Shootout Palooza

I spent the last 6 hours trying a bunch of different shootouts.

First I tried my Jena Labs Twin 15 speaker cables against Chord Sarum speaker cables (the chord Sarum tuned Aray has been one of the best interconnects I have heard especially running from arc ref2se to air tight preamp).

The Jena Labs won. More coherent, cohesive, harmonically/tonally pleasing, bigger more spacious soundstage. All the adjectives I use to describe something that sounds "musical" to me. The Chord Sarum won on speed and tight fisted bass. Not sure if it is due to some silver in the mix but there was a grip and detail on the bass that was exceptional. The downside is there was a little artificial brightness and splash on high end. Jena nailed the midrange. I think I will be moving up the Jena Labs line to the 31 strand speaker cable.

Next was Beck Sea Change MoFi playing on Modwright Sony, vinyl and DSD straight from Chord Hugo into Constellation Centaur using Hugo as preamp.

Hugo won on detail, clarity, and absolutely everything coming thru. Goldfinger on Spiral Groove took second place on being the Hoover for detail, and won on largest soundscape / creating a wall of sound. ModWright with gold untradisc was surprisingly good. Won as most analogue sounding digital source. Was a close second in overall best sounding.

Which leads me to final battle that had two parts. First with Beck spinning on all three turntables the AMG v12 with Benz LP-S won as most enjoyable "if I could pick only one to keep". Was full spectrum and musical and toe tapping get lost in the music. Not as much detail and not as large as spiral groove and Goldfinger statement but more balanced in delivery (a touch of warmth). Again I am surprised at how good the Modwright sounds - today better than my Clearaudio with graham phantom and mc Anna. Go figure.

Final part of the shootout was swapping audience au24se 20amp power cord with a Jena Labs new Model Two power cord / conditioner. The Jena Labs won. It removed all traces of sibilants without removing detail or ambience cues. The Audience at first seemed to allow more dynamics and energy through but going back and forth I realized the Jena labs was just as energetic but with more ease (if that makes sense).

So it was fun and exhausting, and I am more committed to upgrade path (Jena Labs) and to what components matter most (amgv12 and Benz LP-S) so I may be selling some cables, and a table or two. It is fun to have different sources not just for ease of use but to either match my mood / ears tonally or to better suit the recording.

Cheers. Attachment 9984Attachment 9985

Wow, what a great time ! It's amazing to me that the Benz LP-S is that good, I may have to try one sometime.

I've always loved the AMG table, I wish I could afford one.

Yes I think the LP-S is one of my favorite purchases ever. I believe it is the only piece of gear that is with me from the beginning of my audio journey 4-5 years ago. Replacing my first Benz cartridge with the LP-S on my first nice turntable (basis 2001) was revelatory.

Great shoot out Darrin. Thanks for posting. You have some awesome gear, the AMG table must be great.

What is that under the S5s? Do they replace the stock spikes?

Cool Darrin! The V12/BENZ must be so enjoyable. I've heard good things about the Jena Labs from a friend of mine.
Thanks for the write up.


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What I thought was jaw dropping was the difference between the LP, and then changed to the LPS. ....and then again when I removed the LPS from the 10.5 and listened with the VPI printed arm.

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Originally Posted by BlueFox

What is that under the S5s? Do they replace the stock spikes?

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Stillpoints. And yes.

Yes I replaced spikes with stillpoint ultras with optional hats facing floor. I never did a comparison to spikes versus stillpoints. Magico says to not use anything but spikes due to height. I am confused by that since listening seat height and height of ears on the body are infinitely variable. Anyone try the spikes vs stillpoints and hear any differences? Part of putting the stillpoints for me was ability to scoot the speakers on my carpeted (second story) floor.

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Originally Posted by Stringreen

What I thought was jaw dropping was the difference between the LP, and then changed to the LPS. ....and then again when I removed the LPS from the 10.5 and listened with the VPI printed arm.

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I read that printed arm is amazing.

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Originally Posted by Mike

Cool Darrin! The V12/BENZ must be so enjoyable. I've heard good things about the Jena Labs from a friend of mine.
Thanks for the write up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Thanks! I think the Benz and AMG are simpatico for sure!

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Originally Posted by Dpod4

Yes I replaced spikes with stillpoint ultras with optional hats facing floor. I never did a comparison to spikes versus stillpoints. Magico says to not use anything but spikes due to height. I am confused by that since listening seat height and height of ears on the body are infinitely variable. Anyone try the spikes vs stillpoints and hear any differences? Part of putting the stillpoints for me was ability to scoot the speakers on my carpeted (second story) floor.

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It might not be the actual speaker listening height but how the woofer interacts with the floor.

I would like to upgrade the stock S5 spikes with some other grade spikes, for example the Mapleshade brass carpet piercing spikes. However, I have discovered, for me, the S5 sounds best with my ear slightly above the tweeter. Before I used a recliner for a chair, and while that was great for reading, it put my head below the tweeter. Fortunately, I have a couple of office chairs that let me sit ears above the tweeter. However, I suspect changing the spikes will then raise the tweeter above my ears.

I need to go back and read Myles' review - he had specific thoughts on tweeter to ear level. I think my ears are slightly below the tweeter. He is one of only two reviewers I have utter confidence in (other is Martin Colloms).

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Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

It might not be the actual speaker listening height but how the woofer interacts with the floor.

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That would make sense is they have spikes draining energy to floor in special way via spikes. I guess my a/b testing next week is already set.

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Originally Posted by BlueFox

I would like to upgrade the stock S5 spikes with some other grade spikes, for example the Mapleshade brass carpet piercing spikes. However, I have discovered, for me, the S5 sounds best with my ear slightly above the tweeter. Before I used a recliner for a chair, and while that was great for reading, it put my head below the tweeter. Fortunately, I have a couple of office chairs that let me sit ears above the tweeter. However, I suspect changing the spikes will then raise the tweeter above my ears.

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Yes but isn't your head against the back of the chair when you are leaning back?

Yes i think this is the rationale. When i upgraded my amadis speakers' bases to verity's "s" base it raised the tweeter height an inch or two but also shifted the bass response, vis a vis my room, for the better.

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Originally Posted by Dpod4

It might not be the actual speaker listening height but how the woofer interacts with the floor.




That would make sense is they have spikes draining energy to floor in special way via spikes. I guess my a/b testing next week is already set.

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Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Yes but isn't your head against the back of the chair when you are leaning back?

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With the recliner it was.

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Originally Posted by BlueFox

With the recliner it was.

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Exactly. So that would affect the sound and it would seem hard to separate whether the sonic changes were due to repositioning the chair or changing the height of the speaker? That is why I have tried to find a chair with a seat back that didn't come above shoulder height (or sit forward when listening).

While the chair probably has some effect, especially on any reflected sound sound from the rear, what I noticed is that as I pressed on the arms of the chair and raised my body up the sound level increased, and it became a bit clearer as my ears went slightly above tweeter level. This couild have been from removing my head from the barrier of the chair, or from putting my head into a posistion where I heard a bit more energy. Either way, I have moved the recliner out, and now use a chair that I can adjust the height setting. However, at max height it just puts me above the tweeter, so I am hesitant to increase the speaker height.

Amazing how simple things change the sound 10x more than a component or cable change. For example I have small ears. If I put my index finger behind my ear and push forward so out ear bends forward the openness and transparency multiplies incredibly. I need an audio accessory that i wear behind my ear that pushes my outer ear forward. [emoji86]

LOL. Sounds like a market opportunity. There can be different models from entry to audiophile.

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Originally Posted by Dpod4

Amazing how simple things change the sound 10x more than a component or cable change. For example I have small ears. If I put my index finger behind my ear and push forward so out ear bends forward the openness and transparency multiplies incredibly. I need an audio accessory that i wear behind my ear that pushes my outer ear forward. [emoji86]

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Perhaps you need a pair of Serious Listeners!

See #13.

Audio Asylum Thread Printer

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Originally Posted by Dpod4

Amazing how simple things change the sound 10x more than a component or cable change. For example I have small ears. If I put my index finger behind my ear and push forward so out ear bends forward the openness and transparency multiplies incredibly. I need an audio accessory that i wear behind my ear that pushes my outer ear forward. [emoji86]

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People that have hillbilly ears usually pay money to have them surgically pinned back. :)

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Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Perhaps you need a pair of Serious Listeners!

See #13.

Audio Asylum Thread Printer

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I remember the ad for those. They were made of leather and were supposed to to help direct more sound into the ear canal. The picture of someone wearing them looked absolutely ridiculous! :roflmao:

A new trend. For me cupping effect is overkill - I just need bigger ears that bend forward more - although my wife would disagree!

Also did some more listening today. Interestingly I preferred the MC Anna on the Innovation Wood - playing Dead Can Dance MoFi. Widest soundstage and meatiest miss and bass and most natural highs on some Mingus vinyl. Funny how depending on day and music my preferences shift. Especially on my Audeze LCD-X cans thru my ALO Studio Six I am loving the warmth and solidity of the mc Anna. It has a more anchored in space and gripped flavor to it. Attachment 10012
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In some ways, my Sens have better sound than my speakers....

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Originally Posted by Stringreen

In some ways, my Sens have better sound than my speakers....

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Time for new speakers.