Van Damme Neutrik Interconnects

[ursus262]

Hi Guys

Anybody got experience of Van Damme interconnects? I'm thinking of buying a pair to replace my Cambridge Audio wires which I don't like very much.

I would prefer balanced cables with a solid return wire if possible. Anybody got any suggestions?

:) Dave :)

[Tarzan]

l have, will PM you later, l am off to bed, what did you want to know exactly?:)

[ursus262]

Hi Andy

Well, I'm just wondering how they perform in use and what the sonic qualities are. I've heard that they are very good!

I saw the thread about the Belkin cables, but they much too long for me.

[Effem]

What is it you don't like about the Cambridge Audio cable?

My experience of the Van Damme cables is that they are well made, fairly rugged, not too expensive and pretty unexciting in sonic attributes.

[Peter Stockwell]

My experience of the Van Damme cables is that they are well made, fairly rugged, not too expensive and pretty unexciting in sonic attributes.

Is that a good or a bad thing ?

Using Van Damme interconnect CD > Preamp > Pwr amp and finding it pretty decent, unexciting, probably, but not drawing attention to itself either. They cost me £16 a pair. (I had them ready made, my soldering is not brilliant)

[ursus262]

Well, I find that the Cambridge interconnects sound a bit, well, veiled. I don't know what it is about them, but I am disappointed in their performance. Heard better.

As for the description "unexciting", does this mean that you found the cable transparent, and was it an improvement over the cables you had before?

[Peter Stockwell]

As for the description "unexciting", does this mean that you found the cable transparent, and was it an improvement over the cables you had before?

I wouldn't go that far, I was using MG G2000HD before, I wouldn't claim for a minute that they are as good, but I'm certinly hearing stuff on recordings I didn't hear before.

I changed other things in the system, notably the mains arrangement, and I think that made a bigger difference to transparency than the interconnects.

[Effem]

Well, I find that the Cambridge interconnects sound a bit, well, veiled. I don't know what it is about them, but I am disappointed in their performance. Heard better.

As for the description "unexciting", does this mean that you found the cable transparent, and was it an improvement over the cables you had before?

I was being polite :lolsign:

Dull, sluggish, veiled, boring, would be apt descriptions for the Van Damme in the way I perceive their performance, so in my opinion I don't think they are going to ring your bells as an upgrade from the current CA cable.

You could do a lot worse than the Belkins Silver Series we all rave about on here, or look out for some famous names that can be bought cheaply secondhand on ebay

[ursus262]

I was being polite :lolsign:

Dull, sluggish, veiled, boring, would be apt descriptions for the Van Damme in the way I perceive their performance, so in my opinion I don't think they are going to ring your bells as an upgrade from the current CA cable.

You could do a lot worse than the Belkins Silver Series we all rave about on here, or look out for some famous names that can be bought cheaply secondhand on ebay

:)

Belkin it is then :wetkipper:

[Reid Malenfant]

I might be barking up the wrong tree here but are you after balanced cables with XLR connections, IE proper balanced cables? :scratch:

Or are you after psuedo balanced cables with phono type connectors?

If it's the former i can't honestly say i have seen any from Belkin ;)

[ursus262]

Hi Mark

I was thinking of pseudo-balanced cables with RCA connectors.

Hope you've recovered from your birthday celebrations :eyebrows:

[Reid Malenfant]

Ah, cheers for clearing that up :) Whenever anyone says balanced i naturally think of XLR type connectors & a fully balanced connection (which is what i use if at all possible) :lol:

Yes, fully recovered. I was even up at abot 2.40AM & then again at 3.30AM to bid on some CDs. I won them to, which made it all worthwhile :cool:

Thanks for asking :eyebrows:

[ursus262]

Ah, cheers for clearing that up :) Whenever anyone says balanced i naturally think of XLR type connectors & a fully balanced connection (which is what i use if at all possible) :lol:

Yes, fully recovered. I was even up at abot 2.40AM & then again at 3.30AM to bid on some CDs. I won them to, which made it all worthwhile :cool:

Thanks for asking :eyebrows:

You must have the constitution of an ox!

[Reid Malenfant]

You must have the constitution of an ox!
Ahhhh, Pisto :lol:

Just used to a bit more drink than Joe average :eyebrows:

[DSJR]

I was being polite :lolsign:

Dull, sluggish, veiled, boring, would be apt descriptions for the Van Damme in the way I perceive their performance, so in my opinion I don't think they are going to ring your bells as an upgrade from the current CA cable.

You could do a lot worse than the Belkins Silver Series we all rave about on here, or look out for some famous names that can be bought cheaply secondhand on ebay

The Belkins aren't as good as the Van Damme XKE's IMO, lacking bass extension subjectively and sounding a tad crude in comparison. I could do a reverse opinion and say that maybe the van Dammes are showing up blandness in your system that your preferred cables mask with ringing and other "exciting" cable nasties....

Maybe you're right though, but I like 'em and once the direction is right, they're fine for my stereo. By the way, I've compared the popular XKE type (as sold most often in phono runs), to the shot-gun style (as sold by SoundStable on Ebay) and also the respected Pro-Patch mic cables as used on tonearm exit cables and personally don't find a huge difference between any of them. Again, some here would slate my system and say it isn't really good enough for more exalted extras.

[idc]

Here are my DIY Van Damme Neutrik Rean cables, made very short to fit into my system.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4567861904_abf81418e2.jpg

I tend to use pro audio cable such as Van Damme and Proel for my DIY as both bend easily and are tough. Pro audio also demands quality construction with competitive prices.

Blind testing with a Silver High Breed Synergy 2i found no difference between the two cables.

[Effem]

I am not surprised that you didn't hear any difference between the two cables because they are very similar in construction with not dissimilar design briefs.