I Try the Kloztz AC 110 interconnects

[Macca]

Marco kindly lent me 2 pairs of these interconnects to try in my system.

I've given them an exhasutive test over the past 2 weeks - using 3 different pre-amps (NVA P90SA, Stereo Coffee LDR and XTZ) and 2 CD players (Parasound CDP1000 and Pioneer DVD575A)

My conclusion - They are not a bad cable, very clean sounding with no hash and quite well resolved in the top end with cymbals and such-like. No nasties present and they did not push the midrange forward like some cables can do (a pet hate of mine).

But... no matter what combination of equipment I tried them with I found their contribution made the sound just a little bit boring. Usually this is down to a rolled off top end but that was not the case here. it took me a while to figure it out but in the end I concluded that they were just a little bit 'soft' sounding right across the band. I first noticed it with cymbals and high hats which although well resolved were just a little too gentle and lacking impact. Bass guitar was also a little lack-lustre

Swapping in a QED reference cable demomstrated this - straight away hard struck snares were hitting me between the eyes, cymbals crashed out of the mix where they should instead of hiding away at the back and the leading edge of bass guitar notes was more pronounced.

So not at all bad for the money and might well work superbly depending on your system but I think I tried enough components with them to get a grip on their overall character. If you have a very bright, harsh sound and want to tame it these might well do the job, but they are just too polite sounding for my set-up.

[DSJR]

Please bear in mind that most recorded musis IS compressed to hell and back and can sound lacklustre all on its own. I think I know where you're coming from, but is a piece of wire going to do this for you? I've said all over the place how the Klotz cables, imaginary or not, seem to need some time of use to fully settle down.

You could always try some SSC's I suppose? Very low capacitance in this form and a possibility of being fitted with posher looking plugs to order.. Just a thought. This cable is easy to solder neatly too and must be a plus point?

[Macca]

Please bear in mind that most recorded musis IS compressed to hell and back and can sound lacklustre all on its own.?

Interesting theory that is, Dave. Recordings are poor and need inaccurate cables to spice them up a bit? Totally the opposite of my belief which is that the recordings, generally, sound fantastic and it is the kit and cables getting in the way that make them sound poor. I listen to very few recordings made after 1994 so the 'loudness wars' compression issues are rarely a problem for me.

Add to that I use speakers with a 15 inch bass driver and 4 tweeters per cab. It is not easy to get music to sound bland through them

[CageyH]

My SSC is now sat in the spares box, as I prefer the presentation of my other cables.
I am still puzzled as to why the screen is not used on the SSC cables, but they seem to sell reasonably well.

[Audio Al]

Do you have 2 of these cables

[synsei]

I think Kevin was just being thorough and laying the L & R elements to rest separately

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for posting your impressions. Most interesting... Once again your experience ably demonstrates how system-dependent cables are, as although the AC110s lack a little of the resolution of the MC5000s, in my system 'polite sounding' they are not (I simply wouldn't use cables which sounded like that)

Once you pop the AC110s back, I'll give you a go with the MC5000s and see what you think. Anyway, all experiences add to the pool of collective knowledge!

Marco.

[NRG]

Yup, no absolutes, system dependencies mean they will sound different. I found the AC 110 a little forward and preferred the Mogami mic cable in sudo balanced config but that's just personal pref.

[Marco]

I found the AC 110 a little forward...

No absolutes? Yup, indeedy!

Marco.

[NRG]

No absolutes? Yup, indeedy!

Marco.

Yeah better when you quote the whole context eh!