Home Cable Asylum

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

REVIEW: XLO Reference Types 1 & 2 Cable

Model: Reference Types 1 & 2
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $330
Description: line-level interconnect
Manufacturer URL: XLO

Review by Luminator on February 16, 2008 at 16:48:15
IP Address: 70.137.135.137
Add Your Review
for the Reference Types 1 & 2


I just completed another product review on my blog, which you can find by clicking here. On the left hand side, scroll down until you see the Posting Calendar. Use the drop-down menus to enter "February," "13," and "2008." Then click on "Go!."

Once again, I apologize that xanga works by placing the most recent post first. Therefore, you'll have to read the posts in a haphazardly backwards manner. At the bottom of each screen, you can go forward 5 posts, or backwards 5 posts.

Here is a summary of the review:

2/13/08: background, history, Type 1 description, ergonomics, Cable Cooking
2/14/08: RCA plug
2/15/08: Type 2 description
2/16/08: performance

The audiophile peanut gallery is already snickering, "Why bother reviewing something that was discontinued ten years ago?"

A. Let's not forget our history lessons
B. The original XLO Reference series cables are what, for many audiophiles, got us hooked on such things
C. The original XLO Reference series interconencts, for many users, flat-out sound better than the Reference 2 counterparts
D. When the original XLO Reference series was in production, the Cable Cooker (high-end audio's MVP) had not yet been invented
E. We now have equipment which is superior to that of the 1990s
F. The kid who could not afford XLO Types 1&2 back then is now an adult who can
G. Used XLO Types 1&2 can be had for a fraction of their original retail prices
H. People are naturally curious as to how something from yesteryear stacks up against today's offerings

So sit back, click away, reminisce, and enjoy! And yes, you are free to peruse any other part of my blog. I try to update it each weekday. It's chock full of pictures, other reviews, anecdotes, history, and musical information. You can ask me about anything else on the blog. Or, click on other xangans' sites, and see what they are up to :-)

-Lummy The Seahorse


Product Weakness: Discontinued 10 years ago; printing smudges or wipes off easily; XLRs need to be wiped with contact cleaner
Product Strengths: Purple & green scheme looks cool, but fades to gray behind a rack; needs no more than 48 hours on the Cable Cooker; RCAs fit into tight quarters; sounds better than XLO's Reference 2 series interconnects


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Mark Levinson No. 431, Simaudio W-7
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Mark Levinson No. 326S, Simaudio P-8
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Mark Levinson No. 390S, EAR Acute, Esoteric DV-60
Speakers: Too many; check the blog
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost Odin, XLO Limited Edition
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, pop, oldies, show tunes, children's, Hawaiian
Time Period/Length of Audition: 15 years
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Crux Audio  


Topic - REVIEW: XLO Reference Types 1 & 2 Cable - Luminator 16:48:15 02/16/08 (2)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.