View Full Version : Revelation Audio Passage Cryo-Silver Reference DB-25 Power Cable
This article will be of interest to almost no-one! In looking at my system, it is 100% connected with Yannis silver interconnects and sounds all the better for it. System balance is high on resolving fine detail but it's never harsh, always remaining on the musical side of neutral. So what's left to upgrade, short of a major component change that I neither want nor can afford?
http://www.moremusic.nl/pass_labs/XP-20_front.jpg
I've been reading about the benefits of upgrading the umbilical cables between two-box components, specifically equipment with an outboard power supply. My Pass Labs XP-20 preamp is a case in point, using two boxes to keep the power supply away from the sensitive preamp electronics and connecting them together with a DB-25 cable. The grey cable provided by Pass Labs carries various DC voltages and ground but looks to be a standard computer grade cable with fairly low-rent plugs and unknown cores. Could it be bettered? Reading up on other Pass Labs users, as well as other two-box brands, it seems that it most certainly can.
Enter the Revelation Audio Passage cryo-silver reference DB-25 power cable. It's constructed from 5N solid silver cores with Amphenol connectors and uses air dielectric and heavy shielding. It looks the biz, so I've ordered one (there is a money-back trial period and Brad Vojtech, the designer, has even offered to pay shipping costs).
http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/images/cables-big/PassageDB-25.jpg
Other Pass users say they have been impressed with the upgrade in performance of their preamps. On that basis, and the fact that this could represent a relatively inexpensive upgrade compared with a component change, I have taken a punt.
I will report my findings when I receive it. This may just be of interest to other two-box owners, since Revelation Audio make a variety of umbilical cables for different brands of equipment such as Krell, Audiomeca, Sim Audio, Oracle, Musical Fidelity, Audio Alchemy etc.
http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/cables-power/index.htm#PassageDB-25
Where did you read about the benefits of upgrading the umbilical cable? My pre has this too.
I was searching all over the net last night, Tristan, but I didn't keep any of the sites. For me, gut instinct often plays a role and I know how good silver is as a carrier of both signals (Yannis interconnects) and DC (Paul Hynes Clearsilver), so I didn't need much persuasion once I looked a little closer at my DB-25 'computer' cable.
For me, it's a question of whether I think I'll hear a difference and whether it'll be worth the cost. I can always return it if it doesn't work out.
What pre do you have?
Funnily enough I thought over the weekend of replacing the umbilical cord. It currently has some belden cable, but I like the Furutech Alpha 3 and Furukawa 2.0. I thought replacing it with one of these might bring benefits (at a cost).
My pre is this one - http://www.audibleillusions.com/products/l3-line-stage-preamplifier/l3-linestage-specifications/
The umbilical is soldered rather than connectors so a bit more effort required. One day I'll do it. At the moment other upgrades to other cables take precedence. I'll be very interested to see how you get on.
I will report back.
One idea for you is that Paul Hynes can source different gauges of Clearsilver pure silver solid core cable in a transparent outer. You could decide on how many cores you need and he will create a nicely braided bundle to your required length, ready for soldering at both ends. I use Clearsilver for all the internal DC wiring and the external feed cable in my modified Technics turntable.
The cable has been shipped! Properly excited now, as this is a bit of an unknown and I'm going on other Pass owner's experiences. Full report to come when I receive it.
realysm42
07-04-2013, 11:32
Ah, to own some pass gear...
The XP-20 is my third Pass preamp, Martin. I simply haven't heard any better preamp although the XP-20 is no longer top dog as there is an XP-30 out now. Utter and absolute transparency and very firm output drive are their trademarks. I've always been surprised that Pass Labs are not more popular in the UK, but marketing has always been a bit sketchy.
realysm42
07-04-2013, 12:15
Tbh I've never heard any of their stuff, but the design and rave reviews people give all the gear must count for something!
Plus it all looks beautiful.
Have you ever considered a passive preamp?
I move up from a passive preamp to my first Pass (X2.5). I will never go back as passives just don't do it for me - there isn't enough grunt to drive a power amp into the kind of dynamic performance that I get from my Chord.
realysm42
07-04-2013, 13:06
Interesting to hear that, I was wondering what the catch with them is.
If you didn't drive your system hard, would a passive be suitable, or does that limitation come into play at all levels?
No, the limitation is always there, imparting a 'lightweight' presentation. I wasn't talking about volume so much as creating an image of weight and substance.
Well, Brad Vojtech of Revelation Audio is another person I'm dealing with who uses every delaying tactic in the book. I'm still being promised tracking information but no confirmation of shipment as yet.
I really hope the Passage will be worth waiting for.
Spectral Morn
31-05-2013, 20:23
Well, Brad Vojtech of Revelation Audio is another person I'm dealing with who uses every delaying tactic in the book. I'm still being promised tracking information but no confirmation of shipment as yet.
I really hope the Passage will be worth waiting for.
Hi Martin
That's quite a delay and in my book not really on considering he is only building a lead. I was interested in this cable as my Pass Labs X Ono uses a similar connecting lead but considering the delay you are experiencing I think I will pass.
The Pass stuff always sounds lovely in the Select Audio room at audio shows but I have never heard any of the pre or power amplifiers in my own set up but would love to some day.
Regards Neil
Hi Neil
In much the same way as I've never heard a better power amp than my Chord, Nelson Pass impresses me hugely with his preamp designs (although I know Wayne Colburn plays a big part too). The XP-20 is my third Pass preamp and I think it's incredibly neutral and transparent while providing the kind of drive into the power amp that passives simply cannot do. The Pass and Chord form the central engine of my system and I would not willingly change that as I know their characteristics (such as they are) so well.
I really want to try the Passage cable as I sense that the DB25 cable supplied with the XP-20 is a weak link, a thoroughly ordinary computer serial cable. if for any reason the Passage never arrives, I'm going to buy some of Paul Hynes' Clearsilver single core silver cable and make my own DB25 with it, laborious as that may be.
Blimey, it's been over three months since you ordered this cable Martin - do you think it will ever be sent?
I've sent Brad another message in an attempt to get an answer to that question.
This morning:
Hi Martin,
Yes, sir, I can absolutely assure you of dispatch within the next week.
Thank you,
Brad
Brad is well know in the industry for late delivery 6 months is more the norm
Hmm...well we shall see. I hope it does arrive Martin (as I know you are looking forward to it) - but it doesn't take three months to make a cable no matter what.
MikeMusic
01-06-2013, 09:04
This morning:
I dislike people who call me "sir"
smacks of exactly the opposite
I dislike people who call me "sir"
smacks of exactly the opposite
A bit like when someone says "with respect" and then totally disrespects you!
MikeMusic
01-06-2013, 12:10
A bit like when someone says "with respect" and then totally disrespects you!
Both usually said with a faintly disguised sneer
I also get
"I know you're having your lunch" at work - but still interrupted for usually something below minor.
I'm becoming less polite with my repsonse
My wife often prefaces a sentence with "I don't mean to be rude, but..." (usually something like "you're a fat lazy slob") - so in fact, you did mean to be rude! :scratch:
The Grand Wazoo
01-06-2013, 18:37
This falls into the same category as the 'humble opinion' - if you profess to have one, then you do not consider it to be humble and you think it's the only one that matters!
Did this ever turn up? If so what's it like?
It's been the longest order wait in history, peppered with delays and excuses. I have now received USPS shipping advice and await with trepidation contact from the customs clearance people.
Despite the wait (I am a very patient man), I'm really keen to start the cable evaluation :)
MikeMusic
22-08-2013, 07:53
It's been the longest order wait in history, peppered with delays and excuses. I have now received USPS shipping advice and await with trepidation contact from the customs clearance people.
Despite the wait (I am a very patient man), I'm really keen to start the cable evaluation :)
Looking at the whole life experience of this product and company the product has to be incredibly good to make up for the wait and the appalling service
The wait has been horrendous, but, i have a feeling the cable might be very good.
It's arrived today!!!
Tonight's going to be fun...
MikeMusic
03-09-2013, 08:55
It's arrived today!!!
Tonight's going to be fun...
Just read back
'Shipped in April'
That guy is having a laugh
Would have to be unbelievably good for me to remotely consider it
Well, you're now someone who will be able to offer a second opinion on it, so I'll be bringing it over ;)
MikeMusic
03-09-2013, 12:04
Well, you're now someone who will be able to offer a second opinion on it, so I'll be bringing it over ;)
Now that could be a mixed blessing !
<thinks> could Yannis make one ?
I guess he could. So could Paul Hynes, with his Clearsilver core cable. It's the effort involved in preparing 25 similar cores and finding good quality silver DB-25 plugs that would slow the process down.
Just in case you questioned the serious build quality of this cable, here it is compared with the original DC power cable as provided by Pass Labs. Getting it into position and screwed down required my being triple-jointed in both arms as space behind my system rack is limited and it doesn't want to bend too readily.
Brad has suggested that I give it some bedding-in time before making any critical judgements. Since it is silver I'll go along with that as I know from experience that silver takes longer to fully run in compared with copper. However, I will say that my listening so far has been very promising indeed ;)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9667150280_6a2eb0a10f_b.jpg
MikeMusic
04-09-2013, 09:42
I guess he could. So could Paul Hynes, with his Clearsilver core cable. It's the effort involved in preparing 25 similar cores and finding good quality silver DB-25 plugs that would slow the process down.
Well. We wait to hear when it is bedded in.............
Yannis could make it starting in the mine with some rocks and still beat him on delivery
:)
In trying to impart how this cable has modified the performance of my Pass Labs XP-20, I need to bear in mind that a) it's easy to get carried away with 'night and day' comparative nonsense; b) it costs a lot of money unless you factor it into the relative cost of the preamp as a whole; c) it's going to be of interest to very few of you and d) some of you don't even recognise that cables can sound different. So here goes...
The Revelation Audio Passage Cryo-Silver cable has changed the sound of my system in two distinct areas, which have taken a few days of settling and listening to familiar music to get a full handle on. I have left the XP-20 powered up for several days on end to burn-in the silver cores, my experience of cables telling me that silver takes longer than copper in this respect. I am glad to report that it does not sound like a cheap silver cable with all the harshness and edginess that they bring. Cheap silver cables are worse than using copper, for sure, mostly because of the impurity of the silver and the poor connectors used.
The first change is that the 'shape' of the performers has come into better focus. By this I mean that I can hear more of the vocalist's voicing and, especially, the room or space they are singing in. I have played all manner of singers and the best recorded ones, including Joan Armatrading, Van Morrison, k d lang and Bruce Springsteen, all sound more real than I have heard before, with the acoustic of their venue a little more palpable. Studio recordings have become a little more live as a result (of course, almost all recordings are live really). Really superb and inspiring tracks such as Joan Armatrading's In Your Eyes; Van Morrison's Into the Mystic; Bruce Springsteen's Point Blank; k d lang's Don't Smoke in Bed; and Jewel's Barcelona all have a certain quality of greatness and these are the very songs that are most improved by the Passage.
The second change is that bass is under more control and consequently tighter. Now my system is not lacking in bass extension and power, but it can easily be made to overload my room; this is a shortcoming of my having deliberately selected speakers which are pretty large for the size of room. It could be that this second area of improvement will not be audible to everyone, although the Pass excels at bass and it would be a crying shame to waste it on a system not capable of digging the depths. Regardless, bass is tighter which gives a feeling of less quantity but incredible structure and tight control over the music. Pedal organ notes are amazing, especially when playing recordings of that big Ruffatti in Davies Symphony Hall. I've always liked reproducing the full frequency range and I feel a little closer to achieving the sound of a bigger room without actually moving house.
In conclusion, the Passage improves upon the stock cable in two important areas in subtle but repeatable ways and is still showing signs of making further small improvements. It has remarkable build quality and certainly looks like the money has been spent on lots of silver and good quality connectors. Its sound confirms that the silver is of the very best purity. Whether it is value for money is a very personal judgement; for me, in the context of a £7k preamp, it gives worthwhile improvements on an already outstanding preamp, so I consider it to have been a good upgrade. I cannot think of another way of obtaining that ramp up in performance by spending the same money elsewhere, at least in my system. If you have a two-box component with an umbilical cable of any connector type, Revelation Audio can make a custom Passage to suit. But - it is quite likely to take an age to arrive, so you will need patience and commitment.
In time, I shall take the cable over to Mike's system where another XP-20 now resides. When he listens to it, you will get a second opinion. For now, I'm very pleased (and I'll be keeping it).
MikeMusic
07-09-2013, 09:15
Damn. I was hoping you would say it was so so at best.
My system sounded very good as was, below needs amending, with the Naim 82.
The Pass took it to another level, and this with only RCA not balanced cables - coming soon. So there is more to come there, plus, and this may be key, I have, some say a power amp and that can be improved.
'Course the Isobariks are wonderful, but may possibly be slightly surpassed, only on a good day by those old Usher thingys :)
Same sort of subject, maybe
I tried the TQ Black and Ultra Black speaker cables against my NACA5 and was unimpressed. This when the system was some distance below where it is now in SQ
A more revealing system, er, reveals more, weakest link and all that
So interesting stuff this
Thinking on....similar area
I replaced Naim cables from HiCap to Naim 500 with Kimber KCAG and the difference was immediate and excellent.
A major upgrade. So this very long arriving cable could well be doing the same +
A week has passed with the Passage passing DC constantly through my permanently powered Pass XP-20. I was listening tonight and it became apparent that I was hearing a little more palpability, a little more 'real' from everything. All my music from singer-songwriter through some heavy rock to classical has benefitted, bringing the music a little closer. The classic 'lifting a veil'.
This is what I have found good silver cables to do. Whether it's Paul Hynes' Clearsilver internal wiring cable, Yannis' superb ConnectLitz interconnects or now the Passage cable, pure silver brings me a little closer to the truth.
MikeMusic
13-09-2013, 06:41
Seems like an amplification of the 'XP-20 effect' that I'm discovering.
Have you tried swapping back to the old cable yet and comparing the two ?
I imagine it will sound lacklustre and the gradual improvement over the days for the Passage will be more pronounced
Have you tried swapping back to the old cable yet and comparing the two ?
Not really any need at the moment, Mike. It's pretty obvious what it's doing.
However, I'll do so at some point when I can be bothered to get behind the rack, unscrew the plugs with the aid of a mirror (three arms required) and swap them around. Oh, to be able to step behind my rack and dress the cables properly!
MikeMusic
13-09-2013, 07:23
Not really any need at the moment, Mike. It's pretty obvious what it's doing.
However, I'll do so at some point when I can be bothered to get behind the rack, unscrew the plugs with the aid of a mirror (three arms required) and swap them around. Oh, to be able to step behind my rack and dress the cables properly!
Ah similar problem to me.
I have broached the subject of pulling the kit away from the wall. Think that could be ok :)
'Course the Isobariks need to be flush up against the wall which blocks access rather well
Oldpinkman
13-09-2013, 08:12
d) some of you don't even recognise that cables can sound different. .
not all cables. Just some. :)
not all cables. Just some. :)
:rfl:
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