DS Audio Grand Master + EMM Labs DS-EQ1

[gajgmusic]

That is a lovely recording and the system really looks beautiful. I am very impressed you built so much of it. Enjoy

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Interesting, @christensenleif@msn.com uses the Holton on his massive bass horns

He has moved on to Powersoft.

 

[Ackcheng]

Thank you for that explanation. It makes sense. The comparison involves both the different cartridges and the different arms. I find it difficult to attribute the sound heard to just the cartridges. Do you have a preference between the two arms, and also between the two cartridges? I always find it difficult to make such comparisons, even if only one variable changes, because the set up process may always be slightly different. I guess we do the best we can until satisfied.

Let me try to explain the sonics differences. I am not very good at describing and easily loss for words. Hope you don't mind. I have only tried DSAauio on Axiom and Esturo Gold on Graham but not vs versa yet. The DSAUDIO/Axiom combo has a very high resolution and density. When listening to a large symphony piece, each piece of instruments can be heard/seen in its position in space. I can also hear the sense of space around each piece of instruments. It is a gentlemen, well composed, full of confidence and keep everything under control. The Estura Gold/Graham has a lower resolution and density (only relative to DSAudio, it is one of the best I have heard). But it is still very dynamic. With Graham Elite, may be due to the shorter arm. It is more exciting, particularly in rock music. It is a young lady, full of energy, flamboyant but sometimes almost out of control but not in a bad way.

 

[rDin]

I think that (the gentleman and the young lady) is one of the most evocative and therefore useful hi-fi analogies I've ever read Kudos!

 

[gds7368]

I’ll do my best to describe what I’m hearing after about a week … just got the Grand Master equalizer in for a home demo to compare to my EMM Labs equalizer.

Set it up (for lack of a better term, as it’s on the carpet floor due to cable lengths) this afternoon. I’ll probably try to get them onto separate CMS shelves later this weekend, but I’m having too much fun listening right now. Will update soon.

(I agree that the footprint is a bit daunting; I would need to purchase another set of racks)

 

[TLi]

The Grand Master Equalizer is very sensitive to vibration. I tried many different footers and isolation methods and now end up using Accurion i4 active isolation platform for the main unit and Stillpoints Ultra 5 for the power supply. This combination gives the best sound in my system.

The sound is also different with the long and short umbilical cords. You may want to try them both. The short ones do not always sound better.

 

[gds7368]

The Grand Master Equalizer is very sensitive to vibration. I tried many different footers and isolation methods and now end up using Accurion i4 active isolation platform for the main unit and Stillpoints Ultra 5 for the power supply. This combination gives the best sound in my system.

The sound is also different with the long and short umbilical cords. You may want to try them both. The short ones do not always sound better.

Wow that’s some great information and I’ll work on getting optimal setup - for what I have available to me - this weekend.

THANK YOU TLi !!!

 

[gajgmusic]

It will be very interesting to hear what you find. I had the opportunity to compare but not in my own system.

 

[gian60]

In Italy we are poor,
Italian distributor has 003 and W2,very fantastic cartridges,cannot image Grand Master

 

[Sallingboe Audio]

I am told there is no digital component at all. If there were, then I would not be excited.

HI Ron
It is true, just spoke to the owner of DS-Audio (we are now their distributor in Denmark) and he confirmed that there is nothing digital in his cartridges. I havent read all material on the products yet but believe him . He explained that he is guilty of the confusion since he first named his business Digital Stream (DS) Corporation, this is why he now just calls it DS-Audio

 

[gds7368]

I’m seriously considering a Grand Master with the Master 1 EQ. Can you describe the difference between the Master 1 EQ and the EMM Labs unit?

I had a home demo of both units and significantly preferred the EMM Labs equalizer in my room. Better detail and more natural sounding. I didn't find the two very close in performance to my ears, and would definitely encourage a home demo of both in your own system if you were deciding between the two. You can PM me for details of the EMM Labs dealer who easily arranged my 2-week home demo if that would help you.

 

[gds7368]

Concluded my home demo of the Grand Master equalizer, which ended up being an easy purchase.

My home demos start with my sample tracks on A then change to B, and then move on to whole albums the same way. Except this one. Once I inserted the Grand Master equalizer I just couldn't stop listening to it for 3 straight days. Everything the EMM Labs equalizer does is still excellent, with black background, natural decay to instruments, clear voices, and fantastic soundstage. The GM equalizer takes everything closer to live music. From a completely quiet background emerges dynamic details I've never previously heard in my system. Bass in particular is full, deep, and extended and I've been listening at a slightly lower volume (though guests seem to like it cranked) with even more enjoyment.

Unprompted sound bites from guest audiophiles:

"Wow!" several times in the middle of listening to tracks
"That is the blackest background!"
"I've had this album for 30 years and heard it on a hundred different systems. It has never, EVER, sounded this good, Greg" [Jazz at the Pawnshop]
"I'm just going to start bringing my LPs over here to listen"
"The singer is right THERE and the sax is right over THERE!" (might have had some wine before that)
"This sounds like we are in a jazz club."
At 10 pm: "I'm going to listen to jazz albums on your system tonight until you throw me out. This is amazing."