Just to be clear the post I copied noted the K41 signal and chassis ground are not separated. I am not sure if the K50 is designed the same as the K50. I do know connecting the K50 to the CAD G3 reduces the noise floor and have no issues with other components connected for signal grounding.
Thank you for trying to help me answer my questions. At this point, I want / need to know how Antipodes handles the ground for signal and chassis. With that, I can make informed decisions on how / if to proceed.
Having Antipodes officially weigh in on this stuff can put them in a tough spot. Grounding is an emerging market with most players providing little information on what’s inside their grounding boxes. I think sometimes when Mark doesn’t respond, it’s because he’d prefer to have Antipodes stay out of it.
If Mark plays along and answers, it could be perceived as Antipodes giving a green light to attaching these ground boxes to their servers. He’s responsible for customer support so that opens him up to having to field even more questions about these boxes. Maybe I’m a little oversensitive as I’ve had to carefully weigh my words when speaking to customers over the years, but I would want to sit on the sidelines on this if I was in his position.
I totally understand your dilemma. My advice is to narrow your search to products you can demo in your home. Or at worst products you can return if they don't fit your needs. For me if a product doesn't fit these criteria I don't consider it.
What is it about your sound that you are unhappy with? Have you fully optimized what you have? The answers to these might help you on your path.
Chances are he is like a lot of people, just want to try something else. See what kind of improvement/change different gear will make. Without trying something different one will never know.
I purchased my Antipodes K50 without audition from Scott at Verdant, he was extremely helpful and personally delivered the K50 with a loaner power cord to try. It was an excellent customer experience. I also purchased my Aqua Formula xHD Dac without audition from the Music Room, they have a 60 day return policy. For an internet dealer there was good communication and responsiveness. I am very satisfied with both components. These were the first times I purchased a major component without demo.
Ok. I looked at your equipment list. You might try the Chord M Scaler since you own a Dave DAC. I was pretty impressed with what I heard at AXPONA with the M Scaler demo.
I purchased a K50 from Scott as well. Excellent customer service.
For me it isn't that I'm unhappy, but more about me being curious of what the next level sounds like and if I'm willing to spend the money for it. Is there a significant enough of an improvement/difference to justify spending over $10K to change from my S30/S40/S60 to the K50 or changing my DAC or preamp? I don't know, what I don't know, but I do believe there's a next level for me.
I tried the M Scaler in my system. I prefer the Dave without the M Scaler. In my system/room the M Scaler made the music sound artificial/processed. It's difficult to articulate exactly what I heard, but I know I didn't like it.
A server upgrade will get him more than the M-Scaler in my opinion. I think he should upgrade the DAVE's power supply. He hasn't yet come close to hearing what the DAVE can do.
bryans,
kennyb123,
Farad has made it super-easy. See the instruction manual here:
www.faradpowersupplies.com
Scott is one of the best audio dealers in the business, hands down. Verdant Audio experiences have been stellar for me in all ways—service, communication, etc. Scott loves audio and is extremely helpful. My system wouldn’t be at the place it is if he hadn’t helped me so much!
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