rlmacklin
01-25-2006, 06:16 PM
Quote:
grover cable
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guys, you should see all the box's of cables to upgrade, it's out of control. I hope to get them all done soon. Making the UR6. as fast as I can, still can only make so many per day. I'm sure you will forgive this delay when the music is played.
__________________
grover
**************************************** ***********************
Grover "U6." vs. Grover "U6"
I have had Grover's UR-1, UR-3, UR-5, early UR-6, and now a later revision UR-6 which comes with a label indicating "Grover U6." (with a dot or period after the U6)
I considered the UR-5 to be a step mostly "sideways" (in markl's terminology) as it may have gained more bass "weight" but in some way negatively affected the Grover "highs" in my opinion. Whether Grover agreed or just had made further improvement in design, he offered all UR-5 owners free upgrades to UR-6.
I received 2 pairs single-ended ICs labeled "Grover U6" around 12/20/05 and began burn-in. After 3 or 4 days, I did listening tests and found improved clarity, detail and soundstage especially in the mids and the highs. They seemed a little "leaner" with less "weight" in the bass, but the UR-6s were clearly superior to UR-5 with good bass and the Grover "highs" were back, correcting what I heard as UR-5 deficiencies in my system.
On 12/26/05 Grover informed me of a later revision to UR-6 and offered to send a pair. I requested two pairs so I would have a complete set for my 2-channel set-up of the time: source (stock Denon DVD-3910) to Sunfire Symphonic Reference preamp and for Sunfire to PS Audio HCA-2 power amp [with 15-foot Grover UR speaker cables to Polk SDA-1 speakers (running without their interconnecting cable)].
Bottom line: The later revision UR-6 [which came labeled as “Grover U6. ” (with a period or dot after the 6)] is to my ears a completely different "beast" (than the earlier UR-6 which was reviewed by markl). Vastly improved in the lower half of the frequency spectrum - in terms of increased "texture" and "focus" - the bass notes/instruments have "directionality" and are much more precisely spatially located. I think the Grover "U6." is deserving of its own level number (which would be UR-7 if sequential or perhaps UR-8 or higher if trying to convey how far it outperforms earlier UR-6 with two pairs in chain).
Reported below are some highlights edited from my e-mails to Grover:
1/04/06
The 2 pairs one meter ICs with labeling "Grover U6. " arrived and went into my system. I took out the earlier Grover UR-6s [labeled "Grover U6" (with no period or dot after the 6)] from source left and right front channels to preamp to front channel power amp and put in the "Grover U6."s.
I started by listening to 2-channel stereo Discs 3 and 4 of Bob Marley CD set which I use as references to see what "new" I hear... I have found these are especially rich in layered midrange sounds and quickly reveal when I am hearing something new.
First thing I noticed was a blacker background/lower noise floor and it seemed I had to turn the volume knob up a little more to achieve same sound level.
Noticed much improved "coherence" – something seemed vastly improved in the lower half of the frequency spectrum - in terms of increased "texture" and "focus" - the bass notes/instruments have "directionality" and are much more precisely spatially located - noticeably better than my recollections of earlier UR-6. Similar "coherence" in upper mids and highs, but not so great a noticeable improvement to me (over earlier UR-6s) as compared to the lower frequencies.
Some instruments which seemed to come in briefly or intermittently with previous URs - well it now seems I can follow a more complete or entire run of that line through the music.
There seems to be increased detail and air around instruments/notes at all frequencies, and expanded wider/deeper soundstage.
To me, without any breaking in, these already sounded like going from excellent normal illumination territory toward the "holographic."
1/06/06
Synergy of two pairs "Grover U6."
The "Grover U6." are sonically superior to/blacker background/lower noise floor/more "coherent" than earlier UR-6 but are definitely "synergistic" in that two sets following each other (source to preamp and preamp to amp) (replacing earlier UR-6s) exhibits this pretty much "in your face" in my system, while replacement of only one path ("U6." from source to preamp and earlier UR-6 preamp to amp, or earlier UR-6 from source to preamp and "U6." from preamp to amp) seems to give less dramatic change in results.
This is why I went ahead and "voted with my ears and wallet" - ordered 2 more pairs "Grover U6." to go into all cable paths of my right/left surround channels.
1/11/06
After one week break-in, the "Grover U6." revision sounds "real" and "right" to me on all music types/styles I have run through them - from "raw" to "refined" RBCDs, SACDs, and DVD-As (Among others, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mahler symphonies, Mozart Flute Concertos, Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition, the E. Power Biggs Bach Organ toccatas and fugues)
With 2 pairs (in all paths of my 2-channel system) (& with Grover UR cables to the speakers), superb coherence at all frequencies with improved clarity and transparency, dynamic range, detail and resolution, imaging, soundstaging, PRaT, and in my opinion, a natural "musicality" beyond previous revisions.
With the system in the living room, I can hear all frequencies (but particularly the lower half) more clearly in the kitchen, in shower, or in bed.
In my opinion, it was well worth the upgrade cost to go from the early revision "Grover U6" to the later revision "Grover U6."
1/25/06
Still awaiting the next two pairs single-ended Grover "U6." and one pair balanced Grover "U6."
But in my opinion they are worth the wait.
:agree:
grover cable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
guys, you should see all the box's of cables to upgrade, it's out of control. I hope to get them all done soon. Making the UR6. as fast as I can, still can only make so many per day. I'm sure you will forgive this delay when the music is played.
__________________
grover
**************************************** ***********************
Grover "U6." vs. Grover "U6"
I have had Grover's UR-1, UR-3, UR-5, early UR-6, and now a later revision UR-6 which comes with a label indicating "Grover U6." (with a dot or period after the U6)
I considered the UR-5 to be a step mostly "sideways" (in markl's terminology) as it may have gained more bass "weight" but in some way negatively affected the Grover "highs" in my opinion. Whether Grover agreed or just had made further improvement in design, he offered all UR-5 owners free upgrades to UR-6.
I received 2 pairs single-ended ICs labeled "Grover U6" around 12/20/05 and began burn-in. After 3 or 4 days, I did listening tests and found improved clarity, detail and soundstage especially in the mids and the highs. They seemed a little "leaner" with less "weight" in the bass, but the UR-6s were clearly superior to UR-5 with good bass and the Grover "highs" were back, correcting what I heard as UR-5 deficiencies in my system.
On 12/26/05 Grover informed me of a later revision to UR-6 and offered to send a pair. I requested two pairs so I would have a complete set for my 2-channel set-up of the time: source (stock Denon DVD-3910) to Sunfire Symphonic Reference preamp and for Sunfire to PS Audio HCA-2 power amp [with 15-foot Grover UR speaker cables to Polk SDA-1 speakers (running without their interconnecting cable)].
Bottom line: The later revision UR-6 [which came labeled as “Grover U6. ” (with a period or dot after the 6)] is to my ears a completely different "beast" (than the earlier UR-6 which was reviewed by markl). Vastly improved in the lower half of the frequency spectrum - in terms of increased "texture" and "focus" - the bass notes/instruments have "directionality" and are much more precisely spatially located. I think the Grover "U6." is deserving of its own level number (which would be UR-7 if sequential or perhaps UR-8 or higher if trying to convey how far it outperforms earlier UR-6 with two pairs in chain).
Reported below are some highlights edited from my e-mails to Grover:
1/04/06
The 2 pairs one meter ICs with labeling "Grover U6. " arrived and went into my system. I took out the earlier Grover UR-6s [labeled "Grover U6" (with no period or dot after the 6)] from source left and right front channels to preamp to front channel power amp and put in the "Grover U6."s.
I started by listening to 2-channel stereo Discs 3 and 4 of Bob Marley CD set which I use as references to see what "new" I hear... I have found these are especially rich in layered midrange sounds and quickly reveal when I am hearing something new.
First thing I noticed was a blacker background/lower noise floor and it seemed I had to turn the volume knob up a little more to achieve same sound level.
Noticed much improved "coherence" – something seemed vastly improved in the lower half of the frequency spectrum - in terms of increased "texture" and "focus" - the bass notes/instruments have "directionality" and are much more precisely spatially located - noticeably better than my recollections of earlier UR-6. Similar "coherence" in upper mids and highs, but not so great a noticeable improvement to me (over earlier UR-6s) as compared to the lower frequencies.
Some instruments which seemed to come in briefly or intermittently with previous URs - well it now seems I can follow a more complete or entire run of that line through the music.
There seems to be increased detail and air around instruments/notes at all frequencies, and expanded wider/deeper soundstage.
To me, without any breaking in, these already sounded like going from excellent normal illumination territory toward the "holographic."
1/06/06
Synergy of two pairs "Grover U6."
The "Grover U6." are sonically superior to/blacker background/lower noise floor/more "coherent" than earlier UR-6 but are definitely "synergistic" in that two sets following each other (source to preamp and preamp to amp) (replacing earlier UR-6s) exhibits this pretty much "in your face" in my system, while replacement of only one path ("U6." from source to preamp and earlier UR-6 preamp to amp, or earlier UR-6 from source to preamp and "U6." from preamp to amp) seems to give less dramatic change in results.
This is why I went ahead and "voted with my ears and wallet" - ordered 2 more pairs "Grover U6." to go into all cable paths of my right/left surround channels.
1/11/06
After one week break-in, the "Grover U6." revision sounds "real" and "right" to me on all music types/styles I have run through them - from "raw" to "refined" RBCDs, SACDs, and DVD-As (Among others, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mahler symphonies, Mozart Flute Concertos, Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition, the E. Power Biggs Bach Organ toccatas and fugues)
With 2 pairs (in all paths of my 2-channel system) (& with Grover UR cables to the speakers), superb coherence at all frequencies with improved clarity and transparency, dynamic range, detail and resolution, imaging, soundstaging, PRaT, and in my opinion, a natural "musicality" beyond previous revisions.
With the system in the living room, I can hear all frequencies (but particularly the lower half) more clearly in the kitchen, in shower, or in bed.
In my opinion, it was well worth the upgrade cost to go from the early revision "Grover U6" to the later revision "Grover U6."
1/25/06
Still awaiting the next two pairs single-ended Grover "U6." and one pair balanced Grover "U6."
But in my opinion they are worth the wait.
:agree: