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Posts: 24
Joined: October 18, 2008
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| Model: | Platinum Eclipse Interconnect | | Category: | Cable | | Suggested Retail Price: | $400 termination + $2600 meter | | Description: | line-level interconnect | | Manufacturer URL: | Wire World |
Hi all,
This is my first review here on AA so, hopefully it turns out OK :)
I currently own Wireworld Silver Eclipse (5.2) interconnects (RCA) and speaker cables. I took the plunge on the SE cables as a result of a recommendation. I find them to be very neutral, without brightness or harshness.
I enjoyed the Wireworld sound so much, that I decided to investigate their higher end models. The same friend who recommended the Silver Eclipse cables to me stated that, if I really liked Wireworld and wanted to hear all they could achieve, I just had to hear the Platinum Eclipse.
So, unheard, I sprung for an RCA version of the Wireworld Platinum Eclipse.
I should clarify at this point that I own the Audiodharma Cable Cooker and my Silver Eclipse cables had been fully cooked and well used prior to my acquisition of Platinum Eclipse.
I should preface this review by stating that I've used many different cables over the years (XLO Signature being my cables prior to Wireworld Silver Eclipse) and I've found often, that changes in cables can "change" the sound (ie, the tonality/neutrality) often enough, but I've rarely found altering cables to effect an absolute 'revelation' in improvement, ie, to the extent that a change in speakers, source, or amplifiers may achieve.
After a quick listen however, I would put the move from the Wireworld Silver Eclipse RCA interconnect to the Platinum Eclipse RCA interconnect in the revelation category. This isn't something I've ever said before about an interconnect.
What is even more eye-opening about the Platinum Eclipse interconnect is that my Silver Eclipse cables were fully cooked on the Audiodharma Cable Cooker, but the Platinum Eclipse RCA I just took out of the box brand new, and hooked it up.
The comments below are based on my thoughts brand new straight out of the box.
First things that come to mind:
1. Substantially more emotional involvement in the music: Although the Silver Eclipse is a great cable, at 5x the price, the Platinum Eclipse makes the Silver Eclipse sound dry, uninvolving, and quite stilted. (In the SE's defence, what do you expect for a cable at 5x the price? For comparative purposes however the SE is my existing interconnect, so it is referenced as a point of comparison..) The Silver Eclipse sounds quite neutral, but the honesty of the PE just blows the SE away. I found myself singing along to the music and being so involved in the emotion of the performance - something that I just have not previously done with SE.
2. Soundstaging: The PE produces such a wiiiiiide soundstage. I'm so used to all my previous cables (XLO Signature, Cardas, Wireworld Silver Eclipse) dead-centering and focusing the images between the speakers. The Platinum Eclipse makes the centering-characteristics of those other cables (image-wise) sound almost mono-like. All of a sudden you get this very wide display of the music beyond the width of the speakers. The sound becomes much larger, more realistic and encompassing.
3. Transparency: I would say this cable is almost perfectly neutral. My Silver Eclipse was probably a little on the hot side by comparison (I won't say bright because the SE isn't - the treble is perfectly smooth on SE, but the overall character of SE is more forward and eager. The PE by comparison is more refined, and the music, and its emotional core just comes through and you're at one with the performances in your room. You don't have to think about the treble, bass, mids etc of the cable. All these terms become irrelevant and you're left alone with the music. A wonderful experience.
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In summary I'd have to say that moving to the Wireworld Platinum Eclipse RCA interconnect is one of the best upgrades I've ever made to my system. It is in the realm of upgrades I've made previously to components such as cd players, preamplifiers and amplifiers. As advised above this is a statement I've not yet made about any of the previous cabling I've owned, but this interconnect is quite a revelation.
For the money, the Wireworld Silver Eclipse is still the giant killer, and is my favourite cable at its $700USD price point. (The Wireworld Silver Eclipse replaced XLO Signature 2.1 and 1.1 interconnects respectively - another couple of outstanding interconnects at the $700 retail price point.) Still, the Platinum Eclipse is the best interconnect I've yet heard, and I'm ecstatic to now have it in my system. It lays the emotional core of the performances bare. In terms of its sound characteristics I believe it can best be described as dead-on neutral, honest and of the utmost faithfulness to the recording, and as transparent as can be.
The PE is on the Audiodharma Cable Cooker as I write this and I shudder to think how much better this cable will sound in a few days. (Keep in mind the comments above are based on a quick listen straight out of the box brand new, not burned in, and un-Cable Cooked :)
I will post a follow-up shortly once this cable has spent 4 days or so on the Cable Cooker.
In summary, the Wireworld Platinum Eclipse interconnect is an incredible product. I thought my old cables (Cardas Golden Reference, XLO Signatures, Wireworld Silver Eclipse) were reference quality, but they aren't even in the same stratosphere as this. (And for the price you shouldn't expect them to be.) At $3000 for a 1m run (or $1700 for a 0.5m) it can hardly be considered an inexpensive interconnect, but it has wrought an upgrade in sound to my system akin to that of a new cd player or amplifier. I urge you to check it out for yourself if you are a fan of Wireworld cables, or if you just want to own a reference quality interconnect.
Highly recommended.
| Product Weakness: | Nil | | Product Strengths: | Transparency, transparency, transparency. Highly emotionally involving. Not analytical or dry in any way. Terms such as 'treble, midrange and bass' become irrelevant, leaving you at one with the performance. Spot-on neutral. |
Associated Equipment for this Review:| Amplifier: | Proceed BPA-3 | | Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Meridian 568.2mm | | Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Meridian 598 DVD/CD Player | | Speakers: | Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home | | Cables/Interconnects: | Wireworld Silver Eclipse/Platinum Eclipse | | Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Rock, Pop | | Room Size (LxWxH): | 17 x 15 x 10 | | Room Comments/Treatments: | Acoustic dampening (behind system) | | Time Period/Length of Audition: | 20 mins | | Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Black Diamond Racing Shelves, Pucks, Cones (Mk4) | | Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
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