Had the upgrade itch…
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Great setup with an Ypsilon Phaéthon ! I’m running one with my Vivaldi APEX setup. In fact I’m waiting the Phaéthon to be back from Greece as it was in upgrade to the Silver Edition.
What version of Phaethon are you using ?
Basic, but loving it nonetheless.
Actually, I didn’t know that there was an upgrade path. How much did that cost (if you don’t mind me asking?).
I have the same remote than you and the D is turning off the backlight of the screen. It was programmed like this by Ypsilon when my unit was sent back for maintenance in 2018
I think the smallest remote came with the new dac1000 few years ago and the remote can manage both.
I assume it depends on the reseller. It has been managed through the French distributor. Will give you more information in PM.
Thank you…
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Thank you for the information Ludovic, good to know.
I have sold the Phaethon since. It was very special in some aspects, but I preferred my Pass pre-power in the end.
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Gryphon Apex Stereo. My dealer offered me a deal trading in my Gryphon Mephisto that I could not refuse. Endgame for me.
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Stenheim now? WOW!
+1. Congrats! 
Please let us know your impressions vs the Wilson Benesches.
Yes - I was made an offer for a brand new pair that I simply couldn’t refuse!
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Well, it’s early days as I’ve only had them since Wednesday and they’re brand new, so still settling/burning in (I anticipate 100 hours or so, which seems fairly standard).
First impressions though:
REALLY HEAVY - definitely a 2-person job, but just beautifully put together.
Although, dimensionally, they’re not too different from the WBs, in practice they are much bigger to look at. The clever tapered design of the WBs, plus their small drivers is in total contrast to the rectangular design of the Stenheims, but the sound reflects this. The WBs are a truly terrific speaker, but the 5SEs are, in every sense, so much bigger. Even at this early stage, it is obvious that they are fuller and more expressive, and a much easier load for my Ypsilon Phaethon. Also, as they’re not rear-ported, they seem happier in my awkwardly-shaped room.
Their rectangular design and the immense strength/weight that the aluminium construction provides also seems to lend them an air of ‘bring it on - I can take whatever you’ve got’. I’m presently playing the “Interstellar’ soundtrack (a great Hans Zimmer score, and a test for any speaker) and they’re really digging down, but they’ve been just as happy with rock/blues/R&B/classical. They make any genre seem easy.
Basically, everything you’ve read about them is true - just don’t ever try them unless you’re prepared to buy. I couldn’t be happier.
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Congratulations and welcome to the club!
I have not posted an update to my system as it has been almost a year transitioning from a Naim 500 system to my new DarTZeel based setup.
My 5SE’s arrived 2 months ago and just received their new speaker cabling this week
Yes - they are impressive!
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Thank you. Out of curiosity, what cables have you chosen as that’s my next step once they’re run in?
P.S. I bet you don’t miss all the cables 
Fantastic piece. My friend Hugh has one. Congratulations!
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Siltech silver cables - Classic Legend 680
There were silver WAY cables (Serbia) when I had my first listen to Stenheim 3’s and 5SE’s and I was impressed. By the way this was at the Italian distributor for Stenheim so that may be interpreted as an endorsement for Silver + Stenheim.
At the recent Munich show Stenheim was using CRYSTAL silver cables which are a subsidiary of Siltech.
The Stenheim brand ambassador here in the States carries and highly recommends Siltech. Once again another endorsement from the Stenheim ambassador for Silver + Stenheim.
Coming from 25 years of Naim and Chord Cables I was taken back by what silver can do. There is no going back now - Siltech silver XLR interconnect ordered to go between Rossini APEX and DarTZeel preamplifier.
Best
Gregg
Crystal are on my list too, plus the dealer who sold me the 5SEs can get Stealth Audio at 40% discount, and they are highly regarded. Testing times ahead, in the nicest possible way!
I emailed Stenheim, and Christophe Savoiz, the Marketing Director, said they regularly use Crystal/Nordost/Audioquest at shows (location dependant, I presume).
What IS that?
Gryphon Apex Stereo amp.
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