...the learning experience continues...

Quote Originally Posted by E-Stat
Well, this particular topic of bi-wiring never came up because he primarily makes full range electrostats. There's nothing to bi-wire! His recommendation is to find a speaker cable with particularly low inductance given their low impedance drop at the top. Contrary to the feelings of these folks,



he never made any brand recommendations to support Big Cable.

Like most engineers, his background on the effects of cabling and other passive parts was limited. His development work was clearly focused on improving the panel technology. It was his dealers who suggested he offer a factory "hod rod" backplate using Vishay resistors, Jensen caps, and Sledgehammer chokes after some users had already done this. (this is where RL will step in to cry foul). Initially, he resisted until he found out the incremental improvement such changes made to his otherwise excellent product. My U-1s are so equipped. A similar story exists with Ole Lund Christensen (formerly of GamuT).

Power cords from an engineering perspective

rw
Somewhere between one extreme and the other dwells the truth...or at least something closely resembling it...

While I'm fairly certain that if I searched long and hard enough I'd find some endorsements or more egregious examples of one hand washing the other, so the good Doctor is not among them...which means what prezackly? That the practice doesn't exist? It does, but sometimes it's subtle and done in most covert and non-committal manner...

So the tweakier Soundlab customers told the dealers, who told the mfr., "Hey, you should do this and this, cuz it will appeal to that niche group"...OK, well given the fact that their products seem to be virtually hand-built and commensurately priced it's not a stretch IMO...If you decide to use components that conform to tighter tolerances and have better quality control, I'd expect to see (or more accurately hear) a difference, and the pricing difference at that level isn't going to present a problem...I mean they are selling a pair of show demo models for nearly $19K, that MSRP @ $26K...in that rarefied atmosphere what's a few hunnert more for Vishays et al?...If you take a look at the description of the U-1s, they claim to welcome the customer's input, and I quote:

"Some of the suggestions have been of a nature that would not appeal to the majority. Nevertheless, for those few who must "go all the way" we have devised the Ultimate series. The customer is invited to assist in choosing some of the critical parts, such as the type of internal conductors and speaker posts. The color of the framework and the type of grille treatment are other areas in which the customer may participate. In other words, the Ultimate is a specialized, customized product that bears the trademark of the owner."

I'll take a guess that whatever you would like to pay for, as long as it doesn't sully the brand's image or sonics, is OK...

Then, of course, there is GamuT...who states:

"For further improvements to the level of sound quality, various types of mains cable type may be tested. Like the importance of any other cable in the system, the quality and refinement of the mains cable has influence on the total balance of the sound. Please feel free to experiment with the various brands available in your country. Please note that GamuT cannot accept responsibility for damage incurred due to improper usage, connection, or manufacture of other cables than the enclosed."

Both quotes, IMO, are of a most onerous type; neither is a ringing endorsement nor do they upset the applecart...much like the use of aftermarket wiring, it's subject to interpretation. BTW, by their own admission, GamuT uses some components and semi-conductors from those esoteric manufacturers Motorola and Philips...

And just to show that my POV is not all that one sided, another quote from GamuT:

"The current in the mains power cable is a very distorted version of the signal, and it contains very high frequencies.

A special power cable can reduce radiation of interference, and it can improve your sound quality."

Note that these last two lines are not from the manual proper, but from subject matter contained therein with the heading of Interesting Trivial Facts...Wiggle room?

My argument: If the PC can be seen as a signal generator and that "special power cable" can attenuate it's effects, what happens at the outlet? In the wiring to said outlet? Back at the circuit junction? Isn't that "distorted version of the signal" everywhere, all down the line?

jimHJJ(...just some info and a question...)