New Cables

[Bigman80]

Hi All,

Over the past few weeks I've been experimenting with assorted cable types and plugs. I've taken advice and recommendations from multiple people with varying results.

By chance, I seem to have stumbled across a combination of cable and plug which, in my opinion, is the best I've heard yet.

Change of plans, won't be going "commercial" with these.

Information purposes only.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171024/4f0d24e148c06991100667439041f797.jpg

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[Marco]

Which plugs are those, Oliver? :)

Marco.

[Bigman80]

Which plugs are those, Oliver? :)

Marco.https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 201762257150

Solid silver on the link but they do copper and silver plate.

I have silver plated.

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[RobbieGong]

Solid silver sounds potentially like a damn nice plug, and on something that appears very much like the excellent Eichmann silver bullet type plugs. The pins look the same too :)

[CageyH]

Personally, I think that in a market flooded with so many cable choices you will struggle to be able to get yours out there on the open market.

[Bigman80]

Personally, I think that in a market flooded with so many cable choices you will struggle to be able to get yours out there on the open market.Cheers Cagey. That's my feeling too. Maybe I'll just enjoy them lol

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[Bigman80]

Solid silver sounds potentially like a damn nice plug, and on something that appears very much like the excellent Eichmann silver bullet type plugs. The pins look the same too :)I'd totally recommend the silver plated plugs. They are a step above the MSAUDIO plugs in build quality and strain relief

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[jandl100]

If they really do sound good, and are robustly made and look good, then it would be worth approaching some hifi dealerships to see if they want to take them on.
I've heard of proposed deals like that before.

If they like them and want to offer them to their customers then you might be a bit shocked at the prices they ask! ;)
-- but as long as you get your cut --- :)

[brian2957]

These interconnects look very nice indeed . I really like the look of the plugs Oliver :)

[Bigman80]

If they really do sound good, and are robustly made and look good, then it would be worth approaching some hifi dealerships to see if they want to take them on.
I've heard of proposed deals like that before.

If they like them and want to offer them to their customers then you might be a bit shocked at the prices they ask! ;)
-- but as long as you get your cut --- :)That's not a bad idea. I'll give it some thought. Starting to think im a bit under powered for it but I'll see if there's a focus group on here willing to give them a listen and see where that leads.

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[Bigman80]

These interconnects look very nice indeed . I really like the look of the plugs Oliver :)Cheers Brian. They are fantastic plugs. I like them a lot. How they sound and build quality is all that matters really. Looks never hurt though lol

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[jandl100]

I'm a cable nut :mental: and am happy to give them a listen. :)

[karma67]

Me too oli

[Bigman80]

Good stuff. Thanks guys.

I'll make up a set for testing next week and hopefully have a few members have a listen.

Anyone else interested ?

Brian,
Jerry,
Jamie,

In that order so far.



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[bronzeage]

I would be up for testing as well - have plenty to compare against.

[Bigman80]

I would be up for testing as well - have plenty to compare against.Excellent! I'll add you to the list.

They won't be out and about until next week though.

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[CageyH]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 201762257150

Solid silver on the link but they do copper and silver plate.

I have silver plated.

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The plugs look just like the MS Audio plugs, but with a slightly differently shaped housing.

[Bigman80]

The plugs look just like the MS Audio plugs, but with a slightly differently shaped housing.AECO make the star shaped connection for MS Audio. The body is metal in construction but has a metal reduction ring to provide much better strain relief. They are superior in feel and finish BUT I couldn't really tell any difference between the MS Audio and AECO in terms of sound. Probably because there is no difference in actual connection materials.

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[Jimbo]

I'd totally recommend the silver plated plugs. They are a step above the MSAUDIO plugs in build quality and strain relief

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I agree Oli about silver plated plugs, I have them on all my cables and indeed my plug sockets are silver plated too! Makes a difference to be sure as will soon hear!:)

[WESTLOWER]

Good stuff. Thanks guys.

I'll make up a set for testing next week and hopefully have a few members have a listen.

Anyone else interested ?

Brian,
Jerry,
Jamie,

In that order so far.



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Love to give ma good evaluation Oliver !
Stick me on the list please

[Bigman80]

Love to give ma good evaluation Oliver !
Stick me on the list pleaseWill do, thanks!

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[Bigman80]

Ok all,

Cables are made up and ready to be sent out. Brian is first on the list so can whoever was next send Brian a PM with your address. If we can move them on after say, a week? I think that'll give a fairly decent amount of assessment time. If you need longer, just let the next one in the chain know.

I'd love your honest feedback in regard to SQ. Ignore build quality for now as I have tried to make them as robust as possible for the purpose of avoiding damage whilest being in transit and constantly removed from your gear!

Cheershttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/800c68e92e53135fc16ad37acb776812.jpg

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[brian2957]

Cheers Oliver , I will let you know when they arrive :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've got these coming at some point. They do look like MSAudio RCA's.

[Bigman80]

Cheers Oliver , I will let you know when they arrive :)Cheers Brian, I appreciate you (and everyone else) taking the time to try them out.

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[Bigman80]

I've got these coming at some point. They do look like MSAudio RCA's.Aeco make the fibreglass connector end. MS Audio make a shiny body and fit that instead of the rather substantial body that Aeco make and fit. The Aeco also have much better cable strain relief which to me is totally worth the extra few kid.

They shouldn't technically measure any different or sound any different. I just prefer them. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/062a4d3634896018c6da0d2e1a675149.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/2c89bd9bb74c286b3024de72a6a442a2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/c4429449718f66901dcb06f844097fa3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/b45158ea33b2c08b76b3b374daff1895.jpg

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171029/308da3da1e8e67ac7069ef8976c2a503.jpg

[Wakefield Turntables]

No worries, all good fun. ;)

[Bigman80]

It has been. Probably my tenth different cable lol.

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[walpurgis]

It has been. Probably my tenth different cable lol

Funny old things cables. You make up ones you think should sound good, but often don't really live up to expectations. And sometimes the unlikeliest examples do. I've been making them since the eighties and still get surprises. Got some wonderful digital cable I've been playing with. Not a huge market for CD/DAC interconnects though.

[Bigman80]

Funny old things cables. You make up ones you think should sound good, but often don't really live up to expectations. And sometimes the unlikeliest examples do. I've been making them since the eighties and still get surprises. Got some wonderful digital cable I'm playing with at the moment. Not a huge market for CD/DAC interconnects though.You're spot on mate. Didn't expect much from this stuff but it's really working in my system.

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[brian2957]

Agreed , I've been mucking around with audio cables since the early nineties . It'll be good to have a play around with someone else's efforts :)

[walpurgis]

You're spot on mate. Didn't expect much from this stuff but it's really working in my system

Have you ever tried ring main cable, twin core + earth (solid core), as speaker cable? The 2.5mm and 4mm core can sound amazingly good. The 4mm is a bugger to work with though and few banana plugs will fit, although you can kink the ends slightly so they fit straight into banana sockets without plugs and without falling out.

[Bigman80]

Have you ever tried ring main cable, twin core + earth (solid core), as speaker cable? The 2.5mm and 4mm core can sound amazingly good. The 4mm is a bugger to work with though and few banana plugs will fit, although you can kink the ends slightly so they fit straight into banana sockets without plugs and without falling out.Haha, yes I have! Albeit in the garage. Was very surprised by the difference it made. Not sure I'd try it on the rig but who knows! I've got plenty of flex cable.

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[Bigman80]

Brian has sent the cables to JAMIE so next up is Jerry then Westlower.

If anyone else is interested in giving these cables a listen let me know. Ta

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[Bigman80]

Just a little update,

Tried out the MSAUDIO plugs with my cable today. From what I can hear and measure, and as predicted, there is no difference in sound quality or Capacitance.

The MSAUDIO plugs are £10 cheaper than the AECO but take a few weeks to arrive once ordered.

I think the AECO look better, feel better and grip the cable in a more secure way so I added a bit more heat shrink in a way that means there's no difference there either.

So, would you use MSAudio or AECO ?


The measured capacitance of my 75cm pair came out at 74pf. Klotz with MSAudio were 109pf and "The Brian" with MSAudio were 147pf

All lengths were 75cm. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171107/5dd072ce6c38c613c88fa00f766b6697.jpg

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[smangus]

I like the look of the AECO plugs better.

[Bigman80]

I like the look of the AECO plugs better.Thanks Andy! I agree.

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[CageyH]

As I can’t see the plugs when the cable is installed, and there is no sonic difference I would go with the cheaper plugs.

[Bigman80]

As I can’t see the plugs when the cable is installed, and there is no sonic difference I would go with the cheaper plugs.Thanks Kevin that's a good point.

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[Yorkshireman]

Oliver, If you still need some more testers for the cables, I will give them a go, if you want to put me on the list.

[Bigman80]

The more the merrier Mark! Thanks for volunteering.

List is now:-

Brian - Reviewed
JAMIE - current listener
Bronzeage,
Jerry,
Westlower,
Rexton,
Yorkshireman,
Smangus,

Edited. My bad!!!!

[Wakefield Turntables]

I thought i was supposed to be on that list. ;)

[Bigman80]

Oh yes! sorry *hangs head in shame* Ive put you in the list but its probably not in the right order. I apologise profusely!!!!

[jandl100]

I'm a bit uncertain of my movements at the moment (I should eat more fibre :eyebrows:) so probably best if you shove me down the list and put me after bronzeage.

[Bigman80]

No worries, Jerry. As long you get a listen. Your feedback is greatly anticipated

[smangus]

go on then I'll have a bash at them stick me on the list !

cheers :cool:

[Bigman80]

Ha! Top man Andy. I'll appreciate your feedback.



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[Wakefield Turntables]

Oh yes! sorry *hangs head in shame* Ive put you in the list but its probably not in the right order. I apologise profusely!!!!

HAH! Have some of this :spank:.

[Bigman80]

HAH! Have some of this :spank:.Oooh naughty. [emoji23]

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[Wakefield Turntables]

With respects to offering MS Audio RCA's, why not offer any the buyer wants?

[Bigman80]

With respects to offering MS Audio RCA's, why not offer any the buyer wants?Yep. Totally agree. They would only be made to order if I went down that route anyway. Custom length, personal choice of plug. Seems sensible.

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[karma67]

ok ive had my turn,who's next in line? please pm me your address to send on :)

[Bigman80]

Bronzeage is next, Jamie!



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[karma67]

pm sent :)

[bronzeage]

pm replied :D

[bronzeage]

Um, no sign of anything in the post yet.

[Bigman80]

Just spoke to Jamie They are being posted today, hopefully with you tomorrow!

[karma67]

Cables will be with you before 1pm tomorrow, signature required.

[bronzeage]

Arrived safe and sound. Will update comments the in the other thread 'Olivers ...'

[Bigman80]

No worries [emoji2]



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[jandl100]

It would fit in with my busy itinerary :mental: if I was next in line. :)

[Bigman80]

No worries Jerry. Drop Bronzeage a message.

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[jandl100]

No worries Jerry. Drop Bronzeage a message.

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OK - I have just dropped him a PM.

[Bigman80]

OK - I have just dropped him a PM.Top man, I'll update the list shortly.

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[Bigman80]

New list

Bronzeage,

Jerry,

Westlower,

Rexton,

Yorkshireman,

Smangus,

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[jandl100]

Cables have just now arrived at Jerry Mansions. :)

[Bigman80]

Cables have just now arrived at Jerry Mansions. :)I'll look forward to your comments. Hopefully, they're a bit more positive than Marcus's experience with them [emoji23]

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[jandl100]

I'll look forward to your comments. Hopefully, they're a bit more positive than Marcus's [emoji23]

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No worries, there - very impressed at first listen. :thumbsup:

[Bigman80]

No worries, there - very impressed at first listen. [emoji106]*relief*

I was thinking I'd just hang myself with them after that last review 🤣🤣



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[bronzeage]

My oddball status is intact at least. :lol:

[jandl100]

There's always one! ;)

[Bigman80]

With only a couple of people left to listen to these cables, I was wondering if anyone else fancies a listen before they are retired?

Currently with Rexton, next up is Yorkshireman.

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[Wakefield Turntables]

Now listening to them with a little Quatermass playing in the background.

[Bigman80]

Now listening to them with a little Quatermass playing in the background.Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them.

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[Bigman80]

List update!

Yorkshireman,

Smangus

**Edwardlon** now added to the list.

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[Edward]

:cool:

[Wakefield Turntables]

PM now sent to YORKSHIREMAN so I can get his details and get these cables sent on.

[Yorkshireman]

PM now sent to YORKSHIREMAN so I can get his details and get these cables sent on.

REXTON, Can you clear some space in your inbox please its full

[Wakefield Turntables]

Done.

[Bigman80]

Have these moved on to Yorkshireman?

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[Bigman80]

Have these moved on to Yorkshireman?

Sent from my EVA-L09 using TapatalkWhere are these now? Still with Yorkshire man?

[smangus]

Hi Oliver

Yorkshireman pm'd me last night asking for my address so I guess they are on their way to me soonish!

Cheers Andy

[Bigman80]

Hi Oliver

Yorkshireman pm'd me last night asking for my address so I guess they are on their way to me soonish!

Cheers Andy😊

[smangus]

pickebdup the cables from the p.o. tonight. look well made and sturdy. going to have a listen at the weekend!

[Bigman80]

pickebdup the cables from the p.o. tonight. look well made and sturdy. going to have a listen at the weekend!No worries Andy, keep us informed!

[Bigman80]

pickebdup the cables from the p.o. tonight. look well made and sturdy. going to have a listen at the weekend!Any news? Are they on the move yet??

[smangus]

Any news? Are they on the move yet??

Hi all down with the leurgie here so haven'thad a chance to evaluate yet . will do this weekend. who'snext? I'llpost on Monday.

I see you are changing avatar more often than Phono stage these days :D

[Bigman80]

Hi all down with the leurgie here so haven'thad a chance to evaluate yet . will do this weekend. who'snext? I'llpost on Monday.

I see you are changing avatar more often than Phono stage these days :DLol, yup.

Bit of slipknot [emoji6]

No worries mate. There's a list here somewhere.

[Bigman80]

Edwardlon is next mate.

[smangus]

cool will pm him cheers

[Edward]

Thanks for the PM Andy

As I suggested in my PM feel free to keep them for a bit longer if you wish.

Oli, after me who is next? I think I was the last (story of my life!) so I will send back to you.

Let's see if it is better than the ones you sent me today! (just joking mate)

E

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[Bigman80]

Thanks for the PM Andy

As I suggested in my PM feel free to keep them for a bit longer if you wish.

Oli, after me who is next? I think I was the last (story of my life!) so I will send back to you.

Let's see if it is better than the ones you sent me today! (just joking mate)

E

Sent via TapatalkHaha, well, I have these ones in my system and sold you those ones, take from that what you will. [emoji6]

No worries, or rush Andy, just hadn't heard anything for a bit so thought I'd see what the status was. Hang on to them until Edward is ready. Have a good listen [emoji4]

[smangus]

cheers guys will do !

[Edward]

This cable presents me with a major issue!!

Only had them in my system for about a day or so and they are bloody fantastic.

Put them between my preamp and amp. Immediately I could notice the difference. Major difference is that the hf is more revealing of micro detail and forward. An absolutely delicious sound!

Will try in a different configuration (for example between my dac and preamp) later but suspect I will hear similar improvement. My current reference are Brian's excellent cables.

My issue is now me having to consider rewiring my whole system all the way from the power station to my speakers with Oli's secret sauce. I can't afford the tens of thousands of quid that would entail. :)

Hoping no one else wants to audition these cables and you will allow me to purchase them Oli?

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[Bigman80]

I'm really pleased you like them Edward. I have sent you a message. [emoji4]

[Edward]

So I moved these cables to between my dac and preamp (previous was between my pre and power).

Yet again a lift in sq. More soundstage depth and microdetail. Music now even more engaging. More able to 'see' into the sounds. All good.

A keeper! I'll send you a PM Oli. Mind you I will hold off for now getting another one as Oli your newer cable may even represent another step up.

[Bigman80]

A keeper! I'll send you a PM Oli. Mind you I will hold off for now getting another one as Oli your newer cable may even represent another step up.

I'm really pleased to hear that, Ed. I hope you enjoy them ;)

[Bigman80]

Seeing as the demo pair have now been sold, i suppose a summary of the feedback should be made.

Summary:

The general conscientious is that the cables are very revealing, delivering detail in a smooth and very balanced manner. The bass is deep & taught and the mid range is rich but a little forward. HF is sparkling but they are very even handed in their delivery. Compared to Much more expensive cables, they performed very well and only lost out in the final degree of soundstage and resolution (£1000+ cables i should mention!).

These cables didn't suit everyone's system. The summery of that was, the cables were a bit harsh or thin sounding. One reviewer said they couldn't hear any difference between these and the Klotz, and a couple didn't leave any feedback at all.

Personally, i am really happy with the overall feedback and obviously, nothing is a "one Size Fit all" in HiFi.

Thanks to all who took the time to listen to these and especially those who provided feedback. Good and Bad.

Thanks to those who have bought a pair of "The Focus Cables" along the way too.

[smangus]

Hi Oliver

I'll add my 2 pennerth of feedback, a bit late but my excuse is that I have been away in Italy eating and drinking far too much :cool: for the past week.

For context I would say I haven't experimented with any cables really and currently use "Chunky " cables from a guy in Ebay currently at £28 a shot which are copper OFC and have lockable plugs and a grey screening for shielding. So far no complaints about them at all and I've never had anything more expensive in there.

I put yours connected between my FB OTC phono to my headphone amp as my headphones are more revealing than my speakers for the 1st evaluation. So apart from the tone arm cable from my turntable (ZYX Yatra) to the OTC nothing else was in the path.

So I played Neil Young's Harvest, Led Zep 4 and London Grammar's Truth is a Beautiful Thing to give them a run out.

Things I noticed immediately -

On Harvest - More detail and clarity, also notes from the slide guitar in the right hand side in "Out on the weekend" that I haven't heard before notes seem crisper and sharper. Great harmonies from the backing singers.

On Zep 4 - Bonham's cymbal both crash and ride really shimmer and the notes on pages guitar solos are really clearly enunciated again more detail than I am used to hearing. But JP Jone's bass seems to go a bit AWOL and this did have the effect of making the music lose some of it's drive imho.

On Truth is a beautiful thing - Wow! Hannah Reid's vocals really stand out (as they do anyhow) but they sound properly beautiful I can hear some of the highest notes catch at the back of her throat, again something I've never heard before but sounds astounding.

In general the soundstage for all seemed to become a lot more immediate and brought forwards. I would emphasise that this was not unpleasant to my ears just something I wasn't used to, it was certainly interesting. Comparing with the other interconnects they did have more clarity, detail and the top notes hit had more "punch" to them.

To be sure I played everything again through my speakers and although less revealing than the headphones they echoed my findings above.

Overall for me the clincher is the slight lack of bass weight to them, given I listen to a lot of rock and reggae this is something I would need to "feel" and hear.

However if I listened to mainly acoustic music and female vocals I'd have these like a shot :eek:.

If you come up with something similar but retains the bass then that would be ideal for me personally.

This was a very interesting experience though, having never experimented with cables before and it has certainly piqued my interest in them :scratch:. Which no doubt means more expense (or something) lol :D. Amazing what is possible with bits of wire, it's shown me that here is also more detail in the system that could be brought out too, without a major change of components.....

Thanks for the chance to check them out.

Cheers Andy :cool:

[Bigman80]

Hi Oliver

I'll add my 2 pennerth of feedback, a bit late but my excuse is that I have been away in Italy eating and drinking far too much :cool: for the past week.

For context I would say I haven't experimented with any cables really and currently use "Chunky " cables from a guy in Ebay currently at £28 a shot which are copper OFC and have lockable plugs and a grey screening for shielding. So far no complaints about them at all and I've never had anything more expensive in there.

I put yours connected between my FB OTC phono to my headphone amp as my headphones are more revealing than my speakers for the 1st evaluation. So apart from the tone arm cable from my turntable (ZYX Yatra) to the OTC nothing else was in the path.

So I played Neil Young's Harvest, Led Zep 4 and London Grammar's Truth is a Beautiful Thing to give them a run out.

Things I noticed immediately -

On Harvest - More detail and clarity, also notes from the slide guitar in the right hand side in "Out on the weekend" that I haven't heard before notes seem crisper and sharper. Great harmonies from the backing singers.

On Zep 4 - Bonham's cymbal both crash and ride really shimmer and the notes on pages guitar solos are really clearly enunciated again more detail than I am used to hearing. But JP Jone's bass seems to go a bit AWOL and this did have the effect of making the music lose some of it's drive imho.

On Truth is a beautiful thing - Wow! Hannah Reid's vocals really stand out (as they do anyhow) but they sound properly beautiful I can hear some of the highest notes catch at the back of her throat, again something I've never heard before but sounds astounding.

In general the soundstage for all seemed to become a lot more immediate and brought forwards. I would emphasise that this was not unpleasant to my ears just something I wasn't used to, it was certainly interesting. Comparing with the other interconnects they did have more clarity, detail and the top notes hit had more "punch" to them.

To be sure I played everything again through my speakers and although less revealing than the headphones they echoed my findings above.

Overall for me the clincher is the slight lack of bass weight to them, given I listen to a lot of rock and reggae this is something I would need to "feel" and hear.

However if I listened to mainly acoustic music and female vocals I'd have these like a shot :eek:.

If you come up with something similar but retains the bass then that would be ideal for me personally.

This was a very interesting experience though, having never experimented with cables before and it has certainly piqued my interest in them :scratch:. Which no doubt means more expense (or something) lol :D. Amazing what is possible with bits of wire, it's shown me that here is also more detail in the system that could be brought out too, without a major change of components.....

Thanks for the chance to check them out.

Cheers Andy :cool:No problem Andy,. I'm glad you've enjoyed having a play.

The Spotfire cable Im sending out on loan might suit you. Let me know if you want a listen.

[smangus]

Cheers mate

That'll be good , stick me on the list.

ta.

[Bigman80]

Will do!

[smangus]

great :)

thanks

[docp]

Can I join the list wanting to loan a pair of these for demo purposes please ?

[Bigman80]

Can I join the list wanting to loan a pair of these for demo purposes please ?Hi Lionel,

Wrong thread!

I'll add you to the right one and send you the link.