The light lighting up causes noise in the system, electrical pollution and so the light-free one should in theory sound better. I purchased my olsen without the light but you can buy one with it if so desired.
And the switchless one should in theory provide a slightly cleaner sound too, ie a little curcuit removed. Just like my unswitched wall sockets and power strip.
And of course getting rid of the sockets and fuses improves things further, hence the Hydra, Powerigel and PowerBlack block amongst others……
You are probably right - my Matrix is very crude by HiFi block-tech standards now.
…eventually I may try something else.
DB.
Try Chord strip soon comes out
Just ordered 1 to 4 Hydra for my naim gear. This will supply 2 HCs , the napsc and the xpsdr. Advised not to use it on non naim gear, hence only a 4 headed one.
So more experimenting this evening. Spent time swapping 3m Merlin power cable that runs from the wall to my power block with a standard 3m power cable.
The difference in sq is remarkable. Just not sure in a good way. Certainly more clarity and improved sound stage with the Merlin cable. However, genuine listening fatigue, which i haven’t experienced with my system before. Its just a tad spiky with the merlin.
So question now do i cut my losses and celebrate the fact that a standard cable gives a more listenable listen. Or push on with fancy cables in the hope of finding one that gives the clarity without the fatigue…
You need to let the Merlin burn in I think first before ruling it out. Usually that would address any brightness and fatigue over a few weeks.
Ha ha lets not start the burn in debate!
Cable burn in is real - discuss.
Who needs Netflix!
Not Another Re-Run
A bad wine will not be better, even 100 years after.
less can more if internally they are wired well - does anyone know if any of these come with better cables versions?
Thanks to all the comments/insights here, i’ve finally upgrade the matrix 2 to Kojo Technology Crystal 6.1. What an improvement! Should have made the change ages ago. I guess in our hobby, its never too late
This will be interesting as their last product, the English Electric Switch, was a rebadged Bonn/Silent Angel. Someone on the Roon forum just posted that the Silent Angel/Bonn are in turn nothing but a $30 Zyxel switch. I may be mistaken (?) however I may have also read that Silent Angel/Bonn are actually an offshoot of Zyxel
Recently purchased an IsoTek Sirius power strip for my system with their EVO Initium mains cable which was recommended by my dealer. Moderate price, well built, still using the manufacturers AC cables. I recently noted that Shunyata is now also offering a similar product. Both available in the US at a similar price point.
I did notice a difference in how the system responded. An experiment.
Happy listening.
Better cable versions than what?
The Powerigel comes with the equivalent of Naim stock cables, whereas the Powerigel Plus features Powerline cables and plugs. The Sean Jacobs / Custom HiFi Cables PowerBlack distribution block uses either his Powerblack screened copper cables or screened silver cables as you prefer. Both are very high spec but unhyped cables.I prefer the block with copper cables to the Powerigel and prefer the latter to the Powerigel Plus and a host of other mains blocks I’ve auditioned. Various plug plating options are available for the distribution block and also a conditioner. I personally prefer it without.
thanks, this is helpful. I haven’t looked much into the Powerigel and didn’t realise the Plus comes with Powerlines (I suppose if a fixed full loom is desirable and budgeted for, then it would make sense to some) but to be quite honest I think the standard version Naim cables are just too thin to wire up all your system?
I have a Powerblack mains cable, which certainly looks well made but to my ears it did nothing too special in auditioning for critical connections/components and ended up plugged into my QB2. I guess if one could mix and match more options of e.g. what goes to the wall and what goes to what from the block before fixing it, it might be better (that’s if I understand correctly - that once ordered, they are fixed)? Just had a look and, if I see correctly, they don’t offer any cabling larger than 2.5mm2 (and same in 99.99% sliver at about £800/m)? I also cannot seem to find much about how the block is connected inside.
From memory, Sean simply states that the block is star earthed, but I’m sure that if you write to him he’ll be happy to provide more information.
Personally, I prefer that standard Powerblack cable to the Powerline.
Where gauge is concerned, I’m not convinced that bigger is necessarily better and sceptical about the strain that some of the big ones put on the equipment-end sockets.