REVIEW: Epiphany Acoustics 'Atratus III' interconnect

[YNWaN]

Yes, I've got the Klotz here - made it up myself with the recommended plugs.

I'll have to refresh my specific thoughts by directly comparing it again as I did all this a while ago now.

My thoughts when I tried the Klotz was that it was a very good all rounder - quite full and generous sounding without being dull. I actually thought it was pretty good - ultimately I didn't think it had the same air, delicacy, timbre - will check though.

[Marco]

The whole episode is extremely bizarre. As you probably know, I've written quite a few reviews/reports of this type before. For example, I wrote a massive review for the Ryan Sound Lab boards for Naim pre-amps - I even wrote it specifically for him to post on his website (after I had bought a set to use myself) - hundreds have read it and I didn't receive one suggestion that I was in the manufacturers pocket in any way.

I wouldn’t worry about it, some folk have ‘shilling’ on the brain, due to their eternally suspicious and jaundiced view of the world.

I don't really understand why either of the people who borrowed the cable from Jerry actually bothered to. Certainly one of them had a pre-formed stance that cables make no difference (which he quite regularly states). Did he expect the Atratus to redefine his opinion?

No, he took the opportunity to ‘diss’ the notion of cables making a difference, under the guise of being interested in the Atratus, thus qualifying his opinion (read as agenda), as a result of having listened to them, therefore negating any criticism for not doing so from subjectivists. ‘Playing subjectivists at their own game’, as it were.

I understand Tony's position and sympathise. Ultimately he wants free speech and light moderation.

Ditto, however only in an ideal world are such things possible, and unfortunately hi-fi forums are not an ideal world.

As is often said, sometimes less is more, so you have to ask yourself, what’s more important, ‘free speech’ and a larger forum populated by those who seek to abuse it for their own selfish ends, or a smaller (but still very active) forum, moderated practically and populated by genuine enthusiasts, keen to be a constructive, non-confrontational influence in an on-line community?

The latter is what we’ve achieved with AoS. In my view, it’s better to have realistic goals, and achieve them, than impossible ones, and fail.

Unfortunately, audio and particularly audio forums seem to attract a special breed of nut - the kind who get their jollies trying to annoy others, worthless point scoring, weird ego tripping or just enjoy jumping up and down shouting 'LOOK AT ME'!

Indeed, and I’ve just never understood that mentality, especially the idiots who get their jollies out of trying to annoy others, essentially using someone else’s forum as their own little ‘playground’, for their banal ‘amusement'. You have to wonder what kind of sad, dull lives they lead, if they’re so easily ‘amused'

Anyway, we’ve had our little rant now, so let’s get back to the subject in hand: cables!

Marco.

[Clive]

The reality is that the Internet allows social misfits to communicate on an equal footing with reasonable people....in case of any doubt I'm not having a dig at Mark, I'm referring to certain tits on pfm, normally I like tits but not the pfm variety!

[bronzeage]

I'm just comparing the Mk1 to the 3 now. The Mk1 sounds quite lean in comparison to the 3 which has more weight and breadth - the three is smoother but not duller or recessed. I would say punch is just as good as the 1 but there is greater extension. Instrumental separation is really significantly better as is the texture of voices - much more human sense of inflection. The 1 sounds a bit band limited compared to the 3 I think. I find both bass rhythms and timing easier to follow on the 3 though perhaps the band limiting quality of the 1 helps reinforce timing cues (leading edge attack). Piano definitely has a more Yamaha quality to it through the Mk1 than the 3 and the 1 has a sort of 'edge of the seat' quality to it whilst the 3 is a bit more considered (though weirdly it also manages to make the system seem more intimate and sounds really spring out from the soundstage).

Ultimately, I can only write what I hear, your views may be different and the only way to truly know is to try it yourself (you can always get your money back if you don't like it).

Mark, that is a really useful and informative comparison, as a lot of how you describe the MK1 is how I hear it too. While obviously there is the money-back option, sometimes you just get a feel from comparative descriptions that it is not worth the effort. Come November, I will make my own judgement, and report back with how I get on.

[YNWaN]

Marco, in this short period I have been asked more constructive questions on this thread than in the entire pfm thread (although, to be fair, I was asked some very good questions on pfm but they were via private PM).

Clive, I quite understand .

Marcus, I hear what you are saying. The problem with reviewing of this sort is that one is never sure how much ones experience/views are shared. I've re-read through my comments and I'm happy that they accurately represent my thoughts (as I saw them).

The reality is that I listened to the Mk1 Atreatus and liked it - I then used it in my system continualy until I came across the MkIII which I have been using since as I thought it was better. I wasn't, in any way, obliged to use either of them.

[Marco]

The reality is that the Internet allows social misfits to communicate on an equal footing with reasonable people....

Ain’t that the truth, bro! Thank goodness we have ways here of applying a pretty effective ‘twit filter’...

Marco.

[struth]

I wouldn’t worry about it, some folk have ‘shilling’ on the brain, due to their eternally suspicious and jaundiced view of the world.


No, he took the opportunity to ‘diss’ the notion of cables making a difference, under the guise of being interested in them, thus qualifying his opinion (read as agenda), as a result of having listened to them, therefore negating any criticism for not doing so from subjectivists. ‘Playing them at their own game’, as it were.


Ditto, however only in an ideal world are such things possible, and unfortunately hi-fi forums are not an ideal world.

As is often said, sometimes less is more, so you have to ask yourself, what’s more important, ‘free speech’ and a larger forum populated by those who seek to abuse it for their own selfish ends, or a smaller forum, moderated practically and populated by genuine enthusiasts, willing to be a constructive part of an on-line community?

In my view, it’s better to have realistic goals, and achieve them, than impossible ones, and fail.



Indeed, and I’ve just never understood that mentality, especially the idiots who get their jollies out of trying to annoy others, essentially using someone else’s forum as their own little ‘playground’. You have to wonder what kind of sad, dull lives they lead, if they see that sort of shit as ‘entertainment'

Anyway, we’ve had our little rant now, so let’s get back to the subject in hand: cables!

Marco.

Probably bullied relentlessly at school mate

[walpurgis]

Yes, I've got the Klotz here - made it up myself with the recommended plugs.

I'll have to refresh my specific thoughts by directly comparing it again as I did all this a while ago now.

My thoughts when I tried the Klotz was that it was a very good all rounder - quite full and generous sounding without being dull. I actually thought it was pretty good - ultimately I didn't think it had the same air, delicacy, timbre - will check though.

My only experience of Klotz was with Rega arms. But I came to the same conclusion. I replaced mine.

[Marco]

Probably bullied relentlessly at school mate

Indeed. I’ve suspected that for a while, and probably unhappy home lives too, so they have to ‘kick out’ somehow…

Marco.

[Marco]

My only experience of Klotz was with Rega arms. But I came to the same conclusion. I replaced mine.

As ever, such things are entirely subjective and also hugely system-dependent. There’s no lack of air, delicacy or timbre here, with the MC5000s (fitted with MS Audio Starline plugs), as those traits are amongst the most important of those I look out for when assessing cables

Marco.