ULDE?

I can’t believe it’s more than two and a half years since I trialled the ULDE through the loaner scheme.  At that time, I decided not to upgrade as I was attributing some of the ‘in your face’ sound I was hearing to it.  With hindsight, I now know the main culprit was the Qute HD DAC I was using at the time.  The ULDE was simply highlighting that DACs presentation, I guess, which I now think of as ‘trying too hard’ with all elements of the sound clambering for my attention at the same time.

However, I still had the notion that I was looking for a new amp so spent a few months looking for something a bit more restrained and respectful of my personal space.  Six months on, I found an amp that seemed to fit the bill and it certainly made a positive difference. 

Then the first happenstance occurred.  The new head amp was from the same manufacturer of the Qute’s predecessor, which was a little USB DAC.  A couple of weeks in I decided to try it with the new amp.  That’s when the penny dropped and I realised the sound characteristics of the Qute were ‘too much’ for my tastes.  At this point I also added a Lautus USB cable to my set-up.

Twelve month’s later, I upgraded the little USB DAC with its bigger brother.  A few weeks later I also added a pair of CuSat 50 interconnects.  By this time, I’d become a cable convert, previously having been a member of the ‘a cable is just a cable’ community.  I was also getting to the point where the upgrade path that started back in 2017 was almost complete.  Or so I thought…

Towards the end of last year, the plan was to get a Deze headphone cable for my Mr Speakers Ethers.  I thought I remembered seeing a thread about getting that cable supplied with non-Audeze terminations.  It was when visiting the Forum to find that thread that the second happenstance took place. 

It occurred to me that I’d never once paired my old Solo with the new DAC.  When I did, it was a wow! moment.  So much so, that within a few days, I’d contacted John Cadman with a view to upgrading it to an ULDE.  A big thank you to John for all his help and advice.

When the upgrade arrived, the first thing I noticed was what I’d heard with both GSP cable upgrades – a delicacy and clarity in the treble bands along with a sweetness of sound.  The next thing I started to notice was the sound had more depth and textures, especially with acoustic instruments and voices.  Finally, over the next few weeks, I started to become aware of greater separation, and that’s what stands out for me most now – separation, separation, separation!

There’s one further observation I’d like to make about the sound I’m now hearing.  It’s the “m” word – mellowness.  There’s just a hint of mellowness with some material that I absolutely love.    

Finally, in the spirit of second chances, as I type this post I’m finally listening to the ULDE/new DAC combo through my old HD 650s for the first time.  Previously, when I’ve compared them to the Ethers, I’ve felt they’re a bit dull with some muddiness, maybe.  Now all I hear is crispness and clarity and don’t remember them sounding this ‘fast’ and light of touch. 

Do they impart a bit more tension and drama to the music?  Not sure, but I think they’ve earned the chance of a bit more ‘game time’.  They don’t ‘bring the thunder’ or the heft of the Ethers at high volumes but conversely appear to be more involving at lower volumes, if a little unforgiving at those higher volumes.   

In conclusion, and with apology to Ash - perhaps if I’d taken his advice regarding the DAC back in 2017, I may have got here sooner - I can now say the ULDE is definitely for me!