's shielding has positive audio effects, perhaps in terms of the cable's
overall clarity, but that's only speculation.
While in some cases one product may be more right for you than another, in this
case, these two cables are so closely matched that you probably can't go wrong with either
of them.
Sorry
I can't address your further questions with specifics. FYI: I wrote a full review of the
Furutech cable in 2008, when I was editor of Soundstage. You may still be able to
find that review online. -Marc Mickelson
