Reviews of Mark Grant G1000HD audio cables

[Mark Grant]

Full reviews of Mark Grant G1000HD audio cables have started to appear.

The first full review is here:
http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/02/06/2010/mark-grant-g1000hd-are-these-cables-as-good-as-some-say-they-are/

Some interesting comments and comparisons :)

quote from the review:

"So overall what do we have here ? Well what we have is, with the caveat of “if it suits your system”, is a rare thing in audio, an item that punches so far above its price point as to be a genuine stone cold bargain. It has been a long time since I have come across such a thing and it has been both a pleasure and a revelation to do so during this review.

I therefore award the very first AIHFA Amazing Value Award to the Mark Grant G1000 HD 1m interconnect cable."

The cables can be bought here on my website:
http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43_1&products_id=165

This cables reviewed are the cables as above fitted with canare RCAP-C53 crimped phono/RCA connectors

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[Mark Grant]

The second full G1000HD review is at enjoy the music.com

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0710/mark_grant_g1000hd.htm

quote from the review:

"Listening to the G1000HD between DAC to preamplifier and phonostage: I noticed the same characteristics. The balance of bass, mid and treble is spot on, no frequency is favored over others, and presentation is even handed. Treble has accurate, not over-blown, presence. Mid range is smooth and powerful. Bass has very good power, quality and control, indeed bass is very pleasingly tight. This cable does what I want; it's transparent, it doesn't add a personal distorted view of the music. Other than transparency the other characteristic the cable transmits is substance. Music is portrayed with a substance that other cables I've heard have rarely achieved. Certainly none the cables I had on hand to compare could offer anything like the substantial sound of the G1000HD."

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[The Vinyl Adventure]

Good work buddy!
(studio being decorated this week)

[Marco]

Nice one, Mark. Good to see you using the trade area - keep it up mate, as that's what it's here for! :)

See you tomorrow night.... The maid has prepared your room, sir, and your usual table has been reserved :cool:

Marco.

P.S Don't forget the plug and the veg!

[Steve Toy]

This cables reviewed are the cables as above fitted with canare RCAP-C53 crimped phono/RCA connectors


I've got some sets of G1000HDs here with three different types of connector in addition to the Canare ones. I'll begin my review of them here later today. Suffice to say that upgrading the connector makes a significant improvement over what is already an excellent product.

[Stratmangler]

I've got some sets of G1000HDs here with three different types of connector in addition to the Canare ones. I'll begin my review of them here later today. Suffice to say that upgrading the connector makes a significant improvement over what is already an excellent product.

So you're going to listen to a G1000HDS cable and compare it to some cables that aren't (G1000HDS).:scratch:

[Marco]

Hi Chris,

No, Steve's going to compare the G1000HD interconnects with three different types of connectors, all at various price points:

A) The Canare ones which come as standard.

B) Some Neutrik Pro-Fi.

C) Some WBT NextGen-0110 Cu.

... and then outline the sonic effects of each on the G1000HD cable. The WBTs are the most expensive, and hence make the cable itself the dearest to buy.

Steve's thoughts on this should be quite interesting... I've done the same test and already know the outcome! ;)

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

I have two of Mike's digi cables,one with those nextgen WBT's.Can't hear any difference whatsoever between them.

[Marco]

Have you tried it with stereo interconnects, Ali? I reckon the results would be more noticeable....

Certainly I can say from experience that with the G1000HDs, in my system, there is an easily discernable and significant sonic improvement by going from the Canares through to the WBTs.

I'll let Steve outline those differences, which in due course, I have no doubt he'll hear in his own system :)

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

Hi Marco

The point I'm making is that once you change the connector you are not dealing with the same beast.

What you have is the same cable stock as Mark Grant Cables use with some different connectors.
The termination type is different too, as the others you've listed require soldering.

Are the cables going to be part of the Mark Grant portfolio, or are they just some one off modified stereo pairs ?
Can I go out and purchase these cables as an item ?

My concern is that we'll be reading a report on the outcome of comparing apples with oranges.

[Ali Tait]

No Marco,just as digital I.c's.

[DSJR]

Perhaps the three phono connectors could be measured to find out *exactly* why they differ (often in capacitance I discovered some years ago).

I fixed my Canare "problem" by gently squeezing the outer connector a tad to get more "grip" and I always liked the Neutrik pro plugs, but the WBT's can destroy the standard types of phono sockets supplied with many domestic audio products as the clamps are TIGHT and MUST be unscrewed before attempting to remove..

Mark, please can you indicate the price differences?

[Marco]

Hi Chris,


The point I'm making is that once you change the connector you are not dealing with the same beast.

What you have is the same cable stock as Mark Grant Cables use with some different connectors.
The termination type is different too, as the others you've listed require soldering.


Indeed. The way I look at it is that the most 'neutral sounding' connector (i.e. that which alters the signal the least) allows the sonic performance of the cable full reign... Therefore, in effect, the WBTs allow one to realise the maximum effect of the G1000HDs. Their essential sonic signature remains the same, as it is with the Canares, although simply more enhanced.

The Canares are the only plugs which are crimped; the others are all the soldered type.


Are the cables going to be part of the Mark Grant portfolio, or are they just some one off modified stereo pairs ?


As far as I know, they will become part of Mark's product portfolio and be available for purchase at their respective price points direct from his website.

Mark will clarify the exact costs.


My concern is that we'll be reading a report on the outcome of comparing apples with oranges.

It's really just a case of choosing how good you want your G1000HDs to be!

In my experience, the biggest improvement is gained by going from Canares to Neutriks. The upgrade from Neutriks to WBTs is slightly more subtle, but if your system has the requisite resolution to show the difference, then the results, musically, are very rewarding and worthwhile :)

From experience, I would say that a pair of WBT-modified G1000HDs comfortably perform to the level of 'hi-end' interconnect designs on the market at £2k, at a mere fraction of that cost. It's amazing just how much you can save when you stick to solid engineering principles and remove the marketing bullshit and the prestige value of owning a 'desirable badge'!!

Nordost, Kimber, et al, would shit their pants if they heard them ;)

Marco.

[Steve Toy]

Same cable but different connectors all soldered apart from the Canare and are as follows:

1) Standard G1000HD with Canare

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/2902/g1000hdconnectors003.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/g1000hdconnectors003.jpg/)


2) G1000HD with Neutrik Pro-fi

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3484/g1000hdconnectors002.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/i/g1000hdconnectors002.jpg/)


3) G1000HD with WBT 0147

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5259/g1000hdconnectors001.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/g1000hdconnectors001.jpg/)


4) G1000HD with WBT NextGen 0110 cu

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4920/g1000hdconnectors005.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/g1000hdconnectors005.jpg/)


All the above are likely to be available except the WBT 0147 for reasons I'll outline in the review in Strokes of Genius.

[Marco]

I forgot about the WBT 0147s you had! :)

Marco.