Upgrade 2010
At the fall of 2009 through A.M.A (Montreal Audiophile Assoication) I was put into contact with Marc Phillip
which presents (with other collaborators) an excellent audio web-zine (french only) at
http://www.magazine-audio.com/ . He is also an expert at improving acoustic of listening rooms. He was doing a
trial of audio cables from Canadian company blueberry-hill audio and he was searching volonteers to try these
cables on their own system and validate his own opinion (very commandable attitude). You can read the result of
this (French only) at http://www.magazine-audio.com/2009/blueberry-hill-audio-les-cables/ As a bonus Marc
makes wonderful photos and his pictures looks a lot better than mine. It was really a nice occasion for me and
since I was in my own home with my own system it could not be a better test. I was really impressed that 'just'
cable could make such a big change. Before leaving Marc also gave me some advice at the level of the electric
alimentation of my system and told me that a dedicated line would make a big difference. Ideally two independent
circuit one for digital equipment the other for analog (in my case the amplifiers). From the point of view of my
sound system this was also a sensible approach to improve all channels together.
which presents (with other collaborators) an excellent audio web-zine (french only) at
http://www.magazine-audio.com/ . He is also an expert at improving acoustic of listening rooms. He was doing a
trial of audio cables from Canadian company blueberry-hill audio and he was searching volonteers to try these
cables on their own system and validate his own opinion (very commandable attitude). You can read the result of
this (French only) at http://www.magazine-audio.com/2009/blueberry-hill-audio-les-cables/ As a bonus Marc
makes wonderful photos and his pictures looks a lot better than mine. It was really a nice occasion for me and
since I was in my own home with my own system it could not be a better test. I was really impressed that 'just'
cable could make such a big change. Before leaving Marc also gave me some advice at the level of the electric
alimentation of my system and told me that a dedicated line would make a big difference. Ideally two independent
circuit one for digital equipment the other for analog (in my case the amplifiers). From the point of view of my
sound system this was also a sensible approach to improve all channels together.
So I bought two Furetech Rhodium receptacle and again through another friend at A.M.A was put into contact with an
electrician used to do this kind of job came to my home a Saturday morning. In addition to installing two circuits
straight from the electrical box, this competent person found out that one breaker in my electrical box had melted and
needed to be changed (this made an annoying buzz from the box disappear and maybe much electrical noise
everywhere in the house), also the ground connection to the main water pipe coming in the house needed to be
tightened. This for less money than anything else I will list in the rest of this page. So if you own your own house and
some additional electrical wire can be passed from your electrical box to a spot close to your sound system, this is
highly recommended.
The result was better than my expectations and was not a subtle change. The most obvious improvements were at the
extreme of the dynamic range. In soft passage music is coming out of a 'darker' and cleaner background. In loud
passages my speakers breathe better and sounds less constrained. This is important because this is the main weakness
of my system, even a small improvement there makes a big subjective difference. Finally the sound is more refined,
less digital and simply more enjoyable.
On the picture you see that the two receptacle are in the middle of a hole in the wall. This is simply that there was a
small heater in there which I did not need anymore after a heat pump and central heating was installed. So the
electrician removed it.
Unfortunately they could not be installed directly beside my sound system so not as close as I would have wanted. So
I purcheased a powerBIS from BIS audio with a really thick and impressive power cable (to impress the buyer?).
electrician used to do this kind of job came to my home a Saturday morning. In addition to installing two circuits
straight from the electrical box, this competent person found out that one breaker in my electrical box had melted and
needed to be changed (this made an annoying buzz from the box disappear and maybe much electrical noise
everywhere in the house), also the ground connection to the main water pipe coming in the house needed to be
tightened. This for less money than anything else I will list in the rest of this page. So if you own your own house and
some additional electrical wire can be passed from your electrical box to a spot close to your sound system, this is
highly recommended.
The result was better than my expectations and was not a subtle change. The most obvious improvements were at the
extreme of the dynamic range. In soft passage music is coming out of a 'darker' and cleaner background. In loud
passages my speakers breathe better and sounds less constrained. This is important because this is the main weakness
of my system, even a small improvement there makes a big subjective difference. Finally the sound is more refined,
less digital and simply more enjoyable.
On the picture you see that the two receptacle are in the middle of a hole in the wall. This is simply that there was a
small heater in there which I did not need anymore after a heat pump and central heating was installed. So the
electrician removed it.
Unfortunately they could not be installed directly beside my sound system so not as close as I would have wanted. So
I purcheased a powerBIS from BIS audio with a really thick and impressive power cable (to impress the buyer?).
Since I was in a directon of optimizing my sound system accessories, I of course ask myself if I good find good
cables (let's say 80% as good) but less expensive than the blueberry hill audio cable. My reasoning is simply that
I prefer to shoot for a better improvement to all channels in my sound system.
So since a few weeks after the two dedicated power circuits were installed and I had time to get used to the new
'state' of my system I decided to play with cables from the receptacle toward the speakers. So I went to visit
several audio shops in Montreal and in each cases I tried three different cables each time. I started with power
cables, XLR interconnect and finally speaker cables.
cables (let's say 80% as good) but less expensive than the blueberry hill audio cable. My reasoning is simply that
I prefer to shoot for a better improvement to all channels in my sound system.
So since a few weeks after the two dedicated power circuits were installed and I had time to get used to the new
'state' of my system I decided to play with cables from the receptacle toward the speakers. So I went to visit
several audio shops in Montreal and in each cases I tried three different cables each time. I started with power
cables, XLR interconnect and finally speaker cables.
For the power cable I chose to buy two siltech classic anniversary series SPX300 (for my 4BSST2 and my
3BSST). I was sceptical but all three models were improving the clarity of the musical mssage and again made
my amplifier and speakers breathe easier. But in addition with the siltech the depth of the image was deeper and
the solidity of the sound between speakers was better (like less holes in the sound).
For my interconnect cable the greater differences was at the level of micro-details and the lower register. I
finally settled on an audioquest Colorado which seemed a little warmer and faster. Unfortunately for the moment
($$$) I had to settle for a single pair, which are used with my QUAD 2905s.
3BSST). I was sceptical but all three models were improving the clarity of the musical mssage and again made
my amplifier and speakers breathe easier. But in addition with the siltech the depth of the image was deeper and
the solidity of the sound between speakers was better (like less holes in the sound).
For my interconnect cable the greater differences was at the level of micro-details and the lower register. I
finally settled on an audioquest Colorado which seemed a little warmer and faster. Unfortunately for the moment
($$$) I had to settle for a single pair, which are used with my QUAD 2905s.
For speaker cable this is where the choice was easiest (or the differences the greatest). A possible explanation is
since the other cables in the chain were already better then the speaker cables were clearly the remaining weakest
link. I have to admit that strangely the most expensive cable I tried was the worst. It sounded hyper fast but very
cold and the image seemed to be further away and more diffuse. (I am sure these cables can work well but not
with what I have). Another cable was OK in the mid-range but seemed to soften bass and highs. So I went for
audioquest mont-blanc (which strangely have their own batteries, dbs system, I am sceptical of this!) but the
important thing is the result. Per chance the audio boutique had some leftover so they also gave me a third cable for
my center QUAD ESL 988 for the same price. Everything snapped in place the mid-range was glowing, clear highs
but no agression and solid focused bass. This is called happiness.
I also purchased four sunoko-vent tablets from Quadraspire que that I arranged into two low rack to lower my
electronics close to the ground lower than my (deployed) Stewart screen, no more leds visible through the screen.
since the other cables in the chain were already better then the speaker cables were clearly the remaining weakest
link. I have to admit that strangely the most expensive cable I tried was the worst. It sounded hyper fast but very
cold and the image seemed to be further away and more diffuse. (I am sure these cables can work well but not
with what I have). Another cable was OK in the mid-range but seemed to soften bass and highs. So I went for
audioquest mont-blanc (which strangely have their own batteries, dbs system, I am sceptical of this!) but the
important thing is the result. Per chance the audio boutique had some leftover so they also gave me a third cable for
my center QUAD ESL 988 for the same price. Everything snapped in place the mid-range was glowing, clear highs
but no agression and solid focused bass. This is called happiness.
I also purchased four sunoko-vent tablets from Quadraspire que that I arranged into two low rack to lower my
electronics close to the ground lower than my (deployed) Stewart screen, no more leds visible through the screen.
Last of this long list of improvements, lately universal player that includes Blu-ray, DVD-Audio and SACD
have appeared on the market. I have replaced my oppo 980 with a Cambridge azur 650D of which I am really
happy to have purchased (a good friend has the oppo 83-SE and he his also astounded to get so much for so little
money). In my case an audio shop had the Cambridge model, so I was able to play with it before buying. In
addition to a very good image, the audio through HDMI was better than my old oppo for SACD, DVD-A and even
Opera Blu-ray compared to my PS3. Frankly this is a bit surprising since the Cambridge is only a digital transport
and all the coversion to analog music is in my Integra. So bit for bit it should have been the same. But it is not the
case, so maybe the Cambridge has a more recent HDMI chip set that simply provides a better digital signal.
have appeared on the market. I have replaced my oppo 980 with a Cambridge azur 650D of which I am really
happy to have purchased (a good friend has the oppo 83-SE and he his also astounded to get so much for so little
money). In my case an audio shop had the Cambridge model, so I was able to play with it before buying. In
addition to a very good image, the audio through HDMI was better than my old oppo for SACD, DVD-A and even
Opera Blu-ray compared to my PS3. Frankly this is a bit surprising since the Cambridge is only a digital transport
and all the coversion to analog music is in my Integra. So bit for bit it should have been the same. But it is not the
case, so maybe the Cambridge has a more recent HDMI chip set that simply provides a better digital signal.
What is cool about great speakers like QUAD-ESLs is the more you improve everything that goes before
them the better they sound, the more involved with the music you feel. Also the overall sound spread in my
listening space is even more complete with an even stronger presence of the color of each instrument.
As usual my favorite recordings sounds even better. Also in certain cases it is like a digital veil was lifted and I
am closer to the music. Strangely this effect was more pronounced on some recordings than others. Audio
(and our perception of it) is a pretty complex topic. I will write about a specific recording that I feel is better
than I thought simply because of inherent weakness in my sound system.
them the better they sound, the more involved with the music you feel. Also the overall sound spread in my
listening space is even more complete with an even stronger presence of the color of each instrument.
As usual my favorite recordings sounds even better. Also in certain cases it is like a digital veil was lifted and I
am closer to the music. Strangely this effect was more pronounced on some recordings than others. Audio
(and our perception of it) is a pretty complex topic. I will write about a specific recording that I feel is better
than I thought simply because of inherent weakness in my sound system.