Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Audience Au24 Audio Interconnect Cable by Bogart

Model:	Au24 Audio Interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$398/1 meter
Description:	Single Crystal, true 75 Ohm, coaxial, cross-linked polyethylene Teflon jacket.
Manufacturer URL:	Audience
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bogart ( A ) on June 10, 2003 at 22:56:30
IP Address: 202.8.224.133

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My observation is for both the Au24 interconnects and Au24 Speaker cables together in my system. Although each cable added improvements on their own, my system sounded best when both of these cables were working hand in hand.
The first thing I noticed with these cables is that my system sounded a lot better. I have never had any cable that dramatically altered the sound of my system. My first impression was that they sounded very natural, well-balanced and most importantly â€œmusicalâ€.
Listening to a favorite violin piece, I was taken aback how the artist stood in space, emotionally charged conveying the beauty of the music through his violin. It was a lot more involving than I have ever heard it. Lots of nuance can be heard yet it retains its natural warmth. It sounded pleasant yet it retained some bite. It allowed me to feel what the performer is trying to convey rather than making my own interpretation of the music.
In a solo piano piece, the attack on the piano note was undeniably fast and the accompanying decay was longer than I have heard before. Although the attack was not as fast with silver interconnects, it sounded natural. Some extremely fast cables make you feel like listening to hurried music. These cables also provided the right amount of detail and air making it easier to visualize hammers hitting strings of the piano.
With vocals, they were a revelation. Most of the music I listen to falls into this category. I was amazed to hear how differently positioned the singers were using these cables. Previously, most singers stood slightly forward of the speaker plane. With the Au24s, the vocals are sometimes laid-back, just right or forward. These cables also made me more aware of singersâ€™ phrasing. Inner details were present despite the fact that it remained sweet and smooth. Music now sounds more interesting and poignant.
Listening to some jazz, I was pretty amazed how wide and open the soundstage has become. Some instruments are now located outside both speakers which I did not attain in my previous set-up. Background was dead silent making instruments easier to pinpoint amid the venue. Imaging was excellent in that it was etched naturally, edges slightly blurred unlike those hyper detailed cables that portray razor-sharp imaging which I consider quite artificial. Sizes of instruments are now more realistic than before. PRAT was pretty good too; definitely more toe tapping and finger snapping. Bass was tight and tuneful. Mids were spot on. Highs were well extended but not strident. No frequencies appear to be emphasized.
With upbeat and rock music, I found them to be capable too. No problem whatsoever except perhaps for lack of deep bass. But my speakers are mini-monitors. It would be interesting to hear these cables with floorstanders.
Needless to say, these cables are not perfect. No cable is. As I have already mentioned above, some might find their bass lacking in depth. Their highs are well extended but might be a bit lean for others. I tried tube rolling and it addressed this issue. I have seen comments that the mids are too laid back. In my system, depending on the material, they can be laid-back, just right or forward.
I really like these cables. They are detailed without being bright, fast but at the same time have natural decays, relaxed yet can boogie too. I suppose it is these paradoxes that make these cables well-balanced and more importantly musical. I have never enjoyed my system as much as I am enjoying them now. But as they say, YMMV. Cheers.

Product Weakness: See Review
Product Strengths: See Review

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Jadis DA8
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	First Sound Presence DeLuxe Mk1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	QDS-15 Tube CDP
Speakers:	Sonus Faber Signum
Cables/Interconnects:	Van Den Hul D102Mk3; Silver Audio Silver Bullet; Pure Note Epsilon; Eichmann Express6; Cardas Cross Speaker Cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	13.5 x 30 x 8.5
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Acme Silver Platerd Outlets
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	See Review
Product Strengths:	See Review