Accession for Moving Coil

Jon kindly supplied the Enigma to try on my Elevator but kindly also sent the Accession MC also.

My front end comprises of Dynavector XX2-2 which I have used on the 840 ohm setting for the last few years on the Elevator and the highest 500 on the Accession MC.  The notional output of the Dynavector is 0.28mv.

Before undertaking a direct like for like comparison I wanted to compare to my existing ‘souped-up’ Accession MM + Elevator (mains cables and customer pure silver lead between AM M/EXP) to the Accession MC + Enigma/cable and stock mains lead.

First observation HUM!  Whilst involving bodged cable management this was not cured by mains and DC lead re-routing nor by disconnecting the earth and finally traced to my out of circuit but powered up PSU – moved away from signal leads and problem solved.

The results in my system showed:

MC

Lower output (quite a bit – both used on fixed gain)

A little more surface noise?

Presentation was ‘different’ particularly in the upper mid and vocal area.

This was less ‘forward’ and more relaxed though did appear to reveal a few new instrument lines which had been pulled though. 

Complex passages were perhaps made well, less complex and some second hand vinyl sounded ‘less second-hand’ with less edge displaying some additional delicacy.

*The soundstage and scale were however smaller and was less dynamic.

*Bass was less well defined, carried less punch, drive and power being a little slower and rhythmically lacked drive and interest compared with my current set up.  *There was also an additional unwanted mid bass ‘bloom’.

*Upper mid and vocal areas displayed a degree of splashiness though lacked some ‘sparkle’  (did wonder whether the loading change 840-500 was relevant)

Overall balance was little changed, lighter and less forward overall.

From past experience I know that these * are characteristics of the standard mains cables.

MM/EXP/+Cables

More spacious and open soundstage acoustic music sounded more live/alive.

Bass was carried more weight, power and was tighter, more detailed and dynamic.  It was also more detailed with superior rhythms, drive and flow.

Vocals were projected and but slightly more forward.

Presentation was ‘less flat’; that is more interesting, dynamics with improved flow.

My conclusion was that my existing combo is preferred vs the standard cabled AMC.

Direct comparison

In order to not disappoint me after my trial, I have downgraded to one of my mains cable a step so as not to feel short changed if the AMC is preferred on returning

Moving then on to compare the MC vs MM + EXP with the same upgraded cables my findings are as follows:

AMM/XP/cables

Different presentation.

More forward midband with heaver and less well defined bass/LF detail.

Vocals ‘less clean/cultured’ detailed but projected more.

Soundstage/depth/width greater.

Dynamics difficult to define, maybe bigger but low level dynamics diminished.

AMC + mains upgrade

More delicate, sweeter and open mid-band; more forgiving to imperfections (less masked)

Well controlled throughout the range with no frequency emphasis; more polite and less raw?

Additional detail appeared drawn out in the upper mid-lower treble ‘ new instrument lines’

Flow appeared superior within the music bass as tighter and more detailed.

More interesting/enjoyable.
Dynamics and scale slightly reduced in some ways though potentially allied to other attributes of being lighter and fleeter footed in the low frequencies.

The DC cable differences I believe are evident (previously Enigma cable preferred in low frequencies but mine in the mid and upper) vs my own custom DC cable; which I documented previously although  as Graham suggests this behaves differently with the AMC which I am not proposing to explore at this stage.

In conclusion, I don’t have the capacity to upgrade to the Accession MC at present so this was never a genuine try before you buy.  However in my system the evidence from my ears on a selection of material demonstrated that on a direct comparison the Accession MC is set against the Accession MM/Elevator (with my custom DC lead on the Accession MM only) did show a superior, more refined, tighter, detailed and better presented experience.

The Accession MC will combined with my power lead would a good upgrade over my current set up and better that what I have experienced so far.  One for another day (sadly).

Thank you John and in particular Graham and for another really good product but in the meantime will set the AMC to one side so I can try the Enigma on my Elevator….