ND555 at Olive System

Yes. I lived in Poland only during my first 7 years. And you?

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It’s probably too soon to decide where we’re going to live after a certain age, but for now we’re going to stay in the Netherlands.
I would definitely like to live in a tax-paradise country :sweat_smile:. Holland, for a middle-class person, is expensive to live in.

I moved to the Netherlands when I was 25, so I was much older than you.

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That makes you only 2 years older than I am
:slight_smile: (what an adult calculation :slight_smile: )

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Phoenix in the house…
First impressions and competants…

  1. cheap and old 10m cat5e router —> ee8 (original ps or Lhy audio 25 (could not resist :))
  2. cheap cat 6 hdx —> ee8
  3. 5m chord Clearway ee8 —> nd555

Lhy came in yesterday and is still warming up. It is fine, and gave the same add on to the spectrum as I realized with dc3. By far not as good as dc3 - but also more round but less sparkle … digital ps is not worse only different and a bit I preferre it.

Today phoenix…

  1. new 7,5 m cat 8.1 (CSL - 7,5m CAT 8 Netzwerkkabel - 8.1) as recommended by an German high end reviewer / router —> PN
  2. AQ cinnamon from hdx —> PN
  3. AQ vodka PN —> nd555
    PN with powerline.

DRUMROLL……

tomorrow tbc…?

Has anyone watched the fantastic tv series Ted lasso?

First impressions as Roy Kent would have done …

„Phoenix fu…… net!“ :grin:

PN is fantastic…

First moment was wow…
All there …

  • more room (ee8 stock was a bit flat in 3d space) PN is much better.
  • sparkle - yess it is there with less sharpness
  • bass is full and mostly identical to ee8
  • mids are so good - grippy and involving … totally analog sound spectrum. Mids are more earthy again… (before more silk like) - I think that is the texture the PN has addedd

Only the speed is slightly more moderate compared to ee8 - but ee8 was too hasty sometimes. And ee8 is more in the face - all in front with a smaller 3d effect
PN is very groovy - sound it totally naimish…!

PN is very well build and my first component with really good feet underneath… it stands on a Fraim glass shelf.

@frenchrooster …Thank you so much !

PS: Currently playing… get lucky / daft punk. First line … „ like the legend of the phoenix …“ :smile:

PSS: Music can be played louder without any stress

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Be prepared to a second Whaouh when it will be burn in. It will begin to be less congested, will open, and will be more involving.
I am glad you enjoy it. I couldn’t return it when I tried it. Hopefully I can be a bit mad sometimes, to buy a 3 k switch. But it’s so important , it’s like Pirelli tires on a Porsche.
Nice box too, which deserves a good power cable too. I have an Entreq on it ( around 1k).

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Yes - it is a really nice box. Unusual dimensions - very deep. It stands sideways in my board.
I have also a chord Clearway 1,5m on loan. Will also compare this with the vodka. Think vodka is also part of the overall effect. The clarity and depth might be part of vodka. Will see.
There is also a farrad on its way … I was totally mad this time - ever more mad the normally.
Struggling with myself if I should open the farad package or send it back unopened… with options comes doubt :slight_smile:

Yesterday I accidentally compared PN with ee8 plus Lhy lps.
The PN is leagues better.
As gecko mentioned- lhy is good, but the stock psu can also be preferred.

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I prefer Michelin tyres :smile:
But no Porsche - only BMW :slight_smile:

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By the way … tend to quit testing… Clearway, farad….
Tired of my own analysis…
Time to enjoy

Only heared dc3 for a short time, but think I can easily say, that in PN I recognize the dc3 inside. A really good one, the Sean jacobs lps

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How much time burn in for the PN? It needs a minimum of 8 days 24/24 to see its potential, then another 200 hours to quite fully open.
If not the comparison will be biased.
The Farad needs also a few days.

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Thanks - I start a long playlist everytime I am not listening to music.
Pre muted.
But PN with traffic.
Have 14 days return window. But with initial wow the chances are good.
I am very happy. Have I said thanks - yes I have :grin:

Might be a bit of mind-bias, but everything I read about the vodka is present:

  • texture and open sound
  • bass volume and definition
  • a bit edgy at some songs

The latter will bet better with PN run in.

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Yes - maybe biased
But farad can not be played with the vodka - no space for farad and ee8 in the shelf. Maybe there is, but will look terrible.

But as nothing is only better in all situations - there is always some (maybe minor) compromise. And farad will be the third option.
I really would like to settle with PN and stop searching …
I tend to get lost in this :slight_smile:

Just to be sure you won’t regret, try the Farad on top of the EE8, to see how it can sound.
As you have them at your house, would be sad not to try. But frankly I would be surprised if it sounds better vs the PN. But ears may tell differently.

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Sad not to try … on one hand totally true.
But as I am not „mr decision“ … I should be reliefed that I gave PN a go… until now :grin:

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Sorry - i am even tired of cable testing….
Is there any idea on the difference of Ethernet:
Chord Clearway vs AQ vodka

I know - only ears….

And I know that the cables do a difference - never thought that some time ago

I settled on AQ Vodka linking up my switches etc, i did try True Signal audio and Melco cables…….but the Vodka was best to my ears.

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I read very positive about vodka and like it a lot.
For this reason I would like to avoid a further „comparison journey“

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I found cable testing rather tedious, so once i found what i liked, i stayed with it.

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Thanks
You have nd555 as well - fine.
Just read darkbears posts, where he recommended that vodka hangs completely free. Not possible sadly. With more bending - maybe. Currently resting on one foam pad mounted at the wall. Much better though than 5m Clearway before wich was fixed on several spots on the wall

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