Townshend Isolda

[farflungstar]

So I finally took the plunge and bought 2m lengths of isolda speaker cable direct from Townshend. These are the most expensive speaker cables ive bought, having been using DNM before. But they offer a full 30 day no quibble money back guarantee if you're not happy with them so you can't really lose.

Although they sent out cables with bananas (hate them) rather than spades they are nice folks and Max Townshend called me himself to apologise for the mix up and find a solution.

So, what's the verdict...

I know some people can't hear the difference between cables and I don't want flaming for experiencing something different. I can hear the differences, quite easily on my system and below is my experience of speaker cables so far in order of purchases.

VDH Clearwater. Flat, 2 dimensional. Narrow soundstage. Limited resolution. Even frequency response. Excellent construction. Handles easily.

Anti-cables. Lasted 3 days in system. Cold. Flat. Zero construction. Nightmare to handle.

Twin & Earth. Immense depth. 3 dimensional. Wide soundstage. Veiled and a little dense and lacking in ultimate resolution. Rolled off top end. Easy to handle.

DNM Precision. Good depth. 3 dimensional. Reasonable width. Warm. Beautiful midrange. Musical. Full bass. Not bad resolution. Rolled off top end. Nicely constructed. Easy to handle.

Isolda. Not had a lot of time to listen (will update) but so far... very open, airy, spacious, excellent bass definition and weight, slight glare in midrange but hoping this will go with burn in. Slightly forward presentation but no less deep. Wider soundstage. Reveals the finest of details, hearing new things on well known tracks, excellent separation. Construction is top notch but handling them is scary, fragile and expensive - not a good combination.

Will be listening more and updating.

Test System is...
Allaerts MC1b mk2 cart
Elementum 12" cocobola arm
Upgraded Technics Sp10 mk2
Aurorasound Vida Phono stage
Dave Slagle Emia autoformer volume
Cary 805c SET monoblocks
Audio Note ANe SPX Speakers


Sent from my Aquaris E4.5 using Tapatalk

[anthonyTD]

Hi Adrian,
I used to use all Isolda in my system, infact I still have quite a few pairs of interconnects, of diffrent lengths hanging about.
They are very good cables in the right system, and I enjoyed them for many years, good luck with them.:)
And yes, Max is good to deal with.
So I finally took the plunge and bought 2m lengths of isolda speaker cable direct from Townshend. These are the most expensive speaker cables ive bought, having been using DNM before. But they offer a full 30 day no quibble money back guarantee if you're not happy with them so you can't really lose.

Although they sent out cables with bananas (hate them) rather than spades they are nice folks and Max Townshend called me himself to apologise for the mix up and find a solution.

So, what's the verdict...

I know some people can't hear the difference between cables and I don't want flaming for experiencing something different. I can hear the differences, quite easily on my system and below is my experience of speaker cables so far in order of purchases.

VDH Clearwater. Flat, 2 dimensional. Narrow soundstage. Limited resolution. Even frequency response. Excellent construction. Handles easily.

Anti-cables. Lasted 3 days in system. Cold. Flat. Zero construction. Nightmare to handle.

Twin & Earth. Immense depth. 3 dimensional. Wide soundstage. Veiled and a little dense and lacking in ultimate resolution. Rolled off top end. Easy to handle.

DNM Precision. Good depth. 3 dimensional. Reasonable width. Warm. Beautiful midrange. Musical. Full bass. Not bad resolution. Rolled off top end. Nicely constructed. Easy to handle.

Isolda. Not had a lot of time to listen (will update) but so far... very open, airy, spacious, excellent bass definition and weight, slight glare in midrange but hoping this will go with burn in. Slightly forward presentation but no less deep. Wider soundstage. Reveals the finest of details, hearing new things on well known tracks, excellent separation. Construction is top notch but handling them is scary, fragile and expensive - not a good combination.

Will be listening more and updating.

Test System is...
Allaerts MC1b mk2 cart
Elementum 12" cocobola arm
Upgraded Technics Sp10 mk2
Aurorasound Vida Phono stage
Dave Slagle Emia autoformer volume
Cary 805c SET monoblocks
Audio Note ANe SPX Speakers


Sent from my Aquaris E4.5 using Tapatalk

[hifinutt]

great to hear you are enjoying them . I started the Townshend owners thread on the wam as have benefitted so much from max creations. especially his stella speaker stands . I use the dct 300 interconnect too

[Barry]

The Townshend Isolda cables are somewhat unique amongst speaker cables. They have a ribbon-like construction, whereby the two conductors have a ribbon strip-like geometry, one conductor placed above the other. They therefore have a very high capacitance per unit length, and a very low inductance per unit length:

Capacitance: 2800pF/m

Inductance: 0.084uH/m

with

(loop) Resistance: 10mOhm/m.

This is to compared with those values for a typical speaker cable: ~60pF/m and ~0.6uH/m.

I understand that Townshend offer "inductor networks" to be used with these cables. Are they used in your set up Adrian?

[farflungstar]

Yes, there are two 'boxes' at either end of the cables. One is marked to go at the amplifier end.

I did a lot of research before taking the plunge - the solid core construction benefits the valve amps, and the valve amps are not too worried by the high capacitance.

I wanted a fit and forget cable and I think these will be staying. Will be spending Christmas putting in some serious listening and will update.

I haven't tried interconnects yet, but they're a possibility....

Adrian

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[archiesdad]

I had a pair that I thought sounded great, but a change around meant that they were the wrong length and had to go, I did notice my Moon amp ran a lot cooler after they were out of the system though.

[Yomanze]

Put these on the end of an old Naim, Exposure or NVA amp and 'kerblammo'. Isolda needs careful matching!

[farflungstar]

So far so good with the Cary 805c's, though the isoldas introduce a little more resistance, have to crank the volume a smidgeon for same level but it's not by much. Will be putting some serious listening in over next few days...

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[Yomanze]

It is interesting how Max Townsend completely goes against the opposite of what constitutes a good cable, which is supposedly low capacitance, low resistance with a tradeoff in a bit more inductance. Max goes for ultra high capacitance, high resistance (for a speaker cable) and super low inductance.

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[Barry]

It is interesting how Max Townsend completely goes against the opposite of what constitutes a good cable, which is supposedly low capacitance, low resistance with a tradeoff in a bit more inductance. Max goes for ultra high capacitance, high resistance (for a speaker cable) and super low inductance.



Oh, I don't know

Isolda: 10mOhm/m

compare with

QED79: 16mOhm/m
Naim NAC: 9mOhm/m
Van Damme Blue 4mm2: 4.6mOhm/m
Van Damme UP-LOCP 6mm2: 3.2mOhm/m
Chord Carnival Classic: 23mOhm/m
Chord Silver Screen: 26mOhm/m
DNM (wired as a parallel configuration): 52mOhm/m

Though I agree the line capacitance and inductance are the opposite from the norm.

[jandl100]

Until a couple of weeks ago I was using older Townshend Isolda speaker cable.
I'd imagine the new stuff is the same but a bit better?

Anyway, I hear excellent resolution - although I always fight shy of saying things like "reveals the finest of details" because it's impossible to know what is actually on the recording, and experience shows that the next successful upgrade reveals even more! How about 'reveals fine details that previous cables didn't'. ;)

It's a bit bright and system synergy needs to allow for this. It just doesn't work well with my (typically French) rather brightly lit Carat A57 amp; two brightly lits is too much! - but it's pretty damn wonderful with my more neutral Philips amp for someone like me who prefers a somewhat forward sound.

Imaging is very nicely focused indeed and very 3D/spacious. Bass is deep and very well defined, a revelatory lack of flab, and there is real slam to be had there. I can imagine some folks finding it a bit lean in the bass, wanting something plumper/fuller.

Great cables without a doubt, and I have been through quite a number in my time.

I've now moved on to some vintage Western Electric-based speaker cables that allow through the same or more levels of information but without the brightness.
I'll not be moving the Townshend on, though, as I can imagine it might be the cable of choice with different amps to those I currently use.

[jandl100]

The Townshend Isolda cables are somewhat unique amongst speaker cables.

I love somewhat unique. :) -- it's like being somewhat pregnant.

Goertz Alphacore did/does the same kind of flat ribbon design, although I hear quite different sonic signature compared to the Townshend. I much prefer the Townshend.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/pics/goertz_mi2.jpg << Goertz and Townshend >> http://www.hartaudio.com/wms/api/image/product/first/165/800/800/image.jpg

There are other ribbon cables around as well, I think.

[anthonyTD]

He does produce products that go somewhat against the norm, but every product I have used from Townshend seem to work, I also use the speaker bars under my Tannoys, [which are a bit of a revelation] I first heard their affect whilest in Max's room at the HI FI show in 2004, where he was demonstrating the prototypes. I still own a pair of the super tweeters too.:)
The Townshend Isolda cables are somewhat unique amongst speaker cables. They have a ribbon-like construction, whereby the two conductors have a ribbon strip-like geometry, one conductor placed above the other. They therefore have a very high capacitance per unit length, and a very low inductance per unit length:

Capacitance: 2800pF/m

Inductance: 0.084uH/m

with

(loop) Resistance: 10mOhm/m.

This is to compared with those values for a typical speaker cable: ~60pF/m and ~0.6uH/m.

I understand that Townshend offer "inductor networks" to be used with these cables. Are they used in your set up Adrian?

[Yomanze]

Oh, I don't know

Isolda: 10mOhm/m

compare with

QED79: 16mOhm/m
Naim NAC: 9mOhm/m
Van Damme Blue 4mm2: 4.6mOhm/m
Van Damme UP-LOCP 6mm2: 3.2mOhm/m
Chord Carnival Classic: 23mOhm/m
Chord Silver Screen: 26mOhm/m
DNM (wired as a parallel configuration): 52mOhm/m

Though I agree the line capacitance and inductance are the opposite from the norm.

Sure the raw cable is very low resistance, but to get an '8 Ohm impedance' I suppose there's a resistor in that box, and a report of having to 'turn things up a bit more' is interesting.

What matters is how it sounds, and the measurements of this cable show that in terms of synergy it can be well-suited to a system's balance, or blow an amp up.

[Barry]

I love somewhat unique. :) -- it's like being somewhat pregnant.

Goertz Alphacore did/does the same kind of flat ribbon design, although I hear quite different sonic signature compared to the Townshend. I much prefer the Townshend.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/pics/goertz_mi2.jpg << Goertz and Townshend >> http://www.hartaudio.com/wms/api/image/product/first/165/800/800/image.jpg

There are other ribbon cables around as well, I think.

The Goertz caples look like they have the strip conductors running side by side, whereas the Townshend have them one on top of the other. The reactive properties will be quite different in the two cables. I think Mark Levinson made ribbon style speaker cables that looked like a wider version of the Goertz.

Goertz ML2 cables (as shown): 0.020uH/m, 3117pF/m

Townshend Isolda: 0.084uH/m, 2800pF/m

[Yomanze]

The Goertz caples look like they have the strip conductors running side by side, whereas the Townshend have them one on top of the other. The reactive properties will be quite different in the two cables. I think Mark Levinson made ribbon style speaker cables that looked like a wider version of the Goertz.

Maybe it's something in the ribbons themselves that are contributing to good sound subjectively.

I have a 'hybrid ribbon' speaker cable with a positive multistrand loosely twisted around a negative ribbon, which gave me back what I was missing from the Tellurium Q Blacks, which I felt were just too coloured.

[Barry]

Maybe it's something in the ribbons themselves that are contributing to good sound subjectively.

I have a 'hybrid ribbon' speaker cable with a positive multistrand loosely twisted around a negative ribbon, which gave me back what I was missing from the Tellurium Q Blacks, which I felt were just too coloured.

Well it might be something to do with the minimisation of Maxwell proximity effect, as well as the 'skin effect'.

[Yomanze]

Well it might be something to do with the minimisation of Maxwell proximity effect, as well as the 'skin effect'.

"They swim... the mark of Satan is upon them. They must hang." :D

...but yes it seems there is some science out there to help justify the reasons, shame the models & reasons are incomplete & not understood objectively!

[farflungstar]

Ok so put a few more hours on the isoldas. I love these cables, they have lifted a veil I knew was there but couldn't figure out how to solve. I can't recommend them to everyone (because of their electrical characteristics) but with the 845 SET amps they are fantastic. Here's why...

Bass - taut, deep and with incredible extension without any bloat (have removed a slight hump in the An-e's/room interaction).

Midrange - stunning separation and layering, performers and instruments float out of the speakers front to back, and in every sense fill the room. From acoustic guitar to electronica has a dynamism and vibrancy previously missing.

Upper frequencies - awesome filigree detailing without edge or sibilance, all wrapped up in an airy spaciousness that ive never heard with valves - I now know the true potential of the Treasure series 300b/6SL7 and Psvane 845T valves - transparency.

Is this a product of rising response? No, I doubt think so - everything is even - just more open.

Will they be going back to Townshend for a refund - no bloody way.

Difficult to believe that 2m of this stuff sounds better than 0.5m of DNM but it beats it hands down. Music breathes into the room. Fantastic.

One thing I'd like to do, use them bare ended, without the bananas...

Recommended to anyone with valve amps capable of running them!
Adey

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[anthonyTD]

The Townshend cable is two seperate ribbons,laid lightly on top of each other, in a protective black outer sheath, ie; they are not bonded together like some other types, for eg; the Electrofluidics cables I have also had for many years.
Hope this helps.
The Goertz caples look like they have the strip conductors running side by side, whereas the Townshend have them one on top of the other. The reactive properties will be quite different in the two cables. I think Mark Levinson made ribbon style speaker cables that looked like a wider version of the Goertz.

Goertz ML2 cables (as shown): 0.020uH/m, 3117pF/m

Townshend Isolda: 0.084uH/m, 2800pF/m

[farflungstar]

Update.
After a good few weeks of using these cables I have to say they will not be leaving the building. They are something of a revelation, in all departments. I could wax lyrical about, timbre, texture, space, depth, drive and dynamics - all of which are utterly stunning - but I won't. However I don't have a single criticism about them, nothing.

I mentioned in a previous update that I had to crank the volume a little more - this was misguided as I've realised it was the huge increase in dynamic range that was responsible. Listening level is at its norm - and by heck can it be scary! Saying that the Slagle volume means I never need to push the volume for the system to wake up - it sounds perfectly balanced and dynamic even at very low levels. The isolda cables have pushed this performance further.

If your amp can handle these unorthodox cables I recommend getting hold of a pair to try. My quest for fit and forget speaker cables is over.

Adey

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[hornucopia]

I loved the Glastonbury speakers.Great range.And had Rock t/table for decades until last year when I'd sold my LPs. Still playing on, elsewhere.(The deck-....the 700+ LPs too, I guess!)
Had experience of Max demo-ing them to me when he was in Malta (which shows how long ago!)
He plonked on exactly the same LP as I had always used to demo -spooky! (Andreas Vollenweider)
I had these cables, but I must be one of the cloth eared variety. I tried swapping between Townshend, DNM and Ocellia cable but couldn't discern differences enough. And the cost difference was in the tens increase. Now I use CAT 6 stuff, though still have the DNM handy. Maybe my 15 watt Pass F3 MOSFET amp has different needs?
Or I need new ears?

Anyone tried these...? http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nanotech7/1.html

[jandl100]

New ears, I think, Chris. ;)
The differences are pretty obvious to me!

The Isolda is one of the very best resolving cables I have heard.

[farflungstar]

I couldn't agree more. Superb cables and a different league to the DNM I had previously. If you can't hear the difference there's a problem - it was immediately apparent when I changed them over.

Adey

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