Ansuz Cables & Accessories

Stacking Darkz on each other surely has a positive effect. It works similar to adding Sparkz in your system. Everything gets blacker and lowering the noice floor even further.
 
Thanks George,

Playing damn near twice as loud sounds damn fine with me :) I just heard it briefly some time ago on a system that is not worth mentioning here but it had a welcome impact but also revealed flaws in the electronics, first time I heard a filter do that. The control on voices and all mid related info was great.

I am considering…./Mike

Mike - I can't say enough good about the Mainz D-TC. It's the biggest improvement I've heard in my system.

Out of the box it's a huge improvement in noise floor and micro details you probably never heard. It only gets better from there. But nothing like out of the box. I would say after about 500hrs it really settled down meaning not really getting better. One thing that is pretty amazing is the fact you can play damn near twice as loud as without it (if that matters).
 
George,

The million dollar question, would you consider 20 000 EUR better spent elsewhere (any Ansuz people disqualified from answering ;) )? I guess it will be system dependent….

Mike

Mike - I can't say enough good about the Mainz D-TC. It's the biggest improvement I've heard in my system.

Out of the box it's a huge improvement in noise floor and micro details you probably never heard. It only gets better from there. But nothing like out of the box. I would say after about 500hrs it really settled down meaning not really getting better. One thing that is pretty amazing is the fact you can play damn near twice as loud as without it (if that matters).
 
That is interesting... and it kind of adds to my thinking of simplifying from monoblocks and separates into a integrated unit. I'm really not that far in my thoughts yet as to what amp that would possibly be, but as food for thought, what would you choose... an Aavik U-300 with Mainz 8 C2 vs Aavik U-150 with Mainz 8 D2? In other words, put the money in the amp or in the power distributor? Given our experiences what Ansuz power can actually do, is the answer that simple? Or maybe it's Mainz 8 D-TC and NO amp... :)
 
Well that is interesting however I know from several occasions that you can get most gear to sound so much better just by having them on Darkz DTC and then add Mainz power cables which to my ears crushed same or other brands top/more expensive amps or signal sources. I guess though that there need to be at least a decent system platform to get the benefits but having said that I have also experienced amazing hikes in performance on budget gear from adding Darkz or Mainz. So answering you question, without knowing the effect of Mainz 8 C2/D2, that I would go for U-150. I guess the more relevant question in that case if to go for Mainz 8 DTC or D2!? The only thing I can see upsetting this is if one would need more power to drive speakers hence the need for mono blocks or sturdier stereo amp. So I guess you need to get the basics done first in terms of making the system (loudspeakers) sing and then optimize its potential.
For me it is about upgrading my turntable and get a 'better' phono cartridge or going 'filtering'… but I guess I answered that question myself….

Best/Mike

That is interesting... and it kind of adds to my thinking of simplifying from monoblocks and separates into a integrated unit. I'm really not that far in my thoughts yet as to what amp that would possibly be, but as food for thought, what would you choose... an Aavik U-300 with Mainz 8 C2 vs Aavik U-150 with Mainz 8 D2? In other words, put the money in the amp or in the power distributor? Given our experiences what Ansuz power can actually do, is the answer that simple? Or maybe it's Mainz 8 D-TC and NO amp... :)
 
George,

The million dollar question, would you consider 20 000 EUR better spent elsewhere (any Ansuz people disqualified from answering ;) )? I guess it will be system dependent….

Mike

No, not likely. Unless perhaps it was going to a better listening room. We all know how important the room itself can be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That is interesting... and it kind of adds to my thinking of simplifying from monoblocks and separates into a integrated unit. I'm really not that far in my thoughts yet as to what amp that would possibly be, but as food for thought, what would you choose... an Aavik U-300 with Mainz 8 C2 vs Aavik U-150 with Mainz 8 D2? In other words, put the money in the amp or in the power distributor? Given our experiences what Ansuz power can actually do, is the answer that simple? Or maybe it's Mainz 8 D-TC and NO amp... :)

Foundation...it’s all about that... focus on the power distributor, cables, Darkz, etc. The components are important but the foundation is what we hear the most, what should please us the most... both U-150 and U-300 are great. There are subtle nuances BUT...having the best foundation one can afford is the best strategy and will offer greatest satisfaction and enjoyment. Just my opinion...


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I couldn't agree more Mike, and that is also my own experience and why I have actually kept myself in the lower end of budget when it comes to amps historically. My feeling of adding Ansuz products in the chain, one after the other has been that I've almost wondered if the manufactures of speakers and amps that has crossed my path actually know how good their products really can be... :) haha.. I'm sure they don't...

It would be REALLY interesting to be able to hands on experiment with the balance of cost and musical "heaveness" between the Mainz 8 models vs amplifier level, going upwards with one and downwards with the other. Might not be so easy from a practical view though.
 
Foundation...it’s all about that... focus on the power distributor, cables, Darkz, etc. The components are important but the foundation is what we hear the most, what should please us the most... both U-150 and U-300 are great. There are subtle nuances BUT...having the best foundation one can afford is the best strategy and will offer greatest satisfaction and enjoyment. Just my opinion...

And I tend to agree with your opinion, hearing what Darkz, power and cables can do to a "medium" system is quite astonishing... I also like the idea of it being so opposite from how it was probably seen a few years ago.
 
Time for a release of the DTC room, wonder if Ansuz is up to the task?:exciting:

Mike

No, not likely. Unless perhaps it was going to a better listening room. We all know how important the room itself can be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike

Honestly I can't think of anything else that would make as big of a difference. And even if you were to upgrade your speakers for example it could make a big difference but I personally would be left wondering how much better they would sound with the mainz D-TC in the chain.

I was thinking of upgrading to the D3.1's before the Mainz D-TC announcement (the 3.1's have a much better mid range sound). But after hearing the Mainz D-TC to me that was more important. So that has put a real delay on that decision mainly from a financial view. I forgot to mention once the Mainz D-TC was broken in the lows got a bit lower and tighter with the D2.1's. I have a slight fear with the 3.1's the lows may be a little too much in my room. Tyler (my local dealer) will let me have an in home demo with the 3.1's but until I know financially I can swing it I don't want to bother him for all the work involved.

George,

The million dollar question, would you consider 20 000 EUR better spent elsewhere (any Ansuz people disqualified from answering ;) )? I guess it will be system dependent….

Mike
 
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Take a look at the inside of DTC Mainz8, notice the Darkz, are these D2 or DTC? Should be DTC in a DTC box or? Anyway it would be great if some Ansuz people would like to share some technical insight to what is inside.

Mike
 

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what a cool photo! it reminds me about my first Lampi DAC which was mounted on a wooden board as well. I hope those ceramic balls can not become loose if you "shake" it too much... not really sure why you would shake it though.... :)

yesterday evening I was just about to push the button, I had more or less decided to move forward with my simplifying-and-downgrading-while-upgrading plan.... but then I started listening to some music and pure bliss came out of those speakers. I started to have doubts if a one-box solution can really be on this level or better. mmm... tough decisions....
 
Hi,

One may wonder but I am pretty sure it will not rattle. Lukasz Fikuz Lampizator is a great brand and their DAC's are top notch and I have had the benefit of visiting him a few times for real nice demos and technical discussions. I still have his filter box for another system.
Remember that the dtc filter box upgrades your whole system so with one box all units in the system will be upgraded. Like having a middle range system and suddenly have a full top range. It is a no brainer if pockets allow. Had a second listening yesterday.
Still considering but will probably have a home demo soon.

Mike

what a cool photo! it reminds me about my first Lampi DAC which was mounted on a wooden board as well. I hope those ceramic balls can not become loose if you "shake" it too much... not really sure why you would shake it though.... :)

yesterday evening I was just about to push the button, I had more or less decided to move forward with my simplifying-and-downgrading-while-upgrading plan.... but then I started listening to some music and pure bliss came out of those speakers. I started to have doubts if a one-box solution can really be on this level or better. mmm... tough decisions....
 
I consider my Lampi DAC magical! it takes a lot of space and it's sensitive with all the visible tubes sticking out of it but it's really something special sound-wise, my listening session yesterday evening was amazing. I'm trying to familiarize me with the thought of not living with it, in favour of the built-in DAC of the Aavik U-150. And the same goes for my pre-amp and my monoblocks. I have no doubts about the Mainz 8, no matter if it's going to be A2,C2,D2 or D-TC model I think they will all be top-notch, it's merely about how much money one is ready to spend.

Anyway, I guess I'm going through with my plan to simplify from separates to integrated... which means I have a lot of Diamonds to sell, if anyone is interested send me a PM! :)
 
Why not simplify by getting the DTC filter box! By the way, why sell the Lampi if you love it, demo the U-150 with DAC module and compare first!? I have at a few occasions heard stand alone DAC's better the internal one in U-300 can't remember on top of my hat which ones but I think it was both top as more middle filed DAC's. For me as an U-300 owner I focus on vinyl reply and digital mostly for leisure.

Looking fw to your findings when 'down' sizing.

Mike

I consider my Lampi DAC magical! it takes a lot of space and it's sensitive with all the visible tubes sticking out of it but it's really something special sound-wise, my listening session yesterday evening was amazing. I'm trying to familiarize me with the thought of not living with it, in favour of the built-in DAC of the Aavik U-150. And the same goes for my pre-amp and my monoblocks. I have no doubts about the Mainz 8, no matter if it's going to be A2,C2,D2 or D-TC model I think they will all be top-notch, it's merely about how much money one is ready to spend.

Anyway, I guess I'm going through with my plan to simplify from separates to integrated... which means I have a lot of Diamonds to sell, if anyone is interested send me a PM! :)
 
Well, simplifying would involve getting rid of all separates in favour for an integrated to begin with. To be honest I doubt the built-in DAC in the Aavik can match my Lampi in a head to head battle, but I'm thinking that I need to settle somewhere and it's about cutting costs and money tied into all these boxes and cables. Or I keep the Lampi and skip the DAC module, it would just mean 1 box more and 2 cables more. The market for an integrated amp without DAC module is also a lot bigger, but I do like the modularity that a DAC module could be fitted afterwards (and maybe also upgraded over time).... and yes, listening is of course always the answer, but it's fun to speculate and think about various scenarios... :)
 
I see that your source is digital only so why not keep the Lampi at least until you know how good the Aavik module is.

Mike!


Well, simplifying would involve getting rid of all separates in favour for an integrated to begin with. To be honest I doubt the built-in DAC in the Aavik can match my Lampi in a head to head battle, but I'm thinking that I need to settle somewhere and it's about cutting costs and money tied into all these boxes and cables. Or I keep the Lampi and skip the DAC module, it would just mean 1 box more and 2 cables more. The market for an integrated amp without DAC module is also a lot bigger, but I do like the modularity that a DAC module could be fitted afterwards (and maybe also upgraded over time).... and yes, listening is of course always the answer, but it's fun to speculate and think about various scenarios... :)
 
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