Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Synergistic Research Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding Cable by EdM

Model:	Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$399
Description:	Audio Interconnect
Manufacturer URL:	Synergistic Research
Manufacturer URL:	Synergistic Research

Review by EdM on November 05, 2001 at 08:08:34
IP Address: 63.196.252.14

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for the Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding

I read Stereophile's review of these cables in the October issue and became fascinated with the idea of active shielding. Recent articles on impedence matching and active shielding (which I am familar with from my electronics background for test instrumentation) seem to truely offer a real possibility for improvement with scientifically demonstrable results.
Active shielding involves placing a DC current onto the outer cable shield to (supposedly) eliminate voltage "leaching". I would more properly expect it to act as an electromagnetic shield and possible actually decrease resistance and definitely affect impedence.
Due to my "tight" nature I sought out the cables on the used market and was able to locate a pair at usedcables.com. Synergistic Research now also offers a "Mini Power Coupler" for $49 instead of their Master Power Center at $995 so the whole test became much more reasonable.
I hooked them up between my Muse Model 2 dac and the Denon 5700 preamp.
Since they were used I did not wait for an extensive breakin but let them warm up for several hours without the "Active Shielding" turned on.
Upon critical listening the cables were good, but I could really hear no audible difference between them and Audioquest Diamondback ($75 pair).
The system was dead quiet and the soundstage and detail pretty much as before. The best I can say is that they are very quiet, perhaps more than Audioquest but hard to say.
Before going to sleep I powered up the Active Shielding and went to bed.
Later the next afternoon, I was finally able to listen. Immediately the sound stage was immensely increased and the silence was now deafening.
Although I thought my system was as quiet and noise free as it can possibly get, these cables actually had a noticeable effect.
The soundstage is what I think will most impress listeners however, on some tracks it now extends 270 degrees around the sides! I don't know how that is possible, but several friends commented on it as well.
I tired another cd I have heard a good part of my life- "Rumours" as I'm sure many of you have. I am able to pick out each voice during the chorus as distinctly as if they were singing solo.
Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding are well worth a try in your system.

Product Weakness: Don't know any
Product Strengths: Soundstage, noise level

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 4B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Denon 5700
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Muse Model 5
Speakers:	Alon Capri
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research Kaleidescope Phase I With Active Shielding
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	see review
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Accoustic Panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 days
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Don't know any
Product Strengths:	Soundstage, noise level