Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Silent Audio Apollo A Interconnect Cable by niws

Model:	Apollo A Interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$125 for 18
Description:	Silver Ribbon Interconnect Cable
Manufacturer URL:	Silent Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Silent Audio

Review by niws ( A ) on November 09, 2004 at 20:47:09
IP Address: 67.84.178.98

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Silent Audio is a relatively new company that sells, among other things, interconnects and speaker cables that seem to be based on the use of magnet wires, with some new innovations. The really good news is that the cables are sold at fairly low prices and may represent some of the best bargains in audioland.
Because of their low price, money back guarantee (45 day trial) and unusual appearance I decided to try their entry level copper interconnects and top of the line Apollo Silver interconnects.
The copper interconnects were very good for $40, better in terms of bass response and clarity than most, if not all cables under $50 that I have heard. However, it was the silver interconnects that have really impressed me. I havenâ€™t heard any cables that sound as good as these do, especially for $125.
Firstly, I do have to mention that these things look a bit unusual. They are flat plastic ribbons with 2 small silver conductors running thru them. Because of this, the connectors on them are about 3â€ long, which may make then difficult to use in tight spaces.
I mainly use these cables between my Quicksilver LS Preamp and Rotel 70 watt Amplifier. Sources are a Sony SCD-C555es CD player used as a transport with a Micromega Microdac. The Sony was connected to the Micromega by a Sound Professionals Glass Toslink and the Micromega to the preamp by Harmonic Technology Precision Links. Speakers are Castle Acoustics Warwicks.
The Apollos present exceptional clarity with excellent inner detailing and separation of individual instruments. The remarkable thing is that they do this without any trace of over emphasis or brightness sometimes associated with silver cables. They manage to sound smooth, natural and relaxed while presenting more information than I have gotten from any other cables that I have tried. In fact they sound a little smoother than the copper Harmonic Technology Precision Links they displaced, yet they present much more information. They achieve the thrill of hearing little details that were smeared by previous cables while still sounding smooth and rich. I havenâ€™t tried any other pure silver cables, but I have tried the DH Labs Silver Sonic cables and the DH Labs do not resolve fine details as well as the Apollos, are a little lighter in the bass and are leaner in the midrange. The â€œtensionâ€ that sometimes a revealing component can add to reproduced music is not present with these cables.
The soundstage the Apollos create seems a little larger than any other cable I have tried. This is a bit unsettling at first as music seemed to be further behind my speakers but soon I realized that it was because the size of the soundstage created by my system had grown. I can now hear further into the stage and the layers and placement are more defined. This is especially enjoyable with classical music as the location of various instruments and ambience from the recording environment are now clearly discernable. Voices are also richer and clearer with this cable. When listening to a solo acoustic guitar, the sound of the body the guitar is more audible and the image of the player is firmly focused between my speakers.
I should add here that I downsized my system around 2 years ago to a system that is much cheaper, uses much smaller speakers and a ss amp (used to use tubes). Yet, the insertion of these cables into my system has elevated its performance to a level where I do not miss my old system at all. I did not expect to get to the level of transparency and dimensionality that I am currently enjoying and these cables are largely responsible for this.
Other cables that I have tried between my amp and preamp include Belden 89259, DH Labs, Harmonic Technology, MIT 330 and MonsterM550. The Apolloâ€™s sound much better than all of them and by a fairly wide margin. Before getting the Apolloâ€™s I also tried Silent Audioâ€™s entry level copper cables, which were good but not nearly as good as the Apolloâ€™s. I have also used the Harmonic Technology Truthlinks and I think the Apolloâ€™s are better. They have better clarity and a more natural, relaxed sound.
While my system will not qualify as an ultra high resolution system, it is no slouch and I have been at this hobby for over 30 years and have heard a lot of cables. These things stand out as exceptional values. Of course, I havenâ€™t heard everything and there may be (or will be) something new that beats them, but I am confident that there are not many, if any cables currently at the price point of the Apolloâ€™s that perform like them.
All in all, I am very happy with these cables. They are definitely keepers for me.

Product Weakness: 3" connectors may be difficult to work with in tight spaces
Product Strengths: Clarity, inner detail, soundstaging, natural sound

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RB-1050
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Quicksilver LS
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony SCD-C555ES/Micromega Dac
Speakers:	Castle Acoustics Warwicks
Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic Technology, Sound Professionals Glass Toslink
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various classical, soft rock, jazz and new age
Room Size (LxWxH):	22' x 11' x 8'
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Counterpoint Pac 5 and 15
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	3" connectors may be difficult to work with in tight spaces
Product Strengths:	Clarity, inner detail, soundstaging, natural sound