Lush^2 - Share your configuration experiences

[PeterSt]

18 minutes ago, simonp said:

a richer sound

 

Well, there's a nice description. Richer. So Yes ...

[vadim1]

On 3/9/2019 at 4:28 AM, PeterSt said:

A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W
This showed a super sound.

 

I've had doubts about this USB cable, but this last configuration changed it all. A serious foot tapping-engaging and fun sounding cable. Also, that somehow mushy sound with the other configuration is totally gone and there are definitely more details and a holographic soundstage with a wetter sound. The bass is to die for! Well done!

[frederick184]

I actually configured this incorrectly at first, having A: B-W-Y-R and B: B-W instead of A: B-W & Y-R and B: B-W.  I was really enjoying it in my system until I realized my mistake.  I then changed it and found I much preferred the first configuration, at least in my system.  More focused.  Vocals more forward etc.

 

Colin

[PeterSt]

1 hour ago, frederick184 said:

I actually configured this incorrectly at first, having A: B-W-Y-R and B: B-W

 

Hi Colin - thank you for sharing.

 

From my notes this is my own description of A:B-W-Y-R, B:B-W :

----

Marvelous sound which keeps on being strange. Listened to it for well over a week, to after that decide it is time for something which doesn't carry doubts.

----

By now I forgot a bit, but something about your brain not being able to cope with everything always. I recall I could not point it out.

 

 

 

[Gato]

1) I think that my system is sounding super well.

2) I just plug my new second Lush^2 🤗 (replacing a first generation Lush)

• So now: SOtM tX-USBexp PCI express USB 3.0 with sCLK-48.0 >  Lush^2  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2  >  T+A DAC 8 DSD
• All Lush^2 at current default (A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R)

3) 24H of non-stop burn-in without listening

4) Well, how to say that: Wow WOw WOW: Shamanising 😀 my 😀 hearing 😀 system 😀 or 😀so?

• More presence of instruments
• Richer grain
• More Texture
• Soundstage wider and deeper
• Balanced energy

[lmitche]

My lush 1 cable with DIY shielding has been in the default Lush 2 (A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R) configuration for months. This was a nice improvement my my original jssg360 configuration.

 

Just for grins after reading recent posts I thought I'd try the (A: B-W & Y-R and B: B-W) configuration.

 

What a disaster! This sounded horrible, flat, thin and dead. Afraid that it was broken for good I did the world's fastest shield reconfig back to the default. Happily it worked and all is good again.

 

Scary!

 

 

[FileMakerDev]

13 hours ago, lmitche said:

Just for grins after reading recent posts I thought I'd try the (A: B-W & Y-R and B: B-W) configuration.

 

What a disaster! This sounded horrible, flat, thin and dead. Afraid that it was broken for good I did the world's fastest shield reconfig back to the default. Happily it worked and all is good again.

 

@lmitche's observation prompted me to try an experiment last night. Reminder: I am using the term PNF ("Peter's New Favorite") as shorthand for the above-quoted config. Since Mar 9th, my audio chain has been...

 

     ultraRendu  >  L^2 (PNF)  >  ISO-Regen  >  L^2 (default)  >  DAC

 

...begging the question what would happen if I used PNF on both L^2s? So I tried it... and...

 

My reaction was similar to lmitche's. It seemed as if some sort of phase cancellation was occurring and the result was anemic, chaotic, and unpleasant. I quickly reconfigured my 2nd L^2 back to the default, and the superb (literally best ever) sound I've been enjoying for the last week once again began flowing from my speakers.

[FileMakerDev]

On 3/15/2019 at 1:55 AM, Gato said:

 

• So now: SOtM tX-USBexp PCI express USB 3.0 with sCLK-48.0 >  Lush^2  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2  >  T+A DAC 8 DSD
• All Lush^2 at current default (A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R) 

@Gato -- if you're willing to try PNF on the L^2 between the SOtM and the ISO-R, I would be interested in your reaction. Like you I was quite happy w/ the default config on both my L^2s and didn't think there could possibly be any improvement... until I heard it for myself.

[Gato]

15 hours ago, FileMakerDev said:

@Gato -- if you're willing to try PNF on the L^2 between the SOtM and the ISO-R, I would be interested in your reaction. Like you I was quite happy w/ the default config on both my L^2s and didn't think there could possibly be any improvement... until I heard it for myself.

Dear FileMakerDev, about L^2 between the SOtM and the ISO-R:

• Listening experience at 70 to 80 dB(A) based on the Roel Dieltiens / Ensemble Explorations Vivaldi: Cello Concertos (CD - Harmonia Mundi #HMG 50823536) 2013 Release, FLAC 44,1 kHz 16 bit upsampled "live" to DSD512:
  • Cello Concerto, for cello, strings & continuo in E flat major, RV 408
    • Largo 6:30

I try:

• A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W called "PNF", "Peter's New Favorite":  >> less bodied, less natural/vibrant than the current default config
• A: B-W-Y-R, B: B-W:  >>  less bodied, less pleasant medium high than the current default config.

A matter of taste but for now, I still prefer two Lush^2 at current default (A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R): >>plain natural energised body

 

PS:

To be noted that this is after only 48 H of Burn-in with the second Lush^2, without listening.

More detail about the full audio system at: https://audiophilestyle.com/profile/30314-gato/?tab=field_core_pfield_3

[FileMakerDev]

@Gato -- thank you for such a detailed description. We are fortunate to have in the L^2 such a wide range of options, the ability to easily make changes for comparison purposes, and ultimately arrive at the best configuration for our own systems.

 

Reminder: my current setup is...

 

     ultraRendu  >  L^2 (PNF)  >  ISO-Regen  >  L^2 (default)  >  DAC

 

Your remarks prompted me to temporarily revert to this...

 

     ultraRendu  >  L^2 (default)  >  ISO-Regen  >  L^2 (default)  >  DAC

 

...and my reaction was quite different from yours. On my system, and to my ears, while the above is "very good", this...

 

     ultraRendu  >  L^2 (PNF)  >  ISO-Regen  >  L^2 (default)  >  DAC

 

...is extraordinary. I find it to be more dynamic, engaging and pleasurable, across a wide range of music.

[Doak]

Quote

 

Greetings fellow Lushites. 🖖  

While I am quite tardy to the ^2 party I’ve been enjoying my orig version since early in its appearance.  I even started a thread way back when on using the Lush in conjunction with the Uptone isoRegen.  I am happy to state that just a couple of hours ago I took delivery of of a 70cm Lush^2. 

 

I had it in the system for less than an hour when I, just for the hell of it and not expecting much, sat down to listen. While I have not put the Lush1 back in, I sure am happy with what I am hearing - and this is w/o the LPS-1 fed isoRegen in the line. Knowing that this is likely to get even better puts a BIG smile on my face.  

 

Now I am reading about the "PFN" config which I would LOVE to try - though not until I’ve at least 100 hours on this new cable. Honestly, I am a bit unclear on understanding what the A: B-W & Y-R translates to.  Of course it is USB:A connector, but the “&” is throwing me. The B: B-W seems clearly to indicate that only the black and white are connected.  

A picture may be worth many words in this case.  Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Already glad I finally did this ,,,, but I would not at all mind getting ever gladder. 😁

[FileMakerDev]

@Doak

I'm not at home to take a picture, but the basic idea is that you always start from the pin with the red dot on both the "USB-A" and "USB-B" ends of the L^2. Let's call the pin w/ the red dot "pin 1".

 

The six pins you see on each end are electrically grouped into (starting from pin 1) four and two, so when someone posts a config like "A: B-W-Y-R", they're saying (on the "USB-A" side of the cable) connect those four wires to the first four pins... the exact order doesn't matter, as long as all four wires end up on the first four pins. If they post "A: B-W & Y-R", that means connect B and W to pins 1 and 2, and Y and R to pins 5 and 6. Hope this helps.

[Doak]

37 minutes ago, FileMakerDev said:

@Doak

I'm not at home to take a picture, but the basic idea is that you always start from the pin with the red dot on both the "USB-A" and "USB-B" ends of the L^2. Let's call the pin w/ the red dot "pin 1".

 

The six pins you see on each end are electrically grouped into (starting from pin 1) four and two, so when someone posts a config like "A: B-W-Y-R", they're saying (on the "USB-A" side of the cable) connect those four wires to the first four pins... the exact order doesn't matter, as long as all four wires end up on the first four pins. If they post "A: B-W & Y-R", that means connect B and W to pins 1 and 2, and Y and R to pins 5 and 6. Hope this helps.

Got it. 

Should be all I need, friend.

Thank You. 

[lmitche]

Thanks to a friend, and inspired by this thread, I acquired a 30cm Lush 2 Cable to test along with my Lush 1 cable that has been JSSG360ed into the A: B-W-Y-R, B: B-W configuration.

 

A few weeks ago I posted about the utter disaster of changing my Lush 1 config from the A: B-W-Y-R, B: B-W configuration to the  A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W  the so called "PNF", "Peter's New Favorite" config.

 

This time have read recent posts, I decided to place the 30cm Lush 2 between the NUC and ISO Regen with the original Lush between the ISO Regen and DAC. I started with cable in the PNF config. This sounded great with a little more bloom around piano notes and better shimmer around cymbals.

 

Next the Lush 2 was re-configured to the default A: B-W-Y-R, B: B-W config.  I don't why but this configuration immediately sounds better. I will try again later in the week.

 

So this report does not conclude that Peter made a mistake with PNF 'it also does not exonerate him.’

[austinpop]

56 minutes ago, lmitche said:

So this report does not conclude that Peter made a mistake with PNF 'it also does not exonerate him.’

 

From obstruction of Lush-tice? 😛 

[PeterSt]

Haha, but as said, I applied it to a special processor (configuration) which otherwise would not sound right at all.

 

Absolution ? 

[Superdad]

1 hour ago, lmitche said:

Next the Lush 2 was re-configured to the default A: B-W-Y-R, B: B-W config.

 

I thought that the current default config was A :B-W-Y-R, B: B-W-R.  At least that is how it is still listed in the first post of this thread.  

[lmitche]

29 minutes ago, Superdad said:

 

I thought that the current default config was A :B-W-Y-R, B: B-W-R.  At least that is how it is still listed in the first post of this thread.  

You are right of course, sorry for the typo.

[lmitche]

54 minutes ago, PeterSt said:

Haha, but as said, I applied it to a special processor (configuration) which otherwise would not sound right at all.

 

Absolution ? 

Absolutely!

[89reksal]

On 3/10/2019 at 11:38 PM, vadim1 said:

On 3/9/2019 at 7:28 AM, PeterSt said:

A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W
This showed a super sound.

 

I've had doubts about this USB cable, but this last configuration changed it all. A serious foot tapping-engaging and fun sounding cable. Also, that somehow mushy sound with the other configuration is totally gone and there are definitely more details and a holographic soundstage with a wetter sound. The bass is to die for! Well done!

I've had my Lush^2 since Dec 13, 2018. I used it with the default configuration it came with, A: B-W-Y-R  B: B-W-R and was amazed at the step up in sound compared to the cable it replaced, Cardas USB. This was not a subtle change at all.

 

 I hadn't planned on ever trying any other configurations since I was so happy with the default, but after reading posts I tried A:B-W-Y  B:B-W beginning Jan 16 this year. I used this until Jan 23. I then tried another config Jan 24. Then again a new one Jan 29. I then went back to the original default on March 4 and again thought that was the end of my experimenting. The default just sounded so right compared to any others.

 

On  March 9 I decided to try Peter's latest  A: B-W & Y-R  B: B-W. Immediately there was something different for the better with the bass. It seemed noticeably "tighter". There were other changes for the better as well but it was the bass that jumped out right from the start. I've been using this config ever since with no thoughts about trying any of the previous configs, not even the default that I had thought was the ultimate. vadim1's description above completely aligns with my experience as well (except the doubt's part).

 

People talk about how important quality bass is to getting the best sound, supposedly with spacial cues, recording ambience, things like that. Maybe the improvements in the bass with this config are also adding to all the other improvements.

 

It's still amazing to me how a cable, and a USB cable at that, can so transform my system sound for the better. Add to that the ability to experiment with so many different configurations, pretty much like trying a new cable each time, this could possibly be the best bang for the buck in audio right now.

[BigAlMc]

Hello All,

 

Decided to dip my toes into the PNF waters after a period of very contented, no tweaking with the default config that I'd settled on.

 

I'm immediately hit by the highs and the almost spectral sound. There is a nice slam and definition in the bass too. But there's also something that makes me think it's not "right".

 

Swapped back to default (easy A-B as I own two from when I had the TX-usbUltra in place). The default sounds rounded and more smooth by comparison. I'd probably go as far as saying I suspect the default sounds better or more accurate.

 

But what can I say. I liked something about the PNF regardless of whether it's right or not. Swapped the PNF cable back in and immediately loving the highs and spectral, almost spooky sound. Am wondering if I'll get tired of it quickly and end up swapping back. Those highs might be a bit fatiguing over the longer term. But for now let the PNF good times roll 😎

 

I'll also give +1 to what @lasker98 said above about the Lush^2 probably being the best bang for buck in audio at the moment.

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

PS should have said the Lush^2 in question above is direct from an AudioLinux NUC to my DAC.

 

 

[Doak]

Having logged at least 150 hours with the default config with plenty of listening along the way, I am now in the very early stage of experiencing the PFN config. Might I expect that this change will take some time to settle-in? Initial listening after reconfig has been somewhat of a sonic roller coaster ride - though at the moment I’d describe what I’m hearing as SPECTACULAR. 

[BigAlMc]

8 hours ago, Doak said:

Might I expect that this change will take some time to settle-in?

 

Nope. Should be instant.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[89reksal]

12 hours ago, Doak said:

Might I expect that this change will take some time to settle-in?

My experience with PNF config was noticing the bass change immediately. Beyond that I believe with this and any other configs I've tried, that there is a period, up to days for me, for "settle-in". Whether it's me settling in or the cable itself, it's always been a matter of days before everything seems consistent again. Nothing dramatic.

[Doak]

2 hours ago, lasker98 said:

My experience with PNF config was noticing the bass change immediately. Beyond that I believe with this and any other configs I've tried, that there is a period, up to days for me, for "settle-in". Whether it's me settling in or the cable itself, it's always been a matter of days before everything seems consistent again. Nothing dramatic.

Yes, thanks. I was planning to post about this effect very possibly being me/my ears settling in rather than the cable. As the day went on yesterday the sound appeared to be more consistent.