Working on my desk setup …
So, I was curious about the new cable, given that I have a Silvergarde S4. I shot him an email and got an essay back. Here it is, if anyone is interested:
From Trevor:
So the Vykari was designed as a way to increase overall gauge per polarity to 17.3awg at a lower price point, once you get to these giant gauges per polarity (no matter the metal)
you can get certain benefits added. Also there is 18.9awg of silver in the design (per polarity) so you are still going to get those same silver occ litz end-game benefit, it will not be compromised just because
there is some copper occ litz also in the design (still end-game detail, micro-detail, etc.). The downside of course is the physical size, and the Vykari is most comfortable in the clear form. It will be incredibly
flexible due to the jacket we are using, but it will feel thicker in hand compared to the S4 4-wire. The Silvergarde S4 is a very unique design, being pure textile / layered (no polymer jackets), so it is always
going to feel more comfortable than anything really.
But the Vykari was designed to be a lower cost way to try and get to the S4 8-wire size (16.8awg silver) in a sense. Due to all the silver shortages (people overbuying due to pandemic),
there have been longer production leads and much higher costs for cable makers. So really your S4 4-wire is going to be worth even more later this year in retail value.
I do not think silver prices are going to get back to previous levels until possibly mid or late 2022. I am confident silver will only keep rising in value more throughout this year.
Sadly I will eventually have to increase prices a bit as my top factory / source keeps increasing our costs for our silver designs. I have been resisting as long as I can,
and after this next Vykari batch arrives during this month, it will have to go up a bit for the next batch after that.
So right now is the best time to save on Vykari as we added an 18% off preorder discount on this next Vykari batch arriving at the end of the month. As soon as it comes in at the end of the month I will start shipping out all current preorders. I think currently about half the incoming production batch is already sold at this time.
Soundwise the Vykari delivers extremely natural vocals and instrument, great presence factor / weight and great emotional impact with the sound. It does this while having all the other benefits as well (top
detail, micro-detail, etc.). So this sound ends up being addicting and becomes popular because of that. For my own personal systems I use S4 4-wire, Vykari and S4 8-wire throughout (of course I have more headphones than most people due to my business). So I do consider all of these cables at the topmost level and end-game. Some cables might be preferred in certain systems, preferences, etc.
Ultimately just remember that if you have 19awg+ silver occ litz per polarity in a headphone cable, you are at the end-game level from our perspective.
You will notice a lot of cables probably in the market have very small gauges for silver, or they will only list maybe the “strands” or show a picture of the design. Some will not truly tell you
the gauge because it is a small gauge, but they try to represent the prestige still of the silver or other precious metal. Trying to purchase 19awg silver from a top factory compared to a 27awg silver
is a huge difference on price. It takes a bigger investment by the cable maker.
Cable makers often try to keep things lower cost for themselves by going with small 26wg, 27awg and such. I think during current times of high costs of silver (pandemic related) you will see
more and more of this small gauge stuff.
For me I do not do this, I go big and I go proud. :). There is no reason not to have the best possible sound, and that is in the biggest gauges from my view.
Not only in sound, but science / nature also does not disagree with me!
You want Nature’s ultimate possible metal conductor, this is big silver. Copper of course is not far behind at all.
Silver and Copper in the purest forms are as good as it gets which is why all of our cables only use these two metal types in the litz designs. "
Got the new all analog Craft Recordings Coltrane One Step. Also picked up the OJC and DCC all analog pressing to compare tonight. I’m hoping the cheapest is the best so I can sell the other two.
Wow @Earmuffs you are getting quite the collection man. Long time no chat, hope you are doing well and enjoying life and listening.
Oof. I made need to upgrade to that Vykari sooner rather than later… 
Thanks for the heads up!
Some love for Trane. That’s great.
That album is great.
I’m more in the crazy, free last recordings but “Lush Life” is a milestone.
Enjoy.
Very true, it is a very nice DAP and certainly for the price.
In the first picture is that for chopping up the bud?
Haha. It’s a coaster covering the address.
Well, the excitement of the box above arriving is still intact but it has sort of taken a backseat as two more boxes arrived a few moments ago…
congratulations on this great set!
hope it´s a keeper and you enjoy it
Congrats on the Blessing 2. Does this mean you’re replacing your Starfields? It feels like you’re breaking up the championship team.
Oh man !!! 2 sets I really want to hear… B2D and HEKse !! Congrats
I’m afraid they are only here on loan for review.
The first thing my wife said was “I hope you don’t like these!” 
Thanks. I haven’t actually listened to them yet so I don’t know what damage they will do to the Starfield, however, the Starields are always in my bag with the M0 and Apple dongle, so they will probably continue to be my “always available” set.
Very excited to read your thoughts on the HE SE and Arya, as a fellow Ananda appreciator!
6 weeks after the order was made, I got my Innuos Zenmini Mk.ii streamer and the external power unit.
VERY easy set-up, even though there has been hick-ups with Spotify, but it worrks now and Innuos has promised to set up Deezer for me.
Yes it works re making a more silent environment for digital music. I can hear a clear difference, as long as I am playing hi-res. Mp3 is more or less the same, but FLAC and higher has a more clear sound and I now hear elements in Michael Jacksons “Billie Jean”, I have never heard before.
Is it expensive? Yes (1500 Euro)
Is it worth the cost? Up to you, but for me this is better than another HP or IEM
And it can rip my CD collection quickly and without any need for me to do anything, but slide the cd in. Then It finds the right pictures and store it on the HDD all by it self. Simple but cool.
So my main chain is now:
Zenmini + LPSU → Ares ii → Cayin CS-55A tube amp → Moondrop S8/ZMF Eikon/ZMF Aeolus













