Cable Asylum: REVIEW: VH Audio Pulsar Interconnect Cable by lowebyrrd

Model:	Pulsar Interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$134.99
Description:	Fine wire shielded interconnect for digital, analog and video
Manufacturer URL:	VH Audio
Manufacturer URL:	VH Audio

Review by lowebyrrd ( A ) on October 06, 2004 at 21:33:14
IP Address: 67.192.169.65

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for the Pulsar Interconnect

Shortly after it became available I bought 15' of Pulsar cable.Two ic's with Eichman Bulletts and a digital one with with Vampyre bnc/rca. One by one I replaced my brand namers each time with an obvious improvement in sound quality. It was admittedly a closer race with the Creative Cable Concepts legendary Green Hornet, but somehow I prefered to use the Pulsar. Maybe it was that nice slick look and light weight that swayed me (man, that Hornet is a beast!) But that's a $300 cable so the VH is damn good! It is all relative and to be honest I may prefer the Hornet in another configuration or system, good stuff here but $$$$!!!
The Harm. Tech Precision Link was no comparison, but the Nordost Blue Heaven is compare-able. Pulsar has the speed, clarity, the transient snap, but it is generally better in all areas. The Pulsars convey a 'harmonic richness' which I find lacking in the BH's. The background seems quieter/blacker and the spectrum of sound to be much more full and real sounding. The upper frequencies are rendered with much less shrill/cutting effect and the transients are not simply a sharp sound but a stick on skin or a pick on string.
The midrange is much more natural/real as well. More texture in the close miked Cassandra and Norah vocals. There's the perverbial heretofore un-noticed harmonies, coughs, musician cues, mike stand bumps, etc... that tells me they truly are a step up in cabledom.
All the same on the bass too. Deep and clear. No flab. Victor Wootens Fedora bass had a new set of strings! The resonance and 'poppiness' of his playing is awesome.
Soundstaging/imaging is limited by what the system can do. (the components,tubes, the disc playing etc...) My room is very difficult in this area, but it can be very 3d with the ability for the speakers to disappear. The Pulsars seem very transparent in the component chain. Changes of tubes, capacitors, etc.. are easily heard.
SOooo...I've had them long enough to forget how long it's been (8 months?) and they are surely staying. I love the thin-ness and light weight (so does my Hag Tech Bugle phono) and sleek look. In an initial impressions letter to Chris I called them 'B.H.'s with heart' I still feel the same.
The fact that you can take part in the creation of such a stunning piece of audio gear by simply buying the wire and (again, simply)doing it yourself, is just icing on the cake. The wire is quite easy to work with and is a great way to enter the DIY asylum!
The VenHaus Pulsars are an easy recomendation. Before you pay any more (or less!) they deserve a listen.
Oh yeah, Chris is truly a good man.
Aloha, LB.

Product Weakness: ???
Product Strengths: read above

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	prototype version of Quicksilver Horn Mono
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bottlehead Foreplay a bit tweaked and boutiqued
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Proceed PDT-3 trans/Counterpoint DA-10 dac,,Denon cheap cd changer,,,Origin Live Standard TT kit with JH Labs Formula 4 arm and Ortofon Super OM-20 cart. and Hag Tech Bugle phono with batteries.
Speakers:	Belle Klipsch
Cables/Interconnects:	VH Pulsar
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	an assortment from among4000 lp's 600 cd's
Room Size (LxWxH):	too x small x !
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner