Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Pure Note Paragon Cable by TRUFI

Model:	Paragon
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$375+
Description:	Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Manufacturer URL:	Pure Note
Model Picture:	View

Review by TRUFI ( A ) on February 21, 2005 at 10:17:02
IP Address: 12.65.168.65

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I have been a Pure Note fan since the Epsilon Ref. Version 4 and currently own their Cerulean and the new Paragon cables. I also own Siltech Compass Lake, Nordost Valhalla, Transparent Ref. XL, Audience Au24, and Verastarr Signature which I used a benchmarks in this review. All of these cables have their qualities and price and none of them are perfect. Anyone who claims there is a perfect cable is naÃ¯ve, IMO.
Enter the Paragon, Pure Noteâ€™s latest cable. First, I must say I am very pleased with the Cerulean which is now the underdog. I found the Ceruleans to better many of my benchmark cables especially in smoothness and body. In a nutshell, The Paragon does everything better, most notably the soundstage presentation. Every instrument is defined in its own space with no ringing. Percussion, such a delicate bell tree sounds, is very natural with no harshness. Female voice is very real, a difficult feat. Layers of depth are easily heard. The Paragon has a natural balance with none of the silver qualities that I hear in my benchmark cables. Are these cables perfect, well if I had to nitpick it may be they are a bit rounded? This is really a non-issue for me since most recordings are the opposite.
As usual, Pure Note offers a high quality product for a very fair price. Price is nice but I can afford to spend more as in the case of my Benchmark cables. What is really important to me is VALUE and this is what Pure Note really offers. For example, a 1m Valhalla interconnects retails for around $3500 yet I can outfit my entire system with Paragon cables for this price. I have to commend Pure Note for deflating cable prices.
In summary, Pure Note has built a cable that gets us closer to the musical experience. For those that donâ€™t know, Pure Note sells factory direct (avoids the 50% dealer markup) and you have a no risk 30 day trial.

Product Weakness: A bit rounded but transients are well defined. A similar quality was heard on friend's system with HT Cyberlight cables.
Product Strengths: Very neutral, excellent body, bass extension/definition, liquid mids and highs. Layered soundstage, sharp focus, velvet black background.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Tenor Audio 75 Wpc OTL monoblocks.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line-2 with selected tubes.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI Hotrod turntable. Marantz SA-1 SACD.
Speakers:	Kharma Exquisite 1-d.
Cables/Interconnects:	See Review.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, classical, big band.
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Sonex panels. Bass traps.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	One Week.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Power Plant.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A bit rounded but transients are well defined. A similar quality was heard on friend's system with HT Cyberlight cables.
Product Strengths:	Very neutral, excellent body, bass extension/definition, liquid mids and highs. Layered soundstage, sharp focus, velvet black background.