Well, it's been a few weeks since my last 'confounding variable' - a new Digital American for the SCD-1 and I have listened enough to get a new base-line sound quality before making other changes to the configuration of the PI-Audio Uber + switchable digital. Ultimately, I will need to decide what outlet configuration and power cord to use to power my system. Just a few observations so far:
1. Yes, it can run 4 amps capable of 2.2 kilowatts @ 8 ohms at some pretty high levels without breathing hard or even heating up. Wisconsin winters are made for playing louder than the other three as the house is nicely buttoned up and the neighbors as well, allowing the full majesty of orchestral music. No fear of noise complaints until June.
2. The TWL cord on the ancient SACD player is a match made in Heaven. Having only recently tamed digital playback as a listenable source in my system after a 30 year struggle, this power cord puts things over the top for clarity, added detail, more useful base, and just a sense of sonic cleanliness that I didn't think was possible.
3. Since installing the Buss in early November, I have not yet switched it from Digital mode to standard UberBuss mode. My concern here is that the two analog preamps may be struggling with running on current that has been optimized for the five digital components that share the eight outlets on the Buss. The switch sets all eight. I will soon throw the switch and find out.
4. I am still running quite nicely on the original P&S duplex outlets. The pair of GTX-D (R) duplexes and the Maestro I plan to gradually add to replace P&S outlets are now covered in dust. I have a third GTX-D in Rhodium coming to me from Dave, but I think I am going to ask him to send a gold one instead. I also want to talk to him about trying one of his tweaked and polished P&S duplexes like he used to illustrate his contention that you can get a lot for very little out of these off-the-shelf outlets. The fact that I have over $500 worth of upgraded outlets sitting around for more than two months tells me that the stock $30 duplexes can play in the big leagues.
5. Just when the system is sounding so good, I couldn't leave it alone. I just now swapped out the Buss with the PS Audio PPP regenerator that it replaced back in November. I haven't had time to listen too critically yet, but my first impression is that of takeaways. The most glaring impression I have so far is that the element of surprise has taken a hit. It's a hard concept to put into words, but an important one. I think that the ability of music to surprise and delight the listener is a key part of its emotional content and that my system is now so much poorer in that regard. I have also noted a reduction in the system's rendition of the material individual instruments are made from. Wooden flutes vs. metal flutes, etc. Need more time to compare.
6. Cheers to Dave E for producing such a fine product for such a good price.
