 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
I've been wondering about this unit for awhile, and now I see the review has come out on enjoythemusic.com. It's becoming almost surreal, as the review is such a rave once again, in much the same way the Hydra or the CFX began their lives. The review claims the Stealth to be superior to Hydra or CFX. Any independent confirmations?
Follow Ups:
Hi Jon,
I've listened with the Stealth(thanks to Jerry) and agree that it is a tour de force of low-level resolution, dynamics and frequency extension, with its own, musically distinct signature. There's no question that it belongs on a *very short* list to audition when looking for that "best match" for a system and listener. I thought Srajan conveyed the overall character of the unit very accurately, and within proper context.
Happy Listening!!
Jon, I can sympathize with your apparent disdain for so-called rave reviews, especially, as you rightly point out, the three products in question have all received their due. If you're in the market, that makes it difficult to decide "whom to believe".On that note, my review attempted to remind readers more than once that results will be system-dependent, and also listener bias influenced - at best a "qualified" rave then. I explained my personal preferences to insure that someone with different aural priorities could weigh my findings accordingly. As my earlier interview with Jennifer WhiteWolf-Crock of Jena Labs indicated -- and Jennifer is obviously endowed with the requisite experience and credentials to know -- no one power line conditioner could rightfully claim to fix all potential AC problems, in all systems and all locations, better than any other.
Another thing you might consider is that the CF-X, in its various incarnations, has been around for years. Any manufacturer ballsy enough to enter this overcrowded, recession-hit market at this time with yet another plc better be very familiar with the top contenders to beat 'em or at least offer a valid alternative. He'd be wasting his time, money and efforts otherwise, right?
The thing that I personally found most impressive about the Stealth wasn't so much the performance (like with the Hydra, you'd have to expect something competitive if the manufacturer had his wits about him)but the so-much-lower price. This goes for the Hydra, too - both units are considerably more affordable than the CF-X. They all perform in the same league but don't sound the same. What I was hoping readers would take away from the review wasn't so much that I personally preferred the Stealth, but that, if you're shopping in the up-to-$5,000 category, this unit should be on your list despite its apparent I-don't-belong-here status.
During the review period, a fella named Miguel called unannounced who was a paying customer and compared those three units as well as a PS Audio power plant. We compared notes, and I was interested to hear that his findings mirrored mine as far as the specific sonic signatures or attribute contributions of each plc were concerned. That he happened to also prefer and purchase the Stealth was immaterial - someone else would and will go the other way. What I found more important was the indication that the three units seemed to exhibit the same results even in a very different system and environment.
Cheers,
Srajan
505-7512-7412
Hi, Jon......while Srajan's review is a "rave", as you describe it, the results are as he portrayed them after long and careful evaluation. I've not had the opportunity to audition and compare the Hydra, though I've only heard great things about it.Srajan gave me a heads-up during the summer regarding the Stealth, knowing that I owned 3 CF-X's (and represented Sound App as well). In his system, the Stealth bettered the CF-X in many ways, especially resolution, clarity and soundstage depth. For a black box costing 1/3 the price of a new CF-X, I wanted to investigate this for myself. I contacted Audio Magic and obtained a pre-production unit for my evaluation.
I put the Stealth on the Cable Cooker for 5 days after having it on my refrigerator (big motor) for 2 days. I let it sit for a day, and then put it in my system. I only evaluated it with my CD/SACD player and preamp, one piece of equipment at a time, as that was easier doing A--B's. The results were consistent, and a bit perturbing. The Stealth was far more resolving than the CF-X and had a crystalline clarity that was quite surprising. I had expected it to be "good", but not *that* good. And this was with the supplied $69 power cord. In addition to the improved clarity, I found the overall soundstage presentation to have wonderful and clearly delineated voices and instruments, quite similar to the CF-X. Everything was well-placed with a good amount of soundstage depth, in addition to the layering of depth I find important in a high-resolution system. The Stealth matched the CF-X in these important categories. There was more break-in the more I played the Stealth over several days, and it improved, subtly, in all the ways I described above. The Stealth, like the CF-X, could also accept power amps as well....there was no current limiting (I also tested the Stealth in a system with a 250-watt Roland....profound improvement). The primary sonic difference I found between the two units was that the CF-X had a slightly more relaxed presentation....the Stealth had a slightly more immediate presentation. I could live with either one long term. Objectively, it would come down to a matter of taste....more relaxed? Or more immediate? But for 1/3 the price of a CF-X? That's a no-brainer.
For these above reasons, I became a representative and dealer for Audio Magic. So did Oliver Solomon of Delve Audio (another CF-X dealer), and Joe Cutrufelli of JC Audio. They heard what I heard, and what Srajan heard. While I am not completely "independent", as a non-professional would be, I thought I would offer my direct experience. I hope this information is beneficial.
alan m. kafton
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
