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REVIEW: VH Audio AirSine Cable

Model: AirSine
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $1199
Description: VH Audio's
Manufacturer URL: VH Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by smart845 (A) on September 01, 2005 at 23:39:34
IP Address: 84.13.247.21
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for the AirSine


I had been toying with the idea of improving my mains feeds for over twelve months, this after installing three separate spurs using a high quality copper multistranded and braided cable which noticeably lowered the noise floor and improved the dynamics of the system. I carried this cable through to the system using a similar constructed power cord from the same manufacturer. Two of the lines feed Avantgarde Duo subs, one each directly from the circuit breaker box and the third to a multiway feeding Welborne Labs DRD45 mono tube amps and an Audio Aero Capitole MKII CD player.

Always wanting more from my system, in terms of resolution and palpability, my next thought was power conditioners or regenerators. Many months of searching archives and talking with friends in the business, one of whom no longer sells such products and whose opinion I highly regard, I too came to the conclusion that these products were not necessary in my scheme of things due to my already good quality mains. Noise on the line was checked with the Audioprism noise sniffer which revealed very little noise.

Where to go next. Again I remembered my friend’s advice, ‘go direct to the power, use the best power cords and mains cable, that way you won’t constrict the dynamics plus you get all the benefits of filtering without added expense’. This rang a bell and so with the help of the Asylum I searched and came across Chris VenHaus website, VHAudio.com with glowing reviews and great prices too!

I plumped to try the top of the range Airsine power cord and ordered three 4ftcords initially to test the water. Easy to order and quick delivery to the UK I was more than happy with the construction quality of these cords, absolutely first class. I knew Chris had burned them in for a few days on a cable cooker prior to shipping so I thought I would burn them in further on the Duo Subs. These cords were really for the Tube amps!

In the words of Victor Meldrew, I don’t believe it! I couldn’t believe the dramatic difference the Airsines made to the bass from the subs. Far tighter and more richly harmonic than ever and better coupling to the air in the room. That visceral impact was more pronounced, slam and extension increased enabling me to dial back the subs one click. This gave vocalists more body and presence and brought them further into the room. I had to put the third cord onto the Capitole straight away after hearing this. WOW! Still further improvements. I’m nearly wetting myself. Shivers up and down my spine listening to Sarah Vaughan, You are too Beautiful. When she drops into that lower register, I’m Jelly or Jello as you say in the US. All this improvement even before they are fully broken in. Either my previous well respected cords were rubbish or the Airsines are just phenomenal. I believe the latter.

You know I had to do it. After swapping the Airsines onto the power amps, that slam and extension diminished, however air increased around the musicians. I’m not sure how to ascribe this but it made notes much more real. I play a resonator guitar, badly, and now the sparkle and more importantly the excitement of the air around the notes was obvious. I put on Damien Rice’s album and cued up The Blower’s Daughter. He WAS in the room, so vivid and with the volume and substance of someone singing for real. Try this yourself no matter how badly you sing. Just sing, not under your breath but from the chest/stomach and realize how loud a voice can be.

That’s it, I had to order two 6ft Airsines for the subs to complete the system. I’m not wealthy so this will take me a good twelve months to pay off , just one less evening out and one less bottle of wine. What the hell, a Hot Box too to complete the rig, as I wanted to remove the 13 amp UK fuses from the sytem and improve the connections using Furutech Gold plugs throughout. It’s still fused at the breaker box so it complies with regulations over here.

The bass extension is now back with the addition of the Airsines on the subs and after another very minor adjustment on the controls I’m where I want to be. In touch with the performance and the performer as though it were live. In fact it now sounds as though many studio recordings are ‘live’. I realise all recordings are ‘live’ even if recorded in a studio, it’s just now you can hear the actual event taking place.

Apologies for this over the top reaction/review but in my many years of audio I have never been so shocked or impressed by any product as I have the Aisines. I’d just like to thank Chris for producing such a brilliant product and commend him publicly for his customer service. I’m in retail so I know how important customer service is.

Thank you to Chris and all at Audio Asylum and it’s inmates.


Product Weakness: None that I am aware off.
Product Strengths: Turbo charges the performance. Bass has more harmonics and slam. A dynamic sound and fantastic resolution of background instruments. Bargain in the realm of power cords.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Welborne Labs DRD45
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): within CD player
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Aero Capitole MKII
Speakers: Avantgarde Duo
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber Monocle XL/Kimber Select
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Room Size (LxWxH): 30ft x 16ft x 10ft
Room Comments/Treatments: Normal furnishing
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: VH Audio AirSine Cable - smart845 23:39:34 09/01/05 (4)


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