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Model: | Pulsar Interconnect |
Category: | Cable |
Suggested Retail Price: | $134.99 |
Description: | Fine wire shielded interconnect for digital, analog and video |
Manufacturer URL: | VH Audio |
Review by Duster (A) on September 29, 2004 at 15:44:17 IP Address: 24.17.158.236 | Add Your Review for the Pulsar Interconnect |
Type: VH Audio Pulsar SP/DIF digital interconnect cable.Review: DIY Cryo'd Pulsar/NextGen digital cable (1.5 meter).
This review is for a DIY version using a 1.5 meter length of cryo’d VH Audio Pulsar wire, WBT NextGen rca connectors and WBT solder. This version is without Teflon tubing and a Techflex sleeve. I grew up with vinyl so I figured at least one delicate component (a cable this case) was fine with me to fuss about damage to (no worries). An attempt at a “less is more” SOTA approach. Teflon tape is used to build up the cable’s ends to use as a cable grip to secure the connector’s Torx screw.
Here’s a lttle correspondance I had with Chris of VH Audio:
-snip-
(Duster) Have you ever auditioned a Kimber D-60?
(Chris) Yes.
(Duster) I'm telling myself that the cryo'd Pulsar/NextGen will resolve like it without the D-60's tipped-up treble energy (solid silver center conductor). Am I a fantasist?
(Chris) No. I think you'll be very pleased.
-snip-
Yes, I am very pleased to know I am not a fantasist (in this case at least).
The cable’s soundstage depth of field is it’s strongest presentation quality with images that posses a great sense of dimension and delineated space between them. Soundstage width and height is in perfect balance and very outstanding as well. The cable offers a very high resolution yet natural presentation of detail with an almost spooky black background. Those who are great lovers of “air” in a cable’s presentation will be very pleased with this one in their system. Tonality is supremely neutral. No sins of commission or sins of omission to my ear. This is the most transparent cable I’ve had the pleasure of using in my system, digital or otherwise. It has no euphonic element that I can detect and has no obvious sonic signature to speak of. Rather, it gets out of the way and with a speed of propagation that is remarkable. Dynamics are first rate and challenges the cable’s strongest quality of being that of a superb soundstage depth presenter. Dynamic improvement due to a cable swap can sometimes be portrayed in such a way that a cable makes one think, “Gee, this cable really makes my system sound more dynamic”, instead, I found myself thinking, “I can better hear the dynamics of the composition flow with a greater intimacy of the music being expressed”, leaving the bloody system out of the equation. Brilliant.
Cheers, Duster
Product Weakness: | None, IMHO. |
Product Strengths: | Soundstage depth of field, dynamics, tonal neutrality, detailed imaging with plenty of air, very transparent. Huge bang for the buck. A giant killer, perhaps? |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Acurus DIA-100 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | passive |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Modified Marantz/Museatex digital front end |
Speakers: | B&W Matrix 805, KEF subs |
Cables/Interconnects: | Analysis Plus, Harmonic Tech, XLO, Van den Hul, Zu Cable |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 100 hours |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Vans Evers, MIT, Powervar |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
Duster,Your views match mine almost to a "T". :-)
I was one of the beta testers for the cryo'd version and I was really shocked how much of a difference there was between the cryo'd and regular version. In fact, I had to write Chris to make sure he didn't change anything else.
Did you try different connectors or just went right for the Nextgen? I talked to Chris on NextGen vs. Silver Eichmann and he didn't yet have any experience with the NextGen.
BTW, tomorrow I get my third Flavor 4. This time I am trying the Furutech Rhodium instead of the Gold Wattgates.
George
George, could you elaborate a bit on the improvements the cryo made? I love my 'reg' pulsars and wonder about the cryo-ing! Thanks.
Good review Duster...
Thanks, lowebyrrd. Chris mentioned that the cryo'd Pulsar wire showed betterment for digital cables. I don't know if a conclusion has been made yet as far as the analog interconnects go. Chris will let us all know eventually. :-)
Hi George,Sweet. I just might have the first cryo'd Pulsar/NextGen digital cable attempt... I went straight to the copper NextGens. I've read that the copper instead of the silver version is recommended for digital cables. Chris stocks both of the NextGens, now (see his web site).
Awesome Review Duster..thanks just what I needed.Chris,
You'll be getting an order for 1.5M Pulsars soon (along with some Flavor 2 power cables).
I believe you will be quite pleased...I suggest that you order a cryo'd Flavor 4 power cord to use in the mix, too. Here's what I told Chris about it:
"...on the few components I've auditioned it on, the DIY Flavor 4 sounds very firm, fast, and provides "what sounds like" a much stiffer power supply has been installed. I'm pleased to now use it on my main system's $750 Nakamichi ST-7 AM/FM tuner which benefits from the Flavor 4 power cord's mighty authoritative presentation..."
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