I read a review of the Stealth Audio Dream 20-20 yesterday. The reviewer raved about the timbre and the layered soundstage. One Dream 20-20 works well, but two work better. An additional Dream 20-20 doesn’t change the timbre. It eliminates the slightly softer, blurred sound produced by the single Dream 20-20, and the soundstage gets sharper edges. I guess you’ll have to test that in your own system. Donald, it seems like a never-ending process.
Interesting, and it probably depends on the system because I do not hear these issues in mine. I plan to put back ZenWave to compare again, but Dream 2020 is not done break in yet.
The real test is when D333 is here, I can compare the two in it to see if another 2020 is needed. ZenWave is a close second at PZ, and I do not believe it will do worse at D333, but I will not know for sure until I try.
Unlike ZenWave, one Stealth is not enough in the system as most users ended up getting more. My next move will be a Stealth Cloude Grande against TakShaka. Here is a more important comparison because Takshaka is selling at lower price than CG where PSR-11 is the same price as Dream 2020 (what I paid). Takshaka could be the star here because it is that good.
I was leaning towards a CG AG before, but I still have other silver cords in the system and I do not really need more detail. I may have to consult with Luca to see which CG he preferred for his DAC. There are CG, CG cu, CG LE, and what else? Very confusing.
I need to take a walk to clear my head now.
Donald, I think you’re happy with your cable selection and don’t need any more. Enjoy your walk. Best regards, Andreas
Donald,
I’m very interested in your comments about the Takshaka power cord in comparison to the Stealth and ZenWare cables. My cable budget is at the Takshaka cost level (and preferably even lower). I’m not expecting the Takshaka to keep up with the Stealth options, but if it comes fairly close in terms of SQ, then the lower cost of the Takshaka puts it in the “high value” range for me.
I’m also considering the Shunyata Alpha-X for use on my DAC and streamer as an alternative to the Takshaka that is at a similar cost level. I’ve been able to demo the Alpha-X in my system, and I liked it a lot, but I haven’t heard the Takshaka. In my system, the digital gear (DAC and streamer) seem to be more sensitive to power cable changes than do the fully analog gear (amp and preamp), but YMMV.
Do you think the Takshaka cable is special enough to be worth the hassle and expense of arranging an in-home demo in my system? I’m sure I’d love the Stealth cables if I gave them a try, but that would involve a much higher financial investment than I’ve been willing to make. So what power cable would be the best “Stealth-Lite” option based on your experience thus far?
I am only one letter off from Donald, but I recently heard the difference between Shunyata Alpha V1, NR and their new Theta power cables. The Theta was substantially better; great value for money. Just a suggestion…
So different or better. Have yet to hear the Stealth Magic, but different comes to mind.
Audience is still in the game. System synergy is at play here.
Since both Dream 2020 and ZenWave PSR-11 came with C19 plug, I cannot compare them to Takshaka directly. The only cord that I compared it to in the higher cost level was my AQ Dragon HC (it was my best cord before my new cable frenzy). Takshaka sounds fuller, more analog like, and with a perfect timbre that is clearly to my liking than Dragon. But it is not perfect. The Dragon provided a darker background (superior to any cord in my system so far) and sounded a bit cleaner. All wordings used to describe the difference was what I heard in my own system, and personal preference comes into play too. The dead background and super clean in a high-resolution system could result in a more analytic sound, but it could thrive and sound better in another system.
So, I cannot say Takshaka will for sure be the best choice for you. I do not even know if it can compete with Stealth CG yet at this point.
Ron’s suggestion of Theta X is a good one, and it could be the sweet-spot cord from Shunyata brand. You should try both in your system to decide which one works better. The Cable Co. has both in their library to loan, I believe.
One step at a time, my friend. Be patient. We can talk about that once you are more familiar with the new Beast coming soon.
I might be happiest with 2 Stealths plus an Audience
Donald and Ron,
Thanks for the additional info and suggestions. I apologize for taking things a bit off topic, but I guess the issue of comparing other power cables to Stealth cables is still on topic. And, of course, many forum members (including me) are trying to deal with our Stealth-envy in a constructive and wallet-protective manner.
As both of you suggest, the Shunyata Theta power cables are definitely worth a listen, especially at a price point under $1k. Fortunately, I have been able to use the Cable Company Lending Library to hear the Theta and Alpha-X power cables in my own system. Used on my Atma-Sphere GaNFET monoblock amps, the Alpha-X sounds richer and more full-range while the Theta sounds more engaging and exciting. On their own, however, without a fuller/richer cable upstream, the Theta cables sound a bit lean on my amps. When used on both my DAC and Pulsar streamer, the Theta cables gave me too much energy without enough lower mids and bass to balance things out. (One online comment I saw on another website noted that the Theta powering digital gear sounded like it had too much caffeine.)
I get the best sound in my system with the Theta cables on the amps and the Alpha-X cables on the DAC and streamer. The best cable for my BHK preamp is still a toss-up between the Theta, the Alpha-X, and a Cardas Clear. I already own the Cardas Clear so it’s staying on my preamp for now. Since I already know how great the Theta/Alpha-X combo sounds for me, I may just stay within the Shunyata line rather than venturing into the Snake River wilderness in the hope that a Takshaka will work well upstream in combo with the Theta being used on my amps.
After a while, listening to cables gets pretty tiring and the urge to listen to music instead can consume your soul. Donald, I hope your audiophile soul survives your Stealth cable search.
Are you saying these are better than the Pangea?
Just a tiny little bit better, x 1,000,000
That might be the price difference also
So I wonder if the Stealths are too lean and the Audience are too fat, maybe twisting one around the other will be just right? Ya know, like porridge.
On second thought, forget it. I’m calorie restricted today…
Maybe more like Jack Sprat and his wife? He could eat no fat and his wife could eat no lean but between the two they licked the platter clean.
Metaphorically speaking. of course.
I’m having trouble plugging in the Stealth power cables. They don’t come with directional arrows like FRR.
When I bought my Furutech Project V1 cables, several Dream 20-20s, Cloud Grande CUs, and even a Cloud Grande AG appeared on the used market shortly after. Now that I’d like one, there are no offers. A
Apparently too many people read here that stealth audio cables are supposed to be good.
My dealer said at the time: “Don’t buy a Stealth Audio cable, you won’t be able to sell it for a good price.”
I guess I’ll have to be patient until Luca discovers a different cable brand for himself.
Today I swapped the Audioquest Dragon source on my Marantz Link-10n for a Furutech DPS 4.1. The Furutech seems to have a wider sound spectrum and a bit more warmth in the midrange than the Dragon. The Dragon has a sharper image, but isn’t as expressive, especially in the midrange. The question is: Will a Cloud Grande for the Marantz Link-10n get me anywhere, or will a Dream 20-20 be enough for me from the wall to the outlet? The power strip is currently powered by a Furutech Project V1. The power amplifiers are also each powered by a Furutech Project V1. If I decide to go with a Dream 20-20, should I connect a Project V1 to the Marantz Link 10n, or can I also use the Dream 20-20 with the Marantz? The Marantz doesn’t have a true ground connection. I’ve also read that cables have less impact on such components without a ground connection, as the ground wire also contributes to the sound. Does a different cable construction make much of a difference there, or are there more differences between solid and stranded cables?
And the differences between copper and silver and the dielectric.
The ground wire is not used by the Marantz.
That’s extra. You do have tuning rings tho.
You made the question way too complicated. As any Stealth owner here will tell you, you need both. To make it really simple; get two Dream 2020 and one C. G. and you may have enough then.