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Model: | Epoch |
Category: | Cable |
Suggested Retail Price: | $228 6 ft. pair |
Description: | Acoustic Zen |
Manufacturer URL: | Acoustic Zen |
Review by audionutz (A) on April 23, 2003 at 11:04:45 IP Address: 206.63.251.146 | Add Your Review for the Epoch |
After deciding not to dig deep into my pocket and make a major upgrade to an Arcam CDP d72t and Epos M12's (wife factor), I decided to purchase these cables hoping it would tame my bright sounding system. Well, after replacing the Kimbers 8tc w/ these cables , I think I've temporarily succeeded w/ my mission, which was to clean up the top end's etchiness I've experienced w/ my Kimber 8tcs. This is not a put down of the 8tc but perhaps it's just better chemistry w/ my budget mid fi gears (see below). Listening to my favorite cds John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn - horns are significantly cleaner on the top end (etchiness disapearred, especially w/ "The Gentle Side of Coltrane" 2nd track) and mid bass having more oomph. My guess is that these cables were design to be balanced all the way around. It's just so much more involving and balanced that I no longer experience fatigue listening. Hopefully when I finally make my upgrades to the equipments mentioned above, these cables will stay, although based on what I've read about the EPOS M12s they're a little laid back on the top end (perhaps my Kimber 8tcs would then do the trick).I don't have all the lingo down of your typical audiophile so excuse my way of describing things... My only beef w/ these cables is that it's very thick and heavy and not flexible in comparison to my Kimber 8tcs. Keeping it off the floor is near impossible using stick ems on the back of my armoire.
Product Weakness: | Laid back on the top end maybe a weakness to some. |
Product Strengths: | Smooth highs; clean mids. |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Roksan Kandy MKIII |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | None |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | NAD 521i |
Speakers: | Polk rti38 |
Cables/Interconnects: | Kimber Hero |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, R&B & Soul |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 26 x 16 x 9 |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 75 hours |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Monster HTS 1000 |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
audionutz:If you find your system sounds a touch laid-back with these cables, you might want to try some different interconnects on your NAD CD player. These speaker cables don't roll of highs, they just don't add unnatural emphasis. Also, the influence of aftermarket AC cords can have a profound effect on the voicing of your system-sound.
Your ears might just have arrived at the point where you are looking for more resolution or a different style of presentation than you are currently getting from your source.
Also, consider the influence of filtering vis a vis all of this laid-backedness from your MC1000, which is a very nice unit, but with filtering schemes, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
Chip,Thanks for the suggestions. One thing I failed to mention is that I am using an after market power cable (PS Audio Prelude 6 ft) for my Roksan directly into the wall unit. As far as my NAD cdp, the stock cord is plugged into the HTS1000. There is no option of replacing my NAD cdp's power cord and I'm not about to replace this by way of DIY. So as mentioned on my brief overview/review, my next upgrade would be my cdp & speakers (Arcam diva 72t & Epos M12 or M15). I've had the pleasure to hear these equipments together w/ my Roksan in the store and was very impressed, but I would really like to hear it in my living room some day. I'm sure by the time I make these upgrades, there will be more experimentations w/ cables to achieve the sound I'm looking for...
But going back to my current system, I think I'm going to stick w/ my Hero interconnects for now given that I have accomplished (for the time being) the sound I was looking for (dramatic reduction of the top ends etchiness). My choice of words "laid back" may not be what I have meant completely for I have never really had friends to share this passion with that are audiophiles to educate me w/ the proper lingo. I really don't know the definition of a true audiophile, but I am very passionate about my love of listening to smooth well balanced sounds of music. Of course, a tight budget always restricts me from auditioning & purchasing very expensive equipments.
Thanks again for your suggestions but could you tell me what you meant on your last statement of "filtering vis a vis".
I love this forum!!!!!
Thanks nutz. I've been looking for anything about these cables; this is the first thing that I've seen about them. Sounds like they have the AZ sound. Sometimes you wonder about the entry line of cables. I've heard that some manufacturers don't put as much into their base line cables as their signature lines. Thanks for an informative review.
I'm glad you found it informative. I was very hesitant to post this review at first but now I'm glad I did. So when you mentioned "sounds like they have the AZ sound" - does this mean that their reference speaker cables are pretty neutral well balanced cables. My observation of the Epochs were based solely on my comparisons w/ my previous entry to mid level cables (monsters, mit, audioquest, bettercables, kimbers). I'm pretty conservative when it comes to purchasing cables beyond $200 but I'm glad I did w/ the Epochs. These are definite keepers along w/ my Kimbers.Have you heard any of the AZ's interconnect entry levels WOW ? Anyhow, once my equipment upgrades is complete, I'll probably try these out... Once again, I'm glad you found my review informative.
Thanks,
I've ordered the WOW ics. I'll let you know how they sound! (also the Epoch).
The Epoch uses "Zero Crystal" continuous crystal copper, as do all Acoustic Zen products. The configuration is a simple twisted pair, rather than the teflon air tube spacing that is used in the Satori and Hologram to reach the optimum balance of nductance/capacitance. That is how they get the cost down.
Thanks for the info Jeff. Next time I'll call you!
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