Hi there,

Yes, that's the config I meant from Audiolifestyle: A: B-W & Y-R; B: B-W;

And also yes, I set my config up with Y on pin 1 on B. I haven't tried reversing Y/R, but I would be amazed if it made a difference. Still, I have been amazed many times in the past

One other config I like in a dark-sounding system is A: B-W-Y-R, B: nothing connected! Everything jumps out, though there is not much refinement. Fun, though.

After a lot of testing last night, however, I went back to the consensus and toed in my speakers a bit more to reduce the low-mid bloom and I +think+ I prefer that overall.

Try this: the consensus, but B:YR instead of B:WBR.

Just as solid, but a different type of midrange (more transparent/cleaner?)

It's what I'm using for now, though I don't think it sounds better than the consensus, which is richer in the low mids.

Hey, Peter - I just found your new recommendation for configuration on the audiolifestyle forum. I like it. For me, it is a more exciting sound than the consensus config, with greater definition across the whole frequency range. However, some solidity is lost and the increased detail in the upper mids sounds a little 'etched'. For me, it is a little like changing from a tube amp to solid state, to keep with your amplifier analogy. I like tubes :-)

Really so - my impression is that it takes a while for the character of the configuration to 'settle in'. I +think+ it takes several minutes, though changes might be perceptible before then. Of course, this protraction might be psychological rather than electrical in nature.

Ah, that would explain why I heard a difference after stopping and starting. Intriguing, indeed.

It seems we have very similar subjective experiences to this configuration.

it is fine to change config 'online' and powered up with music playing; there will be no clicks or pops, unless you move the cable enough to disrupt the USB transfer at the source or destination. However, I personally recommend trying whole hours at a time in each config rather than rapid A/Bing, which becomes so confusing as to mislead after a handful of changes.

Please experiment and report back!

Here you go:

Peter, the difference between 'similar' and 'the same' can tend towards infinity - my point is only that there is something special about the consensus that I do not hear in any other configuration so far. My taste is always for less obvious bass and high end - a midrange freak, if you like. Therefore, the quality I am looking for is perhaps precisely this more mono presentation (presumably because of the less 'projected' spatial cues, which are both subjectively and objectively higher-frequency-related phenomena, and I dislike any sense of hyped higher frequencies).

If anyone knows another 'dark' config, please post it here, as it is those that I am not really finding aside from the consensus. The annoying thing is that I don't know whether the unique smoothness I get from the consensus owes to the fact that it is the only one that I have used enough to have 'burned it in'.

After trying many different configurations today, I am amazed by how much smoother and refined the consensus sounds than every other arrangement. It is not a subtle difference between it and all others, whereas most other configs sound very similar to each other. The particular bass weight I hear is only in contrast to other arrangements, so I now like to think that the 'consensus' is perhaps the truthful one, given that every other aspect of the presentation is so 'right'.

I should clarify, however, that I still prefer the consensus in my system: I am yet to find another that renders vocals as smoothly and naturally, even if the low end is arguably slightly too full (in my view). The chase goes on, of course.

I am now a few weeks into my experience with this cable and would recommend A:B-W-Y-R, B:B-W

Subjectively, it is in the same ballpark as the consensus, but with less bass presence. There is a relative increase in the apparent presence of the lower midrange, which serves to project the 'soundstage' more obviously, but without anything artificial about it and certainly without more HF 'air'. There is something less flattering about this presentation, although I think there is clearer separation between instruments.

Of course, this sound may change after a 'settling in' period, but it's worth a try as a subtle move from the consensus for those who enjoy the endless chase. Suck it and see.