View Full Version : VDH The Orchid RCA
farflungstar
16-02-2017, 12:46
Hi guys - does anyone have experience of these interconnects. Im in the market for 3 pairs (prefer to get all from same family) but opinions online are mixed. I've never seen them come up for sale second hand which either means they are keepers or im blind!
Adey
Haselsh1
16-02-2017, 13:03
The only experience I have with VdH interconnects are the D102HB MkIII's which I just had to get rid of. Huge overblown, flabby bass and thick mid band. Nor for me, however, these could well be different.
Of all the cables in all the world why VDH Orchid? My money would be on RFC Venus or the less expensive versions.
Stryder5
16-02-2017, 14:21
VdH usually considered Van den Dull, mine certainly were.
farflungstar
16-02-2017, 15:04
I've read that, but only in the context of their other cables.
In perpetual pursuit.
Stryder5
16-02-2017, 15:20
I've read that, but only in the context of their other cables.
In perpetual pursuit.
Have you tried Brian's cables?
farflungstar
16-02-2017, 15:22
Brian?
In perpetual pursuit.
Stryder5
16-02-2017, 15:34
Brian?
In perpetual pursuit.
Brian2957, makes rather good cables on this forum.
farflungstar
16-02-2017, 16:13
Is he in the trade section...
In perpetual pursuit.
farflungstar
16-02-2017, 16:19
Tried to message him but I guess his inbox good full.
In perpetual pursuit.
Is he in the trade section...
In perpetual pursuit.
No he is a member.. he occasionally makes cables up for members if they ask nice.:) he doesn't do it for a business
VdH usually considered Van den Dull...
I think you mean Bland 'n' Dull, dear boy... ;)
Never liked their interconnects much, but they make some very fine speaker cables!
Marco.
Stryder5
20-02-2017, 18:34
I think you mean Bland 'n' Dull, dear boy... ;)
Never liked their interconnects much, but they make some very fine speaker cables!
Marco.
Love it "dear boy", must change my perception.....[emoji23]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I've heard a couple of VDH interconnects, carbon ones. They certainly were not bland and dull. The Mountain 3T is a cracker but not cheap. if anything slightly upfront rhythmically and dynamically speaking but with beautiful composure and tonality. Best between source and pre.
Sounds like a similar signature to the 'The Wind' speaker cables I use, John. I find that's the problem with VDH stuff, the products in their range tend to be sonically inconsistent, and that also applies to their cartridges...
Marco.
farflungstar
20-02-2017, 20:56
Looking at this list it seems Belden CAT7 beats all comers by a big margin!
http://www.hificritic.com/interconnect-cables.html
Siltech G7 range probably as good as it gets.
Sky's the limit on price but (their) cheaper ones (Classic Anniversary) are awesome.
Looking at this list it seems Belden CAT7 beats all comers by a big margin!
http://www.hificritic.com/interconnect-cables.html
I pay no attention to such league tables. Ten years ago the use of unshielded 300Ohm twin feeder ribbon cable was all the rage for interconnects, along with 2.5mm2 Twin and Earth cable (as used for permanent mains cabling in the UK) for speaker cable. Where are they now?
Playing for Chelsea in the Premiership! :D
Marco.
farflungstar
21-02-2017, 08:39
I pay no attention to such league tables. Ten years ago the use of unshielded 300Ohm twin feeder ribbon cable was all the rage for interconnects, along with 2.5mm2 Twin and Earth cable (as used for permanent mains cabling in the UK) for speaker cable. Where are they now?
Don't dismiss the twin and earth so readily. I tried it many years ago with my second audios and it was fantastic. I also ran it for a short while a year ago, preferring it to an expensive VDH - before going the DNM, isolda route. I read somewhere that solid core is better suited to valves.
Have grabbed the Audio Note ANvx cables on sales here (STP). Hopefully that are the real deal... Sonically over the VDH.
hifi ferret
28-02-2017, 16:11
People seem to be speculating and generalising about the Orchid based upon other VDH stuff they have tried - quite erroneously I'm afraid.
I have had both the orchid and First ultimates in my system and they are nothing like one another. The 1st ultimates are very smooth and natural sounding but some people do find then dull. They provide a rather analogue sound to CD and seem to round off any treble hardness or sense of glare.
The orchid is a very dynamic and detailed interconnect with excellent bass but rather lean sounding.
Neither suited my needs but I would say that if you had an overly warm sounding set up the orchids may suit if you have a forward or bright sounding set up the 1st ultimates may suit. the can act as tone controls if you like.
After years of cable swapping I have settled upon the RFC Venus interconnects - they have been recommended elsewhere in this thread and I would second that recommendation.
I have had both the orchid and First ultimates in my system and they are nothing like one another. The 1st ultimates are very smooth and natural sounding but some people do find then dull. They provide a rather analogue sound to CD and seem to round off any treble hardness or sense of glare.
The orchid is a very dynamic and detailed interconnect with excellent bass but rather lean sounding.
Yup, Tony, like I said earlier the problem with VDH cables is their inconsistency, in terms of sonic signature. In that respect, you don't really know what you're getting until you try it....
There is certainly no inherent 'house sound' with their cables, unlike is the case with those from most other manufacturers, where said 'house sound' is clearly defined, and simply developed and refined to a greater degree as you go up the range.
Anyway, you made the right choice in the end with the Venus! :)
Marco.
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