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This is a report, not a review, so take it as you will.As placed within my main system:
VH Audio Speaker Cable vs. Nordost Cinemaflex 14/4
Better delineated timbral information. My very first impression of the VH Audio Speaker Cable’s presentation was that of individual images being more clearly defined as having a palpable three dimensional body, particularly notable from front to back. This depth perception is far greater than my previous speaker cable’s presentation. This level of image resolution allows the nuanced timbre of individuated instruments (and the human voice) to be expressed with a naturalness that can best be described with a most basic audiophile term: High Fidelity. I believe that the cable offers excellent phase integrity which allows the signal to pass without coloration due to smearing.
Substantially less glare, more open. My previous cable presented with a certain bloom from top to bottom that obscured inner detail and micro dynamics. The removal of this glare showed that my previous cable’s tonality sounded washed out in comparison. The VH Audio Speaker Cable has a very open soundstage, with seemingly no constriction of the signal flow.
More relaxed sounding than my previous cables. My previous cables sounded more aggressive, with less finesse. Everything seemed to be pushed forward and treated as a mass in comparison. The VH Audio Speaker Cable sounds sweeter in comparison, with a musical quality that makes me want to turn up the volume. There is a smoothness to the sound without any softening, and that’s a very good thing. The cable sounds neither fast nor slow, it’s timing is very natural to my ear and seems to be in the pocket.
Lowered noise floor. This is yet another upgrade that reminds me of adding a power line conditioner to a system. There is obviously a blacker background. Having a sense of more “nothing” in the mix allows the “somethings” in the mix to resolve against. This quietness also seems to allow a more expressive dynamic range to be experienced. I can’t detect any noise due to dielectric involvement, and the cable is very well damped which decreases mechanical resonances, also of which I can’t detect any presence of.
More air and spatial information. The VH Audio Speaker Cable presents a more natural acoustic environment for individuated images to portray an actual event, a reproduction rather than a simulation. This is yet another example of a naturalness that the VH Audio Speaker Cable presents. “Organic” is a good way to describe the VH Audio Speaker Cable’s sonic signature, as it does very well to avoid a “hi-fi-ish” sound, while being a true high fidelity device, in my opinion. This product just might help reduce noise fatigue for a listener who has trouble with that particular issue within their system.
My previous cables presented with a metallic sonic signature in comparison (something I was unaware of), while the VH Audio Speaker Cable has a naturalness that shows no apparent character of it’s own (very transparent). I simply can’t detect anything that distracts my attention due to the cable.
Very authoritative bass, very tight yet full, with excellent focus from top to bottom. The VH Audio Speaker Cable offers extended bass as compared to my previous cable. It also has superior pitch definition and articulation of the bass fundamental. Thus said; the VH Audio Speaker Cable’s bass is another one of it’s strong points. The cable presents with excellent focus, with the leading edges being neither hyped or softened. Again, very natural.
Treble presents with a bell-like quality that is free of grain or hash. I suspect the cable provides a measure of high frequency noise cancellation due to it's geometry.
Not bright, not euphonic, just right. If my previous cable can be considered to be a good cable, the VH Audio Speaker Cable is a truly great one. I believe the cable provides what one can truly say is an optimized interface between amplification and loudspeakers.
Follow Ups:
I just ordered some Flaver#4 + pulsar wire and was wondering about the speaker wire. New website looks good. Thanks Duster for a very well done review.
Some may find blame to me for the cable being a DIY-only product. Chris built a beta bi-wire set for me and found it to be a major pain (which is why I did not go that route, sorry Chris). For those with proper patience and time, it's a killer DIY project cable... The DIY labor involved is a cost saver, really :-)
Never been afraid to jump into DIY projects before, but I guess as I get older I increasingly hate having to strip numerous wires.Chris, if you are reading, can you point me to a good (cheap?) wire stripper that will work perfectly with the material and gauge of your speaker wire?
Hi, John. This insulation may be easily removed with your fingernails. But, after you do 48 of these your finger might be a bit sore :-PFor those who aren't into callouses and pain, the Klein model 1003 adjustable stripper works well, and the Klein No. 11057 is also a great stripper for smaller guage wires (fixed holes for sizes 20 to 32 AWG).
Hope this helps a bit.
I want to clarify to the forum that when I said termination is a "major pain", a better term would be "quite a task". While I did not wish to take the time and effort, the cable has got to be the finest raw cable for DIY ever offered, IMHO. Much of the cost involved in a pre-made high end speaker cable can be due to termination of a cable like this (look at similar litz type products).If folks can braid Cat5 cable, they can surely terminate VH Audio's litz speaker cable (it would seem to be an easier task than a DIY Cat5 speaker cable).
shares many of the same great qualities as his Pulsar ICs- the naturalness of sound quality, detail, balance, musicality. I'm doing some serious thinking of trying the CVH speaker cable, the downside being I'm not too adept at DIY. Was the process very difficult? CVH website implies it really isn't, and I have no reason to doubt that. The time consumption is irrelevant - I'll just listen to music til they're done!A very well- written and informative report. Thanks Duster.
*** This hear hobby is one fine hobby indeed...a passion ***
With time and patience, I bet the project would be easier than some might expect.If ol' Granny can knit a sweater, then...
Nice report Duster. I've read many Asylum reviews that pale in comparison. I have always admired Chris' designs. He has come a long way in their development. I currently have two of his hot boxes in my system with the auric cap filters and they make a significant improvement to the overall sound. I am moving next month, but once I get settled I'm going to try a pair of these new speaker cables. By the way, how long did it take you to DIY them?
Music- The Universal Language
Hi Sherod,
I have made a VH speakercable, It took me about 2-3 hours in total.
On the amp side I was using Furu Gold spades and on the speaker side I did solder 8 off 4 mm bananas.
Very good cable !!!
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