Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - mikel - Cable Asylum

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Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout.....

it wasn't close, Opus was clearly better....and when i say clear....i mean the Opus has a clarity and unobstructed and uncolored view of the musical event that the Compass Lake and Valhalla can't touch. not uncolored in a sense of lean or whiteish tonal color; uncolored in allowing the full undistorted tonal color and texture of the music to shine thru.....this was one of those moments where you say to yourself; "i didn't know it COULD sound like that, WOW!!".
we were using my system with it's resident Opus speaker cable, 2 sets of demo Opus balanced interconnects (2 meter and 30 feet), 2 sets of 1 meter balanced Compass Lake (owned by "Bud" on AA), and my Valhalla balanced (23 foot and 1 meter). we used the Marantz SA-1 sacd player to provide a high-resolution source played thru my Placette RVC passive volume control into my Tenor amps. if anything the longer runs of Opus were at a disadvantage....but it didn't matter.
although i think all three of us agreed on the Opus being easily the best i only speak for myself here. i'm sure Bud will weigh in
with his own comments. on Friday night we are getting together again with the Opus at Bud's house for round 2 of "Opus conquers the world".
both the Compass Lake and Valhalla sounded great. the Compass Lake has a wonderful weight and body, very lush, smooth and enveloping....just the thing for some solid state systems. in my system it sounds somewhat slow and thick....compared to the Valhalla. the Valhalla is particularly open and fast, very dynamic and neutral. the weight and body seemed natural and "right" but maybe missing something compared to the Compass Lake. the Valhalla lists for around $3200 for 1 meter and the Compass Lake lists for around $7500 for 1 meter.
i think i slightly prefer the Compass Lake but considering the price i would not switch to Compass Lake from Valhalla with the system i have.
on their own, both the Compass Lake and Valhalla are world class. i think the Valhalla is more system sensitive as most systems need some warmth.....which the Valhalla does not add.
both the Compass Lake and Valhalla seemed grainy and slightly congested compared to the Opus; the classic experience of "veils lifted". but the clarity had no penalty since it was completely natural.....like cleaning a window but without any edge inhancement or spotlighting.....the presentation and soundstageing were as good as i have heard but not a distraction to the musical event. in the past i have many times described the Valhalla as having a natural clarity compared to other interconnects i had heard. it was quite disconcerting to have my reference point so rudely tossed aside.
when i think about Valhalla and Compass Lake i think about parts of the music....this characteristic and that strength....to match to a system's needs. when i think about the Opus i just think about a clear window on the event.....no influence one way or the other.....it simply gets out of the way....the music is just "there".
it is difficult to imagine a system where the Opus would not be the best "cost no object" choice. i know there are NBS, Purist and Enigma fans out there that have their own opinions.....and i have mine.
now the hard part.....how can i afford to replace 6 sets of Valhalla in my system? let's see.....a 23 foot balanced set of Opus interconnects lists for over $30k, a 2 meter set of balanced interconects is over $20k.......oouuuuccchhh!!!!.....only 4 more sets to go.
as i sit here typing this my Valhalla is sounding great.......how can any cable sound so clearly better than what i am hearing?
mikel

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Topic - Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - mikel 00:01:13 07/18/02 (15)

Somehow, Im not surprised... - Joe S 09:51:45 07/19/02 (0)

Re: Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - Bud 13:26:52 07/18/02 (5)

Re: Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - mikel 22:25:42 07/18/02 (4)

Re: Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - Bud 08:23:46 07/19/02 (1)

be afraid.....be very afraid.... - mikel 09:46:29 07/19/02 (0)

Post this on your fridge! - Bob Neill 07:19:15 07/19/02 (1)

Never!!!! - mikel 07:29:40 07/19/02 (0)

Re: Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - Bob Neill 10:32:19 07/18/02 (1)

Re: Opus--Compass Lake--Valhalla---shootout..... - mikel 22:02:33 07/18/02 (0)

very nice write-up........I hope to hear your system with the Opus in place! (nt) - arooj 06:56:42 07/18/02 (1)

Re: very nice write-up........I hope to hear your system with the Opus in place! (nt) - mikel 22:11:46 07/18/02 (0)

Sounds like a nice experience. - Roysen 05:05:30 07/18/02 (0)

Thanks, this is great news for the rest of us hoping to get TO Valhalla! - blazter 04:03:27 07/18/02 (2)

Re: Thanks, this is great news for the rest of us hoping to get TO Valhalla! - mikel 21:25:34 07/18/02 (1)

OM Ebony - blazter 05:47:46 07/19/02 (0)

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