Tbg, if you read my review it is pretty clear how I used CT-1 back then.
I will elaborate in this post though.
You simply did not like Teo! Really? Well that has to be a first?
I could understand someone saying they prefer a different "flavor" or simply prefer one to the other in some way but at this level simply to state you don`t like Teo at all is a bit unusual and I believe would have to be somehow premature.
Any one else out there that actually has good experience with Teo audio who simply does not like Teo sound?
There are so many variables/things going on at "shows" etc that I find it a bit too convenient/easy to simply single out the cables/a cable as the culprit to perceived bad sound at a show.
Like I found I can move something or system might get powered off etc and it will mess up the sound to some extent for some period of time so there are just so many things to take into account when trying to assess a audio cable in any given situation.
Anyway that`s a whole other story isn`t it.
I did in fact try CT-1 in my current system as well. Through RCA connection it was lower gain and a bit harder to compare. I can not use my Spectron amps in mono block configuration with RCA as they are internally hooked up as mono block XLR amps . Only one of my amps is still capable to be used as a stereo amp in RCA which is how I was able to compare initially. I tried my best. Listening to many familiar albums over a number of weeks swapping back and forth even giving each cable time to settle back in.
It became clear to me that I was enjoying Teo MkII more. Simple as that.
Spectron amps are great to reveal cable differences as well.
Very good Spectron review here at the bottom of this page link if anyone is interested. I`m sure many have already read this though. Spectron is the real deal if used correctly.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/guiltypleasures/0809/
I am confident that my assessments are relevant. I believe my new system is pretty much as accurate and neutral as they come.
Every additional cable in ones system will of course be a factor.
In my current system I am using the new Acoustic Revive USB-1.0SP`S` dual conduit between computer and DAC which is apparently one of, if not the, most accurate neutral USB cables on the market atm.
On my Spectron mono blocks I use Spectrons top of the line Remote sense cables whose design are influenced by other cable experts Elrod and Pranawire who also sell highly renowned state of the art cables. I am particularly a big fan of Elrod too BTW.
To quote Dr. Simon Thacher of Spectron -
"Remote Sense Cables have the remote sense circuitry which is unique and no other amplifier in the world have it. This circuitry was design to minimize the effect of ANY cables electrical characteristics on the sound and it does work in highly MEASURABLE fashion -of course, in different cables this effect varies"
So I believe I have a high res solid neutral accurate foundation(other cables and components) to compare IC`s between source and amplification . No preamp no other IC`s in the chain and very pure AC consisting of 60 amp lines, upgraded from street to new heavy duty breakers then to system. All contacts have been treated. Maestro outlet with Oyaide carbon fiber cover. Acoustic Revive ultimate passive conditioner(I have owned Bybee and Synergistic research powercell MkII) Elrod gold statement V2 from wall to conditioner(awesome beginning of chain PC) and other select high quality cords connected to components.
Even so,once again, there is always different variables involved that we just can`t always account for accurately to determine any absolutes right?
Tbg says > I think you said it all when you said, "Teo has more emotion texture dimensionality in mids akin to tubes"
I understand what you are getting at Tbg.
Only lately do I realize what I said was really a premature statement.
Since my new front end has revealed "to me" what tubes actually do.... I wish to retract this statement.
In my new aware state of consciousness I view this statement as now a bit of a bash against Teo. Which obviously was not my initial intention.
Teo liquid cable is not a tube simple as that.
I do not think Teo sound is akin to tubes anymore .
I would now say "Teo has more emotion etc in mids akin to live music" instead.
I also wish i chose a different heading for my review haha. Oh well.
Maybe "Teo AND High Fidelity" or "2 great IC`s" or something like that would have been more appropriate.
It was never really my intention to make this thread a fullon ongoing Teo VS HF or especially tube vs SS.
I was lucky enough to have in my possession two of the best IC`s I have ever heard and I wanted to share my thoughts.
I am simply elaborating on what I believe to be a bit of a personal audio revelation lately since the arrival of my new front end,departure of tubes, and Teo MkII IC. Absolutely nothing against CT-1 either.
OK, a mate of mine has a nice neutral Linn Klimax system in his small pseudo studio. Obviously not to the level of my current components but probably just as neutral.
He has allot of experience through his life in audio and cables. His opinion was similar to mine.
Last year we compared Teo MkI and CT-1 in this system listening through some high end expensive Grado head phones.
Our overall impressions were similar to what I heard on my own system.
The highs seemed to be the main difference once again.
Teo MkII is definitely more open than MkI.
There is no way I could possibly state that I simply do not like either one.
IMO Teo and HF are undoubtedly right at the top in their field. Both state of the art today.
Having said all that, I am of course still open minded to trying CT-1E one day as soon as Ricks XLR is available.
I have no doubt CT-1E is stellar. Really look forward to auditioning it.
Sure I could try CT-1E RCA now but I am not so keen due to the gain issue and my system configuration.
Hurry up Rick! lol
Once I had my new NOS1 front end run in and started swapping some cables slowly I really noticed the difference with high end cables more than ever before in a more sophisticated way if that makes any sense. Micro details/dynamics harmonics etc.
Not so much of a definite tone change as before.
Also I now find that lesser cables and even stock cables sound different compared to before.
I can now hear a bit clearer the obvious color distortion and tone change lesser cables impart on the signal.
Stock cables sound a bit better than I ever thought they sounded before as well. I have a new small appreciation for poor but "neutral"
Compared to other cables I tried not long after my new front end, including CT-1 to some extent, there just was not that same realism as with Teo MkII.
For some reason Teo MkII really "seems" to be meshing with this front end much better than anything else I have tried so far. Something to do with the 768kHz DAC? IDK
I will ask Taras if he has any idea since he is the one who is most qualified to answer.
The natural reproduction of the most delicate harmonic structures naturalness of instrument timbre and natural clear as a bell full chesty(not just mainly throaty) vocals, smoothness, detail, dynamics etc that Teo MkII allow/help to provide sounds so so real now.
We only truly know how good something sounds until we clearly hear something better right.
I know my new front end has easily made the biggest improvement in my system but having said that..... as Greg Focker would say -
And the only way that I would ever let go of my cables would be if you came over here right now and tried to pry it from my dead, lifeless fingers, okay? If you can get it from my kung-fu grip then you can come and have it, okay?
Okay I am a cable nut lol
IDC what anyone says who has had some limited experience with a Teo cable of some unknown model or what anyone thinks some cable might sound like at some show.
I think it`s pretty obvious Teo audio designs great cables easily comparable to the best out there in our mainstream market. To me that is blatantly obvious.
I think my own experience accounts for something as well.
Right now I must say that I think Teo MkII is "special" especially, it seems, if ones system really is highly resolving accurate neutral. This is simply my honest experience.
Actually I wish I still had Teo MkI to evaluate on this system to compare to CT-1 and MkII as this would give a bit more idea maybe of what is going on since installing my new front end.
I have a small list of components cables that I watch out of interest roughly once a week on the used market.
Teo is amongst the top few that I hardly ever see for sale. Plenty of extremely positive comments on the net from those that have had some decent experience/time with Teo cables. Also I have talked to a few Teo owners on the net and they all say the same thing that they have not as much interest auditioning any other brand now but have a huge desire to hear Teo Reference line.
Yes I am one of them. Soon maybe.
But like I said - I will still be trying Ricks CT-1E XLR in the future.
This should be interesting.
I will elaborate in this post though.
You simply did not like Teo! Really? Well that has to be a first?
I could understand someone saying they prefer a different "flavor" or simply prefer one to the other in some way but at this level simply to state you don`t like Teo at all is a bit unusual and I believe would have to be somehow premature.
Any one else out there that actually has good experience with Teo audio who simply does not like Teo sound?
There are so many variables/things going on at "shows" etc that I find it a bit too convenient/easy to simply single out the cables/a cable as the culprit to perceived bad sound at a show.
Like I found I can move something or system might get powered off etc and it will mess up the sound to some extent for some period of time so there are just so many things to take into account when trying to assess a audio cable in any given situation.
Anyway that`s a whole other story isn`t it.
I did in fact try CT-1 in my current system as well. Through RCA connection it was lower gain and a bit harder to compare. I can not use my Spectron amps in mono block configuration with RCA as they are internally hooked up as mono block XLR amps . Only one of my amps is still capable to be used as a stereo amp in RCA which is how I was able to compare initially. I tried my best. Listening to many familiar albums over a number of weeks swapping back and forth even giving each cable time to settle back in.
It became clear to me that I was enjoying Teo MkII more. Simple as that.
Spectron amps are great to reveal cable differences as well.
Very good Spectron review here at the bottom of this page link if anyone is interested. I`m sure many have already read this though. Spectron is the real deal if used correctly.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/guiltypleasures/0809/
I am confident that my assessments are relevant. I believe my new system is pretty much as accurate and neutral as they come.
Every additional cable in ones system will of course be a factor.
In my current system I am using the new Acoustic Revive USB-1.0SP`S` dual conduit between computer and DAC which is apparently one of, if not the, most accurate neutral USB cables on the market atm.
On my Spectron mono blocks I use Spectrons top of the line Remote sense cables whose design are influenced by other cable experts Elrod and Pranawire who also sell highly renowned state of the art cables. I am particularly a big fan of Elrod too BTW.
To quote Dr. Simon Thacher of Spectron -
"Remote Sense Cables have the remote sense circuitry which is unique and no other amplifier in the world have it. This circuitry was design to minimize the effect of ANY cables electrical characteristics on the sound and it does work in highly MEASURABLE fashion -of course, in different cables this effect varies"
So I believe I have a high res solid neutral accurate foundation(other cables and components) to compare IC`s between source and amplification . No preamp no other IC`s in the chain and very pure AC consisting of 60 amp lines, upgraded from street to new heavy duty breakers then to system. All contacts have been treated. Maestro outlet with Oyaide carbon fiber cover. Acoustic Revive ultimate passive conditioner(I have owned Bybee and Synergistic research powercell MkII) Elrod gold statement V2 from wall to conditioner(awesome beginning of chain PC) and other select high quality cords connected to components.
Even so,once again, there is always different variables involved that we just can`t always account for accurately to determine any absolutes right?
Tbg says > I think you said it all when you said, "Teo has more emotion texture dimensionality in mids akin to tubes"
I understand what you are getting at Tbg.
Only lately do I realize what I said was really a premature statement.
Since my new front end has revealed "to me" what tubes actually do.... I wish to retract this statement.
In my new aware state of consciousness I view this statement as now a bit of a bash against Teo. Which obviously was not my initial intention.
Teo liquid cable is not a tube simple as that.
I do not think Teo sound is akin to tubes anymore .
I would now say "Teo has more emotion etc in mids akin to live music" instead.
I also wish i chose a different heading for my review haha. Oh well.
Maybe "Teo AND High Fidelity" or "2 great IC`s" or something like that would have been more appropriate.
It was never really my intention to make this thread a fullon ongoing Teo VS HF or especially tube vs SS.
I was lucky enough to have in my possession two of the best IC`s I have ever heard and I wanted to share my thoughts.
I am simply elaborating on what I believe to be a bit of a personal audio revelation lately since the arrival of my new front end,departure of tubes, and Teo MkII IC. Absolutely nothing against CT-1 either.
OK, a mate of mine has a nice neutral Linn Klimax system in his small pseudo studio. Obviously not to the level of my current components but probably just as neutral.
He has allot of experience through his life in audio and cables. His opinion was similar to mine.
Last year we compared Teo MkI and CT-1 in this system listening through some high end expensive Grado head phones.
Our overall impressions were similar to what I heard on my own system.
The highs seemed to be the main difference once again.
Teo MkII is definitely more open than MkI.
There is no way I could possibly state that I simply do not like either one.
IMO Teo and HF are undoubtedly right at the top in their field. Both state of the art today.
Having said all that, I am of course still open minded to trying CT-1E one day as soon as Ricks XLR is available.
I have no doubt CT-1E is stellar. Really look forward to auditioning it.
Sure I could try CT-1E RCA now but I am not so keen due to the gain issue and my system configuration.
Hurry up Rick! lol
Once I had my new NOS1 front end run in and started swapping some cables slowly I really noticed the difference with high end cables more than ever before in a more sophisticated way if that makes any sense. Micro details/dynamics harmonics etc.
Not so much of a definite tone change as before.
Also I now find that lesser cables and even stock cables sound different compared to before.
I can now hear a bit clearer the obvious color distortion and tone change lesser cables impart on the signal.
Stock cables sound a bit better than I ever thought they sounded before as well. I have a new small appreciation for poor but "neutral"
Compared to other cables I tried not long after my new front end, including CT-1 to some extent, there just was not that same realism as with Teo MkII.
For some reason Teo MkII really "seems" to be meshing with this front end much better than anything else I have tried so far. Something to do with the 768kHz DAC? IDK
I will ask Taras if he has any idea since he is the one who is most qualified to answer.
The natural reproduction of the most delicate harmonic structures naturalness of instrument timbre and natural clear as a bell full chesty(not just mainly throaty) vocals, smoothness, detail, dynamics etc that Teo MkII allow/help to provide sounds so so real now.
We only truly know how good something sounds until we clearly hear something better right.
I know my new front end has easily made the biggest improvement in my system but having said that..... as Greg Focker would say -
And the only way that I would ever let go of my cables would be if you came over here right now and tried to pry it from my dead, lifeless fingers, okay? If you can get it from my kung-fu grip then you can come and have it, okay?
Okay I am a cable nut lol
IDC what anyone says who has had some limited experience with a Teo cable of some unknown model or what anyone thinks some cable might sound like at some show.
I think it`s pretty obvious Teo audio designs great cables easily comparable to the best out there in our mainstream market. To me that is blatantly obvious.
I think my own experience accounts for something as well.
Right now I must say that I think Teo MkII is "special" especially, it seems, if ones system really is highly resolving accurate neutral. This is simply my honest experience.
Actually I wish I still had Teo MkI to evaluate on this system to compare to CT-1 and MkII as this would give a bit more idea maybe of what is going on since installing my new front end.
I have a small list of components cables that I watch out of interest roughly once a week on the used market.
Teo is amongst the top few that I hardly ever see for sale. Plenty of extremely positive comments on the net from those that have had some decent experience/time with Teo cables. Also I have talked to a few Teo owners on the net and they all say the same thing that they have not as much interest auditioning any other brand now but have a huge desire to hear Teo Reference line.
Yes I am one of them. Soon maybe.
But like I said - I will still be trying Ricks CT-1E XLR in the future.
This should be interesting.