Lush^2 - Share your configuration experiences

[elcorso]

A: B-W & Y-R,     B: B-W

 

This is it, but not only for the bass ...!

 

Roch

[PeterSt]

On 3/29/2019 at 1:31 PM, 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

 

FWIW: I tend to believe that it is largely we ourselves which need to adapt. So yes, I too find it to be better and better with the days passing by but find it hard to believe that this is due to physical burning in.

 

Something else is that the "burn in" as we speak of, can also be "charging" as such. With this I mean that devices tend to charge as capacitors, although this should not happen and to me seems a bad thing to happen. This would then also be responsible for needing to reboot once in a while (think in terms of days while all is on 24/7), that improving SQ (which thus slowly deteriorated the past days).

 

With the above in mind, we may be more easily be able to see through the mechanisms at work with the Lush^2's configurations. So mind you, might the "charging" be in order, devices may start to act as antennas and radiate. Now the shielding performs all kind of invisible tasks (including not even let charge up the devices).

Of course all this is guessing from the tinkering I always try to attempt. It hopefully shields from the voodoo. 

[Always.Learning]

Another thumbs up for the PNF configuration. Although I've only had this in the system for a couple days, compared to the "default" configuration I hear a more tonally dense presentation as well as a slightly more forward presentation. One of the more pronounced differences is the presentation of cymbals. With the PNF version, there is more density (or, to use PeterSt's description, a less whitish sound), a longer and more prominent sustain, and a good metallic ring. Overall, I wouldn't characterize these differences as huge; I still need to listen carefully to pick up on the differences in my system. 

 

A good find, however. Probably the best test is to keep this in my system for a matter of weeks and then switch back and see what I hear.  

[Doak]

I am back to the default config and plan to stay with it, at least for the time being.

 

Vocal reproduction/nuance is of paramount importance to me.This reference cut of female vocal accompanied by upright bass cinched it.

Simply sounds more "right" with more natural voice with body and I believe a bit more sense of space. For me bass still comes through fine, if possibly more rounded tone. 

(as always: YMMV  )

 

Song: Diana Panton - "Reaching for the Moon"

 

Album: "If the Moon Turns Green" Diana Panton, 2xHD

[xxx1313]

After a few months of pure music enjoyment without experiments, I changed a power cable and my setup now sounds a bit warmer, overall a bit "better" imo, but also a bit mid-centric. I always try to reach a warmer tone and a larger soundstage, because this normally also means less noise. So, after changing the mentioned power cable, I read this thread again in order to get up-to-date again on the Lush^2 configurations, and read about Peter's "PNF".

 

My setup is:

source => Lush^2 (No.1) => ISO Regen => Lush^2 (No.2) => tx-USBultra => Lush^2 (No.3) => Hugo M Scaler => Chord Dave => headphones

 

So I have three Lush^2 cables, all at current default configuration A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R for several months. I have tried several other configurations in the past, but the default config sounded always best to me (also already before it became the default config). After changing only the first cable of my setup, "Lush^2 (No.1)", to PNF config, I am surprised about how much difference this makes.

 

My impressions are:

a) Default config, A: B-W-Y-R,  B: B-W-R => the typical "Lush" sound, warm, natural, with great texture, wonderful sounding mids, fatigue-free, maybe a bit mid-centric and slightly "soft" sounding in the lows and highs, depending in rest of the setup.

 

b) PNF, A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W => much leaner (more treble, less mids, bass quantity more or less unchanged), but also cleaner, tighter bass (quite obvious), more crisp highs, better separation, better transients, sounds faster.

 

Although PNF seems to sound "technically" even better than the default config, it does not have its warmth and natural sounding mids. With my three Lush^2 cables in place, 2x default config and 1x PNF now sounds best, imo. Even without trying yet, I am sure that 3x PNF is clearly "too much".

 

I am tremedously enjoying what the Lush^2 cables contribute to my setup. They are clearly the best-buy USB cable!

 

Cheers,

Bernie

[RickyV]

For me too the PNF sounds better coming from the default setting. (First day)

Listened to

1: Ane Brun, Live at Berwald Hallen, The light from one.

2: Supertramp, Crime of the century (24,192), School.

3: Talk talk, Natural order, For what it’s worth.

 

I think Ane sounded really nice. bass, mids and highs are balanced the same as default. Ane sounded more spacious to me with more attack. Near the end of the song I heard a second voice very softly behind Ane’s voice that I never noticed before.

With Supertramp and Talk talk I could clearly hear that a curtain was lifted from the bass and less muddy.

 

I only hope, but time will tell, that the attack or more forward presentation, hard to describe what it is, is not fatiguing. 

[bluebeat]

Since mid-February I’ve been using A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R, based on the recommendation of @AmusedToD. It’s been dubbed PNF by now. Compared to A: B-W-R B: B-W I used before, A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R brought a wider soundstage, cleaner highs, more detail and a much tighter and better defined bass. Really, really good, I think, of course with my setup, room, preferences etc.

 

There is a definite downside to A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R, though. It has been reported before, it seems to add a spike of treble energy. I guess that same energy is the reason why it sounds dynamic, of maybe even forward. In the long run it was too fatiguing for me. I have tinnitus, and A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R provoked it, causing extra ringing etc. I hoped my ears could get used to it, but no.

 

So I added an ISO-Regen and a second Lush^2, thinking it would ameliorate or compensate in some way the treble-energy. I used the configuration @FileMakerDev loves, in this chain:

microRendu  >  Lush^2 (PNF)  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  DAC.

 

I’m with FileMakerDev, the result is really extraordinary. Combining the default config with the PNF kept the strong points of both in play. I hit the jackpot, or so I thought.

 

But alas, the drawback of the PNF also remains the same, the treble energy is still there, and it still triggers my tinnitus. Too irritating.  

 

Right now I’m at microRendu  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  DAC

It’s absolutely OK, but coming from the PNF/default config, it’s a step back (my setup, room, preferences, and – especially – ears, of course). I think the presentation is off – too much emphasis on percussion, bass etc.

 

I’d love to find a combination, based on the default, that brings back a bit of the magic of the PNF/default. Any suggestions?     

[d_elm]

6 hours ago, bluebeat said:

Since mid-February I’ve been using A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R, based on the recommendation of @AmusedToD. It’s been dubbed PNF by now. Compared to A: B-W-R B: B-W I used before, A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R brought a wider soundstage, cleaner highs, more detail and a much tighter and better defined bass. Really, really good, I think, of course with my setup, room, preferences etc.

 

There is a definite downside to A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R, though. It has been reported before, it seems to add a spike of treble energy. I guess that same energy is the reason why it sounds dynamic, of maybe even forward. In the long run it was too fatiguing for me. I have tinnitus, and A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W-R provoked it, causing extra ringing etc. I hoped my ears could get used to it, but no.

 

So I added an ISO-Regen and a second Lush^2, thinking it would ameliorate or compensate in some way the treble-energy. I used the configuration @FileMakerDev loves, in this chain:

microRendu  >  Lush^2 (PNF)  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  DAC.

 

I’m with FileMakerDev, the result is really extraordinary. Combining the default config with the PNF kept the strong points of both in play. I hit the jackpot, or so I thought.

 

But alas, the drawback of the PNF also remains the same, the treble energy is still there, and it still triggers my tinnitus. Too irritating.  

 

Right now I’m at microRendu  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  ISO-Regen  >  Lush^2 (default)  >  DAC

It’s absolutely OK, but coming from the PNF/default config, it’s a step back (my setup, room, preferences, and – especially – ears, of course). I think the presentation is off – too much emphasis on percussion, bass etc.

 

I’d love to find a combination, based on the default, that brings back a bit of the magic of the PNF/default. Any suggestions?     

PNF is A:B-W & Y-R, B:B-W and shipping default has been A:B-W-Y-R,B:B-W-R.  Do you want to restate your findings ?

[PeterSt]

9 hours ago, bluebeat said:

I’d love to find a combination, based on the default, that brings back a bit of the magic of the PNF/default. Any suggestions?  

 

Hi bluebeat - would you be helped by extra *low* HF output ? I mean, I should be able to find at least one config which complies to that explicitly, but ...

But for me it would give the stuffed ear feeling. I am not sure it will be the one or the other and that nothing exists in between, but for me, as soon as the stuffed ear sense appears, I am out. But now you with the tinnitus ...

??

 

Something else is that I think that I know what you mean. And if I am right on that, you should use quite different means to counterattack your sensations. Suppose you'd drive by and pop in, I could try to show you ...

 

Regards,

Peter

[bluebeat]

On 4/14/2019 at 1:25 AM, d_elm said:

PNF is A:B-W & Y-R, B:B-W and shipping default has been A:B-W-Y-R,B:B-W-R.  Do you want to restate your findings ?

Wow. 🤔I'll have to! Thanks for pointing that out d_elm. I definitly got some Lush wires crossed here.😉 I'll dive in as soon as I've time.

Cheers!

[bluebeat]

On 4/14/2019 at 5:09 AM, PeterSt said:

 

Hi bluebeat - would you be helped by extra *low* HF output ? I mean, I should be able to find at least one config which complies to that explicitly, but ...

But for me it would give the stuffed ear feeling. I am not sure it will be the one or the other and that nothing exists in between, but for me, as soon as the stuffed ear sense appears, I am out. But now you with the tinnitus ...

??

 

Something else is that I think that I know what you mean. And if I am right on that, you should use quite different means to counterattack your sensations. Suppose you'd drive by and pop in, I could try to show you ...

 

Regards,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Hard to say if low HF output will help. Before your Lush^2 I used a Curious, which is a bit brash compared to the Lush-cables, but that wasn't a problem. My guess is my ears can't stand *extra* HF energy in a particular bandwith. So it's trial and error. The default isn't giving me problems, but is not wholly satisfying SQ wise.

It sure enough would be nice to drive up to your place again and do some experimenting, but I need to take into account in my room, my equipment etc. And it takes awhile before I can determine what the cable does. Then again, I'm not sure what means you have in mind.

It'll be best if I give you a call one of these days. Quite busy though, so it might take some time before I come around to that.

Cheers

[PeterSt]

Many people ask for a photo of

A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W

AKA "PNF". So here it is:

 

[Doak]

Dammit: In the mood for rock-n-rolly type stuff this afternoon and quickly started missing the “bling whammy blammy” of the PFN. So, in less than 2 min it was done and on to Jammin’.  

Got me thinking about a tiny switch on each end of the cable that’d do the job with one simple flick. Throwing down the gauntlet before those much more tech and DIY savvy than I. Come on, it ain’t rocket science  🤓

 

Just read  bluebeat’s post above and that may well be the ultimate solution,,,,if it is at all a possibility. 

 

ps: I expect there may be other types of music where the PFN config will prove more effective for me than rock.  There’s a good chance that there will be a majority of types where I prefer PFN than just my fave laid back vocal music. (did I just say/admit that I like MOR?!? Oh no, couldn’t possibly be ... or maybe we all DO eventually become our parents) 😆

[RickyV]

So basically PNF, A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W, is connecting connector A with connector B through the innermost shield plus on A side connecting the other shields.

In an attempt to little bit lessen the HF thing but keeping the bass I tried this.

Not going from A to B through innermost shield but go one level up though the yellow shield plus on the A side connect white and red.

So A: B-Y & W-R  B: B-Y

 

Curious what you think of this configuration.

[lmitche]

On 4/16/2019 at 12:32 PM, PeterSt said:

Many people ask for a photo of

A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W

AKA "PNF". So here it is:

 

Hi Peter.

 

Thanks for the photo. With this in hand I had another go at PNF on my short lush 2 cable between the i7 NUC and ISO Regen. This time was more successful. I must have screwed up the configuration on my first attempt.

 

As the originator of the JSSG360 lush cable, I am pleased to see the idea taken to the next level.

 

Anyway stay tuned for SQ impact.

[PeterSt]

On 4/17/2019 at 10:47 PM, RickyV said:

In an attempt to little bit lessen the HF thing but keeping the bass I tried this.

 

Well, the longer I listen to "PNF" the more I appreciate the highs output. For me, the level (or amount) of it, balances very well to what happens right under it. But interestingly:

 

So A: B-Y & W-R  B: B-Y

 

My notes don't tell my that I tried that one, but I did try this :

A: B-Y & W-R  B: B-Y & W-R

And my description as of Sept. 1, 2018:

Very general key description : a lot of low highs.

Later (Oct. 21, 2018), at revisiting this config, I noted:

Today I am going back to a config with more mid (lower highs as described on the forum on Sept. 2, 2018 ). I do this because it seems (with too much of stuffed ears the past week !) that the new Blaxius^2 at A:B-W, B:B-W shows me too few mid.
After a week, this combi could be too much "tearing" (scheuren).

 

So if I read back on my own text here (you may also want to follow the link) it could be what you are looking for. But it could also be what I must revisit again, now being used to "PNF" largely but indeed maybe agreeing with you that the highs could be less a little, or better, the mid could be more. And this config could be about that exactly. But also (for me):

The "scheuren" (tearing) I mention in there by now is obvious to me as this indicates a too fast mid which mid is emphasized at the same time. It makes different music sound similar and thus I would reject it. But what I also see in there is that this can probably be counter-attacked by a change in Blaxius^2 configuration which at that time was just new, me hunting for configs - forcing myself not gong mad. By now I could probably cope ...

And then not to make you people mad, but on the Blaxius^2 for ages I have A:B-R, B: B-R, just being too lazy to try things there.

 

Here the summarized text behind the link on the A: B-Y & W-R  B: B-Y & W-R :

 

This one, so far, has it all. It shows superb bass which also sings (see earlier post). It has highs which are "normal", but which somehow manage to squeeze out even more detail all over (read : actually continuously and not only "occasionally"). All, really all contains new sounds while at the same time music as such is playing (this latter is THE task). The electric butterflies are there, meaning that the spookiness is all over there again, but this time never in a way that you'd think : right, nice, but this has to be wrong.

 

And the technical justification:

 

With this, I forced myself to find configs "with reason". And well, this one is about the thought of balance, and how the Middle shield connects to the both connectors, that shield in itself protected by and surrounded with the two other shields. The "protected by" is quite explicit, because if those two, Inner and Outer would also connect to the connectors, it wouldn't be protective (in my electrical view and thinking). Thus, both the Inner and Outer shields just open ended at both sides, BUT connected to each other and thus not to the Middle shield.
And really, at the first hit (I am serious !) you can hear it is right.

[PeterSt]

I tried the configuration from my last post, but No ... Maybe my ears weren't up to the task last night ?

I experienced the sound as way too light and with a big hole between the highs and even lower mid and found it highly annoying.

 

I could have tried to solve this by now changing my Blaxius^2 config but it doesn't work for me to have something not-working and tweak to get it better. For me it must sound right and then tweak to improve further.

 

[TJHUB]

I received a 1.5M Lush^2 from a friend to try, so here is my 2 cents:

 

The cable was shipped to me set up as A:B-W-Y-R  B:B-W-R

The cable sounded beyond strange.  Very diffused and smeared sound stage, and just odd after about 24 hours.  So I moved on to what you are calling "PNF."

 

Set up the cable as A:B-W+Y-R  B:B-W

This immediately sounded better.  The imaging was at least what I'd call good, the bass was much more present and punchy, and the treble was fine, but grainy and sort of distorted on some of my test tracks.  So this is where I decided to listen for at least another day; today...

 

Listening today, the treble cleaned up and sounded nice if not maybe too aggressive.  But today's listening wasn't what I'd call great in any way.  This configuration has a hardness in the lower treble/upper midrange area, that when combined with the slightly aggressive treble is just not good for my setup.  The midrange is a bit thin and lacks texture and tone.  The bass is too punchy and comes off as slightly congested with lower bass lacking.  Overall, just not impressive sound.  So time to try something new.

 

Set up the cable as A:B-Y+W-R  B:B-Y

I got this configuration from much earlier in this thread (I haven't made it though but page 9 or so).  I was able to change the cable configuration without unplugging the ends, so I'm not sure where that leaves any needed or warranted break-in.  Regardless, this configuration is a HUGE step in the right direction.    Every test track sounded significantly improved.  Big picture, the treble settled down and has a delicacy to it, but it maintains a nice metallic sound and presence.  The lower treble/upper midrange hardness completely disappeared.  The midrange gained some nice tone and texture that brought a richness back to Cassandra Wilson's vocals.  The bass settled into nicely defined with less of that obnoxious punch and the lower bass was more present.  The imaging further improved and the sound stage was clearly wider.  The overall transparency and realism was greatly improved.  As such, the sense of depth and dimension was also nicely improved.  Basically, everything just sounded very "right."  I was now impressed with the cable.  So why not try something new?

 

Setup of the cable as A:B-R+W-Y  B:B-R

This was even better!  It's like I got more of everything from the previous configuration.  The sense of depth and dimension is fantastic, and imaging was more spacial with singers and instruments having 3D sides to them.  Everything sounds very balanced top to bottom, and tone and texture is also fantastic.  There is a noticeable increase in clarity and micro-detail.  Music just appears as if from nowhere.  Very nice!  So why not try something else?

 

Set the cable back to A:B-W-Y-R  B:B-W-R

So it's obvious that some break-in happened between yesterday and today as this configuration sounds much better.  There's no weirdness to the sound, but the sound stage is still sort of diffused sounding.  Singers and instruments have a place, but it's not a very defined place.  Things are just sort of blended together.  On the good side, there seems to be an interesting change to tone and texture, but it's not really all that much better than my previous configuration.  There is almost no sense of depth and dimension, so this configuration is just awful to me.  There's also some splashiness to the treble that is not good either.

 

So this concludes the newbie's initial impressions.  I'm not sure if the cable will improve with further hours; I hope so.  I'm going back to A:B-R+W-Y  B:B-R to run up the hours before I try anything else.  That said, this is the nicest sounding USB cable I've tried.  I've had a couple versions of Paul Pang USB cables,  Wywires, WireWorld, Curious Cable, and my most recent favorite; a $20 .5M Pangea.  Yes it's true, in my setup, the cheap Pangea is quite impressive.  It has a VERY similar tone to the Lush^2, but is more analog and liquid sounding.  Where it falls short of the Lush^2 so far is detail retrieval, bass definition, imaging, and slightly better sense of depth and dimension likely due to the increase in clarity.  For the record, I used to think the Pangea was awful until I was forced to use a Schitt Eitr SPDIF converter and moved to JPLAY Femto.  Audio is a VERY complicated and strange thing! 

[PeterSt]

@TJHUB, Very very valuable. Thank you very much for spending the time writing this this all out so elaborative.

 

Regards,

Peter

[PeterSt]

On 5/1/2019 at 9:43 PM, TJHUB said:

Setup of the cable as A:B-R+W-Y  B:B-R

This was even better!  It's like I got more of everything from the previous configuration.  The sense of depth and dimension is fantastic, and imaging was more spacial with singers and instruments having 3D sides to them.  Everything sounds very balanced top to bottom, and tone and texture is also fantastic.  There is a noticeable increase in clarity and micro-detail.  Music just appears as if from nowhere.

 

A: B-R & W-Y, B: B-R ...

Yes, I think this is a keeper.

 

Yesterday was my 4th day with this configuration, and I don't recall that even the slightest disturbed me, throughout. Instead somehow again more detail comes forward in everything, while at the same time there is even more palpability. Highs splash very nicely and the older (uncompressed) music comes forward as never before.

Bass roars mysteriously (with the proper music for it, of course).

 

Great stuff, this cable. Haha.

 

[RickyV]

A: B-R & W-Y, B: B-R.

I will try this one this evening.

 

So we may can conclude from this Series that the further away the connecting shield from the data lines the better the SQ

[lmitche]

2 hours ago, PeterSt said:

 

A: B-R & W-Y, B: B-R ...

Yes, I think this is a keeper.

 

Yesterday was my 4th day with this configuration, and I don't recall that even the slightest disturbed me, throughout. Instead somehow again more detail comes forward in everything, while at the same time there is even more palpability. Highs splash very nicely and the older (uncompressed) music comes forward as never before.

Bass roars mysteriously (with the proper music for it, of course).

 

Great stuff, this cable. Haha.

 

Hi Peter. A picture would be helpful. Thanks, Larry

[vadim1]

On 4/16/2019 at 7:32 PM, PeterSt said:

Many people ask for a photo of

A: B-W & Y-R, B: B-W

AKA "PNF". So here it is:

 

Still better... Better dynamics,bass and immediacy (laptop>meridian director>stax L300) or (laptop>meridian director>mactone xx200 pro>mactone 300b>Focal)

[TJHUB]

10 hours ago, PeterSt said:

 

A: B-R & W-Y, B: B-R ...

Yes, I think this is a keeper.

 

Yesterday was my 4th day with this configuration, and I don't recall that even the slightest disturbed me, throughout. Instead somehow again more detail comes forward in everything, while at the same time there is even more palpability. Highs splash very nicely and the older (uncompressed) music comes forward as never before.

Bass roars mysteriously (with the proper music for it, of course).

 

Great stuff, this cable. Haha.

 

 

Peter:  Thanks for trying this configuration.  If nothing else, it's nice to have one's findings validated in this very confusing and highly subjective hobby.  Everyone's system can certainly perform differently, so you can never say any particular component (or setting in this case) will work for all.

 

I had actually not found time to really listen since my last post.  I have been running the PC and DAC as much as possible, but no listening time until yesterday.  It didn't take but a few tracks to find the sound thin and not very engaging.  I was disappointed to say the least.  I thought maybe the cable had finally settled in, and I would need to revisit various configurations.  Then I remembered something.  I changed the configuration at the end of my last listening session!

 

I was reading posts and wondered what would happen if I tried the JSSG360 version of my configuration.  Basically I just changed the B side configuration from B:B-R to B:B-R & W-Y.  I don't remember really hearing all that much of a difference at the end of my listening session, but I did not remember hearing what I was now hearing.  So I swapped it back by just pulling the W and Y wired off the B side.  Boom!  The amazing sound I remembered was back.  I am completely shocked such a seemingly tiny change affects the sound SO much.  Crazy!  

[ray-dude]

11 hours ago, PeterSt said:

A: B-R & W-Y, B: B-R ...

Yes, I think this is a keeper.

 

 

Peter's New New Favorite?