This past Saturday, Clyde allowed my audio friend Robert and I into his lovely home. His wife had strategically vacated the premises, leaving the three of us to our devices.
Clyde has a lot of equipment in a fairly small listening space. His speakers are all VMPS: RM2s, LRC, Ribbon Dipoles, and Larger Sub. Between the RM2s, Clyde has a huge RPTV and an audio rack with CD/DVD player, Receiver, Odyssey preamp, and another component on the bottom that I don't remember. He has two Cinenova 3-channel amps sitting on amps stands driving the VMPS speakers (these are the largest amps I've ever seen outside of a dealer/audio show). It took a while before I could take my eyes off of the Ribbon dipoles - I've never seen anything like them.
During our stay, Clyde showed off the multi-channel capability of his system, playing both music and "effects" tracks (tornado and Apollo lift-off). While very impressive, this isn't why I was there - multi-channel doesn't do a lot for me. But there's no denying the bass and dynamics were astounding.
For 2-channel, we first listened to Clyde's system as it stands, just to get a "baseline". As usual, every time I sit in someone else's home and get a taste of their system, I want to scream out "Why are we here? What are you doing? This sounds just fine!! Why are people always looking for this 5% improvement (that may or may not be attainable)?" But since, I'm the weirdo with this heretic philosophy, I stay silent. After all, who am I to impose my philosophy on other folks?
Suffice to say, I felt Clyde's system sounded just fine.
Next we inserted a stereo power amp (that Robert brought over), replacing the Cinenovas. I don't remember the name, but Robert said it was an "Odyssey clone". Personally, I could hear no difference at all. Dynamics, smoothness, clarity, bass response were all extremely similar to that we heard through the Cinenovas.
Next, we inserted the KORA tube preamp I brought over (replacing the Odyssey). We also re-inserted the Cinenovas back into the mix. Surprisingly, the differences were very slight, and I would be hard-pressed to categorize any differences as "better or worse". Chalk up a "high five" for the Odyssey at this point.
Finally, we put the KORA tube monoblocks into the mix (keeping the KORA preamp in as well). Oh my, here's where the differences began to show. It's as if the sound doubled in scope. Full-bodied, enveloping music. All the hardness/shrillness disappeared. And the bass was just as tight and deep as with the Cinenovas (and the RM2s can put out some bass). It took Clyde all of about 10 seconds to throw up his hands in realization.
We then took a break, and Clyde treated us to a smorgasboard of sandwich delights. It was much appreciated, as listening to music is hard work.
After listening to the KORAs a while longer, we went back to Clyde's system, with the intention of trying out Robert's DAC/magic box combination. Prior to switching on Robert's DAC, this was the time when the KORA's differences were most apparent. I guess what I'm saying is that when we went from the Cinenovas to the KORA monoblocks, the improvements were noticeable and appreciated. But (after switching back) and you lose that "something", at least for me, the effect is even more dramatic.
Upon inserted Robert's DAC, we all agreed there was a noticeable improvement in clarity. A welcome addition, indeed. I think Clyde was a little surprised, as he had heard little difference in a DAC he had tried earlier. And with Robert's "magic box", the differences were even more apparent. However, for me, the differences didn't seem very positive (in Clyde's system). The design goal seems to be to generate a more tube-like sound. But all I heard were subdued highs and mids, and therefore (relatively) enhanced bass. The things that tubes do well are much more than just "rolling off the highs".
I wish to thank Clyde for his hospitality and enthusiasm. This is truly one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. I also wish to thank Robert for lending his expertise and insights. And although I didn't care for Josh Stone so much, another CD (Live in New York) was very nice indeed. It seems everytime I get with Robert, he exposes me to another artist I was previously unfamiliar with.
Kevin
