Cable Asylum

Posted by mt10425 (A) on April 05, 2016 at 09:47:55

Okay look, I remember the last post (review) and all the fallout. I admittedly was part of it, saying the cord and other website pics were funny and made me laugh. I also wrote off the cord because of its unsophisticated looks.

I was not looking to change my MAC HC PC but my local dealer had a box of MSA demo cords and was typically over-enthusiastic about their sound. He usually overstates the performance of the new products he brings in but, I go listen anyway. While there, he had the 6ft PC on his equipment. Since he also had Maggie's I hadn't heard before hooked up, I had no frame of reference for the PC. At the end of a listening session, he opened up a box of PCs. There was a NEO and a couple of other experimentally designed cords. The First had the 3 Kegs without the shrink wrap around them. I was encouraged to take it and listen.

I'm pretty value-driven with my setup, it's worth about $6K retail. So, cabling is mid-level Wireworld, VDH etc. Any tweaks are usually Herbie's or diy. My analog system: EL-34 tube amp, TTVJ phono pre, 45 year old Akai mini tuner, TT and Fostex-driven high efficiency speakers.

This part is very important. I appreciate when my wife listens to music with me so, I include her in audio decisions (also her hearing is better than my 62 year old ears). I respect her opinion of sound even as she gets annoyed when I push for such opinions. So, in went The First, replacing the MAC.

Quite a number of folks had used this cord before me so, break in wasn't really an issue. I promise not to add unnecessary adjectives to what we heard.

In the simplest, concise wording, it changed the sound to something more organically musical. The previous cord sounded electrical by comparison. My music is classic rock, Sinatra/Bennett, acoustic-driven Rock, jazz and Lovett-Rosanne-Willie CW. The sound was more accurately defined, better stage width without added depth. Clearer vocals and easier to identify instruments (such as the wooden knocks on Al Stewart 'Year of the Cat'. It's easy to hear that the wood are hollow tubes.). I sit a bit closer now to the performance. It's intimate on some music but not, in my face. Overall, just more musically enjoyable eliminating the audiophile sound questions that can get in the way.

I also had my hands on one of MSA interconnects. They were feather light. If an entry set shows up, I'd be interested in trying them out. I'm not one who goes looking for upgrades all over the globe. If something shows up locally, I'll consider listening. If I buy out of my comfort zone, it's low risk. I'm pleased this cord found its way to me, I'm keeping it (with my wife's support, of course, because she really likes the new sound).

I suggest a listen if you can. I still think little discs sitting on cables look funny.



"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

Edits: 04/05/16