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| Model: | Clearview Golden Helix |
| Category: | Cable |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $85 |
| Description: | Mapleshade's "Gaint killer" speaker cable. Two 18awg twisted into helix, siler plated. |
| Manufacturer URL: | Mapleshade |
| Model Picture: | View |
|
Review by JacobO on June 14, 2001 at 18:14:12 IP Address: 207.75.190.142 |
Add Your Review for the Clearview Golden Helix |
I bought this cable with all the hype Mapleshade puts on this cable and to upgrade my Audioquest Type 4+. Mapleshade says it's a "gaint killer" and will slay any cables up to $1500. Well, the Mapleshade people might be a little ahead of themsevles. The Clearview Golden Helix, is two 18awg 99.9997% pure copper solid core conductors twisted into a tight helix. There is a thin silver plate and a very thin, thin!, insulator.The Golden Helix is bright cable, not suited for people with such systems. Mine, Paradigm Mini's and Onkyo TX-DS 575 A/V reciever, this cable was too bright. All thhe hype MapleShade gives this cable is just that to me. The bass was solid with these cables, the only improvement over the Type 4+. Other than that not much improvement. If you have a really laid back and dull system, these might be for you. Overall a good cable, but easily beat.
| Product Weakness: | Too much Hype. |
| Product Strengths: | Solid Bass. |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | Onkyo TX-DS 575 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | None |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Onkyo DV-C501 |
| Speakers: | Paradigm Mini Monitors V1 |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Cardas High Speed Digital, AQ Typ4+ |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Classic Rock, Blues |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 15 x 15 x 8 |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 2 weeks |
| Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Monster HTS-1000 |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Home Audition |
Follow Ups:
Hi, you say > > Overall a good cable, but easily beat. < <
Could you tell me what cables will "easily" beat the Mapleshades? The reason I ask is because I have found these cables to be quite neutral. What did you replace these with? Is it possible that your system is on the bright side?
Jeff
I am glad to answer your question. I see that this site doesn't get negative when asking someone else a question like Audioreview. Back to your question. I wanted to replace my AQ Type 4+ cable with a better sounding cable for not a lot of money. (Right now college is taking it all). So I purcahsed these after talking to both Peirre and reading the literature. My system isn't bright at all. I get responses saying that it is going to be, since I have an Onkyo a/v reciever. However, I don't think that these people have really heard Onkyo's new stuff. The Paradigm Mini Monitors, everyone knows, are a very laid back speaker. So I was looking for something with a little taz! on the top. However, there was no synergy with these cables and my system. Very bright and edgy. I used them for about two weeks, so proper breaking in time was taken. I was hoping for them to cool down a bit, but that just didn't happen. I replaced these cables with AQ Crystals. Very good speaker cable and is right on the money for what I was looking for. They offer a widersound stage and more dynamic punch than the MapleShades. Also there is more air and clean sound to them. The Mapleshades just didn't cut it. But I believe that they are better than what you can get at RS or CC. If you like them than great, I respect your opinion totally. These just didn't go with my system. Perhaps they were unveiling that my set-up was bright, since AQ cables are laid back.Thanks for your question. Hopefully this answers it!
Happy Listening,
Jacob Gaitan (JacobO)
I use the Double Helix in my Blue Circle/Spendor based system, and found them to out-perform the Acoustic Zen Satori, and AP Oval 9, both well regarded cables that are higher priced.I'm not disputing your observations as they relate to your own system, but like Jeff, I find them to be quite neutral.
Be sure to follow MS's instructions, and keep them well off the floor! I took a few U shaped staples, covered them with foil, and pounded them between the paneling in the wall behind the speakers. I then looped the speaker wire through the staples. This raises them several ft. off the floor, and allows me to keep the double runs a good ft. apart, which I'm told is essential when bi-wiring. This is about as close as it gets to having the speaker wire go straight to the speakers without touching anything.
I also used the Double Helix IC's for a while, and while excellent, not in the same class as my Tara The 2 with floating ground stations. I wonder how the MS Omega would compair with the Tara?
The Double Helix AC cord was decent, but sorry Mapleshade, nowhere near as good as the AZ Krakatoa.
Overall, I think the various MS wire is a very clever design, and offers excellent value for the money. The bold claims may be debatable, but within it's price range it will be hard to beat IMHO.
GaryThanks for the question. Yes these cables were about 2' above the ground. Perhaps they were too honest and unveiled a bright side to my system.
Happy Listening
Jacob
Gary,Could you expound briefly on the AZ Krakatoa? If possible, can you compare it to the AZ Tsunami? The AZ wire I've tried in my system has done some wonderful things.
Thanks!
-- Greg
Greg,I agree, the Acoustic Zen products are excellent. I had thier entire line of products in my system for several months, and was extremely happy with them. I replaced them with the cheaper Mapleshade stuff only to help finance a preamp upgrade; but the MS turned out to be better than I had expected. I ended up keeping the MS speaker wire, but went on another upgrade binge, and bought a few pairs of Tara The 2 that I found on Audiogon at an excellent price. I also bought several of the Blue Circle power cords.
In answer to your question, I had the Tsunamis on the CDP and preamp, and used the Krakatoa on the power amp. The Krakatoa has two copper and silver conductors that are braided in a helix, while the Tsunamis use a single 11 guage "zero crystal" copper conductor. If I remember correctly, I think the terminations were the same on both.
In my system, the Krakatoa improved the the sound of every component I used it with, but was only slightly better than the Tsunami when used on source components. When used on the amp, the Krakatoa was a significant improvement over the Tsunami, especially in the low bass.
If you've been thinking about trying these, call Robert Lee at AZ. Ask him to send you one of each to try. He won't bill you for them, unless you decide to keep them.
Did you find the Blue Circle cords better then? You said you HAD the cords...did you replace them?I considered the Krakatoa a while ago and have talked with Robert more than once. I'm afraid I'll like them - that's the problem. I have two of the Tsunamis. So, I wanted to get your take on the Krakatoa just for reference - not sure what the future holds. ;-)
Thanks.
-- Greg
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