View Full Version : Cagey's new cables
I made a couple of new interconnects up recently.
One set based are made from ELECAUDIO SC-221OCC. This is a "balanced" cable, made from OCC copper, with PTFE insulation fitted with plastic bodied MS Audio plugs.
The other set is made from Neotech NEMOI-5220. Another "balanced" cable made from rectangular solid core OFC with PTFE insulation. These are fitted with KLE copper Harmony plugs.
Both sets are roughly 0.5m long.
Marco currently has them, as I sent them to him to see what he thought of them.
Before he sends them back to me, is there anybody interested in trying them? If so, please reply here.
To be perfectly clear, I have no intention ok making these and selling them on so if you like what you hear, you will have to either make them yourself or get someone else to make them up for you.
As such I am wanting them to return here in the next couple of months so I will keep the numbers limited.
I am sure Marco will be along with his thoughts soon, but in summary he prefers the Sommer Carbokab in his system.
I would, particularly the Neotech, but 0.5M is too short for me, would have to be a metre :(.
If there is no interest in the next few days, I will ask Marco to post these back to me.
Bit busy just now, so to save time, I've copied the PM message (shown below) I sent Kevin about the cables he kindly loaned me, as mentioned. If anyone would like me to expand on the points I've made, just let me know :)
Yes, I've now finally came to some conclusions about the cables! Sorry about the delay, but I never make snap judgements on these things, and it takes time to get a proper handle on what each cable is doing.
The new cables you sent (Neotech), with the KLE Harmony plugs are good, but to my ears not in the same league musically, overall, as the Sommer Carbokabs. The former have a nice open and 'airy', detailed tonal quality, and do everything else pretty well too, but ultimately superimpose a 'false sheen' on proceedings, which I consider as unnatural.
The latter (Carbokabs), whilst sometimes not sounding as 'impressive', to my ears make music flow better and are ultimately more 'tuneful' sounding, thus allowing them, in my system, to 'disappear', so I can simply concentrate on the music, instead of focusing on 'hifi-isms', if you follow me?
I get the impression you like a slightly more 'spotlit' and forward presentation to me, that is if you prefer the new cables to the Carbokabs, which may be a result of how our respective systems are 'voiced'.
The other cables you sent (Elecaudio), with the MS Audio plus are interesting, and in some ways preferable to the new cables you made, as they share the slightly more 'easy going', big-boned qualities of the Carbokabs, but like them still sound open and revealing, although ultimately not quite as musically satisfying. I could probably live with them if I didn't know that the Carbokabs existed.
Experience has taught me that the best cables, in any system, are those that simply do their job without drawing attention to themselves, which is actually easier said than done, and that means them not acting like an obvious tone control.
Therefore, in that respect, the Carbokabs will remain as my cables of choice, until such times as I introduce myself (or you introduce me) to something else!
I would add that I can usually hear the inherent sonic signature of solid-core cables, as described above [a little 'hard' and unnatural], which ultimately isn't for me, and on that basis is why I rejected the Neotech. I seem to be more of a 'stranded' guy :cool:
Marco.
I have asked Marco to post these back to me, so the offer is now withdrawn.
Stryder5
13-04-2018, 15:18
Bit busy just now, so to save time, I've copied the PM message (shown below) I sent Kevin about the cables he kindly loaned me, as mentioned. If anyone would like me to expand on the points I've made, just let me know :)
I would add that I can usually hear the inherent sonic signature of solid-core cables, as described above [a little 'hard' and unnatural], which ultimately isn't for me, and on that basis is why I rejected the Neotech. I seem to be more of a multi-strand guy :cool:
Marco.
Marco,
Have you tried CarbOkab 225 with no shield connected?
I find in my system the cables sound better this way than with shield connected either end.
My cables are 0.5 metres.
Bourneendboy
13-04-2018, 15:44
Marco,
Have you tried CarbOkab 225 with no shield connected?
I find in my system the cables sound better this way than with shield connected either end.
My cables are 0.5 metres.
Carbokab with the shield completely stripped away - that is the best I've heard it :)
Sorry, just noticed this:
Marco,
Have you tried CarbOkab 225 with no shield connected?
I find in my system the cables sound better this way than with shield connected either end.
My cables are 0.5 metres.
Don't think so. Ask Kev... As far as I know, mine have the shield connected at the source end only, and sound fab. He may be doing some more cables for me (Carbocab with different plugs to those I'm using now), so we might experiment with the shield thing then.
I know that I don't like how they sound with the shield connected at either end.
Marco.
I know that I don't like how they sound with the shield connected at either end.
Marco.
now why did you have to say that? guess what i'll be doing at the weekend!!!
Lol..... You know I like keeping you busy!:D
There was quite a marked sonic improvement, to my ears, simply having the shield connected only at the source end. I can't comment on disconnected altogether, as I haven't tried that.
Do report back with your findings :)
Marco.
I have decided to make another new cable/plug combination.
Plugs are Aeco ARP-4055 pure Silver and the cable is an "ultra pure" silver conductor.
I soldered it up last night and it is currently on duty in my system between pre and power as this position will get the most use.
Initial impressions are favourable, but time will tell. I need to try it between a source and pre.
Bigman80
05-05-2018, 10:53
Good stuff mate, tried a shift to silver a while back and preferred copper. Silver between TT and phono stage yielded the best results for me so that's what I stuck with.
Fair play for carrying on experimenting.
Good stuff mate, tried a shift to silver a while back and preferred copper. Silver between TT and phono stage yielded the best results for me so that's what I stuck with.
Fair play for carrying on experimenting.
Interesting Oliver Silver sounds better between my pre and power amp and copper turntable to pre but this maybe because it suits my cartridge.
Bigman80
05-05-2018, 12:20
Interesting Oliver Silver sounds better between my pre and power amp and copper turntable to pre but this maybe because it suits my cartridge.It's one of those areas that completely dependant on the Listener and the equipment. That's why there isn't a "Best" of anything. A bit like when you put the second set of Spotfire cables in and didn't like them. The mix of materials in your system was what made you happy. A little bit of silver goes a long way but too much didn't suit me. Im making a copper tonearm cable to the same spec as the spotfire cable just to see where that leads but I personally think I've got the balance right here already.
It is my first silver cable, and so far it seems promising.
It is certainly too early to write it off.
It is my first silver cable, and so far it seems promising.
It is certainly too early to write it off.
Solid core silver is certainly much better than silver coated copper.
Bigman80
05-05-2018, 15:05
Absolutely too soon. Give them a good run. I'm looking forward to your findings.
It is my first silver cable, and so far it seems promising.
It is certainly too early to write it off.
I am quite liking this cable. It is 7n pure silver, but does not sound bright.
I still reckon it needs a bit more time to settle in, but the amount of detail being dragged out is superb.
Is it worth the additional cost over a copper cable? Time will tell.
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