Although I am satisfied with the sound of the Groneberg IC’s with WBT termination during the time I was using them in my system, I move on to more costly cables, with supposedly better performance, a few months ago.
Since my Gronebergs and TS premiums IC’s are just sitting in my audio bin, perspiring heavily and anxiously waiting their turn to be called for service again, I decided to do some experimentation. I bought some regular Eichmann Bullet Plugs from PartsConnexion and started working on my new found curiosity.
I observed that the only challenging part in doing the transformation is how to fit the Groneberg jacket to the body of the bullet plug. Careful trimming of the jacket, and at least make them symmetrical so as not to be an eye sore, solve the problem. I use Silver solder bought from a local electronics shop, some shrink-wrap with SOP colors (Red for +, and Blue or Black for return) to complete the job.
Before I start my litanies regarding my observation through my comparison, I would like to mention that I still have a pair of the WBT terminated Gronebergs so as to compare if there really is a difference between the morph Groneberg-Eichmann (GronMann) or my ears are just hallucinating (if they are capable of that, voices of my imaginary friends in my head not withstanding) if a difference is heard.
Also, in the company of the regular Gronebergs, the IC’s that are “ready for the battle” per se, waiting very quietly without any form of sibilance are Empirical Audio Holophonics, Nordost BlueHeaven, MIT 330I medium impedance, Bogdan Silver IC’s, Kimber Hero and John Risch Design Analog IC’s a.k.a Signal Cable Analog 2. I really want to compare it to some other IC’s that is double or triple the price of the GronMann but I do not have money to buy them.
It’s been 37 days now (yes I am counting!) since I plug the Gronmann to my system. A week ago (again, I am counting) I figure (and who is to argue) that a comparison is now in order.
Not including the Holophonics, the GronMann blasted the competition, smoke the pretenders, whoop their behinds (as well as the front whichever you prefer), spank the rest like a red headed step-child (just kidding! please don’t sue me), rises to the top, surpasses the rest, super mega over to the max compared to others, in terms of presentation, bass, detail, stage, clarity etc. (please plug your favorite adjective describing the strong point(s) of your audio system here _______.)
The Holophonics you asked? Well, considering that I pay more for these (I have 2 pairs) per pair compared to the GronMann (solder, shrink-wrap, treatment for minor burns because the 4-wire Groneberg is a bitch to solder to the miniscule Eichmann soldering points/pads, all included) it is sad for me to say that they sound the same. Yes, they sound unbelievably the same in my system. In fact my better half is now making a journal regarding why I am still awake at 4 A.M. (week ends only of course) listening to my CD-TT-CD-TT (repeat as long as you want). and swapping cables in between. I think she’s into something (preparing invaluable evidence?). I will deal with that later.
My system is made up of Martin Logan Ascents, Odyssey Sratos Monos with 360,000 uF caps (…herrrr… Klaus told me when we were having dinner some time back that I do not need to upgrade them to the Extremes….), Jolida Modified JD-100 running Sylvania Gold Brand gold pins 5751; Michell Gyrodeck with Benz Ace M cart, Rega RB-300 arm, George Wright WPP-100C phono amp running with Mullards 12AU7’s, and RCA 6ER5’s; main pre is ARC LS-12; speaker cables are AZ Hologram MKII + Hologram jumpers; VD P2 power cords.
Next step is to figure out how I can fit the Groneberg TS premiums (much bigger jacket) to the Eichmann plugs. Also, I can hear the voice of the Silver Eichmann’s calling my wallet for an ultimatum. We’ll see about that…
Have to go now, (to my brother’s house for a shoot out between GronMann and Acoustic Zen Matrix Ref MKII …)
catch you later……..extend my regards to broadstreet, who ever he (an assumption) is…..
