The difference is subtle but important and noticeable especially for those of us that have to live with carpets of various depths in the room. There is a certain amount you can do with keep the cables a couple inches apart and when and if they have to cross, making sure they cross at 90 degree angles however the cable elevators (of any form, mine are ugly but functional) do make a difference. The ones I utilize are inexpensive; there are others on the market which are supposed to be very good (Shunyata Dark Field Elevators) which of course are commensurately more expensive. Vibration is a true problem that a good rack and platforms will help solve; you'll hear the difference and benefit from better aesthetics as well!

zephyr24069 April 04, 2010 12:32

Afc...thanks for the impressions on the Essence; I'd love to hear a pair some day. Please let us know how the CD5 works as a one-box unit for you and how the Essence open up with more playing time.....enjoy!

zephyr24069 April 02, 2010 11:43

Afc...that's a great equipment list. You have many options for great listening combinations! How do you like the Aliante monitors, are you keeping them or transitioning fully the Zu speakers. Let us know how you like them once they arrive. If you can, you may wish to consider a rack that would provide good isolation and full frequency range coverage for that tube and other gear. I've had great luck with Composite Audio platforms (over and above my Adona racks) in that regard. Composite also makes full racks that my friends tell me are wonderful though I'm extremely happy with what the platforms added to my system...

zephyr24069 March 26, 2010 09:39