Recent experience in changing interconnects has made me realise - they do make a difference! I was thinking of trying some NVA interconnects and wondered whether anyone had any experiences of using them - good or bad?
Cheers
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Recent experience in changing interconnects has made me realise - they do make a difference! I was thinking of trying some NVA interconnects and wondered whether anyone had any experiences of using them - good or bad?
Cheers
Not tried NVA, but If you want to hear everything that's going on try Nordost. Some people find them too revealing, but they're fine for me. Alternatively if you want a refined sound try Audio Note cables, they sound lovely, even the lower priced ones.
Had the sound cord interconnect and the super sound pipe digital cable.
Great sounding cables, well worth the money.
What I liked about them was that they were "different" sounding to most other cables, very clear direct sound.
More of an open window I guess, with a lot less coluration.
I have a pair of the ultra cheap Sound Cords, and they really are excellent cables.
In the past I've been right up the ladder with a pair of £600 Black Rhodium Oratorios. But these SC's cannot be faulted, especially at the price.
Others to consider, if you haven't completely made your mind up have to be Mark Grants fine wires, and Silver High Breed.
Just thought, if you were referring to the Sound Pipe, the one you have to bend to fit, id say steer clear as they are easily broken.
Keep an eye out for these, might be worth a try?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009535784...84.m1438.l2649
Had a pair of NVA Sound Pipes but they weren't happy in my system at all although others report excellent results. Best IC's I've used by a country mile are RFC Neptunes. Beautifully transparent and dynamic without any adverse nasties at all, I'd recommend them wholeheartedly ;)
http://referencefidelitycomponents.c...rence-neptune/
The NVA Soundcords and Super Soundcords are fantastic interconnects and excellent value for money .
If you want to go further up the price scale I can recommend RFC Reference Pluto interconnects . I've had a pair for a week or so and they sound excellent. http://referencefidelitycomponents.c...ference-pluto/ These will be staying in my system.
I have a set of NVA Sound Pipes and Super Sound Pipes they are both very good interconnects, I have moved over to RFC Pluto and Mercurys when I shifted stuff about the NVA's were to short.
If you are interested they will be up for sale and are around 0.6 m in length.
Nick, I have many pairs of NVA SSP.
Pros: good transparent sound. No one can say they sound bad and I've never heard anyone say they sound bad.
Cons: stiff, PITA to use and connections break easily (all bar one of my pairs are currently sitting broken). The more you plug/unplug them, the more likely they break. Richard Dunne of NVA will probably repair them from free, but will call you an idiot and make you feel bad while he does it... More seriously they have no shielding, so if you have a potentially noisy EMI/RFI environment they will introduce noise into your system. E.g. wireless, plasma tvs, dimmers etc will potentially cause hissing from your speakers. I replaced my AV interconnects from SSP to these low capacitance ones from Blue Jean Cable and in terms of sound quality I couldn't tell the difference. However, they are very well shielded and so the hissing vanished, so win-win. And from a mechanical perspective they also have one of the best plugs I've come across.
Especially if you're gay! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Figlet108
Marco.
Had sound cords and super sound pipes, the SSP is a very good cable indeed, and I'm only gay after a few pints
Hey. I'LL have a Babycham...
:drinking: :bonk:
No he won't, I had mine re-soldered by him cost about £20 for both sets.Quote:
Richard Dunne of NVA will probably repair them from free,
That's almost free especially if it includes return postage. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by roob
Or if you happen to have an opinion.......:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I've never broken Sound Cords or Soundpipes and I chop and change quite a bit. I must be doing something right :)
Funnily enough, NVA, Rega and Van Den Hul are the only ones I haven't managed to break in my time. I do like NVA interconnects, but even I was surprised at how good SoundCord is as a digital cable. I only tried it by chance one day because I was fed up of using a stiff 1m cable for a DAC sat on top of a transport.
For anyone wanting a good interconnect and for some reason not wanting SoundCord, I'd say have a listen to Rega Couple. Mind you, it will cost you quite a bit more and I don't think it's any better. Still better to my ears than all the others I've tried though.
The couple is great, or was, when used as part of a system deal. If you can use a soldering iron, you used to be able to replicate it in all but the labelling on the outer jacket for around thirty notes. Tragic that the retail price has doubled in ten years, whereas the wire and plugs used (Klotz AC110/La Grange and Neutrik Pro's) doesn't seem hugely more expensive???? One reason I suspect why Rega changed it recently, since the phono plugs now used, although seemingly excellent ones? are cheaper than the Neutriks. I have no idea about the wire they're using nowadays though.
I have just bought a pair of those and very pleased with them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
Had the Sound Pipes in the past and they gave a bass heavy presentation in my system with a rolled off top end.
I'm not gay but I once slept with a guy who was. ;)
I've been trying to find out for ages. La Grange just doesn't seem to be available any more. Is AC110 exactly the same, do you know, or is it a similar replacement? No worries if you don't know for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
I wonder how a lead can be 98% new!:scratch:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
Easy, it's just a little older than 99% new ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon Steadman
Same thing as 2% old!
Ah - silly me:doh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew B
EXACTLY my thoughts, they are good but it is VERY easy to break themQuote:
Originally Posted by
Cons: stiff, PITA to use and connections break easily (all bar one of my pairs are currently sitting broken). The more you plug/unplug them, the more likely they break. Richard Dunne of NVA will probably repair them from free, but will call you an idiot and make you feel bad while he does it... More seriously they have no shielding, so if you have a potentially noisy EMI/RFI environment they will introduce noise into your system. E.g. wireless, plasma tvs, dimmers etc will potentially cause hissing from your speakers. I replaced my AV interconnects from SSP to these low capacitance ones from [URL="http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/index.htm"
If you don't break them then I'd recommend them
If you want something that definitely WON'T break then I'd really recommend the Mark Grant G2000HD cables, they are superb sounding and very flexible and Mark is a super chap to deal with
Hope that helps :)
And taking the willy-waving out of the equation, just how much 'better' is the G2000HD than the 1000 version? Same wire and solder I understand and the 1000 sells for fifty notes.. Add a couple of ferrites to a pair (for systems that don't like the extreme bandwidth) and off you go :)
hi roob
have you got a price set for the two sets of interconnects
regards,steve
Better RCA plugs, Dave.Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
Sadly, it does make a difference, at least to my ears.
No, I've not heard the MG examples, but I have heard the same cable with different plugs from another manufacturer. I was a bit distressed, I was - I really didn't expect or want to hear an improvement with the more expensive RCAs, but it was easy to hear. :(
Ok, admitting my stereo's aren't up to fancy plugs and the power amps in both use 1/4" jacks anyway... I thought the ferrites did help the standard HD1000 though - in my setups - but I doubt I'd hear it if blindfolded.. I promise to maintain an open mind though :) :respect:
I've been with the mid range 1500's for quite some time now, I felt they are much nicer sounding than the 1000's - I've also had a 2000 but I felt the 1500's was the best all rounder.
A sound cord is busy being used to hang a picture in the office at the moment... Very strong :) :) - A Cambridge yellow is also being used as a temporary fix for a garage door pull. -
I liked the sound cord though, for the price it's a bargain. I've never had one break though. The Cambridge was gash, hated it and it had a short when I bought it..
It's the (Super) Sound Pipes that break - I haven't heard of sound chords breaking - different beasts.
This is what commonly happens with SSP:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...354_resize.JPG
I think you may find Bev doesn't have a willy to wave:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
.
I have to say that the cables I've bought over the years from NVA have been very professionally terminated. What else would you expect from someone who has spent a lifetime making amps and cables. I'm not in Blighty right now or I'd post some pics. I don't have SSP but at least I could show the workmanship. Maybe the pair pictured have been bodged at some point.
I'm a fussy soul when it comes to cables and I always check the work. I've returned cables twice to dealers because the soldering was below par. Given how many cables I've broken in my time, I figure I can't take any chances :)
RD has commented on the damage and your uninformed and ignorant allegations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry
To anyone with a neutral perspective it is obvious that this cable has been deliberately mangled or is the result of a bodged repair. Where is the cable grip? No cable will break like that in normal usage. Frankly I think you should withdraw your comments as this gives the forum a bad reputation. We are not here to unfairly damage a products reputation based on personal issues with the manufacturer. Looks like you and figlet108 have an agenda here.Quote:
I really don't know why I bother
1/ the insulation has been striped back as can be seen 2/ the cable grip has been removed 3/ they are called pipes because the outside is a copper tube so the conductor has to be long (it is semi rigid solid core BTW) in order to not short against the copper pipe of the other core.
This cable has been mangled and manipulated by an ignorant idiot i.e. Figlet108. He fitted those Neutriks, I supplied the cable with my standard connections if it was one I made. So it is either a mangled one of mine or shit poor attempt by him to make one.
Lets see if he admits it, perhaps we will see the mans (dis)honesty or what his agenda is.
:rfl:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovereign
I guess that when you're nearer 70 than 60, blindness (and senility) starts to kick in with a vengeance! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry
Marco.
I dont think the SoundPipes ship with the Neutrik connector and the one Jason shows seems to be missing the strain relief collar:
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8.../Neutrik_1.jpg
Regardless of any issues I or anyone else might have with the individual concerned the recent tone of this thread is unbecoming in my opinion, and it doesn't sit comfortably with me... :(
SSP's do not come with Pro-Fi plugs I have just checked my set.
Indeed, anyone who takes this seriously when the disagreements between the two parties is well documented should have a little talk with themselves. Airing this on a public forum is in extremely bad taste.Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
+1. Not cool at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Audioman
'Trial by Soundpipe'... don't think this one would hold up in court...
Ok I have to agree with the previous posts concerning the inappropriate tone of earlier posts. I have in any event purchased a pair of Super Sound Cords, I will be very interested in how they perform.
Meaning?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Andrew, they do if you order them with the Pro-Fi option:Quote:
Originally Posted by roob
There's no need for this thread to get hostile. Many of us have said, including me, that the cables sound good, otherwise I wouldn't have bought 3 1/2 pairs.
But you can rarely have *everything* with a product or manufacturer: good sound, good construction, good prices. With NVA you get good sound and good prices, but as a long-time NVA user my opinion is that the construction is poor, attention to detail is poor and fit and finish is poor. I don't think that's controversial or unfair, I think it generally reflects that manufacturer's products, and since I own a fair amount of NVA gear I think I have a right to state my views without other people trying to turn it into something personal which it quite clearly isn't.
If you look at the sum total of what I have actually said in this thread I think it's fairly well balanced and not at all personal.
And by the way, just to be clear, the cable I photographed does have the plastic strain relief - I removed it for the photo. And obviously I had pulled back the cable insulation, to reveal the break which you can see is right at the copper tube and covered by the insulation, to prepare it for resoldering.
Nick, I have no doubt you will be very happy with your Super Sound Chords.
Whilst I'm sure we all know who you are referring to Marco, those of us that are the same age as RD might feel tempted to be insulted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Fortunately, I am not one of them but understand that you young things have a way to go before getting a better perspective on life, the universe and everything:ner:
Actually, it's just dawned on me that since a few weeks ago, I'm now nearer seventy than sixty. Nothing to do with posts and thread though, so carry on chaps.
Would it not be sensible and more meaningful to remove your earlier comments from the thread?
While I think it is the correct thing to do to apologise for your earlier uninformed post, you must realise that someone could "google" soundpipes and only read as far as your earlier post thereby gaining a totally false understanding of the product.
Guy.
Happy now?Quote:
Originally Posted by guy
Well I'm not happy.
As I've clearly pointed out, my 3 posts in this thread have been to the point, balanced, and fair and without any personal comment.
Therefore I would ask that Audioman withdraws post 35 which both insults me personally and makes false accusations against me.
I would also say to Gordon that his post 41 is completely inappropriate and should be removed. Nothing is being aired publicly in this thread and there is no personal comment from me whatever. I have given a balanced view of a product I own and stated that I think it sounds good but breaks easily. I'm certainly not the only one out there with broken SSPs - there's plenty of others.
Thank you.