Grover Huffman IC Group Buy

[Double Ugly]

I do feel that I'm at the point where my cables will remain very stable. Personally I feel I'm very lucky to have the flexibility to change and grow. When I discover a weakness I work to improve.

I agree you should be able to make and offer improvements when need be, but surely you can understand some hesitancy when folks see you've offered 3 different iterations of the same cable (original + two improvements) in just over 1 month.  

(1)  I received my first pair on Feb 20,
(2)  then I received an 'updated' pair a couple of weeks ago about which you said "Hearing details unobvious before", and now
(3)  you have yet another version that supposedly represents a "different level" of performance in comparison to my two-week old cable.

Obviously it isn't a sin, but it's a bit extreme by anyone's definition, don't you think?  These folks are contemplating purchasing your cables sight unseen, sound unheard, and rave reviews by people they don't know will only carry so much weight.  Somewhere along the line they have to develop some measure of faith in the designer, and that'd be you.

Little faith = limited sales IMO.

-Jim

[shep]

Carl, you KNOW we are all (royal "all"!) greatful for the dedication you posess to oversee all of this, and I'm not just speaking of the GB's. You put yourself on the line taking this on but whatever is said or thought is no reflection on you. We all have to be responsible for our Nevrosas and whatever direction they take us! I don't see where this thread has split up. It's just going in the different ways that reflect the various personalities here. So far there's been a good communal spirit here and we've all been very well behaved   considering that audiophiles have it in them to be oppinionated ball-busters...you know how pathologically curious Nevrosa can be... I'm sure we will be delighted with Grovers cables and all will be well (and if we're not we'll be tactfull) Shep

[Gilles]

Grover, did you also improved the XLR connectors? Or did you only worked on the RCA one?
How does your Balanced I.C. compare sonically to the Single ended one?
Thank you,
Gilles

[grover]

Double Ugly your the one that's helping me to improve my cables. I'm very stimulated to improve, when I find a cable that out performs mine. You and the Indra caused both changes. I want my cable to equal or outperform the Indra. And you have been the stimulus, and I very much appreciate it. I want the guy's here to have cables that will blow them away. Faith or not the cables need to speak for themselves. Remember you can buy 38 pairs of my cable to one Indra pair. I'm dedicated to giving these guys cables that compare. I really like the performance now, and appreciate your help. Here's an email from arthurs of audio circle, this guy is really into it. Check out his listening room. He just wrote me about the S cable without the new connectors. With your help Double Ugly I knew the original connectors were holding back the sound. That is remedied with the new higher silver content connectors. So I would answer the cables are ready. Gilles I feel the balanced cables to equal the performance of the RCA's

From :  Arthur  <@.net>  [edit: domain name removed - richidoo]
Sent :  Monday, April 2, 2007 2:24 AM
To :  grover huffman <groverhuffman@hotmail.com>
Subject :  Cables
 
Inbox


Hi Grover, just wanted to check in with you.  I've had a chance to spend several hours and listening sessions with the cables this past week and they really are terrific, very balanced sounding with a very natural presentation that really lets the music flow.  Staging and imaging seem to be on the money also, but I'd like to check that against some other cables in my setup to confirm what I think I'm hearing.  The only downside I've found at all is I wonder if they're a little on the polite side at times in regards to attack and dynamics, but that's a question mark for me right now, not a definitive statement.  These really don't seem to give up much of anything to many of my favorite cables, of different constructions, and at a wide variety of price ranges.  They seem to have a cumulative affect, as they have worked better together than when paired with another make of IC's, at least so far.  They really are good, and silly good if I understand the price range on them correctly.

With your permission, I'd like to have them through next weekend, which would let me do a couple things this week.  First, I haven't been able to do much a/b against some of my other cable setups, which I would like to.  Second, I'd also like to make some very detailed notes while listening and be able to frame up my thoughts with more clarity and detail for you.  I didn't get to as much of that as I would like due to life interfering with my audio hobby the past few weeks, of which this past week was no exception...

Let me know if that's okay with you and I'll have something well outlined for you next weekend and we can talk more at that point.  But I did want to let you know I'd put some time in and have found myself more than once shaking my head at what you've got here in terms of value for the dollar, they're something.

Let me know and we'll go from there.  

Best regards, Art

[arthurs]

private e-mail of preliminary (and unfinished) thoughts posted publicly without even a heads up to me.......terrific.....

[richidoo]

Art, your preliminary observations are interesting. I hope you will continue your thorough review and let us know what you conclude. You obviously have a methodical objective approach that is avoiding a quick judgement. Something not easy to do with cables.

I too am concerned how they will sound after a week or three in my system, when silver cable meets russian input tube meets ribbon tweeter, etc. You just don't know until you've had some time to simmer with them in everyday listening. None of us will have that chance until after we have bought. With the cables in your posession you can give us a good sense of what they're like to live with.

I'm used to extremely low impedence OCC copper IC and a little timid to try something like silver ribbon, but I am a risk taker and not worried about getting rid of them if they don't do it for me, especially if we can muster a 35% discount!

I understand your frustration, but your note to Grover only makes you seem like you are knowledgable audiophile and cautious consumer, so your conclusion is valuable info in this GB!
Check your PM, Art.  
Rich

[Mr_bill2]

Art, your preliminary observations are interesting....[edit for content]...

I too am concerned how they will sound after a week or three in my system, when silver cable meets russian input tube meets ribbon tweeter, etc. You just don't know until you've had some time to simmer with them in everyday listening. None of us will have that chance until after we have bought. With the cables in your posession you can give us a good sense of what they're like to live with.

Rich

This is exactly why buying IC's and SPK cables is such a difficult proposition unless you have them on audition(ie return policy), they are probably more system dependent than any other component in our systems.  

Even basing them on a review is tricky, as many times the reviewer's system (components, conditioners, tweaks, room set up, AC) can be drastically different than what we have...

Pricing(35% off or not) should not be the deciding factor here...as cables from unknown(smaller) manufactures typically have a hard time for resale, usually even at a 50% discount on Agon.  

Just food for thought, based on years of experience that have proven "it's all about synergy"!  I have no experience with Grover Cables, or any of the people behind the company, therefore I am not saying they will not work in our systems; what I am saying is...the prudent thing is you need to try before you buy(especially within the magical world of cables).

bill

[grover]

Authur I hope I didn't step beyond the bounds. This is just how much I value your opinion. You have the finest sound room I have ever seen. And your expertise with cables is very apparent.

[arthurs]

We're okay Grover, just a moment of misunderstanding, I sent you a note privately just a minute ago.

[shep]

I wrote a note to Grover confirming my interest in a pair and asking him about payment from France. Am I going to be the only one??? No reduction I'll punish you and wouldn't tell you how they sound!
everyone chicken out? where's the spirit of adventure gone! ps my tea shirt must be somewhere over the Atlantic. The sun is out and I want to how off...

[Carlman]

I got home today to find a nice big padded-envelope in my mailbox.  I've received 4 pairs of Grover's latest IC's.    

So, I'm very excited to get them in the system and burned in... I'll get that going now and hopefully get some ear-time tomorrow evening as I catch up on some shipping.

Check out this thread for more info about a Grover IC Demo Tour with the latest cables.

[shrinkmore]

Grover has a community of audiophiles who would be more than willing to purchase his interconnects if they are that good.  How about him providing some sample sets that we could pass around, those interest could keep them for a week each, providing a check as collateral as they move?  In a few months, he could have 50 sets sold.

[lonewolfny42]

I wrote a note to Grover confirming my interest in a pair and asking him about payment from France. Am I going to be the only one???

No.....I will be ordering two pairs.

[richidoo]

Hi Gang!
We're splitting the group buy into two parts, so those who have already paid and those who are already convinced and wanna buy now don't have to wait for the demo tour to conclude before they get their own cables.

1st part ends April 20 as originally scheduled. The discount for both orders is locked in on April 20 by the first order size. The same discount will be applied to the 2nd order placed after the tour ends. If we want the max 35% discount, then we gotta reach 30 cables by April 20. Shouldn't be too hard!!

2nd part allows demo tour to proceed at a more relaxed pace, with up to 3 days of listening at each stop. No limit to the number of people who want in, although we have not hit 20 yet anyway. Tour signup is extended to this Sunday (TODAY). Cables ship out on Monday. No more signups after tour begins.

When tour is complete in about 2 months, the 2nd order will be sent to Grover. Anyone can order (more) cables in the 2nd order.

Hava nice weekend!  
Rich

[stereofool]

Rich,

I'm up for going ahead with my purchase...I've already paid.

I'd like the opportunity to get mine ASAP !