hifi-advice.com - schuko connectors compared

All connectors were tested in combination with their own Belden powercable, in each case provided with our well-liked IEC-Gold IEC connector. Each cable was manufactured in the same way, plugged in for same phase and burned in the same duration. During testing only one cable at a time was connectod, each time in the same position of the extensionblock.

A Wadia 861 cd player was used as a source. It was well-run in and kept warm at all times.

Connectors under review

-Kupp (rubber) (6 euro)

-Bals (12 euro)

-HiFi Tuning Gold II (24k Gold) (28 euro)

The Review

First connector to judge was the well know and much used Kupp. Familiar sound, nothing wrong with that. So we thought. Then we swapped for the cable with the Bals connector. Surely this would be about nuances, right? Wrong! The difference was very obvious. A fat layer of metallicness was removed, revealing a much more natural, organic sound. Everything was a lot more supple but not at the expense of openness, speed or detail. The highs were still very open and airy, just way more natural and less brittle. And never was this connector boring. Going back to the Kupp was like torturing yourself. It has a very unnatural emphasized high frequency range.

Now it was time for the Hifi Tuning Gold II schuko. Again the high frequencies become more natural, better differenciated, and so does the midband. There is more room for tiny sounds to develop instead of them being crammed against each other. This connector is even more natural and less electronic than the Bals, on which it is based. Apparently the gold coating does have a large effect. But the sound is also less spectacular, and a little less airy in the highest highs.

Conclusion

The Kupp connectors really aren't fit for use in a high resolution audio setup. Especially not in a setup such as mine, which has Martin Logan electrostatics. On these speakers the edginess of the Kupp is way too obvious. In specific setups however, that tend to the dark or are less open and forward, the Kupp can still be fine. Just keep an eye on any edginess. The Bals is a very fine quality connector at a very friendly price and this connector has no flaws. The Hifi Tuning Gold II is the best connector but has to be applied carefully. Use it only if your setup has sufficient clarity and you're searching for more naturalness, not spectacle.

Some advice

When replacing connectors, try not to do them all at once. Balance is everything in audio and it's all too easy to shift the sound too much in one direction. For example, your setup may even need the extra edge of the Kupp because the balance has already been tilted.

As always, if in doubt, just mail us!

Also read:

Schuko connectors compared - part 2

IEC connectors Compared

Schuko connector standards

IEC connector standards