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Element Cables?

Posted by Artar1 (A) on September 28, 2004 at 17:52:30

In Reply to: Re: Element Cables? posted by G man on September 28, 2004 at 15:39:57:

The comparison I will be conducting will be between the Signal Cable XLR and the Element XLR IC using a four-foot length between my preamp and amplifier. I will not, at this time, be testing any other connection. My current test system includes a Musical Fidelity NuVista 3D CD player, Kylne System 7 line stage, Proceed AMP 5 amplifier, and Martin Logan Ascent i speakers. (For two-channel duty, the AMP 5 will be augmented by either the Music Reference RM200 or the Quicksilver V4 monos for the ESL panels and an Adcom GFA 5500 for the Martin Logan woofers.)

Currently, I am using a 12-foot run of Transparent Audio Music Link Plus between my preamp and amp. While this interconnect has a reasonably well balanced and neutral tonal character, I feel that it has a tendency to diminish upper octave air and bloom and veil overall transparency to some degree. It is, however, an agreeable sounding cable and matches the overall sonics of my current system well enough. Moreover, it does a reasonably good job with DVD sound tracks, imparting a smooth sound on instrument scores while delivering enough definition to speech so that I do not have to strain to hear the dialog.

I have tried Transparent Music Link Super (about $650/meter) and could not distinguish it from its less expensive Transparent Audio cable counterpart, Music Link Plus ($325). I have also listened to JPS Super Conductor #2 (a dynamic cable at $699/meter), Cardas Neutral Reference (which I found slightly analytical with Martin Logan Ascents and Krell equipment), and Tara Labs 2 Air ($595/meter). While I have not heard all the cables currently available, I was not impressed with the sonic improvements that these cables should have given me considering their price.

What changed my mind about spending $500 on ICs was the reviews I had read about Signal and Element cables and the audiophile feedback for VH Audio ICs on this bulletin board. (You may want to give VH Audio a try.) Another experience that caused me to begin doubting the wisdom of spending large sums on wire occurred when I swapped out a ten-foot pair of Transparent Audio Music Wave Plus speaker cable ($725) for 20 feet (!) of Distech Silver, which may have cost me $150 when I bought it 17 years ago. Distech does use a Litz geometry to its credit, but cable dielectric is PVC! (Gasp!) Well, the Distech isn't quite as powerful in the bass when compared to my Transparent cable, but it is subjectively faster, more detailed, and more transparent than the Music Wave Plus. And in regards to the bass, the Distech has better pitch definition. The last event that really "rocked" my cable world was a trip to Bob Carver's plant in Snohomish, Washington. I listened to his system, which consisted of a Sunfire Signature 600-Two amplifier, Sunfire Classic Tube Control Center, Carver CD Player, and Carver Amazing Speakers. This system was incredibly open, transparent, uncolored, and reasonably detailed with a very high level of clarity. Its overall resolution was second only to a system I had heard years ago that included a Spectral Acoustics amp and preamp, Meridian CD player, Crosby-Modified Quad 63s, and Duntech subwoofers. Do you know what kind of cable Bob uses? No it is not Nordost, nor is it Kimber Kable. Are you ready for this? He uses the throwaway interconnects we all get with budget components, a long interconnect link between amp and preamp that looks like flat lamp cord, and home-made speaker wire! I couldn't believe it! I questioned Bob about his choice of wire to which he responded in a kind but carefree voice, "I have other things to worry about."

Looking at your situation, I cannot guarantee that either the Signal or Element cable will perform at the $800 level set by the Shunyata Aries. I am sure that either cable, Signal or Element, will perform at the $400 level when compared to cables offered at brick-and-mortar establishments. I am sure they will be good enough for me. Keep in mind, however, that my speakers have a tendency to reveal too much, more than what I normally hear at the concert hall. Also keep in mind that I have a relatively small listening room, so I am sitting only 10 feet away from my Martin Logans. Consider too that I have very keen hearing that I have protected all my life by not going to rock concerts or other live musical events where the sound was heavily amplified. On the other hand, I am not adept at distinguishing small differences among cables; rather, and perhaps closer to the truth, any differences I do hear don't seem to be that "earth shattering." Perhaps, like Bob, I have other things to worry about, like how I am going to pay for my next round of equipment upgrades!

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Herbie's Audio Lab

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