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In Reply to: RE: ELF Cables/Ernest Farley posted by Duster on January 28, 2017 at 21:42:31
Thank you,Duster.It is ingratiating to know that this may have advanced someones' appreciation of their hobby.Kind words,go a long way w/me.
I wanted to provide some follow-up to my comments made on my last outing.
I moved the speakers about 1/2 an inch closer together.This brought a large degree of that CT-1 focus and dimensionality that I thought I had lost.
The other issue I thought might be a reservation, concerning the weight/fullness of the sound.
After being back in the system for 24 hours,this issue is not an issue-after all.
Last night I played Herbie Hancock/Gershwins' World.It sounded excellent.What really sent me whirling,was the disc I had picked up the day before. Friedrich Goulda-As You Like It.The acoustic bass on the right,was well balanced and nimble.Gouldas' piano was just left of center and angled slightly forward.Real physical size and Oh! those piano runs,up and down the keyboard.The over and under tones jumped from the strings and sounding board.Even the slightly "dry" sound that a piano makes as you play adjacent keys-the sides of the keys make a noise as they are depressed.Talk about detail retrieval.
The ELF Super Silver Helix is now my reference cable.I don't know what to expect from the next two coming in,but I'm sure they will be musical.I can't comment on whether he will build XLRs.
And the very best part of this equation is that this wasn't an expensive cable and kept me going back to the rack to figure out what I should listen to next.A great deal of insight into the music,without ever tipping its' hand to dispell the illusion.Fantastic!!!
One other commen:,Ernest is very friendly and down-to-Earth.After my request,he assembled the cables and shipped the very next day.Many thanks.
Tom:cat
Follow Ups:
ELF Silver Helix Vs ELF Silver Prototype (all silver wire)
As you know,having followed this thread:I like the Silver Helix.
The Silver Prototype is less agressive in the top-end.It is a little more polite,while still retaining the transient edge-just ever so slightly dialed back.Depth/Width are very good.Delicacy and percussive touches are also well accounted for.
In my slightly warm acoustic/system,the SP is good,but my preference is still given to the Silver Helix.
I would imagine that this cable would be completely at home in a system that had chosen one of the big Magico/Wilson speakers,that have a slight tendency to provide large amounts of detail in the upper frequencies or a set-up that is slightly "forward".
Don't get me wrong> I don't find it weak or lacking in any area,just not as good a "fit" for my system.That being saidif I hadn't taken a liking for the other or it wasn't available,I could easily live with the Silver Prototype.
Now ,to see where it gets priced.
Next up,the ELF Gold Helix.Now breaking in.
Tom:cat
Just spent my first evening with the Gold Helix.
My initial impression is that I am a Helix kinda guy.
Both of the ELF Helix are very open and energize the soundstage.Both bring a lot of detail retrieval.The Gold has a way with bass guitar,both stand-up and electric.Tympani and percussion have a "rolling thunder" affair to them.The piano pedal sustains are very evident and decay quite naturally.
Womens' vocals are handled extremely well,giving a very emotional connection.
I am going to continue the break-in on the Gold,it has a little bit of cobweb still lingering.
The difference between these two Helixes appears to be in the "attack,sustain and decay" characteristics.Both focus ver well and are articulate.The Silver Helix tends to be impressive on the transient,but ever so slightly lesson the sustain.The Gold Helix slightly gives up a little ground to the Silver as far as "lightening transients.It ,however,gives the piano and female vocals a focus that is beguiling.The slightly "fleshier" presentation conveys an emotional connection.
In comparison,the transients of the piano are in evidence with the Silver.The Gold backs off on the immediacy,but offers a fuller tonality as frequencies decend.
Percussion is still articulate with the Gold,just not as lightening fast.
I could live with either presentation.For a more laid-back,introspective and very emotional presentation-it's the Gold and rolling thunder.
The Silver is slightly more immediate and reveals more of the high frequency detail of the piano and the keyboard play-such as adjacent keys rubbing.
I plan to throw a few recordings at these cables to determine who will be first-string.
Yori Horning Trio-Walking on the Moon,Anita Baker-Harvest Moon and Tom Waits-Take It With Me when I go.
I have heard these pieces enough times that I absolutely know what to expect.They can reveal weaknesses and the subtleties of a cable and system.
Any further follow-ups will deal mainly with the Helix Gold.I have commented on my reactions to the Silver Helix.
If you try one of these cables and are not impressed,I would be surprised.Keep in mind the difference in systems and taste.Maybe these comparisons will guide you into the proper cable to suit your taste and system.
Tom:cat
Further listening to the Gold Helix has revealed a wonderful sense of ambience.As performers "stop",they reveal the soundspace.They appear to have 80-90% of the "attack" that distinguishes the Silver Helix.Where they come into their own,is in the sustain and decay.You can hear how the note is "held" or "bent".
Still,it is hard to leave the "attacK' capabilities of the Silver Helix-I am torn-between two lovers??
That said,for $450 you could get all three.Not much more than you might pay for a single set of "brand name" cables and you would have alternatives.Say that you switch residences and find your former preference didn't "gel" .You could switch a cable and find you're self back in "nirvana" (not Kurt).
If I could wish for "perfect",I might ask to melt the two Helixes together and come away with a single set.Nothing is perfect,but to achieve this level of musical conveyance at this price-point is remarkable.
I have a small system that I am putting together that will allow me to use two sets of cables cascaded.If this yields anything noteworthy,I'll report and designate my preference for "first in line".
I'd love to hear from those who decided to take a chance and audition a set.
Tom:cat
I do make a Hybrid interconnect with silver on the signal and gold on the ground ;-)
I do it all in the name of music!!!
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