|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
173.225.52.226
The guys at Austin HiFi let me borrow a loom of the Crimson cables to see what a whole system change would do.
I hooked them all up last night (combinations of speakers, RCA and XLR cables) - and initially I was struck on how fast and transparent things were - and more realistic. The trumpets were perfect on attack and breath, and the kick drums were very real sounding. Wow. Fun!
Considering its modest cost vs the cables I removed, it's a pretty interesting experiment. I look forward to "living with them" for awhile and decided where to take it.
I'll have more impressions later, but just wanted to ask if anyone else has tried them?
============================
As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
Follow Ups:
I've pulled too many thousands of miles of cat5 in my life to think otherwise from the pictures. I would love to see a pic of their cable pulled open to see the internal conductors.
Edits: 08/25/14
I'm not going to do it, but the folks at Austin Hi-Fi who are letting me borrow the cables say that it isn't CAT-5, but it is using similar principles.Having used CAT-5 in some other applications other than intended use (but not in audio, but low frequency), this stands to reason. You may want to use twisted pairs, but make sure of a particular twist rate, and make sure particular signals are routed.twisted together.
What I have noticed, though, also, is that for the connectors, that the XLR is Neutrik, and the RCA is EIchmann - that may also have something to do with their good performance. I'd say that if you were to try to build your own cables using CAT-5/6 and those connectors, you'd be in for enough that the difference between the cable and what you could DIY (though they aren't using CAT-5, so you wouldn't duplicate) isn't huge for cost when you consider $360 is 1m for unbalanced RCA.
Eichmann RCA is $42 for a set of 4,
Neutrik EMC series of XLR (what it looks like they use) is about $50 for a set of 4,
and you'd have to get a roll of solid core cat-6 for about $500-ish.
Of course, you would need a decent soldering setup (like a Metcal!), and a method of testing (DMM, or preferably a Network analyzer to make sure you maintain your impedance whilst bending it and under shock and vibration)Of course this assumes that CAT-6 is "close enough" - it might not be.
Very quickly you are "saving money" on a $350-500 cable pair by spending a lot of money. Like the $45 tomatoes you get on the first year of starting a garden. But, unless you are setting yourself up to make cables as a going concern, you quickly realize that Crimson likely offers you something that economically efficient. THe prices don't represent gouging, and in "character" they are very much like Crystal cable and Siltech in that they are highly transparent. I think these represent a significant cost reduction off of Crystal, and while I think due to their custom metallurgy, Crystal and SIltech aren't gouging either, and may offer "more for more" - Crimson offers a very compelling entry into that world for not anywhere near that level of scratch when you realize they offer an alternative to the mid-range in Siltech/Crystal lineup.
I'd love to compare them to the Piccolo in the Crystal range since the costs aren't too far away from each other. I have Crystal reference XLR's to compare ...
But ... these cables are pretty darn good!
============================
As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
Edits: 09/07/14 09/07/14
Do a search.... They are the best kept secret in audio. I've been using them for years and years in both of my systems as does a good buddy of mine. Work wonders with ceramic drivers speakers (Marten design). Speaker cables and interconnects, 100%.Oh, and they take a 100 hours or more to break in. One day you'll go from Great to OMG!
Cheers
Tony
Edits: 08/21/14 08/21/14
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
It's excellent, and practical, too.
-Lummy The Loch Monster
Thanks! for sharing guys. These cables are starting to receive some audio press accolades.
I feel the Crimson cables are along the "Siltech/Crystal" line of thinking - both are fast and have a great sense of presence. The Siltech/Crystal seem to bring out a bit more detail and a sort of "sound density" in our stack that the Crimson doesn't, but the Crimson seem to have a sense of immediacy but never cross over into "threadbare." Both at their best seem to be a "no interconnect at all" presentation.
I compared them to Audioquest Columbia XLR and RCA and while the Audioquest are a sort of "always amenable" cable that can paper over synergy issues and have an agreeable sound, the Crimson seems to be better wire overall.
I also compared to Oyaide Terzo and Cardas Golden Presence, but the comparison is ongoing. Initially the Oyaide seems to be more extende din the treble, but it was just a touch more threadbare.
I can see that at least some of the Crimson will be in our rig going forward. Not quite sure about the whole loom.
============================
As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
Nice! Bromo.
I have always wanted to demo Siltech cables/cords. Keep the reviews coming.
Happy Listening!
You would have to spend "A LOT MONEY" to beat these cheap cables!!...let's keep this top secret !...
.
============================
As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
Creston was gracious enough to re-terminate some cables and jumpers for me over the weekend for minimal cost. I still love these cables and am happy to support a small company like Crimson and Austin hi-fi. I did mention that the jacketing "looked like cat-5" and he replied that the cables are made by a company that also produces cat-5 so there are similarities.If you ever stop by Austin hifi, be sure to listen to the Tocaro/Crimson combo. stunning!
Edits: 10/20/14
Slowly, but surely, this company is getting exposure. They had a great year (2014) on the audio show circuit (no pun).
Certainly, information about Crimson Audio cables is available. It's just that audiophiles may be too lazy or afraid to contact Austin Hifi, and take a chance.
The other thing is, these cables ere designed to be neutral, that is, reflect what is fed to them. Most Stereotypical Audiophiles do not like this. SAs are after a certain sonic signature. They want ALL of their recordings to attain this sound. Thus, they turn to and use cables as a tone control. Really, they'd be better off just getting a graphic equalizer.
But for those who want a thin, lightweight speaker cable, the Crimson Audio Music Link is a good choice. Furthermore, once you stick it on a cable burn-in device, its lack of coloration becomes evident. You start to notice the true character of your system. You start to notice that each recording sounds different.
I use Crimson unbalanced interconnects and speaker wire exclusively in my home system. When I was auditioning different cable and wire I was pretty set on doing an all Kimber system but one of the dealers I go to here in LA suggested the Crimsons and loaned them to me to try out. For me it was a an easy decision and I prefer Crimson over more expensive Kimber and Nordost offerings. However, in my office system I stuck with anti-cables interconnects and speaker wire.
Crimson also made jumpers for me as well although it's not offered on their site.
Right On!
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: