Verity Audio Parsifal,Simaudio W5,Chord Hugo DAC $35000 stereo system review (Part 1)

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Verity Audio Parsifal,Simaudio W5,Chord Hugo DAC $35000 stereo system review (Part 1)

Рет қаралды 10,237

Күн бұрын

Here are my impressions on my friend's stereo system. Absolutely one of the more musical system I have auditioned. I usually beleive in spending money setting up the front end (dac, preamp + amp)but this is a case where my friend spent all the money at the backend.(speakers) I have to say, it's amazing what a $25k speaker can do. At the risk of sounding cheesy, its does warm my heart listening to it and it makes me happy everytime I audition it. Absolutely not like my other friend with the focal where it makes me alert when I audition the focals.
Absolutely recommended to people who love the analog, non-ear piercing sound and can enjoy music over a glass of wine. If however you love the 'audiophile' experience where you get to pick the sound apart, then these are not for you.
Main System:
Sources:
Chord Hugo DAC ($2850.00) (Front Channels DAC)
Chord Mojo ($650.00) (Rear Channels DAC)
Oppo BDP-95 Universal Disc Player (~$1000.00)
DIY USB to Dual SPDIF Output for Multi-Channel only
Lenovo T61 Laptop (Windows 7 running JRiver)
Power Amplifiers:
SimAudio Moon W5 ($4000.00) (For Front Speaker)
SimAudio Celeste W4150 (~$2500.00) (For Rear Speakers)
Pre-Amp:
None for Stereo
Passive DIY Pre-Amp for Multi-Channel (4 channels only)
Bryston 10B-SUB Electronic Crossover ($1900.00)
Speakers:
Verity Audio Parsifal Encore (1997) ($24,000.00) (Front Speakers)
B&W Matrix 803 (~$3000.00) (Rear Speakers)
Velodyne ULD-15 Series II Subwoofer System ($2400.00)
Cables:
Van den Hul D-352 ($22.00 per foot) (Front Speaker Cables)
Monster Cable (Rear Speaker Cables)
Van den Hul “The Second” (Front Interconnect Cables)
DIY Interconnect using Canare Quad Cable & Neutrik Connectors (Rear Interconnect Cables)
Shunyata Research Power Cables ($150.00)
AudioQuest Forrest USB Cable (For Front DAC)
Kimber Kable USB Cable (for USB to Dual SPDIF Converter)
Ultralink Coaxial Cables

Пікірлер: 30

@albertleung3690 2 жыл бұрын

I wish Verity will reinvent/remanufacture the Fidelio speakers. I love it but didn't have money to buy it before its discontinue. I own the Rienzi.

@calaf_725 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Thomas, the small battery operated dac you describe is the Mojo that seats on top of the Hugo. I apologize if i misunderstood what you said but i think you confused Mojo for Hugo.

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Yup, you are most likely right, my friend told me just on the fly before i made the video so I can be so wrong.

@guillermocastilla6305 6 жыл бұрын

Wow I don’t believe it another day that works at Boing

@metnoc10 6 жыл бұрын

Hello Thomas, nice video, interesting to see other audiophiles stereosystems. So I wanted to write a few lines about mine, as Ive got the exact same speakers, Verity Parsifal Encore. Im using a Karan 180 integrated amp, its a transistor amp with loads of power (its watt is class A to a unusual high %, because of some kind of sliding bias technology, also therefore it doesn't get very warm). It can really control my speakers and give a massive bass but still with the typical involving sound of a class A amp. The dac is a Aqua La Scala mk2, its a R2R dac with tubes, it has a real snappy sound to it with great control over the lower end. To top if of I just bought Ansuz unshielded power cables, some say those are the best power cables there is. If you haven't heard them, I very much recommend you doing so. They give an immense flow to the music, it just seems like the music is coming out of the speakers as it where a tsunami. Ive auditioned Vertere interlinks, I will probably buy them in when the funds allow for it. They sound remind me of Nordost, without sounding bright or stressed, but still that snappy engaging and energetic sound. Overall as you can see, Ive tried to match the Verity's with snappy sounding components. I believed Ive managed to get a very well balanced sound, the Veritys as you know, relaxed and pleasing sonic signature. Combined with a snappy sounding source and other things makes for a engaging but relaxing experience at the same time. Keep it up!

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Congrats on having such amazing speakers and thanks for the comment. Its a speaker i really much like to own but its above my budget even in the used market. These are just fantastic speaker and your comments are spot on. Will look into the components you recommend and its a great but endless pit hobby.

@metnoc10 6 жыл бұрын

The Ansuz cables are unfortunately everything but cheap. I took the opportunity to buy two power cords for under 50% of the standard price, since the company just released a updated line of products. And all the retailers are trying to sell the old stock they still have left. Yes, hehe thats true. There can be lots of trial and error until one is satisfied. The biggest hurdle form me actual where the power cables, I actually didn't really realise how bad my old isoteks where for the overall sound. Just felt something was wrong. Here in Scandinavia Ansuz is the talk of the town so to speak. The company is from Denmark, and everything is made at their location. There is actually a guy in Ansuz team that used to be working for Nordost. Avshowrooms has a series when he visits them. Its my observation, that unshielded power cables (made home auditions of other brands than Ansuz as well) can give make the stereo come alive, with more dramatical dynamics and more presence to the sound. Its obviously a matter of taste, but if you haven't heard real good unshielded cables with a non-filtering power strip. You might not know what your missing. Just to be clear Im not involved with Ansuz, Im just so happy talking about them because they really took my stereo to the next level. A cheaper alternative would be Nordost entry level power cables.

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, very high end cables. My friends are really into power cables, me i am too afraid to try them as i know iwill end up spending a fortune if i do. Some time in April / may, i will do a video on a very high end system with high end power cables, stay tune.

@metnoc10 6 жыл бұрын

There are classical and endless debates about where you should spend the money, often people says, that shit in shit out. But the first "shit" is not the source, its arguably power components. Im not saying anything about where to spend ones money, everyone should find their own way. However the quality of the power components is in a certain way the foundation of a stereo system. I'll subscribe to your channel and watch for new videos.

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Very interesting about unshielded cable, reading up on it.

@michaelsilbaugh7112 5 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised you did not mention the Bryston 10B-SUB Electronic Crossover, I have the exact same one. You commented on how impressed you were with the sub woofer but did not mention the cross over at all.... How does he have it hooked up and settings. Also you should look into Roon software :)

@ThomasAndStereo 5 жыл бұрын

I looked into Roon a while ago but it was like $500 to buy, maybe it's cheaper now, will check when I have a moment. For the crossover, yeah I never talked much about it as I did not know how good it was. My friend casually mentioned it, I have to ask him again in the future when I see him.

@michaelsilbaugh7112 5 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo I would be interested in what he has to say, he sure did his homework. That crossover is top of the line and a great investment . Thank you for answering so fast .. have a Great Day...I enjoy your videos :)

@milosevicbojan07 6 жыл бұрын

I would like to ask you something, something that some audio files ignore, which is the correct phase on the power cable. In Europe, and probably somewhere else, the power cable can rotate in the socket. in one position the device is in phase and in the other not. I concluded that this has a big impact on the sound, so I wonder if you pay attention to it?

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

I don't know but Paul McGowan channel might have something that touch on it, maybe do a search on his channel?

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Or you can send him a question for his Ask Paul series.

@milosevicbojan07 6 жыл бұрын

Thomas & Stereo I know a lot about it, but I was also interested in your opinion, and did you practice it?

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

Its not likely I can because our power cables have a ground and it forces us to put it in one direction. Even the cables without a ground, one side of the plug is bigger than the other so it forces us to plug it in a specific way.

@ThomasAndStereo 6 жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ebxdfNegvLjUgas.html Interesting

@rktrkt-tw8nd 6 жыл бұрын

That much toe in for speakers is not required

@gino3286 5 жыл бұрын

Hi first of all i like your videos so much. Second ... being a cheap guy (shame on me) i cannot help but noticing among sources that Lenovo T61 Laptop (Windows 7 running JRiver). May i ask how it is connected to those excellent dacs ? and which is the most musical combination ? thanks a lot indeed. Kind regards, gino

@ThomasAndStereo 5 жыл бұрын

Usually we connect our laptop via USB to the Dac and use Jriver. I think we reached the point where it does not really matter if we use USB or Coaxial (assuming your computer has coaxial) output. Just no headphone output from the laptop.

@gino3286 5 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo hi again thanks a lot for the very kind and helpful reply Usually usb outs are the most common way to connect pc to dacs these days Speaking of pc headphone outs i do not think they are good enough for a great stereo experience Unfortunately Thanks a lot again Kind regards gino

@sined77777 6 жыл бұрын

Id lke to jog wit this dac without the parsifal I watch all your video tx

@RennieAsh 5 жыл бұрын

I have to wonder why the mid isn’t flush mounted ? And no radius on baffle.

@thunderpooch 4 жыл бұрын

Because Floyd E. Toole merely scratched the surface when it comes to what makes an amazing speaker. His blind tests where he claims he could determine peoples' speaker preferences are flawed imo. They would be room dependent. Room treatment matters. Wide dispersion and coherent off axis response isn't the holy grail. It's close, but not the whole story when it comes to imaging, sound stage, and what you do with room treatments.