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Re: how to get the best out of Audio Aero Capitole 24/192

Hi
I am the happy owner of an AA Capitole.
Do you have more information about the OAC mod ? URL ?

I used to mod CD players, until I bought the Capitole.
I opened it up, took a good look inside, found no cost-cutting engineering tricks, closed it and quit the mod business.
Why would I mess with a winning team ?
It sounds SO musical, so natural and organic, I have no urge to mess with its gorgeous timbre. Having done a few mods, I know from experience it is a game of trade-offs (read my posts on Rega and CAL Icon mods). Count me in as another Capitole convert.

OTOH, I have found out that clean AC helps a lot (I have dedicated power lines, ACME Cryo outlets and an AC regenerator similar to PS Audio); also, power cords DO make a difference, I have tried several.
Currently I am using a friend's DIY PC made for a power amp (9 AWG).

The analog interconnect also plays a major role in the Capitole's sound. If you use Nordost, Siltech or most silver ICs, the system will sound bright. If you use Cardas Golden Cross or Golden reference, your system will sound soft, very musical, but bloated IMHO.
I use my own DIY Cryo interconnects, which have the right musical balance In My System.
Looking at your system, I would guess that it sounds VERY transparent. I prefer a more musical, concert-hall kind of sound, the following advice is based on MY taste, OK ?
I love VDH Inspiration as a loudspeaker cable but cannot stand its sound as interconnect, it sounds too bright and forward for my taste.
Add to that the Triangle speakers, which in the best French tradition are extremely detailed in the treble...I think your system may have a sinergy issue.
If your listening room is very well damped/treated or if you like what you hear, forget my advice. If you would like to have a fuller, smoother sound, start borrowing power cords and ICS. It will take some time, but you will soon find a winning combination in YOUR system.
I cannot be more specific than that, because the cable game is all about sinergy. The Cable asylum is a good place to start searching.
Just avoid the ones describet as hyper-detailed or ultra-smooth.

Other than that, make sure the Capitole sits on a sturdy, level shelf (no glass shelves, please) and use the stock carbon fiber cones. I have tried other means of isolation or coupling, the factory-standard Diamond Racing cones sounded the best IMS.

Regarding direct connection vs. using the Pathos preamp section, I am very familiar with the Pathos Classic One, a good friend has one.
If you can find top-notch NOS tubes like Phillips Holland / Telefunken E88cc or E188cc or ASmperex gold pin 7308, the Patho's preamp will be a match for the Capitole's. If you can't find those expensive tubes, I suggest that you use the Capitole as a preamp and use minimum gain in the Pathos. This will reduce the gain provided by the russian tube (argh!) in the Classic One's preamp, which will improve the system's sound quality.
Basically you have two redundant gain blocks, use the cleaner one.
Good luck
Carlos


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