I grew up with my Dad’s tube equipment and I can’t imagine NOT having tubes. Your journey will be fascinating.
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I found myself in a room with a Boulder Preamp and Boulder stereo amplifier running Wilson Alex V speakers via Transparent Opus cables. The source a was a Rossini Apex with Roon. It seemed nice. The room is treated with Vikoustic treatments.
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Decent tubes as well, those Gold Lions are really great ones.
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I sold mine for $2850, which was the same price I purchased it.
I think you are going to love it. The tubes included with it makes it a real bargain. Nice find!
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Worth the price?
That’s an exceptional system they have on audition. Did the Boulder -Alex V presentation seem a bit thin sounding?
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Since Zenwave and CCMO3 (Clear Crystal Magnum Opus 3) are boutique brands, I will be short on description. But for who are interested in getting a great silver power cord. Here is what I find:
PST:
These cords do have a similar sound. PSR-14 sounded sweeter and softer. The expressive and denser sound seems to disappear next to CCMO3. But these top-of-line PCs all sound beautiful, and I can live with either one happily.
Lumin U2:
I have used Stealth V10, Silnote Orion M1, and DIY cord supplied by Lumin dealer. PST-14 delivers in a big way! The soundstage got wider and deeper; the music is denser without a hint of darkness. Best of all, the vocals become sweeter with incredible resolution.
When compared to CCMO3 here, PSR-14 again gives a more realistic and sweeter midrange. It sounded better than CCMO3 here than from PST.
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If I understand your setup, why didn’t you “complete the loom” with a Dragon in this spot? Seems the Zenware is getting close in price to the tried and true Dragon at TMR pricing.
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For me? No. My set up sounds better. My opinion.
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Yes. Have you heard it? The soundstage didn’t present as big of a space I thought it should be capable of. Maybe it needed more volume.
No, I have not heard it. Last time I was in I heard the SASHA DAW/Sabrina X with Pass Labs electronics. Pre-COVID. I liked it, and left feeling the Sabrina X was a great value. Ultimately, I ended up seeking an entirely different sound when I replaced my summer cottage system.
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have a similar conclusion after listening to a $500,000 in-home system, though a small room
it had a little better 3d and width, but was dry
as for store setups, they seem to do a terrible job in system placements and overdo volume
The times I heard Boulder amps I found them to be hyper detailed and missing any warmth.
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heat the room, cool the music
That was my thinking too, but I just want to hear how good Zenwave cords are. There are quite a few in Audiogon preferred the PSR line over AQ Dragon, and I want to find out what is the big deal. This demo will give me the final decision on PC for Lumin U2.
Tonight, I will put in PSR-11, their top dog, into service. Dave told me it sounds as good as Siltech Royal Crown which is in the same league as Al’s Stealth top dogs. He also think I will love it over Dragon. We shall see.
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Donald, it seems you are enjoying the cable test and showing none of the frustration of the Vmax dud fuse test. 
Could you say that the Dragon is technically perfect, but the PSR conveys more magic. Similar to an audio magic fuse.
I checked today, Dave has already raised the prices.
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You could said that actually, PSR brings a new found realism in the system that I’m quite enjoying.
If you really wants it, just email him said that you were planning to order last week. You never know.
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I would like to do it, but I have to put it off a bit. Other things take precedence for now. I would also have to pay customs. When the time comes I will write to Dave to send me a cable without a connector. I still have Furutech Fi-50 NCF plugs or can get them cheaper here. This would save me 19% customs duties and the cost of the plugs.
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I rarely see these Brinkman DAC’s for sale. They get great reviews.
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Paul172, did Quintessence essentially replace the Pass Labs line with Boulder? I’ve yet to hear Boulder, but as others say I understand it tends to offer up an analytical and rather dry sound.