Cable Asylum: REVIEW: DIY by Jon Risch CC89259 Cable by rkeman

Model:	CC89259
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$ ridiculously low compared to mf'g
Description:	Unbelievable speaker cable for DIY'ers
Manufacturer URL:	DIY by Jon Risch
Manufacturer URL:	DIY by Jon Risch

Review by rkeman ( A ) on April 20, 2005 at 11:17:02
IP Address: 12.168.121.2

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for the CC89259

The cross connected speaker cable based developed by Jon Risch is a very interesting beast. Recently, two pairs of these cables have come to grace my home theater. Given the effective size of only 13.5 gauge, there was a concern that the current-carrying capability of the cables would be insufficient for the Magnepan MG-1.6 and MG-MC1, even though only short cable runs were required. The cables were constructed using the standard method described on Jon Risch's website using 1/2" polyolefin adhesive shrink wrap over the entire length of the cables. Terminations were with crimped gold-plated copper spades and 1/8' copper pins. The total construction time was about 3 hours for two 9' and two 5' sets of cables. The cables are actually fairly flexible compared with many "garden hose" size audiophile speaker cables and look fairly good with the adhesive heat shrink wrap covering.
The sound of the cables upon initial listening revealed excellent dynamics and a smooth presentation. No glare or grain was apparent, and the music had a relaxed, liquid character. More extended listening showed the cables to impart little or no tonal coloration to the music. Subtle details emerged in familiar music, and the stereo soundstage became more solid and defined. The differences, while not huge, have been uniformly positive and well worth the effort and expense. The improvement in the surround speakers (MG-MC1) was distinctly less than that of the front speakers (MG-1.6), probably due to the continued use of the in-wall architectural speaker cable (about 15' of 12 Ga. stranded copper cable with PVC cover and polyethylene insulation). The cables auditioned in my home theater have included some of very high cost and quality, but none possessed all of the virtues of this DIY cable. If ever there bargain to be had in speaker cables, this has got to be it.

Product Weakness: It's a DIY project.
Product Strengths: Clean and musical sound. Great value. It's a DIY project.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Outlaw 750
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Outlaw 950
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony NS999-ES DVD player, Motorola High Def Cable Box
Speakers:	Magnepan MG-1.6 and MG-MC1
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY Belden and Canare
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, pop, and movies
Room Size (LxWxH):	19 x 15 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Normal furnishings and carpet
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	It's a DIY project.
Product Strengths:	Clean and musical sound. Great value. It's a DIY project.