XXHighEnd

I've ordered my Lush^3 (which I only heard about a couple of hours ago!).

The sound I'm getting right now is absolutely the best I've ever achieved, so I'll give the Lush^3 a good go, but if it screws things up, it'll be going back to its maker.

Will report back once it's here...

Mani.

sh*t Mani, after all this time I finally got my Lush^2 on Wednesday...now there is a ^3 out there??  What the!

Anthony, when you finally get your Mach III, we'll be on the Vortex VII.

Mani.

Probably...

ACG get a Stealth Mach III before a Lush 3, while Lush 3 is another step up the Stealth Mach III is several steps up like a giant leap.

Robert

Hi Robert,

Peter has my order for the MachIII...just waiting on the 20/40 core cpu, if it ever becomes available in the EU.  I can get it here in Aus, it is readily available in the US, but not so much in the EU apparently.

Cheers,

Anthony

EDIT:  It was more that my new USB cable was obsolete by the time it arrived...sad when that happens...but I did sit on my hands for a long time.

Anthony, believe it or not, but only last Sunday I suddenly knew how to make a ^3 out of the Lush. And Monday I had my own playing ...
(by now we have so many braids and hoses and whatever stuff, that we apparently can make a new cable in one day without purchasing anything)

I am not sure whether it is known somewhere that we were asked to make a Lush^3 because we also provided an ET^3 and thus "^3" would be possible. This was maybe 10 months ago. But since the Lush(^2) has a different topology than the Ethernet cables (BTW, you have an ET^3 :-) a similar build-up as how the ET^3 is built up, leaks from shield to shield. Yea, you won't believe such a thing, but it just is so. Thus :

Envision that you have a certain length of material. It could be a paper. On both sides of that paper you have a metal plate. And now the plates are connected (I forgot the resistance, but say 100K Ohm).

This connection is sparkle like. Thus, the measured resistance is not even stable, BUT the USB protocol can't bear it. It is real electrical influence on or the data or the impedance (that now going off the USB2 standard too much).

When we made a second Lush^2 completely new, while the first was formed around an existing Lush^2 (like Lush^2 comprises of the physical Lush^1) and both did not work, I had the magnificent idea to measure the resistance between two shields those NOT being connected. Et voilá.

You really won't believe this stuff, unless you experienced it with your own hands and eyes.
Cables already were a mystery, but it is far worse than we could imagine.

In the end this is to our benefit, because we must be able to utilize it now we know it.

---

Mani and Anthony, for fun, take your Blaxius^2 (Anthony may have it still in the box), disconnect all the (B, W, Y, R) wires at both ends and measure IIRC between Y and R. You will see resistance ... (and not an infinite one :-).
If you don't see anything I forgot at which cable this emerges without us knowing at first. So, assumed it is indeed the Blaxius^2 ...

I use the Blaxius^2 myself since the day it exists. When we later found out about this (which is not a shortcut to the signal of any kind), I thought "oh well, if it gets its good sound from that phenomenon, we're good". Haha.
So with that analogue cable, the shields even actively interact. Of course, when you'd connect those two shields per the provided connector, the interactivity vanishes (resistance of ~0 Ohms).
So now you know. Leaving out the connection between Y and R will imply a specialty.
... I just looked at my own, and I have not connected the Y. So we must be subject to special voodoo indeed.

---

If you now can imagine that a USB cable *will* produce only errors (like 20K errors per second) when the topology regarding this nuisance is off, you may start to be able to see what this "shielding" phenomenon may do all more.
Apparently the lot can behave like a capacitor or something like that, and transfer current by "such" means.
Oh ?
Well, then maybe it is time to investigate similar between signal and ground wires in one cable. I mean, I should (now) be able to create such leakage between signal and ground.
Eh ...

I suppose that when we measure capacitance of a cable, we already measure similar. But this is capacitance. In this case the "wires" (shields) are connected. But are they really ? can the multi meter possibly be fooled ?
(I recall we tried two meters, because at first I could not believe it)
Anyway thinking further, it could be so that the capacitance of the cable changes severely and that therefore that Lush^3 trial did not work.

To be sure you got the right idea of this :
What happened was that a perfectly working Lush^2 was wrapped with another shield and extra outer sleeve, and that did not work at all.
Build up one from the ground with basically the same materials but with different isolation than the "yellow" outer sleeve as we know it - same problem.
Because this isolation material was so different, there is IMO no way that "sparkles" come through (and that even without electricity). But some severe (magnetic ?) field is formed by that topology.
(btw I could have measured such field, but at the time I did not think of that)

Anything else ?
:)
Peter

Practicing some text for explanations of the sound ...

(for a teaser, please look here (https://stordiau.com/products/lush-3-usb-audio-cable?variant=33050760773741))

The difference between the Lush and the Lush^2 are most certainly there, and the differences between the various configurations of the Lush^2 are even more certainly there (none sounds the same).
But now the Lush^3-e ...

We already knew from the Lush^2 that what actually happens is that frequency ranges get amplified or attenuated (this can be more than one range, depending on the configuration). It doesn't work like an equalizer because the effect is xxx times more strong and always remains a natural effect (that I personally could tell).

With the Lush^3, for what I have listened to so far (which is 3 configs only) the emphasis seems to have shifted downwards a lot. I mean, there is less emphasis on the highs (somehow now they can't disturb you either, as it seems) and there is a lot of energy now at the bottom. But also right above that (say low mid) and it makes the sound much more robust. Firm.
I say this, because I am tempted to because of a more lacking, dunno, mid range of some time. But this is hard to explain. I mean, voices are crazily emphasized (very good), there is an unprecedented speed which is mainly lower frequency impeded (on/off sounds like voices can have it, but synths too), bells are so so beautifully rendered now just because of spades more of resolution, but
But somehow, with those 3 configs I tried so far, the area of the snare drum is underwhelmed. Btw, it is also the only flaw I currently see (for 3 out of 1023 configs - :oops:) but this could be already because I so explicitly "observe".
All, really all jumps out, but the snare stays behind.

If you'd observe this yourself, you
a. will not accept that a USB cable can imply these huge (I have no other word) changes;
b. you should know that internally there is still the original Lush^1.

On a side note I am not able to explain how this can be so DAC-Output(!!)-frequency-related. Thus what the heck actually happens in that USB stream.

Previously (Lush^2) this was just a "yeah, we can influence emphasis on frequencies", but this ?
This is just too much of it. It is the Lush^2 squared (haha).

People may know my type of music, but if we keep that simpler and in the form we may all know it, it is Yello.
Well, ALL I played so far of such a genre (but worse than Yello in general) I could not recognize at all. Thus so so much can things change, only because the emphasis to frequencies is different.
Or
Because the speed hence resolution seems to be 20 fold (higher speed does a lot more than you can imagine).
Transfer this to "airy" and you will be able to see how all changes of this in the base.

Is it still a Lush cable then ?
Well, I could not name it differently because it just is in the base. So does it still sound "lush" ?

Yesterday I was trying to see through that (the direct answer should be No), but there is so enormously much going on (without getting tired of it !) that there's no space to think this over. It is one big literal feast of music, and I honestly can't care about lush sound.
More making a detour, I guess it still is because of the way more warm sound (you will be shocked about that alone). This is to be combined with the lesser emphasized highs (this could be a good thing and it most certainly is not a stuffed ear thing), but before you are able to judge for real, along comes a zzzziiinggg bell you never heard before.
Or the vibrating 500Hz+ string which you never heard vibrating. Or that so clean beautiful voice. And the deep down earth umpf without being annoying because it always sounds the same (tuning for too high level lows and it will annoy).

I recall playing Jeff Wayne - War of the Worlds yesterday. I play it once per 6 months or so. Un-re-cog-niz-able. Full with metal rattling sounds which *are* there when you watch the movie, and which you did not miss when you played it "yesterday". Huh ?
Yes. Huh.

Peter

So ... Yesterday, after preparing 5 or 6 configurations with some "electrical thinking over", assuming that a first certainly would not be enough ...
The first really worked out. And so the first few will leave this afternoon with the most simple

A:B-R, B:

My text coming along with it, as noted yesterday :

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27-09-2020
A:B-R, B:
Watch out : this one is derived from the Lush^2 of the form
A:B-Y, B:
But what I did was shifting the one but last shield in the Lush^2 (Y) to the one but last shield in the Lush^3 (R). I will immediately propose a seemingly more balanced config in the one below this one.
First impression : quiet.
Second : Spatial – ab-nor-mal !! Reality cymbals – wow.
Listened for hours to this, finding nothing wrong with it. The first Lush^3’s will ship with this !

---

To those who will be the first : Have fun !!!
Peter

My Lush^3 has arrived  :grin:. But I won't be able to take a proper listen until this evening.

(I'm still a little concerned that it'll ruin the lovely sound that I'm currently getting, but we'll see...)

Mani.

My Lush^3 is in! It was a bit of a pain installing, as its B-connector is rotated exactly 180 degrees to that of the Lush^2. So, I had the choice of twisting the cable, or simply swapping the vertical positions of the Mach III and NOS1. I went for the latter. And for now, I'm keeping the shipped configuration - A: B-R, B:

The first thing to say about the sound is that... well, it hasn't got screwed up over that with the Lush^2... :good:

Early days, and I've just rebooted the Mach III and NOS1, which often changes the sound, but so far... I'd say there is less 'digital glare' coming through, but with no loss of detail at all. In other words, everything sounds more natural.

One of my 'test tracks' is David Sylvian's "When Poets Dreamed of Angels". His voice can sound quite grating in various parts of this track, but with the Lush^3, I'm not hearing any sibilance at all. Everything sounds very natural, and yet with all the details intact.

Initial thoughts - impressed!

Mani.

Ha !

Mani, FYI : The relative position of the connectors is quite random. If you'd receive two, chances are fair they will be different, when compared to each other.

Keep us posted !
Regards,
Peter

Thanks Peter. Would twisting it 180 degrees have been OK?

The more I listen, the more impressed I am. The sheer NATURALNESS of this thing is incredible. NOTHING grates. And yet the details are all there... moreso even. And where did the bottom octave come from? My speakers aren't meant to go that low!

All from a bloody USB cable???

Mani.

I recently changed to an SFS of 4.00, but I'm back down to 0.69. Works really well now... loads of detail without any edginess.

(Sorry for the running commentary, but I can't quite believe what I'm hearing... from an extra layer of shielding in the USB cable!!!)

Mani.

Hahaha. But Mani, this is your day One. With me it all started to happen on day Two.


We just shipped all out today (already per your posting about it) so we can't test it really. My own is 100cm and that for sure can have it.
As soon as we have a 70cm again (the more you post happy notes the sooner that will be :wistle:) I will test it gently and ley you know.


PS: Was I right about that "robustness" ?

No no, it's big fun.
I envision 10 or so people tomorrow heavily breathing over their mailbox.

I will now be one of those soon to be heavily breathing over my mailbox!!

Haha. Ramesh, then prepare for upcoming Friday.
Meanwhile I'll try to be as confusing as possible.  :veryhappy:

Because I have no other way of approaching this, I look at Lush^2 configs and what they brought. This is where the A:B-R, B: came from too. Btw, I don't recognize similarities in the sound so far, but the "technical approach" is at least something to hold on. Thus, that previously given config tells that we provide the same as a Lush^2 config, BUT that there is an imbalance between that one connected (R) shield now and one other shield to the outside of that (the G) and TWO shields underneath it (W and Y).
And so I had already lying around the next one to try :

29-09-2020
A:B-Y-R, B:
As promised, here the more balanced config. Now the two middle shields are connected at one side, but obviously surrounded by an other shield (W and G), both not connected. So do notice that with the Lush^3 there is no one middle shield any more and thus we need to work with two (Y and R).

Very first minute : Too quiet ? Not enough life ? … not sure yet …
Okay, if anything, this shows even more dynamic range than what already showed with the previous config(s). I suppose this is equivalent to “again more quiet”. I think that it could be so that because of this, the sound is even more natural than A:B-R, B: showed already.

---

People should not try this right away - I'd have rather that they notice the same with the transition from the previous config to this one. I mean, it is very well possible that too much adrenaline creeped into my brain to begin with.

Peter

So I tried it on a 70cm ...
When the cable is straight, it is completely impossible to twist it. But notice that this in itself is nothing strange. E.g. a random power cord would also not bend, unless you imply a curl in it and the cable gets shorter because of that ... (a not desired situation).
Oddly enough (apart from that we never tried this at all), when the devices are on top of each other (your vertical alignment), you can 100% easily fold the cable in the other direction. The requirement : a bend of 180 degrees (which is what you would have).
It is hard to explain. But take the cable in your hands, fold it 180 degrees (with a nice harmless bend), and from there fold it backwards (move 360 degrees). Et volá.
Aha, but this is not exactly what you want because it again implies change of vertical position. Now take the connectors in your hands, your hands at 20cm distance. Now move the one hand over the other sideways. Now it works.
Small problem, in one of the two positions the cable now crosses itself. It thus requires more length now ... (undesired, unless you sufficiently know in advance what's ahead of you).

On a last note, for the Lush^2 this was way worse. And in the end nobody complains (but some times people ask(ed) how to accomplish it - and this is then only for the 40cm version, which obviously is more problematic to this regard).

Regards,
Peter

Oct 4, 2020
A:B-Y-R, B: W-Y & R-G
The “intelligence” in this one is that both middle W and Y, those connected to the A end, at the B end extend via Red and Green respectively, back towards A. Thus, the latter are not connected to the B end. This virtually makes the W and Y shield twice as long.

The best so far. This is now not about “how to get the last anomaly out of the way” but merely “I am shocked that this could be achieved”.
I largely played mere commercial music and it is unbelievable what’s actually in there. Voices are crystal clear and yesterday I literally said “It has become impossible not to hear what’s being sung”.
Drums now have an impact which I deem the most realistic I ever heard, and which mostly is about the more “sloppy” the tension of the skins are is than music normally expresses (remember we have a fairly large drum kit over here).
Cymbals sound nicely long and with appropriate color (I can imagine that improvement on the color is possible but then I’d be unthankfully nit-picking).
What seems to be new is how (electric) basses come forward playing their lines. I could also attest that *everything* seems to come forward with this config. And that detail … amazing.
What seems to be the key character of the Lush^3 in any configuration is the lightfootedness. This is IMO also how the impact on drums seems to be more difficult to “arrange for”. But apart from this config doing very well on this aspect now, yesterday I paid attention to this phenomenon explicitly, and it is merely so that the drums are more in the background now (and let’s be honest, in real life they also are).
The latter brings me to the level of distortion. Uhm … none ? So this is exactly how a snare always was brought forward – distortion. And obviously … there’s a pile of sh*t brought to us from a snare, when the snare is “on”. So really, this is so different now. Must be the same as the so enormously crystal-clear voices.
On a last note, I think that by now it is fair to say that the Lush^3 in general allows for “infinite” more level of playback. I did not do it, but I am pretty sure it can be done. Anyway yesterday with this configuration I was tempted, knowing that the past days with the Lush^3 I already play 6dB louder than ever before. But it can be more. … Nobody complains, it is only that already now it has become quite hard to talk to each other.
If my impression is the same upcoming evening, I suppose this will be the configuration the next ^3’s will ship with.

Peter

Peter,

Just to clarify so I have this configuration correct.

On A:  B connected to pin 1, with the red dot; Y to pin 2; R to pin 3; full jumper between 4 and 5; half jumper on 6; half jumper on 7.

On B: Nothing on pin 1 (red dot); W on pin 2; Y on pin 3; full jumper on 4 and 5; red on pin 6; green on pin 7.

I am not clear on the B side if W is connected to pin 1 (red dot).

A picture would be most appreciated.

The Lush^3 just arrived!!!

Read the examples in the instruction sheet with Lush^3, and am interpreting B: W-Y & R-G to mean W on pin 1, Y on pin 2, half jumper on 3; full jumper of 4 and 5, R on 6, and G on 7.

So here goes, am going to try it this evening.

OK, looked at the instruction diagram again.

A: B on pin 1; Y on pin 2; R on pin 3; half jumper on 4; half jumper on 5; full jumper on 5 and 6

B: W on pin 1; Y on pin 2; full jumper 3 and 4; half jumper 5; R on 6; G on 7.

Hoping this is correct.

Haha. Why don't you show a photo yourself ?
(teasing a little, but I don't make photos at 6 am)

The jumpers are not related / in order for this latest config. They are only for protection (hence leave them off to avoid confusion).

With some time and rest now ...  YES, that is correct !

Regards,
Peter

I now added it to the original post about this config.
Peter

Just placed my order.  Can't wait to receive it and post some impressions.  Currently using another well regarded cable.  Should be interesting to compare.   

Wow!!

I think the Lush^3 may be the most significant upgrade after Mach III, and G3.  Some impressions.

No distortion.  This manifests most obviously in the desire to turn up the volume.  Peter mentioned this.  I'm playing music louder, and want to play it even louder, 3dB - 6dB.  Even the slightest distortion that normally causes fatigue is gone.

Clarity.  Crystal clear.  Completely silent background.  Microdetails.  The result is extreme naturalness, especially the timbre of acoustic instruments. 

Imaging.  I know its a cliche, but we could use "pin-point" imaging to describe this.  Instruments and singers are solidly placed and stable.  Much more so that with Lush^2 where there still remained some impreciseness with where instruments are located.  I used to think this was because of listening too close to the Orelos. 

Bass.  Amazing!! The bass on the Orelos has always been incredible, but now it's really astonishingly good.  Especially the really low registers.

Percussion.  Natural. precise.  Less splashy.  More focused.  And yes, you can sense the skins on drumheads flexing.

This is just in the first day. Will update as I listen more. 

To conclude: this is a significant upgrade.

Hooray!!!

I can listen to symphonic music again without flinching when masses of strings and trombones start going.

Going to do more listening.  The difference in playback of symphonic music is dramatic.

Ramesh

Haha Ramesh - Nice, very nice.

Yes, I don't have the feeling that you are mimicking my words while you (surely) describe exactly what I perceive of it myself.

By now (actually since day before yesterday) I have the very clear perception of that this is the Lush for its "analogue" behavior times 10 or so. In the beginning I was a bit afraid it could be a more digital sounding cable again (I told about it in an earlier post), but the contrary is true by far. Nothing sounds more analogue than what I perceive of it now WHILE (and this is the contradiction) there's so an enormous additional pile of detail all around. And not less highs either. But different. Eh "better" ?

Thanks a lot, Ramesh.
I hope others will take the effort of writing a bit about the Lush^3 - especially on the findings on the configurations so far.
Thanks !

Peter

Maybe not unimportant : I changed my settings for the Mach III (see my signature and the ** at the changed settings).
The crucial one is the highering of the SFS from 10.19 to 20.69.

I deemed this necessary because the bass is now so "impressive" that with the lower SFS settings (and in my room) it starts to higher frequency buzz a little bit. I feel this is caused by too much energy which in itself is some kind of higher resolution workout of the PC (settings), them now let through by ... well ... a USB cable ?
Anyway, something like that.

Mani's lowering of the SFS clearly only emphasizes this mere negative behaviour. At least over here it does. But good that I tried Mani's suggestion, because otherwise I may have never tried to explicitly higher the SFS.
There could be a slight pinch of that energy left, but I only notice this when I am fairly much off-axis of the speakers.
Also see next post.

Peter

PS: But Ramesh, at least you should try this too, I think.

There's an other effect becoming more and more clear to me as an exhibit of the LUsh^3 in general : Stereo phase works out for the better.

By now I am 100% certain that the more I listen in the middle opposed to the speakers (compared with more to the side(s)), the stronger the bass is. And not for a little bit.
At the same time, the same applies to the highs, or more spooky : the distortion on them.

In the middle all falls into place, say "infinitely" more than prior to the Lush^3; it's almost like the speed (which is clear audible if you'd ask me) takes care of phase angles of waves (from left vs right) now are less vague (thus more "straight" or robust or accurate), so a chance now exists that they meet how they should (and therewith emphasizing each other when in (good / exact) phase).
This is a totally new phenomenon for me. So ...

True, being/listening in the middle always has been a good thing for listening to music to (stereo) loudspeakers. However, for me this has never been about pinpointing of instruments (the imaging Ramesh also refers to) because this always has been all right to begin with, for me. But it is not about this at all ... it is about the waves meeting correctly at one and one place (position) only, and how that gives a sense of 6dB more bass. Or 6dB less distortion on the highs, if you want.

More strange you can't have this, for a USB cable which transports music via a protocol.
Maybe later we'll find out what's really going on ...

Peter

Changed SFS to 20.69.  Also reset buffer size to 16ms.  I had it at 4ms when experiencing the USB Stream/FIFO errors.

First.  It is dangerous for me to play music during working hours--even though we are all working remotely now.  Because I am immediately drawn to the music, and need to stop working and sit down and listen. Like a magnet.  This has not happened before, where more casual listening was possible.

Second.  It is even harder to evaluate because of the same reason. The music is in the foreground.  The beauty, power, grace, transcendence of the music.  Evaluation takes some separation from the music, and once the music starts playing, it is very hard to make this separation.

I cannot believe that a USB cable can make this kind of difference.  It defies logic.  What I am experiencing is a whole new system.  Everything is different.  It is literally the experience of having acquired a new DAC and speakers.

My test has always been orchestral music, symphonies, and other complex music with many instruments playing together.  I could not listen all the way through symphonies because something was not quite right.  For the first time I can sit transfixed by the music and not start noticing something not quite right with the system.

I will listen more and try to articulate specifics.  The Lush^3 is a GIANT upgrade in SQ that I really do not quite understand.  It is not logical that a USB cable can do so much.  Makes me start to wonder about Blaxius^3. Ha Ha!

Peter, regarding phase, I have no idea how a USB cable can improve things, but on my system phase is very audible...afterall my speakers are an exercise in phase coherence. 

Absolute polarity is also highly audible to the extent that I find it necessary to be able to switch polarity at the preamp via the remote control...it matters.  What I am alluding to is that as your system now seems more phase coherent...not saying it was not so before, but your comments seem to indicate that something has changed...that you may also find that absolute polarity also matters and that perhaps you may need a way to be able to change it, perhaps from XXHE.

Anthony

Hi Anthony,

IIRC this was the very very first control I made in XXHighEnd (besides mentioned Q slider, which is today's Q1).
Btw, Q1 *is* speed (because buffer size) related, so ... who knows.

haha

But it never really did something for me (with someone guiding me who was sensitive to it !). Maybe I will give it a try again !

Thanks ...
Peter

How is this different from the Phase Alignment setting?  I know there are all kinds of warnings about turning phase alignment on.

Absolute Polarity is about changing phase exactly 180 degrees i.e. instead of the woofer going out to a positive voltage, it draws in.  Same as swapping the speaker leads at one end.  It is to do with whether polarity has been maintained during recording and mastering.  I find a lot of ripped cd's sound better with polarity inverted...

I should not be surprised that you are all over it already Peter...haha.

Anthony,

I understand what absolute polarity does.  I somehow thought that this was what the Phase alignment setting did.  What does Phase alignment then do in XXHE?  Has anyone used it?  Maybe this should be a different thread.

Ramesh

The way I understand thing Phase Alignment in XXHE is something from the early days that is not really used any more...was before my time.

Here's the topic about Phase Alignment (http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=4255.msg44810#msg44810).

Hi Anthony,


Well of course - this is what I'm explicitly saying. But the how of it is beyond me, unless it can be related to "speed". And that the speed increased is overly clear.
How *that* could happen is indeed the big riddle. Make that a Quest.

By now I think two years ago, I bought the "cable analyser" (LCR) which is still brand new in its box. It could be time to unwrap it.
Still, my guts tell me that this is all not related to the USB protocol, but merely to how it works out at the DAC's end (probably even via the mains). Point is : I work with the shield and not with the data integrity or something, plus that the USB errors are zero always anyway (and e.g. a retransmission *if* it would exist (it does not) is not in order.

The only thing I might get from this myself is that the shielding (at least) as how it is now, protects the environment from what the cable itself does (emits). Thus, this should follow from the impossibility (that I can see) that the (protocol-)data is influenced by the environment.

If this makes sense at all, it should imply that people / we should focus on shielding from the outside.
(and now you ask How, right ?)

Regards,
Peter

I received my Lush^3 cable yesterday.  I ordered it from Peter at 9:00am EDT on Wednesday.  I live in NJ.  The cable arrived the next day at 1:00pm EDT.  That's 28 hours from order to delivery.  That is amazing. 

So what about the cable?  After the cable arrived I installed it.  Made sure it worked and then left the system on repeat until this morning.  I sat down after breakfast to do some listening.  All I can say is wow.  The presentation of the music is now more relaxed.  There is absolutely more detail retrieval.  A couple of times my head snapped up because I was hearing inter detail I did not hear before.  Better soundstage.  Overall a better sounding system with the Lush^3 than with the previous cable which was also a highly regarded cable.  I am using the configuration from the last set of pictures that Peter posted the other day.  I don't mess around much with the various configurations.  I wait to see what the consensus likes and use those settings.  Works for me.

This was a solid purchase for me.  Now I have to sell my prior cable.  Thanks Peter. 

Hi Jaiello,

Hey, welcome to the club ! And your instant feedback ... so nice.

We'll keep on posting the newly found configurations !

Kind regards,
Peter

Oct 9, 2020
A: Y-R, B: W-Y & R-G
This emphasizes even more what the previous config attempted, because W and R are now floating, are thus not interconnected and will have their own life, still extended by R and G respectively.

Loud in the Mid (not the highs)
Highs have no color at all (but is special somehow).
Not sufficiently “interesting”.

---

Yes, odd. Just not "interesting". I heart this from note one. Don't ask me about the why.

PS: I thought to flag "rejected" configs red.

Oct 9, 2020
A: W-Y & R-G, B: B-Y-R
Notice that this is the “opposite” of the good sounding A:B-Y-R, B: W-Y & R-G.

Great stuff !! Sound is similar to that “opposite”, but I’d say better again. Even more I need to hold back from turning up the volume.
I’ve been walking around for 3 hours or so, all the time having this big smile on my face. I have no additional particulars on this config, except for that urge to play louder again (which I did not give in to because it is really getting too crazy loud).

---

The above is my first impression, possibly without paying too much attention to "particulars" because I actually have found my Walhalla already in that mentioned "opposite". Still I was happier than the I think 3 days I played with that opposite. Part of it could be that there was nothing to pay attention to, or, that too much sucking into the music was going on that no space was left to think about "sounds".

Anyway this judgment could be premature (more listening to it tonight) but meanwhile people could try this one themselves without feeling sorry to change (I'm sure).

Peter

Peter I am better with pictures.  Can you please show the new favorite configuration in a picture? 

Done !
:thanks:

Listening to the Olafsson Bach album with the new configuration.  Glorious.  Not sure how to really compare this and the opposite other right now.  More after some additional listening.

Peter, on the picture i think i can see A: W_Y & G-R (not R-G)

Tore

Hello Tore,

You are of course correct, if we'd read from left to right. But since the last 3 pins are a different section of the connector, it is easier for me to start at the outside again. So I need to connect R to G in that section. Then I first use the "first pin" (which is the outermost) and connect R to that, and then the second pin and connect G to that.

Similarly you could have told that R should have been connected to pin 5 and G to pin 6 (leaving pin 7 blank).
But it is all the same ...

Another explanation would be :
This is indeed how I connect the wires (start at the outside). Now I listen to that for a day and someone asks me to make a picture of it. What shall I do ? Twist it around just for the picture with the chance it may sound different, and listen an other day first ?
:nea:
So just to be 100% sure, this is what I listen to, so I make a picture of that.

Best regards,
Peter

So I have been listening to this "opposite" configuration for a few hours now.  I think the bass is definitely bigger but the excitement of the other config seems to have vanished (at least to these old ears).  I am going to stick with it for a few days but I really had to fight to not change it back after only an hour. 

Thank you John.

Meanwhile I have been listening to
A: B-W-G, B: B-W-G
for two days (starting Oct 9, 2020). I did not encounter any annoyances, probably less than the bespoke previous two (that one plus its opposite).

But then I was handed this one, from someone off-line :
A: W-Y-R-G, B: W-Y-R
and these were my initial remarks :

---

I think it is a WOW. Highs (cymbals) are the best with colors. Also a mighty interesting sound. So realistic.
Skins of drums … also a WOW. So soft, so nicely developed. So colorful.

---

This configuration seems to beat all for the lacking of distortion. And Yes, isn't this a new phenomenon : judging USB cables on their amount of distortion ...

The strange this is and remains that instead of being easily able to point out where the cable (a config of it) is good at, it now comes down to determining the least "distorting" config. And mind you, I think I said so from day-1. "Which config shows the least annoyance". I suppose this can be related to the enormous step forward compared to the Lush^2 and that we could be completely overwhelmed by al the novelties and this still ab-nor-mal extra detail and sounds now coming forward. I myself am just too flabbergasted to pick out what's the best, BUT I can detect small annoyances.

Can you guys please try this and give your feedback ?

Peter

I am going to try this one tonight.  Can't wait.   

Listened briefly.  Very, very good.  Better than all others before.  Will listen more tonight and over the weekend.

Hi Peter

I have been "playing" with my Lush 3 and to cut a long story short his latest config (A: W-Y-R-G, B: W-Y-R) is by far the best here. Recently I have been listening to Bowie "Nothing Has Changed" which has some great music but sadly many of the tracks are marred by poor sound quality. This config makes a significant improvement by noticeably removing a layer of hash. On other better quality recordings of chamber music strings sound great with a much more natural quality to the sound. I'll be sticking with this config until (if) something better turns up.

Cheers

Paul

Hi there Paul,

Yesterday, thinking of you, I played a lot of the "UK" stuff we have been talking about in the past. Elvis Costello. Ian Dury / Blockheads. Iggy Pop. The latter not British of course, but I am referring to Punk.
I suppose you already tried it ? But anyway, I somehow felt that this suddenly all should come together, and it does ! Beautiful quality, even from Lust for Life.
So it's all this native "sound", like Punk now suddenly rendered so well !

Kind regards and thanks,
Peter

This configuration is the best so far.  The most balanced.

Last night I listened to Penguins by Lyle Lovett.  Check it out.  Snare pops plus horns and great bass.  This is one of my favorite test tracks. 

I'll keep that one in mind for tonight (on I Love Everybody).
Thank you John.

Peter, play it loud!!

Hi Peter,

Just recd the Lush^3. Will post my comments after a few days of breaking in. Meanwhile just needed to know if it requires the 5v DC to be isolated as done in the Lush^2?

Best regards,

Arvind

Hi Arvind,

I am not aware of any requirement to isolate the 5V for any Lush cable ?
That would not even be possible for NOS1a/G3 customers, because the Phisolator uses the 5V from USB. Of course you can isolate the 5V but then you'd have to use the U input of your NOS1a/G3.

Kind regards,
Peter

Oh! Maybe it was during the Clairixa, when the Phisolator wasn’t around.

Correct. The Clairixa was even officially shipped with isolative pads for those who thought that worked out for the better.
:)

The Lush cables (all versions) have been quite explicitly designed not to be bothered by 5V usage or not.

Peter

Arvind,

My understanding with the Phisolator is that it is the 5V in the short USB cable that needs to be isolated (but maybe not!).  In any case when I had various FIFO/USB Stream errors, I tried a different short cables with 5V isolated and it worked better for me.

Ramesh

Hi Ramesh,

As Peter pointed out 5v is needed for the phisolator, hence isolating in the Lush is out of question.

I’ve never had an issue of FIFO/USB stream errors, hence no need to isolate the short USB cable either.

Thanks for your input.

Enjoy music.

Best regards,

Arvind

Let me introduce myself to this forum. My name is Ken Beckman and I’m 69 years old and have been an audiophile for 57 years now. In 1971 I was lucky enough to meet Bob Hovland who happened to live only a mile from me at the time. We became friends and I was able to be on an R&D listening panel for Hovland projects for the next 40 years. Alex Crespi from Uptone Audio was also on the listening panel for over 40 years.
Some of the projects were taking an attenuator and listening to different resistors and rewire with many different wires also. The development of Hovland interconnect and speaker cable, and AC cord.. Five years of R&D for the Hovland speaker which lead to the Hovland MusiCap. I owned Serial #1 of the Hovland HP100 preamp. On and on for over 40 years I was blessed to have the learning experience of all these things that designers have to consider when putting together an audiophile grade product and hearing myself first hand the many differences I experienced.
My last big system was all Hovland except a 300B push pull mono amps from Lennert Anderson Audio.
From my circuit breaker to my AC outlets was Hovland AC cord, and the wall behind speakers was filled with sand.
Fifteen years ago I got rid of it because it became like heroin to me. I just kept listening to the same music and having upgrades to my system when new and better parts became available. A total burn out.
A year ago I decided I wanted to put together a budget computer based budget system that would be listenable.
Total investment $3,000
Here’s what I ended up with:
Ice Age AC cord>Uptone LPS1.2 power supply>ghentaudio star quad DC cable>ISO Regen
Out from PC  - Uptone USB adapter> ISO REGEN> Lush 3>Denafrips Aries II with Ice Age power cord>Hovland G3 interconnect> JBL LSR-305 powered speakers with Hovland AC cords. The speakers only cost $300 a pair, less than a Lush 3 cable and they sound like a couple grand. Very neutral sound to me. The one thing this speaker has always done is let me immediately know if a change is better or worse. No going back and forth. I was getting ready to upgrade to Focal Shape 65 which would be an ideal replacement since they’re  very similar but cost $2,000 a pair. I decided to get Lush 3 instead, and upgrade speakers at a later date. I’m happy I got the Lush 3 instead for now. This system is all about cluck for the buck.
This system has totally exceeded my expectations and I’m now enjoying new music again. It’s even hard for me to digest, but this system sounds way better than the last one, for a tiny fraction of the investment.
One of the biggest improvements I’ve ever heard was upgrading from Lush 2 to Lush 3. It is not subtle, and will change your system dramatically.  In fact it will be so much different, you won’t recognize the sound of your own system. It’s equivalent to a major component upgrade. Makes it sound like a direct microphone feed in the recording booth. I thought Lush 2 was clean. It’s not. Lush 3 removes so much distortion, it’s amazing. Both macro and micro dynamics add to the musicality with instrument vinyl like overtones. Super fast and relaxing pace at the same time. Little things you didn’t even know you were there, just appear before your ears. It’s quite startling to hear so much more information.(I did not think this was possible). Wait until you hear a upright bass sound its size. Not just a plucked bass note. Listen to Sheila Jordan “You Don’t Know What Love Is” on the album Yesterdays Live in Concert. Her haunting voice with just bass accompaniment is jaw dropping. Try Larry Carlton and Robben Ford “Nm Blues” and “Cold Gold” from their Unplugged Album. The tonality of the guitars is mind blowing realistic. Another favorite of mine is hearing the separation of voices and resonater guitar work from Hans Theessink and Terry Evans on the cut “Mother Earth” from their album - Visions.
Want to enjoy some amazing drum whacks with some analog cymbals (amazing piano work included)? Try “Grandmama’s” Blues from the Cyrus Chestnut album - Earth Stories.
In fact everything I listen to blows my mind. Many songs that I’ve in my Tidal queue that were previously not sonically enjoyable to me, are now, with Lush 3. Whenever you can add more songs that bring you pleasure is a giant step in the right direction, and Lush 3 does that in spades.

EDIT: 11/16
Some where around 100 hours the Lush 3 stops showing off, and bows out of the signal and just lets the music take over with the most open, without boundaries sound I've ever heard. Sonically it's the equivalent of a several thousand dollar DAC upgrade, if not more.
Easily the BARGAIN component of the last decade.

Welcome aboard the Phasure train Ken you are not the only one over 60, so you are in good company!!!

Yes I've just gotten use to an upgrade to the Stealth Mach III which was massive with the Lush 2 and now Lush 3.

Your review has me worried now I guess I will succumb. Your music suggestions are great, sent me to find them now.

Robert

Kenny, man, what a nice story that is ! I really loved reading it.
Btw, you should allow yourself to paste literally what you wrote to me by email. As great and such a good laugh !

It is like Robert told - there are more above 60 in here. Actually I'd say that by now we are *all* above 60, apart from one or two perhaps.  :old:

Maybe it deserves extra praise that you not only went for the Lush^3 instead of new speakers, but two months earlier you also went for the Lush^2.
So Kenny, thank you for the great trust.

Kind regards,
Peter

Here's that email i wrote to you.
Received Lush3 cable yesterday afternoon. To say I am blown away is an understatement.
I'm 69 years old and have been an audiophile since I was 12 and I am hearing information that I've never heard before.
Super clean and beautiful musical glowing overtones. Very organic in its presentation.
More 3D with precision soundstage with mega space around all instruments and voices.
Very fast, but relaxed at the same time. Superb musicality.

An analogy would be: Lush3 isn't about seeing thru clean glass, it's about removing it all together.

This is the most analog sounding wire I've heard. All the beautiful things I love about vinyl shine thru with this cable.

Now to the store for some diapers. I keep sh*tting in my pants.😊

Hahaha, thank you Kenny.

Thought I would post a pic of Hovland speakers

I see Art Deco. Beautiful.

Hi Peter,

No words can describe the Lush^3. It’s simply fantastic. Others have very aptly tabled their observations, I can only add to it that the decay, of every musical note, is just a little longer, giving an experience of live performance.

An addition of a shield can create such a wonder, is just mind boggling.

Congratulations Peter & thank you for creating this magical experience.

Best regards,

Arvind

Yes the added decay. I referred to it as overtones, but I consider them synonyms any way.

A:, B:
(nothing connected)
Btw, this is not necessarily a "best" configuration, but I personally like it very much as it shows the character of the Blumenhofer Concert X speaker (which I like for its special sound).
It comes down to a not so enormously extending highs, and as I said elsewhere, the general sound of cymbals go in the direction of hitting a closed hi-hat (or maybe just-not closed). This, while the great detail remains.

I think this is a configuration one likes, or not. I'll add to this that this should be a configuration with a character, hence which is not really neutral (to my ears).

Peter

The Lush 3 increased separation made my system sound ever so slightly lefty - righty. Lost the magical singular sound. I just moved my speakers 1/2 inch closer together. MAGIC IS BACK

I think most of us have spent so much time and effort to set our speakers up correct, we just assume they're placed optimally. I have found over the years, a component change may require a speaker placement change to re-optimize. Never by much in measurement terms, but in listening terms a huge difference.

Don't be afraid to move your speakers with some component changes, you can always go back. Just my two cents.

I am having a lot of fun with
A:W-G, B:W-G

Good fresh highs. Nice deep bass. And ... foot-tapping factor is present in well fashion.
This one is also nicely forceful.

Peter

Not sure if you Lush^3 owners are experiencing this, but I thought I would share.
This cable continues to improve well into the 200 hour mark.

Haha, I don't think I made the 200 hours myself, but it is true that I noticed more "emphasis" on all what was good in the first place.

Btw, I am back on
A: W-Y-R-G, B: W-Y-R
because it brings too many very interesting novelties.

Regards,
Peter

New speakers Peter?

Mani.

Haha, never (that I can foresee).

Finally got my Lush 3. Was held up in Australia waiting for a flight to NZ.

Question: disconnecting the various shield connections while music is playing does not seem to cause any problems like clicks or bangs or disconnections. Is this the case for all?

At this point I do have more bass definition but not sure on the state of the treble.

Is there any updates on XXhighend settings or Lush 3 settings?

Robert

Changing SFS to 20.69 made a big difference. But preferring Arc Predict over custom filters at this stage. While the new cable hasn't over whelmed me there certainly is more inner detail and bass. I'm running with shipped config until cable settled and my hearing.

Robert

Hi Robert,

I don't know where I announced that I used 20.69 for the Lush^3 ... but I  do. So I probably ran into the same as you do/did.

Although I would not change configs while playing (not sure why) you can just leave all connecting (I use the (dedicated for me) dipswitches for changes and this always works out. However, what if you'd touch the cable too much and the connection gets lost (moves in the socket etc.). So regarding that aspect, I would be careful (that certainly being able to create some pop and bang :)).

I did not find a better config (sure tried some), and others remain quiet at this point.

Kind regards and good that she finally arrived !
Peter

Hello everyone I’m a new member, I just purchased the lush 3 and I am awaiting delivery. I’m certainly going to try to default settings when they arrive. But I’m wondering if I can get any guidance as to how to tame Hot treble in my system?

Thanks,
Damian

Hi there Damian,

Your Lush^3 will ship tomorrow, due Wednesday.
Let it break in for a day or 5 (you are allowed to listen sooner - haha). After that - and you still have the "hot treble" issues, we can try to work out some more "dull" configurations.
OK ?

Kind regards,
Peter

Thanks Peter for your kind and prompt reply. I’m looking forward to hearing the magic.

Damian

Maybe it's just me, but if my treble was a little hot I would search for the real problem rather than put a band aid on it by reconfiguring the Lush^3.
Maybe Damian can tell us more about his system. Maybe some members might have some other suggestions to try first.

Just a little audiophile sick humor.
You can have my Wife for the night.
You can keep my dog.
But don't touch my Lush^3.

:grin: :grin: :grin:

Thanks for your kind offer of help. I have a great system using a Vitus  amplifier and magico  speakers. I’ve started working on acoustical treatments for the room.

To be honestI find many audio systems to be too harsh when it comes to treble production in digital audio. I’m Particularly sensitive to any sibilance or bleaching Of the sound.

The good news is that I have found  the lush3 usb cable , to be a perfect fit. I am three days in and I know I have some time yet to go, but it certainly seems to be heading all the right notes!

It certainly appears to produce a beautiful full bodied
Sound and yet provide detail without distortion. I’m very curious whether adding an XLR 2 Cable will build upon what I have or be too much?

I’ll update you in a day or so on  any further developments or observations  in the breaking in process.

Most importantly I’m enjoying the sound of the music immensely.
Damian

I'm glad Lush^3 is working for you. Huge changes in the first 50 hours. Continues to improve 200 hours and beyond.
Looking forward to your comments later on.

I edited your both posts so the quotations work out.
Peter

Hi Peter,

I will soon place an order for a Lush^3 cable. I have one question regarding the short USB cable that connects the output of the Phisolator (I input) to the rest of the DAC (U Input).
Did you try a Lush^3 or for that matter a Lush^2, instead of the stock short cable? In the USB chain I see that short cable as the possible weak link. What is your stand on this?

Thank you,


Michael

Hi Michael,

With each USB cable we have, we tried the exact same internally in the DAC (there too is a show piece of (real) USB cable). It exactly never worked out (sounds bad) ...
Why ? a mystery.

Maybe in two cases I heard of the short USB cable implying a problem. But this is merely a combination with the Phisolator than with the USB cable sec.
Of course you are free to try to replace the short piece with an other cable (try your upcoming Lush^3 for fun) - it won't be to long or anything.

If you have results at some stage, please don't hesitate to share it.

Kind regards,
Peter

Hi Peter,

Once I receive my Lush^3  I'll do some testing with the different cables I have on hand (Clarixa, Lush and Lush^2) and I'll report on my findings.


Michael

Hi Peter,

I just received my Lush^3. Thanks.

I want to clarify the jumper configuration. The cable I received is configured as follows:     A: W-Y-R  B: W-Y-R-G
This is different than the configuration in your signature and this is the opposite of the config. you posted on November 27th.

What is the current consensus on the best configuration?

Than you,

Michael

A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-Y-R should be the correct shipped.

As far as I'm aware this is still the reference.

There has been little input in general on different connections from people other than Peter. Even I'm still running this after 6 weeks. I'm still getting my head around a new Mach III which was a massive sound improvement and has somewhat over shadowed the Lush^3 for me.

Robert

Hi Robert,

So it seems that the cable I received has been configured the opposite way. I will make the change before I do my first audition tonight.

Thanks,

Michael

:oops:

Hi all,

After having spent several hours with the Lush^3 I can only concur with everything that has been said so far on this cable. Over the years I've upgraded my USB cable several times (Stealth III to NOS1a), from Clairixa to Lush to Lush^2 and now the Lush^3. Every time I noticed an improvement. But the latest move, to the Lush^3, is the one that brought the most significant benefits to SQ. Each instrument is more distinct in space, it removed the last hint of glare that was remaining and everything is much more focused. The overall feeling is a sense of ease and the listening is now even more relaxed.

I also agree that now the Phase control has definitely an effect on the SQ. Before the Lush^3 I had tested the Phase parameter but every time I couldn't hear the slightest change. To my surprise now the Phase control has a very positive effect. It kind of adds to the Lush^3 qualities. It's specifically notable on the focus of the instruments. I'd say that with the Phase control 'on' 80% of the SQ gain comes from the Lush^3 and 20% from the Phase 'on'.

Thank you Peter for your relentless quest in the development of new tools devoted to music reproduction.

Michael

This lifted from audiophilestyle.com, Lush ^3. New setting for Lush ^3.

Original best setting: A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-Y-R.

Quite easy to compare just remove red wire carefully from "B" side during playback.

This new accidental discovery is in fact better for sound I believe.

I found it lifted a glaze/veil from the sound. Violin, banjo and vocals from Leonard Cohen's, Amen, Old Ideas album 24/44 certainly improved. On initial listening I did find treble improved but bass reduced in output. 
Further to this I put Arc Prediction back on. Well I'm going to listen to more music over the next few days to see how filters go. But quite liking Arc Prediction again and new Lush settings.

Robert

Thank you Robert.

I refrained somewhat to mention this over here, because it relates to other XXHighEnd settings as well, and in combination with the Blaxius^2.5 (as I mentioned over there) it is already difficult enough. The fun could be :

While you could know about XXHighEnd settings and change them accordingly, I did not tell them and you did thus not apply them and THUS out of all context it is even better that you like the
A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-Y
better than the "original".

So I like to be quiet about the XXHighEnd settings (I have been playing with them for 2-3 months by know, thinking it was about the Blaxius^2.5 only (allowing for again better settings hence sound), and obviously eventually I will tell about them. But while we're at it anyway, I rather like people to tell about their findings out of this context. we all could learn from it, just like *I* learned from you that possibly now Arc Prediction is for the better. So I am gong to try right now !

The combinations never end, do they ?

Best regards,
Peter

Deleted

For what it is worth, it took me quite a while to finally keep the red wire removed because the sound was still so good with it in place.

Now, I  have kept the red wire removed for about a week and and have returned the SFS to .69 with  Q1 of 10 and xQ1  of 30. I also returned Q3,4. and 5 to 1.

These settings with the low filter seems to provide the incredible clarity while avoiding some of the harshness. At some point, I'll switch back to he old settings and compare.

David

David,

Thank you very much; I think you ate a very good listener.
With this Lush^3 config, my relevant settings are :

Q1=14
xQ1=4
Q3=0
Q4=0
Q5=1
SFS=10.13
ClockRes=10ms
Custom Filter = Low
Balanced Load=62.

This is the result of quite some weeks (months actually) of changing and trying. The above itself I now use for I think 3 weeks, to great satisfaction.
The importance of Q3, 4 and 5 is remarkable. As you see, I arrived at 0,0,1 which is quite explicit.

Kind regards,
Peter

Hello Peter,

After posting my settings, I ran into issues with certain songs sounding either too shallow or harsh and ran through quite a few changes including moving my speakers a bit more off axis. If I have learned anything about listening, it is due to the fact that everything you make has about 25,000 different combinations which effect the sound.

My impression is that  Q1 and XQ1 set to higher numbers  seem to tone down some of my harshness. I had not messed with lowering only Q3 and Q4 to 0 or the clock resolution, but after moving both of those to 0 and the clock resolution to 10ms, the change in sound seems dramatic.

Thanks for posting these new settings.

David

Yes, this seems the general consensus, and a reason for me to think you listen/observe (very) well to what happens when.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem as simple as highering Q1 x xQ1 as it seems to suck the life out of matters. Actually the opposite of settings them ultra-low, which makes all very spacious and lively, but also more harsh. So it is key to find the proper balance, and it now seems that Q3,4,5 are key to that. But it is a typical thing nobody played with really, unless they did not tell about it.
Let's remember that for me it started to become a "subject" when I went from the Blaxius^2 to the Blaxius^2.5 which are so much more explicitly showing less distortion that other "distortions" now submerge. And taming it is done with Q3,4,5, as it seems to me. Having them all at 0,0,0 is too much of it (smears too much) so it could be the combination.
Btw, I am waiting for the day that I or anyone else dares to dial one in at 2 or beyond. So yes, go figure about the 25,000 etc. ... it never stops.

Thank you, David,
Peter

Well after removing said Red wire and reverting back to Arc Predict filter I did like the new sound.

Upon trying Peters new Xx settings which is where I discovered I was back at Custom filter after an unsaved reboot.

Have to say you have done it again sound wise removing another veil.

I've never tried adjusting Q settings mainly filter and SFS.

What you have achieved is a major change bar the custom filter.

More of everything and can turn volume up higher. Well Done for your endless listening and tweaking. The final frontier is still unexplored!!!

Is anybody out there in Xx land????

Robert

:drums:

Back listening to music after having been away for a while.  Just started listening with the new Lush^3 configuration B: WY (removed the red).  New Q settings per Peter's latest.  Also Blaxius 2.5 with BG on both ends.  Sounds very nice.  Will listen some more, especially orchestral music and post again.

Been listening and working for a few hours now.  This is probably the most "natural" the system has sounded.  Dynamic, resolved, no harshness, easy, light and substantial all together.  More than ever, the music remains--which of course is the whole goal. 

This new configuration is really spectacular!  I cannot really compare with "before" because after Lush^3 I felt the SQ really was at a new level.  The following observations.

- Extreme clarity.  We keep speaking about a veil being removed.  However one says it, there is extreme clarity to the music with no harsh or etched sound.  A natural clarity from no distortion;
- Extreme resolution.  I can hear details that I may have not noticed before.  Listening to Charles Lloyd's "The Water is Wide" right now, and there are many subtleties I notice;
- Improved imaging.  The Orelos completely disappear.  This is one area where I felt that the old setup I had with the Linkwitz LX521 was a bit better, in making the speakers completely disappear.  No longer.
- True timbre of instruments.  guitars, piano, percussion, etc.

And no fatigue.  More after tackling some orchestral pieces.

Hi Ramesh - thank you for that feedback. Really !

Meanwhile I have another in the works. It is more to the extremes than the "disconnect the red wire" one.
Judging that one for weeks again already. Not sure yet when I will be sure about it.  :unsure:
:-)
Peter

Hi - hello to everyone finally I made it to the forum - having a XXHighEnd machine and the Nos1a since 3 years and starting only now to finetune them together with the phasure cables...
I find the informations going through the pages very helpful and would like to get some specific answers to what I read here in the lush3...just ordered last night one of them after reading what Peter had to say about the sound - which matters the most of course.
So I will try the last settings of Peter and to apply them i need some support.
Checking the custom filter to low - I cannot find where to set it to low - just can activate custom filter - where do I set it to whatever...
The same with arc predict - where do I find the settings 8x...
Thank you in advance - will let you know my findings - apart from that after having messed things up in the XXHE and being thankful for Peter for his great support to make a blind mouse seeing...
Would be great if more of you not only say what their settings are but relate more to the outcome of the sound in relation to the settings before...
Muni

Hey Muni - Welcome then !
(finally ;-)

In the picture below I tried to catch all in one screenshot.
It starts with the F button (see where the mouse is). Next see the Filter Designer screen for what to select for "Low". Notice, however, that you ask for "8x" so probably you want to select the "Low" filter two lines down.

The 8x is set by the little slider you see left of the blue "352800". Prior to that, take care that this section of XXHighEnd is visible by means of the [1] button you see in the top; slide it sufficiently to the right.

I think that is all ! (if you have more questions, please open a new topic for it so we can find it back later more easily).
Your Lush^3 is due Tuesday.

Kind regards,
Peter

Thank you Peter! :)

Hi all,

This must be the longest "review" I experienced ever. Say that from day one I loved it, but it is so good that it seems "wrong".
But I now finally decided to come forward with it.

A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-G

This is from July 17 (2021).
It was handed by a nice man Roberto Herrera and he plays music himself. He and his band, also record music and to me it sounds as the finest recordings.

What he himself tells about this configuration, comes down to "very realistic" (my words).
I will make this of it, after more than 2 months of listening :

This is what I wrote down during the very first moments of listening :

First impression, … too technical. Not analog.

This kind of thought remains until today. But it is always immediately followed by my impression "but hey, this can't be more real !". It really and seriously is so much representing all realties imaginable, that, well, I am still listening to it with open mouth.
It once again is something that changes your existing and well known music so much, that you are sure you are playing a coverband or something.

The detail in the mid is enormous. Things which should be forward just are that. Laid back ? then it is there in the back indeed. It just all fits.
The old music is now even more new than it already was. And yes, music from that era of concern (say mid to end 60's) show even better what a lack of compression was (but avoid the remasters).

It is like what happened with the NOS1-USB version : we could not tell about its sound any more. This now happens to this config too. I can't describe it other than "so good" (which should mean : so real).

Notice that the real stuff happens (for me) in combination with these XXHighEnd settings (this is really crucial) :

Q1 = 14, xQ1 = 4 (the xQ1 4 disallows Hi-res to play);
Q3,4,5 = 0,0,1 (the most crucial of them all);
SFS = 10.13
ClockRes = 10ms
Core Appoinntment Scheme = 3-5 (just saying as I am using this always).

I hope you will be shocked. And oh, somehow I am very sure that this config requires breaking in. Not sure whether this is "my mind" needing that or that it is physically in the cable. But even after this more than 2 months on a daily basis I judge it as better again. This is really odd.
Possibly this relates to my first impression of "not analog"; so indeed it really is an other direction of the sound (it could be quite opposite to what we know from the introduction of the Lush^1).
Anyway my message : try not to give up too soon. Instead try to envision all the extra "messages" now present. See though how the drummer hits a cymbal. It's really these things which were added. More visuals on the artists. But also stuff like cymbals themselves. More metal. Less analogue ? no, more metal because a cymbal *is* metal ! That kind of thing(s).
Thus, force yourself a couple of days into this. Try to watch yourself smiling more and more.

Best regards,
Peter (now updating his sig)

This is weird I set up my Lush 3 as above and started to listen and ouch it really was more than a tad sharp and clinical. So then I played with the setup changing some of the wiring to see if I could find a softer sounding setup. But in the end I went back to A:W-Y-R-G, B:W-G and now it sounds much better clear incisive but very listenable. Cannot imagine what happened but possibly one of the following: -

1 Bad connection with one or more of the plugs (very unlikely)
2 Got the wrong config the first time (impossible)
3 Something odd happened like capacitive charging in the cable when playing round with the different wiring configs

Or maybe just maybe :

4 An alien presence changed some setting while I went to the bathroom
5 I am loco, crazy, mad, loop the loop, out to lunch or gaga (delete as appropriate)

I know what most of my friends would think but I have to say there is one thing I did do and that was listen to the default original (inner shield only connected) and what a huge difference compared with this latest setting I mean a really really big difference. Who would have thought that shielding would make such a big difference. You can't help concluding that the USB link is a big compromise and possibly one of the biggest weaknesses in the whole setup.

Cheers

Paul

Peter, Paul:

I tried the new set up, and I was STUNNED! This is like it was going from Mach II to Mach III.  Absolutely mesmerizing.  The realism is unbelievable.  I am to shocked to even try to dissect what's going on.  Impossible to believe that a jumper change, and Q settings can do this.

I have to listen to a lot more music.  Initial impressions are that the sound is completely addictive.  Unbelievable clarity, resolution, separation, and coherence.  And really "alive", the opposite of clinical.

More listening ahead this weekend.

Ramesh

I can only agree with what has been said above. A detailed, yet relaxed, “real” sound and also a more natural and integrated sound stage. Indeed, a more “right” sound.

The result is that bedtime has shifted considerably because of “yet another album”.

I am curious about a physical explanation for this phenomenon.

Thanks Peter!

Regards,
Stanley

Dear Peter and friends,

I just wanted to add a little bit more about this configuration: I do find myself tapping along the rhythm of the music more often, in other words, I am enjoying more the naturalness of the musical instruments than I did before. Also I want to point out the coherence of the piano musical notes. Understanding the left hand vs right hand is more evident. Also, the dynamics. The right energy is granted for each drums stroke, and the right steady stage with magic quality crystal sound.
Happy listening!

Hey Roberto !

I am happy to say that I still use your config, and that I probably can't get rid of it ever. It is exactly as you say : you can now literally see people's moods and intentions and how all play together.

Your config is so different from the others, that it is amazing that it can work out in the first place. Everybody should thank you deeply for finding this !

Hug,
Peter

Thanks Peter,
I also must add that this is in my system, and perhaps might not work in yours.  The bass is not as prominent as it was with the B:W-Y, but has many good things like a well balanced frequency response from top to bottom, and has wider stage, with a truly sense of 3D. The voices are projected to the air, with more space. The harmonic texture of the voices and musical instruments are right. The dynamics are more precise, taking in care of what is happening with the song. I have more communication with the musician(s).  Thanks for this wonderful cable.

Happy listening!

It has only be this Christmas time that the configuration from Roberto excelled even more than I already knew. This is because no matter how old the recording (OK, skip the cylinders) it just sounds like new from today with the advantage that back then they did not know about compression really. :-)
I screamed about old recordings (old hits from the 60s - begin 70s) more often, but now it is sooo profound.

It is and remains unbelievable what a USB cable can do. And that it is able to change sound in the first place ...

Roberto, I am just thanking you again. And I can't even imagine on behalf of how many more people that is.

Regards,
Peter