Anyone using the Transistor Research LabsM 225's

However, he warns against using it on repeat for extended periods as it imparts a sonic flavor of its own on the system, especially cabling.
Clio09 (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

It imparts a flavor of its own, especially on cabling?

I find that incredibly hard to believe. Not only that it's likely not true, but also that anyone would have spent time comparing a break-in process using a test CD played incrementally versus a break-in process using the same test CD played non-stop.

Sometimes, claims like these need to be considered carefully. Information can get skewed as it's passed along. The classic case of "telephone".

I know what I heard but I will make one correction to my statement. Instead of "flavor" Dale used the term "sonic signature." Same thing IMO although some may disagree. The advice was imparted to me by Dale as I was breaking in a set of his Mosaic Chimera cables, of which I own 2 pairs of interconnects and a set of speaker cables (so I speak from experience). He recommended the PAD CD but not to use it on repeat to break in his cables. I opted for the Granite Audio CD but I still used it in the manner Dale suggested.

For the benefit of all, Dale Pitcher is the owner of Intuitive Audio Design and formerly affiliated with Essence Audio. His speaker and equipment designs are legendary and even his older Essence gear is still sought out by audiophiles.

Dale's designs enjoy a cult status among audiophiles for good reason. Sort of like Paul Weitzel at TRL. It's refreshing to hear about the synergy that Interlochen describes between his Intuitive Audio speakers and TRL amps. I've been in contact with 2 other Intuitive Design speaker owners who are also very interested in the Samson's. You just can't keep good news from traveling fast, no matter how hard you try.

Dale Pitcher has an outstanding reputation for quality speakers. No question about it.

The Intuitive design Gamma Summit is the final and most advanced of the Summit series which consists of a 2 unit, granite clad system. The top is the 2-way speaker using a custom Israeli Morel 7" midbass, T-line loaded. The soft-dome tweeter's identity is a secret, but is also modded and TL loaded.

1st order Xover with inductor and capacitor made by ID.

The base or stand is sand filled. 6 Stillpoints are used per side: 3 between speaker and stand, and 3 between stand and a 3" thick, 12"x18" Granite slab. Total weight per side is almost 300 lbs.

The speakers must be laser leveled for max performance and are excruciatingly sensitive to placement. 8' between speakers, 10 to my ears. Typically no toe-in, but sometimes I do a few degrees for a different perspective.

Both Paul and Dale use master tapes for voicing. I don't know if this is a factor in what turns out to be seductive synergy between amp and speaker. Impossible to know, of course, if this synergy is optimum without other speaker comparisons.

I'm the guilty culprit for suggesting to Agear about combining Intuitive Designs Gammas with TRL Samsons, this combo has to be more than outstanding, me thinks Interlochen has a superb sounding rig that's off the map !