Cable Asylum: REVIEW: The Bolder Cable Company ART DI/O Type 2 Audio Interconnect Cable by Sean H

Model:	ART DI/O Type 2 Audio Interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$165 for .5 meter pair
Description:	Audio interconnect for use with ART DI/O DAC
Manufacturer URL:	The Bolder Cable Company
Model Picture:	View

Review by Sean H on December 17, 2001 at 22:00:35
IP Address: 24.4.252.209

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This review can be representative of both the The Bolder Cable Companyâ€™s Art DI/O Type 2 interconnect and their standard Type 2 interconnect, both of the same basic design and construction. The difference of course being the 1/4" Neutrik phone plug termination at one end and the built in voltage divider. A description of these cables and pricing are available at BolderCables.com.
The Art DI/O Type 2 IC is based on the Jon Risch designed shielded, twisted pair recipe. The construction is first rate and they look fantastic. The IC is designed for the use with the Art D/IO DAC with a voltage divider consisting of a high quality resistor network built into the IC to reduce the Artâ€™s high 7 volt output to a more standard 2 volt output. Itâ€™s a great solution for those who would like to lower the Artâ€™s output, who would like to get rid of the RCA to 1/4" phone adapter and who might not want to modify their Art with RCA jacks, for whatever reason.
I had been using a pair of DIY Type 2/Jon Risch style ICâ€™s with RCA to 1/4" adapters with my Art DI/O prior to getting Bolderâ€™s Art cables. However these cables do not have a shield, as the Bolder Type 2 cables do utilize a shield. I was not having any problems with the Artâ€™s high output but I lost a lot of fine adjustment of volume control where I was hitting quite loud volume levels by 9:00 on the dial. Popping in the Bolder Art Type 2 cables with itâ€™s built in high quality voltage pad brought back all my volume steps as it was before I started using the Art, back to a normal output level that allowed me to have many more volume steps and fine adjustment. Before it seemed I could listen to music at either a soft or LOUD volume with little in between.
As I said, I had been using a DIY cable based on the same design but lacking a shield and also lacking the quality Cardas RCAâ€™s of the Bolder cables. Sonically, as expected, I found the Bolder cable to have the same flavor and sound of my cables but even better. Wayne expressed that I would really like these cables in favor of my cables due to the shield implementation. I definitely hear less noise, hear more contrast in sounds and fine detail seems clearer. It beat out my cables in many areas, elevating the level of performance in many regards on the order of offering another level of refinement, is the best way I can describe it.
Sonically these cables are fantastic. I thought my cables that I built were excellent, better than many of the sub $250 cables I have owned. The Bolder cables are better yet. Based on my experiences with several different types, and with that what my perception of what "neutrality" is, I find these are the most neutral Iâ€™ve heard yet. Tonally I feel they possess a rightness of tone from top to bottom. Fantastic detail retrieval with excellent soundstaging that is deep and wide with lifelike and accurate imaging. The bass is deep and rich, the midrange is full, clear and detailed, and the treble is extended, clean and natural. As I write this Iâ€™m trying to think of how to break down and describe the way this cable sounds but itâ€™s hard because I feel it sounds so well balanced from top to bottom with nothing either lacking or overstating. Somehow these cables just seem to make the music flow, they donâ€™t impart any glaring colorations, never sounding lean, never sounding overly full or bloated. If I had to get microscopic in analysis I might say they sound more full and rich than lean or thin than anything. But that is good if you ask me.
I found brass instruments sound great with these cables as well as piano. The slightly full, yet very balanced and neutral character makes these instruments sound so natural and realistic. Vocals, like Rebecca Pigeon, sound so rounded, full, lifelike and clear. Also Jazz and acoustic music come across so quiet, intimate and natural. I remember noting how realistic things like cymbal taps and crashes sounded so believable. There is something so pleasing about the tone and excellent transparency that makes music so enjoyable.
One quick note. I have heard the Type 1 cables Bolder offers as well, a straight Belden 89259 design, which I found to be very good as well. They seemed to carry the same sort of character as the Type 2, offering very good transparency with a balanced tone. However when you insert the Type 2 back into the system right after hearing the Type 1 the differences seem very clear to me and become larger, in absolute audiophile terms that is. It all depends on how important the little things are to you, the differences between the Type 1 and Type 2 are important enough to me that I have to have the Type 2. The Type 2 performs on another level in my view. The Type 1 offers much of the Type 2 but lacks the fullness, coherency, bass, resolution and overall effortless fluidity of the Type 2.
The Bolder Type 2 style cables are seriously good cables. I really like the sound of the twisted pair design Wayne has used in this cable in general, period. But Wayneâ€™s rendition of this cable is fantastic. Combining a solution to solving the Artâ€™s high output with a top quality voltage divider resistor network, twisted pair base design, top quality construction and Cardas/Neutrik terminations, makes this one special cable.
Please see Inmate System for associated equipment.

Product Weakness: Really none. Cable is designed really to only work with the Art DI/O, would have to be modified for other uses.
Product Strengths: Reduces ART DI/O DAC high output to normal output, giving you back finer volume adjustment. Construction. High transparency, neutral tone.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	-
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	-
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	-
Speakers:	-
Cables/Interconnects:	-
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	-
Room Size (LxWxH):	- x - x -
Room Comments/Treatments:	-
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	-
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	-

Product Weakness:	Really none. Cable is designed really to only work with the Art DI/O, would have to be modified for other uses.
Product Strengths:	Reduces ART DI/O DAC high output to normal output, giving you back finer volume adjustment. Construction. High transparency, neutral tone.