January 27, 2017

  • Cable Cooker, Part 12

    Let's go back to the summer of 1992, when Ken, Patricia, Roy, and I, all in college, decided to take a drive from San Francisco, down the central California coast. In those pre-internet and pre-cellphone days, we did not exactly have concrete, definitive, or detailed plans. We just decided to start on a Friday, set aside the weekend, and remain open to extending the trip beyond that.

    We did not know when or where we'd turn around. Or maybe we'd keep going, and eventually visit our friends who were then living in Los Angeles. We did make a point of having handfuls of loose change, in case we had to use pay phones (remember those?), or feed parking meters. And no, we did not know about Ethernet cables with RJ45 connectors.

    Not having Cable Cooker adapters to treat Ethernet cables is like hopping into an empty car, low on gas, and not having any clothes, maps, money, snacks, toiletries, and water. You ain't going anywhere.

    But what if you have a Cooker, and then get generic RCA/RJ45 adapters? Ah, now you've taken the Big Step, equipped yourself with drinks, jackets, maps, slippers, snacks, and a full tank of gas. IOW, now you are ready and able to get up and go. Instead of being relegated to your garage, your road trip now has possibilities. You have the power to go places.

    Using the audiodharma Ethernet adapter is like adding Patricia's practical, "just right" preparations. Let me explain.

    Our road trip involved going out into the fog, cool nights, rocks, shifting and blowing sands, salty ocean spray, summer sun, frigid and turbulent waters, and wind. Smartly, Patricia packed old, casual, raggedy, lightweight, and comfortable clothing. Instead of keeping or hanging on to it, her intention was to wear a piece of clothing once, and then discard it. Indeed, on that first night, before hopping into the shower, Patricia threw away the dirty and tattered socks, tank top, bra, shorts, and panties she had worn earlier that day. By discarding her no-longer-needed/wanted clothes, she lightened the load, and opened up space [the four of us crammed into an early-90s 2-door Honda Civic hatchback] for stuff bought or picked up during the trip.

    Before boarding the car, Ken and Roy hastily hoarded a pile of trial-sized toiletries. But Patricia was much more thoughtful and practical. First, she decided what not to bring. Before embarking on the trip, Patricia shaved, and said she didn't care if she had to go a week without shaving. Then she cut her nails. Thus, she left behind her razor, shaving cream, aftershave lotion, fingernail clipper, and nail file. Since we were going to hit the coast, and weren't going out anywhere fancy, Patricia decided not to bring her conditioner, lotion, makeup, mouthwash, and tweezer.

    Patricia did not want to rely entirely on hotel soaps and shampoo. At the same time, she wanted to have enough to last a few days, in case our trip extended that long. She started with a single plastic travel soap dish, which enclosed her partially-used bar of soap [Neutrogena glycerin, if you must know]. Instead of lugging her family's Costco-sized shampoo, she brought a smaller (~10.5 oz.) half-used bottle [Herbal Essences, I think]. Again, 'twas enough to last maybe a week, but without weighing her down, and without having to mess, fumble, and get frustrated with teeny tiny trial-size products. Likewise, Patricia packed a rolled-up, half-used tube of toothpaste. Instead of bringing a new toothbrush, she simply brought her currently-used one.

    Moreover, the rest of Patricia's toiletries did not take up a lot of space: dental floss, a handful of Q-tips, one comb, a skinny stick of lip balm, and Secret deodorant (sniffing her armpits, she'd complain, "Strong enough for a man, my ass!"). She easily fit all of her toiletries, maxi-pads, band-aids, small tube of sunscreen, and a couple of scrunchies, into a soft knitted tote bag, which was wedged on that small floor hump between the Civic's center console and backseat.
    IMG_3229
    The audiodharma Ethernet adapter gets rid of even more grain, enabling the cable to pass audio and video signals more cleanly. In the case of the AudioQuest Forest RJ/E, music doesn't sound as fizzy and rough. This greatly helps, when the source is kind of sketchy, for example, when you are listening to scratchy MP3s. It's like having enough toiletries, to keep you clean on your road trip.
    IMG_3232
    The audiodharma Ethernet adapter allows the Chord Company C-Stream cable to shrug, "Nothing you don't need." It's like Patricia prepping herself on the morning before embarking, and leaving the dead weight at home. This allows the C-Stream to preserve image size, without getting bloated and ill-defined. Like Patricia getting rid of her old and worn-out clothes, this keeps out the grain riding along the signal, without discarding any of the actual resolution.
    IMG_3253
    Ken attended San Jose State; Patricia labored at San Francisco State; Roy toiled at City College; and I slogged through UC Santa Cruz. By going to four separate schools, we did indeed discuss how they differed. And that reminds me. By removing distortions, the audiodharma adapter allows each Cooked Ethernet cable to show its true self. And when it goes between router and satellite TV receiver, you get to analyze, compare, and debate each one's audio AND video performances.

    With the C-Stream cable, chartreuse and fluorescent colors unnaturally stick out. With the Forest RJ/E, video imaging and motion aren't as smooth as they should be. The Vodka RJ/E does the best job of holding the colors, layers, and letters together.

    So. Are you going to prepare for your road trip, by stocking up on the right types and quantities of supplies? Do you want to enjoy the trip, and take in all there is to see, smell, and hear? Do you want to see and hear exactly what your Ethernet cables are capable of passing? Then get and use the audiodharma Ethernet adapters.

January 14, 2017

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 9

    Before we cover the effects of powercords on the Simaudio 820S, do not forget about its own stock OEM cord. As long as you Cook it, you will be ahead of the game. Its errors are subtractive, shrinking the images, leaving out some of the music's color and verve, and reining in the soundstage. But nothing is out of balance, which is more than we can say about most after-market powercords.
    IMG_3452
    The Cooked stock powercord doesn't interfere with the snap of percussion. It keeps snare drum in focus. Thus, PRAT is excellent.

    The Simaudio 820S with Cooked stock powercord does even more for the 750D than, for example, a Cooked and cryo'd Pranawire Maha Samadhi M1/F1.

    But we must press on, so let us begin checking out some after-market powercords, all of which have been properly burned-in on an audiodharma Cable Cooker.
    IMG_3345
    First up is the Acrolink 6N-P4030 with Oyaide P/C-046 connectors. Although there is greater contrast between music and silence, the overall sound is jiggly. The music doesn't move smoothy, plus the images aren't anchored within their own spaces. Some of the music's stomp is lost. Versus other parts of the bass spectrum, the midbass is too prominent, sticks out from the mix.
    IMG_3346
    With the Tara Labs RSC Decade AC, images have no edge definition. They blur and meld into each other, with little to no space between them. Music isn't incisive, and drums lack pop. Listeners wish for sparkle, transparency, and air. "Blended" sums up the RSC Decade AC.
    IMG_3347
    When you move up to the Pranawire Satori CF, you want to exhale, "Now we're getting somewhere." Music is not as distorted and warped. It retains its command and power. The sound is dark, mid-centered, and chunky. However, due to the Acrolink CF plugs, the treble, though finely filigreed, is rolled-off.
    IMG_3348
    The Pranawire Vajra CF is even cleaner than the Satori CF. The Vajra does not directly address the rolled-off treble. However, by lessening the fat in the mids and bass, overall, the music is better-proportioned.
    IMG_3360
    Ah, by switching to the Pranawire Maha Samadhi with Oyaide M1/F1 plugs, the treble is restored. Nor is the air sucked out. Clearly, the 820S prefers the M1/F1 plugs, for their treble extension and breath. And because the 820S is inherently tight and grippy in the entire bass spectrum, the Maha Samadhi's tendency towards soft midbass is kept in check. Just as the Maha Samadhi M1/F1 complimented the solo 750D, it works well with the 820S.

January 9, 2017

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 8

    Now that you have seen the ins and outs of the Simaudio 820S, let's hook it up.
    IMG_3341
    All complementary components will use at least the "analog DC power" connection. Our 610LP phonostage used just this one connection.
    IMG_3343
    In addition to the "analog DC power" connection, the 740P, 650D, 750D, and 780D also utilize a "digital DC power" connection.
    IMG_3344
    The 820S, thankfully, uses a regular 15-amp powercord.

    Now that you have made these connections, here is the power-up sequence:

    1.) flick the 820S' rear-panel rocker switch.
    2.) press the 820S' Standby button.
    3.) press the connected component's Standby button.
    IMG_3356
    The power-down sequence is the opposite.

January 5, 2017

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 7

    Once you figure out what you are doing with the Simaudio 820S' two fuses, put back the black metal internal case, and the chassis' top plate. This unit has been across the U.S., in multiple homes. It does not generate heat. You have to leave the cover off, and put your ears right up to the electronic components, in order to hear any noise. Thank goodness.
    IMG_3349
    There is not much to say, about the 820S' front. You can order an 820S in all-black (Gross); "Two-tone" silver cheeks with black middle faceplate (Because my audio friend originally had a unit in this half-assed and ugly pattern, he did not keep it); or nice-looking all-silver (Yes!). Otherwise, the front panel features just a Standby button, and a blue-colored power indicator light.
    IMG_3340
    Like other Evolution series models, the 820S features ribbed sides. "Professional" reviewers neglect to tell readers that, if you keep a Simaudio Evolution model, dust can and will accumulate within these side ribs. Getting the dust out is tricky and difficult.

December 30, 2016

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 6

    This is perhaps the most important, frustrating, or dangerous aspect of the Simaudio 820S, so pay attention.
    IMG_4156
    I do not know if Simaudio have updated or corrected this, but the 820S' manual erroneously states, "For the 120V version use a 0.2A slow blow (5 x 20mm)" fuse.

    Wrong, wrong, wrong. My audio friends and I lost several of these 0.2A fuses in the 820S, particularly in the F2 position.
    IMG_4151
    The 820S has two fuses. This is the F1 fuse, which is oriented left-to-right. This unit came with a 0.5A fuse. Because of the 820S' major sonic influence, fuses do matter. Once you acquire the correct fuse value, you will have to listen for yourself, which direction sounds best to you. For example, the Synergistic Research Quantum Black (above) sounds more coherent, when pointing right. Yet, that was not the case with Synergistic Research's own Quantum Red, which sounded a little less lazy, when pointing to your left. In a future post, I will cover how other fuses performed, in the F1 position.
    IMG_4152
    This is the location of the F2 fuse, which is oriented front-to-back. This is where we kept losing 0.2A fuses, such as the HFT Silverstar above. Sigh, leave it to me and my audio friends, to get to the bottom of this. Nowhere else but here, will you find this information. The 820S actually comes with a 2.0A (not 0.2A!) fuse.

December 26, 2016

  • Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature II, Part 1

    With digital audio companies cropping up left and right, it can be easy to overlook the newcomers in other facets of audio. Such is the case with Virginia-based Silnote Audio. Rumor has it that the name Silnote is a concatenation of "silver note." Formed around 2010, Silnote Audio is a cable manufacturer. I have read various tidbits about this company, but it does not appear to be rigidly fixed to any one theory or one-trick-pony.
    IMG_3414
    Thanks to my network of audiophile friends, I have come upon this so-called Silnote Poseidon Signature II S/PDIF coaxial digital cable. As you can see, it sports a nice-looking silvery outer jacket, and is relatively flexible. It is also available in XLR, for AES/EBU. List price is $1,095.00 for a 1-meter piece, but is often marked down to $595.00.
    IMG_3415
    Be careful not to scratch off the printing on the heatshrink sleeve. It indicates which direction signal should flow.
    IMG_3416
    At least on this model, Silnote uses a Cardas RCA plug. I do not see any serial number(s). I am not sure if Silnote can make the Poseidon Signature II with BNCs.
    IMG_3418
    Okay, let's not waste any more time. Let us get this Poseidon Signature II on the audiodharma Cable Cooker.

December 22, 2016

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 5

    My college years were pretty miserable, but unlike any other place or point in time in my life, being on campus meant there was a chance you'd see not just the guys, but the coeds take off their tops.
    IMG_3309
    Decidedly unsexy, but educationally necessary, let's take off the Simaudio 820S' top. As you can see, the 820S' innards consist of 5 neat sections.
    IMG_3310
    Starting from the rear are these circuit boards, attached to the DC power jacks.
    IMG_3311
    Up front are the caps and "shielded inductive filters."
    IMG_3314
    This could be the most important part of the 820S. Remove the center metal cover's four small hex-head screws. No, those toroidal transformers are not boobs.
    IMG_3317
    Removing that center metal cover reveals the circuit board, which holds the two fuses. WARNING: the manual erroneously specifies these as slow-blow, 20mm, 0.2A. Much more on that, in a future post.

December 15, 2016

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 4

    As far as after-market outboard power supplies went, my Naim XPS2 ($4750) used a thick "Burndy" cable. There was no mistaking it.
    IMG_3287
    The Simaudio 820S is supplied with four 5'-long interconnecting cables, two with 4-pins, two with 5-pins. They can be mistaken, but due to the pin configurations, you cannot hook them up incorrectly.
    IMG_3321
    Simaudio outsourced the plugs from Neutrik.
    IMG_3326
    This is the 4-pin male connector, for "analog DC power."
    IMG_3318
    From the outside, the female XLR looks like any other XLR. The cable proper is, unfortunately, an ugly black. The good news is, the cable is relatively flexible.
    IMG_3320
    Have you seen this 4-pin female XLR before?
    IMG_3361
    Similarly, the 5-pin male XLR, from the outside, looks like any other. Simaudio do put their Moon and ampersand logo on the heatshrink wrap.
    IMG_3332
    The 5-pin XLR is for "digital DC power."
    IMG_3328
    Once again, the outside of the 5-pin female XLR looks like any other.
    IMG_3331
    The most pressing issue is, does anyone know of 3-pin to 4-pin, or 3-pin to 5-pin adapters, so that the 820S's cables can be conditioned on the audiodharma Cable Cooker?

December 8, 2016

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 3

    UCSC's Crown College dorms walled-in and cordoned-off grassy quads, and were sprinkled with trees, some of which were tall redwoods. Versus UCSC's other, more open residential colleges, Crown provided more sheltered spaces. Weekends were almost always warm and dry. Since staff wasn't around, small handfuls of students could be found sunbathing topless or completely nude. Most of the time, sunbathers lay on their stomachs. Thus, passers-by saw the sunbathers' backs and moons.
    IMG_3336
    As an electronic component, the Simaudio 820S should not be left in sunlight. But, let's take a look at its rear.
    IMG_3337
    On your left are two female 4-pin XLR facilities for "analog DC power."
    IMG_3338
    In the middle is the main on/off rocker power switch. It lies next to a standard 15-amp IEC socket.
    IMG_3339
    On the right are two female 5-pin XLR facilities for "digital DC power."

    Note that Simaudio wisely chose these 4-pin and 5-pin connections, so that they do not get commingled with (a) 3-pin signal cables, and (b) each other.

December 4, 2016

  • Simaudio 820S, Part 2

    During my sophomore year at UCSC's Crown College, I lived in a single dorm room. On the other side of the wall by my bed was a triple room. There, my friend Andrea ("ANN-jree-uh"), the petite curly blonde, roomed with Lumberjack Girl and Haley. The latter two were sexually active. No, not with each other, LOL! LG's dopey boyfriend was like a poor man's David Schwimmer, while Haley's lover looked like Motley Crue's Tommy Lee. Consequently, Andrea was frequently sexiled. She would go around, asking to stay at other kids' dorm rooms, but she often ended up right next door, in my room.

    I had a Sony D-10 Discman, and AR Powered Partners loudspeakers. The fragile D-10 was highly sensitive to vibrations. Thus, it could not be placed on the same shelf as the Powered Partners. To isolate the D-10 further, I placed it atop four AudioQuest Sorbothane CD Feet.

    During the Fall 1990 quarter, the two albums Andrea listened to the most in my room were A-ha's melancholy East Of Sun, West Of The Moon, and Prefab Sprout's Jordan: The Comeback. Maybe Simaudio (then known as Celeste?) heard "Moon Dog," and were inspired to launch the MOON name. While music was playing, Andrea would lean back, and look up at the ceiling. She stated that she preferred sleeping belly up. Without any prompting from me, she explained that, at night, she would be sitting up in bed, and reading a book. She'd fall asleep, slide down, and end up on her back.

    In the Crown College dorms, the coeds were overwhelmingly of the wannabe hippie variety. Unlike city girls, they were not into shoes and fashion. Many wore Birkenstock sandals, or went barefoot. Thus, many of their feet were rough, dirty, and calloused.

    But Andrea was not a wannabe hippie. Her feet were clean, smooth, straight, supple, and free of cuts, cracks, marks, blemishes, and roughness. Moreover, her unpainted toenails were healthy and clean.
    IMG_3297
    Before you setup the Simaudio 820S, you will have to lay it on its back, belly up.
    IMG_3296
    Each of the four corners has a countersunk hole, for the screw-in feet.
    IMG_3369
    In these pages, I've already reviewed these Simaudio Evolution models: Andromeda, Supernova, 750D, P-8, 600i, W-7, I-7, and 600i. ALL of them came with super-sharp screw-in spikes + cone cup (above, belonging to the 750D).
    IMG_3294
    Well, well, well; after all these years, Simaudio have modified the footer. They have cut off or blunted the tip. And they no longer supply a cone cup.
    IMG_3305
    The new blunted cone kind of reminds me of Andrea's feet. Despite the weight of the 820S, its new feet do not provide as firm anchoring, as the older spike-&-cone-cup combination. The old cone cup's bottom had a sticky rubberized foam, which adhered to any surface. However, the new blunted cones should have less of a chance to scratch or puncture you or your shelf.