APL-HiFi

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

The unit arrived earlier then expected (Monday). I listened that night connected through my Aesthetix Calypso preamp. Although the NWO 1.0 was away for so long that I would not trust my memory on minor differences, I did note a few things. This sounds much better direct into the wall versus plugged into the Power Plant Premier. The NWO 1.0 also sounded better into the wall but not to this degree. Every other component sounds better plugged into the Premier than direct to the wall (dedicated 30 amp circuit/Acme outlets). Things sounded better than the Philips SACD 1000 from the get-go. I would hear hints of things to come (unexpected nuance and detail) but I was dreading a relatively unrewarding extended break-in period based on comments about the NWO 2 series units. So, to get on with it, I ran the ISO-TEK disc on repeat. I also made a DVD-A from it using DVD-A Solo and am using both versions for the break-in process.

Tuesday, I listened for a while through the preamp and then set it up for direct mode. The Magnan Signature balanced cables were now fed from the outputs of the NWO 3.0 instead of the Calypso. Now we are cookin. Direct mode did sound better on the NWO 1.0 than through the preamp (although the NWO-1 lacked sufficient gain in my system), but again, the degree of difference is much larger with the NWO 3.0GO. The Calypso outputs were now connected to the NWO bypass inputs.

If I were to describe the sound today in one word, it would be sweet. Flipping back and forth with vinyl (using the NWO bypass mode), the NWO 3.0 seems more spatially and harmonically developed than my GyroDec/SME 309/Audiocraft AC-03/Walker Phono/Calypso vinyl set up and not at the expense of detail. How much of this is due to using direct mode versus cabling I cannot be sure but I can find no reason to reconnect the NWO 3.0 outputs to the preamp.

I was not comparing different versions of the same recording but just making observations listening to examples of good sounding LPs and discs. One recording I will comment on. Yesterday, I listened to the Chick Corea SACD set (Rendezvous in NY). For the first time I could clearly make out the interplay going on between bass player and kick drum (disc 1 track 4). Also, the track Crystal Silence is reference quality. The piano and vibraphone overtones are amazing. My standard of comparision for these instruments are West German ECM LPs I bought in the seventies (Jarrett, Corea, Burton.

The sound is very pleasing with only perhaps 45 hours of use by me (music and Isotek). Unlike the reports on the 2 series, I do not think you need heavy hours on this to enjoy it immensely. Hard to imagine it will only get better.

I would like to comment about the DVD-A sound. Commericial DVD-As sound amazing. And, if you run WIndows, you can create DVD-A versions of your redbook cds using DVD-A Solo. This software will allow you to upsample the output written to the DVD-A. I find that using the 88/24 produces a disc that sounds more coherent and relaxed than the original. You can fit 2 CDs with room left over on a single layer DVD at 88/24. Using a higher output settings requires the use of dual layer DVDs and does not result in better sound, IMHO. The better the source, the better the results. If you have invested in an NWO, you should try this to see if you like it.

Bob

drubin · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: SF Bay Area

6moons has just released Part 2 of their NWO 3.0 review, which should be of interest to all members of this forum. It's a very positive review, no doubt about it. Very thorough and very thoughtful, it places the APL player at the top of the heap in a way that seems to avoid the CDP-of-the-month syndrome that is so common among the audiophile press. At least I hope that's the case.

I would be interested in Alex's comments, particularly to Srajan's suggestion that the VRDS-NEO may be less critical to the overall stellar performance of the unit than one might have thought, but I certainly understand if Alex chooses not to respond to the review in this forum. (The upside to that suggestion is heightened anticipation for the APL DAC. Better start rolling the assembly line 24/7.)

See: http://6moons.com/audioreviews/aplhifi/nwo30go.html

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

People will be able to judge soon enough when the NWOs with built-in Duet are available. The DAC section in the NWO 3.0 is amazing. Hard disc playback via Transporter through the NWO will sound suprisingly good.

With the Transporter/NWO, It is critical to use BNC terminated cables. I know the 75 ohm stuff has been debated to death but it seems to make a big difference here. Many digital cables are not even available with BNC terminations. I found that an old CATV cable with Rat Shack F/BNC adapters sounded much better than an RCA terminated digital cable using RCA/BNC 75 ohm adaptors. This was obvious in bass and treble clarity and composure when the music gets busy.

Since the wire quality in the RCA terminated digital cable is much better, this suggests that the F/BNC adaptors mess less with the 75 ohm impedance. BTW, the Monster 75 ohm RCA/BNC adaptors much sound better than the cheaper Rat Shack versions. I tried using other RCA interconnects with adaptors but could not achieve the quality of the CATV cable. It may be that just about any BNC terminated cable will perform better than any RCA cable with an adaptor in this application.

Now I need to find a good digital cable with direct BNC terminations.

drubin · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: SF Bay Area

What are you using the digital cable for?

I highly recommend the Stereovox XV2 digital cable, which is BNC (with RCA adapters if you need them), is true 75 ohm, and costs $159. You can order it online at http://www.gcaudio.com/

Mauidan · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 31

[quote="DOT*SYSTEM"]
Now I need to find a good digital cable with direct BNC terminations.[/quote]

Here you go:

http://www.analogresearch-technology.net/ubyte.html

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

Thanks for the recommendations. I will keep these in mind. I have a Zu Ash on the way to try.

The digital cable I have here now is on evaluation and will be going back. It connects the BNC out on the Transporter to the BNC in on the NWO. My CATV cable is the one to beat at this point - go figure...

Received a pair of EC99 Gold Pins today, available in the US from EuroTubes. These guys sell mainly to musicians. Matched and balanced sets available at a slight upcharge - request this in the comment section of the on-line order form. I paid $71.50 shipped.

Alex Peychev · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject:

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

Alex

I guess the best cable would be one that gets closest to the sound of the NWO using its own transport during an A/B of the same Redbook disc with the Transporter. The CATV cable does not sound totally correct but is much better than the RCA cables with adaptors in certain parameters - bass focus and clarity, treble clarity. lack of strain during dynamic passages. Perhaps its 10 ft length is also a factor.

Do you know who makes an OFC cable with BNC terminations?

Thanks

Bob

frankg · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 25

DOT*SYSTEM
Thanks for posting a source for the ECC99 gold pins. I've been trying to find out where I could buy them. Do you notice any difference with them in your NWO 3?

Frank

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

Frank

It is too soon to tell. All new tubes sound 'different' to me. After 100 hours or so, I'll put the originals back in and see how they compare.

One thing I noticed is that these fit tighter in the sockets.

Bob

Alex Peychev · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject:

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

Alex

The closest thing I saw at the Radio Shack site was by Cables To Go. They make BNC component video cables that are silver plated.

I suppose can find OFC copper and terminate it myself.

Bob

DOT*SYSTEM · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 25

brooney · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 18

Hi All

I agree with Dot*System's evaluation of these gold pin tubes. I find them to provide a sound closer to live music than the stock tubes. Additionally, they provide a much quieter background to let the music shine through with better dynamics.

They offer an improvement way beyond their small price tag. Alex should consider including them as standard equipment on the NWO.

Regards
Bill

brooney · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 18

Hi All

I agree with Dot*System's evaluation of these gold pin tubes. I find them to provide a sound closer to live music than the stock tubes. Additionally, they provide a much quieter background to let the music shine through with better dynamics.

They offer an improvement way beyond their small price tag. Alex should consider including them as standard equipment on the NWO.

Regards
Bill