Hole in one!!
Best wishes
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I believe Renoās level of service was directly due to Mark, so no guarantee it would carry forward with a new owner. He was most knowledgeable regarding Pass Labs components, and specifically their voicing. This aspect made my decision easy, and no regrets. I understand his personal XP-27 may be going up for sale August 1. Fortunately it will not fit within my current rack configuration. Wishing Mark all the best in his retirement.
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His custom made XA200.5s are up for sale at a very attractive price.
Thank God Iām saving my cushion change for a car.
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Nothing terribly new there. Mostly relates to analogue signal cables, much of which makes sense to me. But take the first item, skin effect, this is usually an issue when considering high frequency circuits in the GHz range, not 60Hz AC, for which the skin depth of a copper or silver cable is about 8mm. An 8mm cable is only needed for about 60A to 70A, a streamer probably draws 0.1A.
The accepted wisdom is that digital systems are very sensitive to extraneous electrical noise, and Iāve found that to be the case over the last 15 years. But a unit like the Lumin U2 that has a fibre optic input and galvanically isolated usb output isnāt going to have extraneous electrical noise. The signal itself remains digitally encoded both in and out, so any data loss would not be frequency dependent. It has a superb power supply, that transforms and then regulates the AC to clean DC.
So I would be interested in a WHY? I have tried relatively expensive cables, I use much cheaper cables, the Puritan cables. They are well insulated and rated at 15A, so fine for any device. They are floppy so cannot vibrate, unlike stiff cables. A similar principle to soft wall speakers (Spendor, Harbeth etc.), where the panels are loose so can absorb energy rather than resonate.
Differences in cables and their sound. Simply explained by me.
Also check out the German highend link Iāve added. A solid core conductor offers a sound advantage over stranded cables. Due to the skin effect, the individual conductors should not be too large. For audio about up to 0.8 mmĀ². In the case of stranded wires, the number of strands and the overall cross-section of the conductor are important. In the stranded cable, the signal jumps from one conductor to the other and unmasking effects occur. To remedy this, there are also lacquer-insulated stranded cables. Electromagnetic effects can also lead to vibrations in a cable, which in turn creates an unclean signal. Especially with power or speaker cables that conduct high currents. In the case of multi-wire cables, the type of stranding and the packing density of the conductors have an influence. With the skin effect, several uninsulated strands next to each other have the same properties as a single conductor and the high frequencies move at the outer edge of the cable. The insulation and material around the conductors store and dissipate energy. Audioquest believes that the DBS reduces this effect by charging the dielectric with a 72V bias. Inakustik has air technology as a solution. Stealth tries helium. 
With the conductor material, the number of crystals and the resulting number and size of the gaps are decisive for perfect conductivity. Impurities between the individual crystals also have an influence. A single crystal that is free of impurities would be desirable. A dielectric without memory effect and influence on the sound. Air and Teflon are currently the best insulators. In the case of a cable, influences such as impedance and capacitance also play a role. A shield and the distance to the conductors also have an influence on the signal. The arrangement and spacing of the individual conductors, whether parallel or stranded, and if so how, also influence the sound. External interference and vibrations also affect the signal. There are many parameters that have an influence.
I use primarily Shunyata power cables, and that company emphasizes that noisy computer-based systems (which streamers are) benefit from technology that prevents noise from getting into the device and also from getting out of the device to adversely affect other equipment in the system. I donāt use any of the ultra-expensive Shunyata cables, but even their lowest tier Venom line includes NR technology to reduce noise in the system.
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The Puritan seem to work like a shock absorber effect with their limp build. Apart from external vibrations such as structure-borne or airborne noise, conductors can be excited to vibrate by electromagnetic fields. There I would assume that a cable with high stiffness reacts differently and vibrates less. The frequency that makes it vibrate is probably different due to the strength. When I think of my Dragon XLR where the conductor is routed loosely in a teflon tube. Could it swing freely super easily. The individually insulated strands apparently have enough distance to each other when used. The electromagnetic effect in the audio cable will be small. The other way around, I think it should be laid with enough distance to the power and speaker cables and not parallel if possible.
The DS MK2 was designed to reduce the sonic impact from cables and power cords too (galvanically isolated input usb as one example). Guess what, I found it to be MORE sensitive to cable/cord changes than DS 1.
When I compared different high-end USB cables on its USB input. I heard more day-and-night differences from these cables than DS. Until you get to Alās system level, the difference is more easily heard on the higher-caliber equipment (from their better design with lower noise floor).
David, no hole-in-one today, but it was fun day!
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I used the cheaper Shunyata because I needed a good conditioner because of very noisy mains supply and my dealer came up with a deal. I thought I would give a couple of Shunyata cables a try. Ultimately they were too long and rigid for me. @Stier2704 The Puritan cables are extremely well insulated and totally limp, they actually are rated at 40A so there is never going to an issue with any component. Half the reason I use them is that they simply take no space at all.
That is not the issue, the issue is why more than a basic cable is needed for most digital equipment. I think it may be a carry-over from analogue equipment where cables may matter (Iām not convinced about power cables there either), but decent digital equipment like Lumin have such good power supplies, there is no electrical leakage with galvanic isolation and the data is encoded digital, there just seems no point. Same with Innuos, I use a $3 cable plugged into a $50 power block, input and output are both ethernet, sounds no better or worse than when when it had a Shunyata cable into an expensive conditioner.
With regard to things like switches, you can just run them off 5v or 12v batteries and not worry about mains at all.
Iāve got the WH-1000XM3ās which are the overears. Theyāre not perfect, but for mobile audio theyāre pretty superb. Iāve been extremely pleasantly suprised with Sonyās efforts in this area.
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Before I post my evaluation on sonic difference of PSR-11 and PSR-14 on my Lumin U2 streamer, I asked Luca about his experience. Because I remember he has tested Dragon HC and Source PC on his digital gear before. This is what he told me:
" I tried before the HC both on PhoenixNET and PhoenixUSB, then on ZENith MK 3. Mainly because I was waiting for a new cable and had as a spare a Dragon HC.
At first sight I was impressed by the HC used for a source, I clearly remember the strength it brought to the sound, a sort of booster of transients and bass. Butā¦ butā¦ as soon as I replaced the HC with its proper brother Source Constant Current I immediately understood that there is a reason if AQ differentiates them. The Source PC used for sources was really better, the sound was more refined, articulate, open, dynamic and lifelike."
I can use exact words of his evalution to describe the difference I heard between Zenwave PSR-11 and PSR-14 in Lumin U2, and it was heard CLEARLY AND EASILY in my system. If you can not hear the difference between these two I tried, then you should never spend over $100 on any cable, becauce you need a better system first. Or you should have your ears checked out.
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Since I have different experiences in terms of power supplies. Very few power supplies are perfect. Most have simple power supplies. (The requirement is that there is a high standard. It is usually the case that most people are satisfied with it.) I tried different power supplies on my switch. I decided on a sbooster LPS. Why this? It developed the slightest heat in continuous operation. I had a few complaints about the sound of the normal sbooster, so I came across audiofacts in the Netherlands. An Akiko filtering
installed there. The price almost doubles, but it sounds like day and night. There is less noise, the background is deep black. The stage opens up, there is more air between the instruments. Very detailed and the bass much more precise. Connection cables also make big differences on an LPS. fuses as well. For my LPS I use Hurricane source and high quality fuses. I could compare it with an original power supply. Itās a much better sound. And that at the switch, which actually only handles an Ethernet signal. Good grounding in the house and dissipation of interference in the network to the ground conductor is crucial for the sound. The ground wire in a power cord is not only for protection. A good low-impedance ground and equipotential bonding for components helps to create a quieter background and thus a clean sound image.
When you say digital devices, donāt you mean those with switched-mode power supplies that cause interference in your own network? Expensive devices alone do not always mean that the results have to be better. Just as important as the listening room is proper home power and grounding. Donald what does your Akiko USB blackhole do?
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I have hidden any and all topics related to the MK2. I donāt want to know, I donāt need to know. It sounds unfinished at best.
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This message is contradictory, which seems nice coming from you.
I had Zenwave PSR-11 in P15 for more than a hour, and I finally understand why people are enthusiastic about this power cord. The sound is quite amazing, and I have never had a power cord that could complete with AQ Dragon in the system before.
But using with the power generator, it produces a refined yet powerful presentation. My system sounded fuller and more realistic. Does it sound better than Dragon HC? Well, I need to put back to Dragon HC to hear more, but there is no question it is the best cord Dave came up with so far. It is priced at a similar level now (starting this week 
). That shows confidence from a less known brand.
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Donald. What cable do you use for your amp? I had tried the Dragon HC for the Michi S5 Stereoamp and on my power station. What I liked was the dynamics that had never been heard before, the breadth of the sound stage with its details. My brother who is a musician listened to it and said very nice. Only he doesnāt want to listen to it in the long run, it would be too much information and tiring. Since I decided on the AVM mono amps and there the Dragon did not show the increase in dynamics that I was so enthusiastic about, I saved the money. In my case, I am very satisfied with the Furutech dps-4.1 with NCF connectors. Dave still has the copper version. It probably has fewer details, but should sound warmer / richer, but more neutral than the DPS-4.1 at (still) the same price. The PSR seems to be a good compromise between details, dynamics and fullness. The Dragon sounds very good, but I still had the feeling that it sometimes made the sound appear a bit thin. The Fierbird had more warmth, maybe a little too much compared to the Dragon. The Fierbird doesnāt have the great dynamics of the Dragon and the stage is narrower. But it sounded more soothing and wood sounded like wood. Everything was much more tangible and physical. I compared Audioquest Huriccan, Fierbird, Dragon and Furutech Dps-4.1, 55, 31. I found the Furutech Dss-4.1 to be between Fierbird and Dragon. Priced at twice 1.5 and 2 meters it was also much friendlier to my wallet. They all had slight drawbacks for me. The PSR could combine exactly the advantages. Dynamic, detailed, body and timbre. In the song, Regina Spektor plays the piano, sings, and bangs a drumstick on her wooden stool. With the Audioquest Fierbird you could hear that it is wood.
Regina Spektor, Poor Little Rich Boy
Itās a shame that the prices keep going up. But when I look at the higher quality materials Dave uses. And keep in mind that the cables are handmade and not made in China. Deliver good performance, the price is still reasonable compared to other high-priced products.
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Yes heās a very straight up no BS person. Always willing to chat regardless of the outcome.
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I currently use one pair of Zavfino Silver Dart power cords to power the M1200s, and they replaced AQ thunder PCs i used before. I found they provided better detail, body, and lower noise floor. They are at more reasonable price than AQ top line for sure, and I tend to think these are great value in terms of performance, and the SQ is similar to Dragon in fact.
The Furutech NCF outlet will be installed tomorrow since my wife has an exercise class in the morning. 
The Zenwave PSR-11 powering the generator seems to provide the best sound for my system, better than PSR-14 at streamer for sure. Darn, I will go back to Dragon HC tonight to make sure I am not dreaming of how good the SQ I am hearing now.
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Oh, I must have overlooked that first, since Iām switching between the forum and the translator. In my cable comparison, I had two Dragon HC and two Fierbird. I liked the Dragon HC for the power amp best. There was also a huge difference from the wall to the power plant. At my sources I had Audioquest hurricane source. The sound was very impressive. I tried a Dragon HC and also a Fierbird HC on my preamp/streamer. There was no aha effect, it was rather disappointing compared to what the cables for the amplifier or the power plant did. The cheaper Audioquest Hurricane source and also the universal Furutech dps-4.1 fit better for me than the Audioquest high current cables. Do you intend to compare the PSR 14 with the PSR 11 at one source? I can already see Donald instead of one new cable, there will be two.
PSR 11 for the power plant and PSR 14 for a source. The Rest Dragonā¦ with this you get closer and closer to Alās system . Not to forget, before you decide to install the new GTX NCF socket. The contacts harmonize perfectly with the NCF plugs of the PSR 11 to the power plant. 
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I think sooner or later Iāll need Zenwave cables.
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