New Mark Grant G1000HD Precision cables

[Marco]

I've taken delivery of these cables and have been assessing and comparing them for the last few days to Mark's standard £20 Canares. The G1000HDs are shown here:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...dex&cPath=43_1

And here:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...roducts_id=165

These new cables of Mark's are absolutely stunning (in the right system) and, IMO, set a new benchmark for what is capable with high quality copper-based cables...... The G1000HDs, quite simply, offer truly outstanding value for money!

Look out for a full review soon in S.O.G

Marco.

[Barry]

Hi Marco,

Are these the same cables that were used in JJ's cable test on Saturday?

Will you be giving us your thoughts on the cable testing session? I, and I'm sure JJ as well, would be interested in your views.

Cheers

[Alex_UK]

I, and I'm sure JJ as well, would be interested in your views.

Not to mention everyone else on AoS!

[Marco]

Hi Barry,

Yes they're the same ones

I'll be posting my thoughts on JJ's cable testing session tomorrow.

What I'm stating here though basically (and I will go into more detail in my review in S.O.G) is that the G1000HDs are markedly superior to the standard Canare type Mark sells for £20, and so are well worth the extra cost!

Rarely have I heard such a fundamental no-brainer upgrade from cables...

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

now he tells me, just after I've "blown" £20 on the standard fair!

Well, it's only money, and the top of the range cable in most line-ups is considerably more expensive!

[Marco]

The standard ones are superb, Alex.

However in a very revealing, synergistically-matched system, the G1000HDs come into their own in terms of sheer resolution, vanishingly low-noise, complete lack of detactable sonic signature and/or grain, and incredible musical insight into all recordings.

More later in the dedicated review!

Marco.

[StanleyB]

The standard ones are superb, Alex.

However in a very revealing, synergistically-matched system, the G1000HDs come into their own in terms of sheer resolution, vanishingly low-noise, complete lack of detactable sonic signature and/or grain, and incredible musical insight into all recordings.

I tend to find that a disadvantage of the product, rather than an improvement.
The noise and graininess comes from the preceding source. In some equipment designs a resistor of 100 ohms or so is inserted in line with the audio signal in order to combat any oscillations etc in the signal transmission path. However, that resistance of 100 ohms also lowers the noise floor and makes it more difficult to detect any grain. This in turn creates a darker signal, and takes away some of the soundstage and ambiance.
Coming back to a cable with such properties, if a cable with such properties is inserted in the path of a source with similar properties, the end result is a very dark output and almost washed out signal in the low dB range.

[Marco]

Hi Stan,

The noise and graininess comes from the preceding source.

In some cases, yes; but in others noise and graininess are generated by the material properties and/or construction of the cable. I have heard this effect numerous times in inferior cables.

Everything from equipment to cables, to loudspeakers, imposes its own sonic signature, or 'character', on music reproduced by a hi-fi system. I prefer all examples of such to impart the least 'sound' as possible of their own on the recording/source signal. That, after all, is what hi-fi is about.

As far as cables are concerned, the Mark Grant G1000HDs do that job admirably - indeed they are amongst the best I've used in that respect

One must remember that in reality there is no such thing as a 'good' cable; merely ones which are 'less bad'.

Marco.

[Themis]

I've had two pairs of G1000HD cables since last Saturday.
I will wait 'till I get a Croft pre (in a week or two) to thoroughly test the cables and give a more accurate impression.

At first test (last weekend) what I can say is : these are the most natural cables I've listened to, in the mid (low-mid and high-mid) frequencies. Voices and natural (especially wood) instruments are exceptional.
But, of course, this was only the first test, and I'm very fussy with testing interconnects : I like having precise opinions on cables as there's too much hype involved. So, a first impression is always a good point, but a thorough A/B test (blind) is still better.

[Steve Toy]

Over the standard £20 interconnects these G1000HDs remove even more background hash that adds distortion and brightness to the upper registers. The result of such removal is even more precise imaging and better resolution of harmonic detail and decay of notes into space.
Voices in particular gain more presence and subtle vocal inflections are more easily heard.