View Full Version : The best kept secret in Hi-Fi
Thetiminator
15-09-2014, 17:36
A company/product/accessory which makes exceptional stuff yet still remains 'under the radar'.
I'll start off with:
Reference Fidelity Cables
I've tried everything at all kinds of silly money but nothing has managed to dislodge Paul's cables from my system. The craziest example being when I tested a £4500 MIT digital cable that was bettered by a £100 RF one!
RF's top interconnects are a £2000 cable for £400.
Why is a cable worth £2000? And on that note, why is a cable worth £400?
What level of unobtanium do the higher priced wires have, compared to the lower budget (costs the same as a big flat screen telly) Digital, binary switching, link wire? Oh, and better how?
Do cable debates happen on AOS? I do hope so.
Wakefield Turntables
15-09-2014, 18:33
Do cable debates happen on AOS? I do hope so.
Yes and quite often they are very emotive. I suggest you do some homework and read some of the older threads to answer your question. :)
walpurgis
15-09-2014, 18:38
Do cable debates happen on AOS?
Possibly too many? :)
Possibly too many? :)
I'd say one is too many.:)
Anyway, to get back on topic, I say the very best Hi-Fi secret costs absolutely nothing. It's really simple for most, but perhaps not for others, and it is this:
Always listen to your music in a good mood. There. That's it. Please send cheques to...
I'd say one is too many.:)
Anyway, to get back on topic, I say the very best Hi-Fi secret costs absolutely nothing. It's really simple for most, but perhaps not for others, and it is this:
Always listen to your music in a good mood. There. That's it. Please send cheques to...
If I may add...........with a beer !
And - if I may add - when a recording you know and love doesn't sound quite right, and there's no apparent reason, it's probably the bit between your ears that's wrong - temporarily.
Clive197
16-09-2014, 08:49
For me, it's a glass (or2) of red wine. The better the wine, the better my HiFi sounds. Now can anyone tell us if one variety of grape sounds better than another?
Clive
Why is a cable worth £2000? And on that note, why is a cable worth £400?
What level of unobtanium do the higher priced wires have, compared to the lower budget (costs the same as a big flat screen telly) Digital, binary switching, link wire? Oh, and better how?
Well, I can't give you any insight as to why a cable should cost £2000 (most of that is likely spent on marketing), but I can shed some light on why a cable like the RFC Reference Venus costs £345 (which is what a one metre pair costs) - most of the cost is in the connectors, in the case of the Venus the recommended retail for four of the Furutech Carbon CF102 RCA plugs is £360 - now RFC won't be paying RRP for said plugs, which is why the whole cable costs less than the plugs on their own, but is also why it's the price it is!
Mr Kipling
16-09-2014, 11:54
Shan't tell. Shan't tell.
What a coincidence. My mate just rang me saying he has just ordered a cable from that supplier and I can borrow/try it after he's had a go with it, see what I think. He has heard there is something special about them.
the recommended retail for four of the Furutech Carbon CF102 RCA plugs is £360 - now RFC won't be paying RRP for said plugs, which is why the whole cable costs less than the plugs on their own, but is also why it's the price it is!
So the next logical question is why is a plug worth £90?
Well that's a more than fair question and 'I don't know' is my answer. To be honest, the best I have encountered/used are the ETI Silver Harmony and they are £75 for four of them.
So the next logical question is why is a plug worth £90?
I'm not sure I can justify up to £90 but I will have a go.
First, if you want a good quality signal then the connection parts, ie the Pin (+) and the contact for the Return (-) should be made of the best materials, ie silver or pure copper. The obvious reason is that silver and copper are the best conductors. Silver is expensive in its own right. Copper is also expensive, but for different reasons. One is that it needs to be plated, typically with gold or rhodium, to prevent corrosion. That is an increase in cost of materials and of process. Copper is also relatively soft and that means it is more difficult to machine, typically more so than brass.
Second, as you go up the scale of quality the volume of sales decreases, so the margin for the people in the chain increases as well. And the cost of the design has to be spread over fewer sales.
Third, some plugs have additional features. For example the Furutech FT-111 plugs that I used in my Geisha Interconnects* have a locking mechanism. So they attach to the female binding post easily, then you screw them and they make a tight contact. Other features can be built in that are not available in cheaper plugs, such as strain relief.
*Not for sale (or rent) but the build blog & photos are in the DIY section
Gordon Steadman
16-09-2014, 14:06
For me, it's a glass (or2) of red wine. The better the wine, the better my HiFi sounds. Now can anyone tell us if one variety of grape sounds better than another?
Clive
I can think of two to avoid:
Andre - Czech variety - makes you think of the 60's when it was introduced.
Mission - usually a bit sharp for my tastes.
Not really a secret in hifi but l will say some Tripath amps......
Clive197
16-09-2014, 16:28
I can think of two to avoid:
Andre - Czech variety - makes you think of the 60's when it was introduced.
Mission - usually a bit sharp for my tastes.
???? :scratch::scratch:
Not really a secret in hifi but l will say some Tripath amps......
Andy mate, you sound like you've had too much wine. No sober person would say that.:rolleyes:
Now, plugs costing 90 quid each on the end of your wire.:scratch: Do the manufacturers of the equipment use the same connectors? Well, the answer is a huge big fat NO. Is the internal wire in all the boxes matched to the IC? Well, the answer is a huge big...
I'm a non believer, if you hadn't noticed.
Gordon Steadman
17-09-2014, 15:22
???? :scratch::scratch:
Why's that then?:)
Spectral Morn
17-09-2014, 15:45
Anthony Gallo Reference 3s any of them though the first two the 3 and the 3.1 were the biggest bargains, stunning. Sadly now discontinued.
Regards Neil
Best kept secret?
learn to enjoy what you have and remember it should be about the music.
Firebottle
18-09-2014, 08:02
+1 there Gary.
I'm going to say valves/tubes, ok not so much a secret for this and other similar forums, but Joe Public doesn't know what he is missing when valves are done properly ;)
:cool: Alan
+1 there Gary.
I'm going to say valves/tubes, ok not so much a secret for this and other similar forums, but Joe Public doesn't know what he is missing when valves are done properly ;)
:cool: Alan
Joe Public doesn't care either. It's only us raving nutters that insist on taking it to the nth degree. I'd be a lot richer if I'd settled for a ipod. Shame they weren't around in the early 80's.
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