My Stealth Black Cascade is H-O-T 😀

My stealth black Cascade is here, and it is gorgeous! I opted for black accents to complement my S202 amp accents. They look amazing side-by-side. Sharing some pics I took with my iPhone.





Question for @Daniel_Gullman and @Jonathan_Gullman:
The anodized finish seems to have a slight texture to it when you touch it (not apparent to the naked eye). The S202 finish is much smoother to the touch. And I believe my previous Reference DAC also had a smoother finish. Not complaining at all, but just curious if your vendor is employing a different anodizing process? Regardless, it looks amazing. The Cascade has such a beautiful, understated, and sleek profile to it. Great job with the design!

My new QLN Reference 9 speakers should arrive from Sweden by the end of this month - fingers crossed. I won’t be able to listen to my new DAC until then, unfortunately. Every time I look at my Cascade is absolute torture right now :joy: Expect some feedback from me around the middle of November.

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Stunning indeed! AHHHH! You cannot listen to it yet??? Why has you signed up for such torture. As the industrial designer I love the look, but the sound… that is what makes it so incredible. Excited to hear how it goes when you finally get to hear it. Looking forward to the updates.

In regards to finish, yes, we are using a new anodizer and new finish. This is a coarser texture with a chemical etch. It is also now using optical black anodizer which comes at a premium but will hold its black color much longer and in harsher environments (direct sunlight etc). For the Cascade, we wanted the best. This is overall a more premium finish, albeit a little more difficult to clean :wink:

Congratulations on the new DAC Harsh!

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Absolutely stunning, congrats !!!
They are on top of a BDI media console I guess, how do you think about this kind of forniture ? The look is amazing, but the usability is so great as they advertise ? Just a question.

For the rest your black electronics are really gorgeous.
I’m a bit envious at this point in time :joy:

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It does look beautiful indeed. Congratulations! I now finally have a Reference myself and it still is and will always be a fantastic machine. However, I have had the good fortune (or misfortune!) to try a Cascade too very recently … damn lol. Happy days ahead for you @haragr when you’ll finally be able to hear your Cascade.

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I have the Line Media Console (70”, Ash) from Design Within Reach. Here’s the link - [https://www.dwr.com/storage-media/line-media-console/100143646.html?lang=en_US&sku=100143646](https://Line Media Console DWR). It is exceptionally designed and executed, and super strong to be able to withstand heavy loads. I looked at various BDI consoles in person, but they were not up to my finish standards tbh. Their marketing materials look nice, but execution is hit or miss in my opinion.

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@Daniel_Gullman As a fellow Product Designer (I head up Product/User Experience Design for a large Mountain View company), I agree - form is great, but it only goes so far…. In the end it is all about how well it functions! I think Steve Jobs or Jony Ive said this - “… (good) design is not about how it looks, but how it works….”. Still, I have to appreciate good physical form when I see it. Brilliant job with the Cascade, once again!

Thanks for explaining the new anodizing process. I like the new finish better - it has a flatter, mattish finish, and is making black appear more black! Side-by-side with the S202, it definitely appears darker in the same light. How would you recommend cleaning the surface?

Fingers crossed…. 2 more weeks before I get to hear my Cascade! Stay tuned.

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Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the kind words Harsh. They arrived at an especially crucial time as I am struggling through the Sentinel design process. It has grown to a daunting undertaking. Encouraging to hear and has re-invigorated my work :wink:

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Yes, a really great job you are doing, Daniel! I hope the Sentinel will be the mother of all DACs! And we can experience it one day, if the price is right. :wink::sweat_smile::star_struck:

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STUNNING!!! Great taste! Same finish that I ordered. :smile:

Right for those who purchase it or for those who sell it ? :rofl: :rofl:
Just kidding of course.
In the meanwhile I’ve already spoken to the bank to put a double mortgage on my house :scream:

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Double mortgage on your house sounds about right :smiling_face_with_tear: My educated guess is, the Sentinel DAC is going to come in around 250-300k… Add probably another 200k for the Sentinel amps… I know I’ll never have that kind of money in this lifetime, so my plan is to save up in my next lifetime and purchase in the following one :joy: In the meantime, I am positive my new Cascade DAC will keep me very, very happy!

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