Cable Asylum: REVIEW: DIY by Jon Risch 1506A twisted pair interconnect Cable by Hafdef

Model:	1506A twisted pair interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$little
Description:	20 guage solid copper conductor, foamed teflon insulation, twisted pair
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Hafdef ( A ) on January 25, 2002 at 19:03:35
IP Address: 142.177.108.24

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for the 1506A twisted pair interconnect

Cable: Belden 1506A, 20 solid copper conductor, foamed teflon insulation, 16.1 pf/ft.
Length: 11 ft.
Termination: Neutrik xlr (NC3MX, NC3FX)
Solder: Cardas
Configuration: 9.5 twists/ft. tight, no shield, no ground, no wrap, no jacket.
Time to Complete: 1 hr. 20 min.
Capacitance measurements using Micronta Meter
Stock 1506A cable: 16.9 pf/ft (Belden specs. 16.1 pf/ft)
Twisted cores unterminated: 6.2 pf/ft
Twisted cores terminated: 6.6 pf/ft.
History:
I've been researching balanced interconnects to mate my Theta Miles directly to Bryston 7b-st's for many months. Last year I had the amps in a rack using 10 foot oval 9 cables and silver NVA interconnects. I couldn't shake the feeling detail was lost with the speaker cables and had generally dissatisfaction with the build quality. I decided to experiment and put the amps behind each speaker and connect with an inexpensive 4m length of
Ultra link discovery cable and soldered on xlr's. Voila, detail and bass had improved, everything was well again, a noticeable improvement over the previous set-up. I now naturally wondered what further improvements could be had with better quality interconnects. A little gun shy from my previous cable investment I thought I better learn a little about cables first before I commit again and here I am.
Previous interconnects I've owed are: Kimber PBJ, Silverstreak,Audioquest?, Monster M-1000i, NVA silver, Nordost ?,homemade very short bare silver wire (extreme detail), Ultralink Discovery xlr.
Impressions:
Dismantling the stock cable and fabricating the twisted cable was far easier than I anticipated and the finished product looks excellent. The twists are even and tight and the foamed teflon insulation is pearly white. Overall an attractive cable. This was the first time I used solder of decent quality and what a treat it was. The finished results were the
best looking and most solid solder joints I've ever done.
I hooked up the cable between my cd player and amps sat down and listened without a break-in period. The first thing I noticed was the bass, it immediately sounded more natural full and coherent. Originally it was my intention to continue making mental listening notes but during the next 4 hours of listening I was fixated (moved only to change cd's and wipe the drool off my chin) in my chair in trance like state while every song I played communicated to me like never before and therefore I couldn't bring myself to even think analytically about what I was hearing. Sorry.
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th nights after running signal through cable during days. Listening impression were much like the first night, mesmerized by every song I played. Noticeable improvements from previous interconnects in all aspects of frequency spectrum and visual presentation.
Bass:

Has a growl, rolling drive and snap that I find to my liking. Who am I kidding I love it. Bass guitar, electric, or stand-up has greater resolution and "pant flapping" growl that is quick and tuneful and is one with the song.
Highs:
Cymbals and hi-hats are better reproduced. Paradoxically the overall impression is the high-end being more mellow than the previous interconnects but greater detail is ultimately heard. The ssshhhh sound when hi-hats close and open sounded much more real, the stick striking the ride cymbal is more clear, the sound of the cymbals "crash" is also more life-like, the intricate shades of tempo and feel on ride cymbal and Hi-hats are conveyed with greater emotion. This extra detail increases the palpability and emotional content of every instrument and vocal heard
Midrange
Midrange has always been excellent on my system, but with the advent of better lows and highs the midrange is definitely better represented, vocals, squealing Marshalls, snare drum, strings, brass, etc. all sound more full, with more complete harmonic structure.

Imaging
Most noticeable is the increase in width at the rear of the stage. On recordings that portrayed a somewaht narrow rear soundstage instruments a foot or two right or left of central and rear would usually be placed forward a couple feet. I found this bothersome when a drum kits right and left extreme cymbals and drums no longer appeared to be part of the kit. Anyways, this is no longer a serious issue. The drum kit now appears as it
should, the drums and cymbals are stable and sound emanates from areas you would expect. Overall the soundstage is more rectangular in nature rather than trapezoidal. Secondly it is obvious images are far more stable in general, images don't move at all as they did sometimes before. Center vocal is strong and unwavering, the front plane of the sound stage is unchanged and begins about 8 inches behind the speaker face. The depth
of the sound stage on some recordings appears to have no borders now and the speakers have completely disappeared. Front sound stage width is pretty much as it was though on some recordings I find it may be a slightly wider with images touching the side walls. The ambiance and hall effect is more realistic as well allowing the air and space of the recording to more consistently envelope the listening environment.
Musicality:
Most importantly the musicality of my system has increased. I find myself completely immersed in every song I play. The increased detail is not the stark naked, thread-bare "look at me" type which can ultimately leave me uninspired but instead is integrated fully with the complete sonic picture. Harmonic overtones from different instruments seem to float and merge with each other as they trail into the background which aids in better
communication of the musics emotional content. I find myself forgetting about the gear and more involved with the song. Wonderfull.
Swapping out the Risch cables for the Ultralinks on 5 different occassions brought about the exact same sonic degradation every time and was similar to throwing a sheet over the speakers (Don't sheet on my speakers). To regain similar musical percieved impact, sound level and detail I had to increase the volume by 2 numbers on the volume display. Even with the increased volume I couldn't match the Diy cables detail and openess.
These John Risch DIY cables have improved my system in every way. I am completely in awe how a $100 investment in a cable could have such a positive impact on my listening enjoyment. This is the best money and time in researching a product I've ever spent. If I had spent $1500 Cnd. on interconnects and obtained this amount of improvement I would have absolutely no post purchase anxiety. This present wire configuration outperforms every combination of interconnect and speaker cable I have
ever had in my system.
Many thanks go out to John Risch and friends and all those who asked the questions that ultimately provided me with the information to persue this project.

Product Weakness: None so far.
Product Strengths: They pass a great deal of information, allows equipment to sing.
Bargain

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 7b'st's
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Theta Miles balanced directly to amps
Speakers:	PSB Stratus Goldi
Cables/Interconnects:	No speaker cable, internal speaker cable connected to amps
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Swing
Room Size (LxWxH):	27 x 19 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one week
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None so far.
Product Strengths:	They pass a great deal of information, allows equipment to sing. Bargain