The installation of Troy was saved till the end of the listening session because I know the power of Troy and I would like to enjoy the incremental improvement one by one. The coral feet of cours hit me by surprise. But the real fun started after the installation of Troy. Like sharing by other commrades, it need run in. The demo to Azzuri couple and my wife went well with expected response. None of us could believe we have been "enjoying" the distorted performance without the Troy before!
The only complaint I would have is it only comes with 4 cables. I try to use some old speaker cables to connect the remaining components to Troy. The simply rule of thum is to be connect all components to it. I just dont know if the cables make a real difference! All in all, I would say this is a must have item! Enjoy!
Just a reminder that the level of the coral feet must be set absolutely right. The subsequent impact on sound quality is akin to the operation of VTA in the analog domain. First, you level them to get the maximum coupling between the coral and the chassis. Second, you set the height of the feet. The rule of thumb the taller the height, the more high frequency response you will get. As you scale down the height, the mid and the bass begin dominating. Adjust them until you get the best result.
These features make me declare they are very fine components at its own right. I never like "plug and play" solution. It is no easy to believe the scale of improvement brought from them because they are just a set of damn feet.
Thank you Ray, you're truly experience in everything. The kind of improvement it brings, when the level is set right, goes beyond the dollar value of it. It's utmost important to get them level first. The imaging, high frequency extension, and the clarity of lower mid bass all improve substantially.
Thank you. The leveling of the coral feet could make or break the system because the Algame is extremely sensitive. After the leveling is perfect, there are much more fine details across the frequency band. I somewhat feel there is more "air" surrounding each object, springing a vivid and 3D reproduction experience.
After spending 2 weekends with 2 sets of coral feet, leveling them, adjustment of height and swapping between Zanden dac and the main unit and power supply of PRT1, the result is much more favorable to the PRT1's. One big difference between them is the weight distribution of the PRT1's is more uniform and the coral feet can also have bigger distance away from each other under the PRT1's. Since the coral feet are so sensitive, I intend to reposition them and immediately find out the sound change tremendously. I believe if the weight rest on each one of them is evenly distributed, the improvement can be optimal.
I first locate the centre of gravity of the PRT1's by using a metal cone with the sharp point cut out, and position the 3 coral feet in an equilateral triangle with the centre right at the cg. When I turn on the music again, fxxk! The result is really shocking, like replacing the 1st set of SMR SE by FMR. The body of each instrument becomes fuller and richer, the soundstage is extended in a 3D way with much more air and details in between. The high frequency is extended smoothly and the lower mid bass has more authority with clarity. I strongly recommend the coral feet owners to spend some more time with this new gadget and trust other AE fellows will have more findings to share in the near future.
PT, thanks again for introducing me such a fun and cost effective toy.
This Troy is "crazy"! I finally understand the title of this thread. This is a must buy especially analog lover as it really cleans up layers and layers of ground noises masking precious details. The sound of violin and piano has so much more presence. I am yet to connect the ground wire to the Unison motor control bloc. Just one ground wire to the phono blows me out of the window.
REPOST of Alecy's great writeup (as it seems they are gone during the renovation of the new website)
Troy : Defying Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
In quantum physics, it is an accepted principle that certain pairs of physical properties, like position and momentum, cannot both be known to arbitrary precision. The more precisely one property is known, the less precisely the other can be known.
As a somewhat twisted analogy, I have always approached the quest for audio reproduction as an equation of trade-offs and compromise. This mentality has been severely challenged recently. A renewed focus on pace, coherency and overall balance had not only bring me closer to the frontier of latest technology but also allow to appreciate music in a way I had never dreamt of before. To boldly goes where no man had gone before, the decision to order the Troy requires no Captain Scott, all I need is to take the plunge knowing that this is a product that is revolutionary and is designed to plug a hole that has plagued modern day technology. Rewinding the clock a full 12 months, I told PT my interest is only on products that are a quantum leap over competition – not so much an insatiable ego but more a result of resources restraint. The Tidal, the FMR and the Troy meet precisely this simple criterion and they had shocked me beyond my wildest imagination.
An alien with 4 tentacles with a look that is mean and waiting to grab the host with all its might! I just let them grab the host all at once to save the pain and trouble. After about 30 minutes of charged up / run-in, all perceivable EMI (electromagnetic interference) is declared clinically dead. Totally helpless and overwhelmed, I collapsed in my chair, hoping to grasp the sensation of a new found dimension - Life.
Life is about presence and certainty. Learned comrades like Mr. DV and DSo had already shared their valuable insights earlier and I totally agreed with them on the remarkable improvement on speed, liveliness and background silent. But to me, there is something more and beyond the well beaten path. If the improvements are only in terms of iota difference along these attributes, then this revolutionary gadget is a failure given its objective. Here I found it interesting to borrow the concept of Heisenberg’s Uncertanity Principle as a comparison. For all those quantum physicists out there, please pardon my sacrilege. In quantum mechanics, energy is expressed as a wave function with the center of gravity defining its position and the wavelength being its momentum. The deployment of Troy enables both the wave function of each instrument to transmit naturally with pinpoint accuracy. They all have their individual identity and their presence is clear and undeniable. With EMI removed, every passage of music are now singing with certainty and conviction. I can feel all members of the orchestra firmly sitting down and working coherently to support the symphonic structure while the soloist is occupying the musical gravity rather than sailing on top of it. When the orchestra attentively awaits for the conductor to signal the crescendos, the momentary static creates immense tension as if ejaculations are in the wings (this, specifically for VoyR as he is presumably still waiting for his). For the first time and unmatched by any system I heard of, including that of PT’s latest Da Vinci, they all have feet and each one has their own emotions. It is this immensity that take over me. When the drum rolls, I feel as if I am passing through time and history. When the second violins are plucking their strings, they are wholesome and the resonance reaches the farthest end of the concert hall and bounces back in unison.
In a week that is arguably the toughest and most brutal in my career, the Troy is my life line and every night as I retired from work, music plays like a miracle. I am so filled with emotion.
Helen of Troy, yes, your face does launch a thousand ships.
Comments
The only complaint I would have is it only comes with 4 cables. I try to use some old speaker cables to connect the remaining components to Troy. The simply rule of thum is to be connect all components to it. I just dont know if the cables make a real difference! All in all, I would say this is a must have item! Enjoy!
Just a reminder that the level of the coral feet must be set absolutely right. The subsequent impact on sound quality is akin to the operation of VTA in the analog domain. First, you level them to get the maximum coupling between the coral and the chassis. Second, you set the height of the feet. The rule of thumb the taller the height, the more high frequency response you will get. As you scale down the height, the mid and the bass begin dominating. Adjust them until you get the best result.
These features make me declare they are very fine components at its own right. I never like "plug and play" solution. It is no easy to believe the scale of improvement brought from them because they are just a set of damn feet.
I first locate the centre of gravity of the PRT1's by using a metal cone with the sharp point cut out, and position the 3 coral feet in an equilateral triangle with the centre right at the cg. When I turn on the music again, fxxk! The result is really shocking, like replacing the 1st set of SMR SE by FMR. The body of each instrument becomes fuller and richer, the soundstage is extended in a 3D way with much more air and details in between. The high frequency is extended smoothly and the lower mid bass has more authority with clarity. I strongly recommend the coral feet owners to spend some more time with this new gadget and trust other AE fellows will have more findings to share in the near future.
PT, thanks again for introducing me such a fun and cost effective toy.
http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=78
Troy : Defying Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
In quantum physics, it is an accepted principle that certain pairs of physical properties, like position and momentum, cannot both be known to arbitrary precision. The more precisely one property is known, the less precisely the other can be known.
As a somewhat twisted analogy, I have always approached the quest for audio reproduction as an equation of trade-offs and compromise. This mentality has been severely challenged recently. A renewed focus on pace, coherency and overall balance had not only bring me closer to the frontier of latest technology but also allow to appreciate music in a way I had never dreamt of before. To boldly goes where no man had gone before, the decision to order the Troy requires no Captain Scott, all I need is to take the plunge knowing that this is a product that is revolutionary and is designed to plug a hole that has plagued modern day technology. Rewinding the clock a full 12 months, I told PT my interest is only on products that are a quantum leap over competition – not so much an insatiable ego but more a result of resources restraint. The Tidal, the FMR and the Troy meet precisely this simple criterion and they had shocked me beyond my wildest imagination.
An alien with 4 tentacles with a look that is mean and waiting to grab the host with all its might! I just let them grab the host all at once to save the pain and trouble. After about 30 minutes of charged up / run-in, all perceivable EMI (electromagnetic interference) is declared clinically dead. Totally helpless and overwhelmed, I collapsed in my chair, hoping to grasp the sensation of a new found dimension - Life.
Life is about presence and certainty. Learned comrades like Mr. DV and DSo had already shared their valuable insights earlier and I totally agreed with them on the remarkable improvement on speed, liveliness and background silent. But to me, there is something more and beyond the well beaten path. If the improvements are only in terms of iota difference along these attributes, then this revolutionary gadget is a failure given its objective. Here I found it interesting to borrow the concept of Heisenberg’s Uncertanity Principle as a comparison. For all those quantum physicists out there, please pardon my sacrilege. In quantum mechanics, energy is expressed as a wave function with the center of gravity defining its position and the wavelength being its momentum. The deployment of Troy enables both the wave function of each instrument to transmit naturally with pinpoint accuracy. They all have their individual identity and their presence is clear and undeniable. With EMI removed, every passage of music are now singing with certainty and conviction. I can feel all members of the orchestra firmly sitting down and working coherently to support the symphonic structure while the soloist is occupying the musical gravity rather than sailing on top of it. When the orchestra attentively awaits for the conductor to signal the crescendos, the momentary static creates immense tension as if ejaculations are in the wings (this, specifically for VoyR as he is presumably still waiting for his). For the first time and unmatched by any system I heard of, including that of PT’s latest Da Vinci, they all have feet and each one has their own emotions. It is this immensity that take over me. When the drum rolls, I feel as if I am passing through time and history. When the second violins are plucking their strings, they are wholesome and the resonance reaches the farthest end of the concert hall and bounces back in unison.
In a week that is arguably the toughest and most brutal in my career, the Troy is my life line and every night as I retired from work, music plays like a miracle. I am so filled with emotion.
Helen of Troy, yes, your face does launch a thousand ships.