Demo'ing my 2nd SL wire...

ken c posted:

Hi DB,

....I dont believe there is any "incompatibility" issues between this cable and my system -- that would be really odd.

just needs time.. i think... i hope... :-)

I think it should work well in a 552-based system, but people do prefer different presentations, so nothing is guaranteed!
If you have and like the SL interconnect upstream then my view is that the 4-pin SL does more of this, but with more emphasis lower-down with the lower-mid and bass more prominently impacted as well as a nicer upper-end performance.

I liked the darker presentation, after the initial run-in. In musical terms it was more immediate and precise with timing and musical-flow working better for me - I found it more 'interesting' to listen to in terms of inflection and emphasis on vocals - less smear and more insight.

DB.

Darke Bear posted:

ken c posted:

Hi DB,

....I dont believe there is any "incompatibility" issues between this cable and my system -- that would be really odd.

just needs time.. i think... i hope... :-)

I think it should work well in a 552-based system, but people do prefer different presentations, so nothing is guaranteed!
If you have and like the SL interconnect upstream then my view is that the 4-pin SL does more of this, but with more emphasis lower-down with the lower-mid and bass more prominently impacted as well as a nicer upper-end performance.

I liked the darker presentation, after the initial run-in. In musical terms it was more immediate and precise with timing and musical-flow working better for me - I found it more 'interesting' to listen to in terms of inflection and emphasis on vocals - less smear and more insight.

DB.

"... after the initial run-in "

how long was this initial run-in for you?

enjoy

ken

Graham Clarke posted:

I'd echo Gary's words.  When I tried my SL Snaxo cable it immediately sounded better than what it replaced.  However if you've not had a chance to listen to it carefully then that may explain why.  You must either be very busy or a masochist

... or i am cloth-eared.

i am not really that bothered. just double-checked with Signals that the cable is in fact new. The SL IC took about a week of continuous play to 'land'. i expect this one will be more or less the same, so i will assess it then...

perhaps run-in takes longer with humbler pre-amps such as the 552?

enjoy...

ken

ken c posted:

... or i am cloth-eared.

...perhaps run-in takes longer with humbler pre-amps such as the 552?

I think neither are true.

The 'humble'  552 will do the business. I remember before I purchased the 552 looking at it and thinking 'I'll never have something so expensive' - then the world went crazy and I lived happily with one for many years. The S1 is different and better - but at a silly price.

As to run-in time - about 4 or 5 days to be past the worst. There is a 'start' window of just under a day with these cables when they reveal what they can do - followed by various nasty run-in hash and wibble for a few days - then a more gradual improvement over several weeks and months where you get back the initial glimpse of performance you had at start - and so much more.

What I found for me - probably different for different people to an extent.

DB.

i'm hardly into day 3. and i missed this 'start window' you refer to because i didnt listen to it much initially anyhow -- i couldnt really.

as i say, i am not really that bothered at this stage... i strongly suspect the cable will thaw soon.  The SL IC did, eventually...

enjoy

ken

I've found the run in of these cables painful to say the least. They seem to need a week or two to become listenable and thereafter I've found, with the IC, there is further improvement, that can only be attributed to the cable, over the next few months.

Ken,

Are you running the cable 24/7 with music through the system?  This might speed things up. 

I echo all the previous comments Ken. be patient and it will all come good in time. SL has truly transformed my system. As Graham says keep playing music through the system 24/7 easily done with your superb tuner. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Steve J posted:

I've found the run in of these cables painful to say the least. They seem to need a week or two to become listenable and thereafter I've found, with the IC, there is further improvement, that can only be attributed to the cable, over the next few months.

in a sort of strange way, i could say i am lucky because i have not been able have a serious listening session since i installed this new cable -- so i am expecting that it will more or less be 'there' when i am ready...

enjoy...

ken

Graham Clarke posted:

Ken,

Are you running the cable 24/7 with music through the system?  This might speed things up. 

No, i switch the system off every night and disconnect all cables before i go to bed... 

does this matter?

enjoy

ken

Probably the best way Ken. With the IC I just left the music running 24 hours for two weeks. 

Have a great Xmas.

ATB

Steve

Michael posted:

I echo all the previous comments Ken. be patient and it will all come good in time. SL has truly transformed my system. As Graham says keep playing music through the system 24/7 easily done with your superb tuner. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Good to hear from you Michael! i am looking fwd to this transformation around xmas day, i guess. i dont have a full SL 'loom' but hopefully i will get a slice of the cake -- similar to when i got the SL IC for my NDS.  after run-in, this had an truly emphatic impact in my system...

enjoy...

ken

Steve J posted:

Probably the best way Ken. With the IC I just left the music running 24 hours for two weeks. 

Have a great Xmas.

ATB

Steve

more or less precisely what i did for my IC -- the "benefit" () was apparent around 2 weeks... 

and a merry xmas to you as well Steve...

enjoy...

ken

Hi Ken,

Hope you feel better, maybe a "Hot Toddy" might do the trick!!!

Persistance is the "Naim" of the game!!! Ouch, sorry.

Wishing you a Merry, healthy and Musical Christmas!

C'mon, SL do your thing for Ken...NOW!!!!!

Dustysox posted:

Hi Ken,

Hope you feel better, maybe a "Hot Toddy" might do the trick!!!

Persistance is the "Naim" of the game!!! Ouch, sorry.

Wishing you a Merry, healthy and Musical Christmas!

C'mon, SL do your thing for Ken...NOW!!!!!

Ha ha... thanks Dustysox (just double checked that i didnt call you Dustyfox this time !!!)

Compliments of the season to you too :-)

enjoy

ken

definite step change since last night -- can't say in which direction yet. i will listen some more tonite and tomorrow and report, if there is interest... 

enjoy

ken

Interest here, very keen on SL SC & IC for a 272/250DR combo so reading here with intent.