sasaki kojiro
09-21-2003, 07:32 PM
Grover is a tube amplifier designer/ builder who uses vintage parts in his designs, and these silver ICs in like fashion utilize vintage RCA plugs.
System:
Fi X Amplifier (EML globe 45 output tubes)
Rega 2000 (transport)
47 Labs Shigaraki DAC
Galante Rhapsody loudspeakers
AZ Satori speaker wires
For some time now I'd pretty much settled on a pair of Luminous Audio Synchestra Reference (copper) ICs, but recently took an opportunity to give the silver Grover ICs a try. The Grovers were connected into my system and left continuously in place as they were burned in for about 150 hours, and then evauated for another 80 or so. Only after were the Synchestras replaced for a follow up listen.
The Grovers have a nicely balanced and tonally rich sound. Like other silver cables I have owned, it is very good in bringing out the minute details of the music, such as the subtle nuances of vocals, percussion, and acoustic stringed instruments. It neither favors attack nor decay, and the reproduction of the piano is wonderfully shimmery, lively, and airy.
These cables have a remarkable sense of depth. Its amazing how a tiny cymbal tap can just float out there in mid air. In comparison, when I put my favorite copper ICs back in, they sounded almost two demensional. That of course, is not the case as the Synchestras image quite well, but it illustrates how much more vivid the Grovers are in terms of depth imaging. Now I am not a great pursuer of soundstaging and imaging, but these Grovers have a sound that is not easily ignored.
Compared to the Luminous Audio ICs, the Grovers are a bit thinner in the midrange. I am not saying that the Grovers are thin, but that the Luminous Audio are more rich in the all important mids. The latter are noticibly more fuller sounding. Strings have a feeling of more weight, and vocals are a little more sweet. Also, the one trade off of the increased detail resolution of the Grovers, is that it is a little less forgiving of the recording. This manifests itself from time to time in an overly airy sound and even a touch of sibilence, which the Luminous Audio ICs tends to cover up. To tell you the truth, I believe most people prefer their sound that way, and that I am in the minority prefering a fuller and more forgiving sound. Still, the Grover shows that the Synchestra can be a little too full at times, and even a little less shimmery where the piano is concerned.
At $75., these 1m Grovers are a great value costing about 5 times less than the Luminous Audio Synchestra Ref., and yet rivalling the Synchestras in terms of overall sound quality. I liked them enough to keep my pair, although I haven't decided yet if they will permanently replace the current ICs in my present system configuration. More info can be found at the Steve Hoffman forum.
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/
System:
Fi X Amplifier (EML globe 45 output tubes)
Rega 2000 (transport)
47 Labs Shigaraki DAC
Galante Rhapsody loudspeakers
AZ Satori speaker wires
For some time now I'd pretty much settled on a pair of Luminous Audio Synchestra Reference (copper) ICs, but recently took an opportunity to give the silver Grover ICs a try. The Grovers were connected into my system and left continuously in place as they were burned in for about 150 hours, and then evauated for another 80 or so. Only after were the Synchestras replaced for a follow up listen.
The Grovers have a nicely balanced and tonally rich sound. Like other silver cables I have owned, it is very good in bringing out the minute details of the music, such as the subtle nuances of vocals, percussion, and acoustic stringed instruments. It neither favors attack nor decay, and the reproduction of the piano is wonderfully shimmery, lively, and airy.
These cables have a remarkable sense of depth. Its amazing how a tiny cymbal tap can just float out there in mid air. In comparison, when I put my favorite copper ICs back in, they sounded almost two demensional. That of course, is not the case as the Synchestras image quite well, but it illustrates how much more vivid the Grovers are in terms of depth imaging. Now I am not a great pursuer of soundstaging and imaging, but these Grovers have a sound that is not easily ignored.
Compared to the Luminous Audio ICs, the Grovers are a bit thinner in the midrange. I am not saying that the Grovers are thin, but that the Luminous Audio are more rich in the all important mids. The latter are noticibly more fuller sounding. Strings have a feeling of more weight, and vocals are a little more sweet. Also, the one trade off of the increased detail resolution of the Grovers, is that it is a little less forgiving of the recording. This manifests itself from time to time in an overly airy sound and even a touch of sibilence, which the Luminous Audio ICs tends to cover up. To tell you the truth, I believe most people prefer their sound that way, and that I am in the minority prefering a fuller and more forgiving sound. Still, the Grover shows that the Synchestra can be a little too full at times, and even a little less shimmery where the piano is concerned.
At $75., these 1m Grovers are a great value costing about 5 times less than the Luminous Audio Synchestra Ref., and yet rivalling the Synchestras in terms of overall sound quality. I liked them enough to keep my pair, although I haven't decided yet if they will permanently replace the current ICs in my present system configuration. More info can be found at the Steve Hoffman forum.
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/