hifi-advice.com - Reviews

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Acoustic System International Liveline powercable

Judging from the package and its looks, this seems to be a very serious cable. And it is. There are solid core silver conductors inside, individually insulated by what looks like teflon. As you'd expect, the sound is very direct. Rhythm is very strong, as are speed and dynamics. But for my tastes, this cable is too dry and too lean. A comparison with a personal favorite from the netkabels.nl webshop made clear that you can have the same transparency, speed and dynamics and yet not be punished with dryness, leanness or a lack of fluidity. Overall this is an impressive sounding cable that can work very well in setups that need some extra zip but you can do better for less.

Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval XLR Interlink

Neutral and relaxed but with some added gravy. This cable is very colourful and has a rich bass. It is not the most refined nor the most crisp sounding cable but it is plenty detailed and seduces with its luxurious sound. Compared to Transparent Ultra though, this cable falls short in air, openness, fluidity and agility. But then again, the Transparent is 4 times its price...

Analysis Plus Silver Oval XLR Interlink

Not unlike the Solo Crystal Oval but with a lot more air in the treble, a more forward character and a leaner, better articulated bass. Still, I wouldn't call this cable better than the copper version because its forwardness doesn't make for better dynamics. Rather, it is dynamically more restrained than the copper version that sounds freeer. Its soundfield is also more confined to the speakers and there's less flow and character making the silver version also slightly more analytical. It's missing some of the copper version's inviting colour and warmth. That said, it is still a fluid performer and you'd be hard pressed to find a more detailed cable at the price.

Cardas Golden Reference powercable

Slightly less neutral I'd say than the interconnect but not at all coloured. It is however a cable that really has to match the component to which it's mated. It is certainly not the proper cable for most amplifiers, although it works pretty well with Jeff Rowland preamps. Ultimately this cable has very airy and fluid highs and is high on detailing and focus but it is more synthetic sounding than many others and its bass, however very nimble and detailed, is thin and lacks power.

Cardas Golden Reference XLR interlink - 50cm version

Faster and more nimble than Golden Cross this cable is neutral and detailed but still very musical. This cable is absolutely not dry or otherwise clinical. Nor is it over-creamy or slow but the transients are ever so slightly rounded off compared to older Cardas cables such as the Hexlink Golden 5C. It is a cable that will suit a wide range of systems but I would't use it in overly warm/lush systems.

Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C XLR interlink

Very different from the Cardas house sound of late. Literally all other cardas cables sound very different from the Hexlink. The Hexlink was the top of the line before the Golden Cross and is still a remarkable cable but its character has to match your setup and taste. It is very fast, open, bold and dynamic while maintaing a natural balance. The cable is very good for acoustic music and Piano has never sounded better. It does lack the last nth of air and fluidity that newer Cardas cables offer.

Cardas Golden Cross Speakercable

Comparable soundwise to the CG interlink. Seductive and easy to listen to for hours at end. The sound is royal, fluid, well-defined and refined. Detailing is never in doubt. But this cable has rounded off transients, just like the interlink, and its livelyness is compromised. Analysis plus and Transparent manage to sound more dynamic while maintaining a relaxed presentation.

Cardas Quadlink 5C XLR Interlink

Drier and less colorful than Golden Cross but more rhythmic and lively. The Quadlink makes an excellent balans between speed and detail on the one hand and fluidity and refinement on the other hand. Essentially pretty neutral.

Harmonic Technology Pro Silway Cinch interlink

Very silky and open treble, airier than the truthlink but the bass is still very relaxed and the cable still lacks attack and enthusiasm. The soundstage is also a bit flat and hangs to the speakers. Transparent for example, offers a comparable balance but is more agile and nimble as well as offering a totally free floating stage. Analysis Plus (both silver and copper) are also better at this but don't offer the fluidity nor the relaxed "analog-tubey" feeling of the Harmonic.

Harmonic Technology Truthlink Cinch interlink

Very much reminiscent of the pro silway but less accomplished in the treble where it is very smooth but also slightly muted and lacking air. In analytical setups though this cable could be perfect as a digital antidote.

Harmonic Technology Pro-ACII powercable

Old version with cheap connectors: like the truth link interlink perfect for a digital antidote, but maybe too relaxed. It is quite nuanced but sounds dynamically restrained and a bit low on PRAT (it's slightly slow). The treble is beautifully lush and fluid. New version with Furutech connectors: a different story! Much better PRAT and dynamics. I would say that this cable preserves all strong sides of the old cable but adds excitement and pace. For the money a very good cable but it should't be used in very warm/relaxed setups.

Hi Diamond B2WI biwire speakercable

Neutral and friendly but not rounded, undynamic or slow. A very fine combination of detailing and relaxed musicality.

Krell speakercable (prototype)

Very rare cable that is no longer available. I bought it from a person that claimed that is is a Krell prototype. Whether this is true I cannot confirm. But it does sound very good. It employs a combination of litze and solid core wire. The sound is both detailed, fluid and silky, somewhat resembling Cardas Golden Cross. The cable is very supple.

Kimber 4TC/8TC (single- of bi-wired) speakercable

Highly neutral, very lively and pretty well-detailed but when poorly matched, dryness and greyness are lurking around the corner. 8TC is more relaxed (especially in the bass) than 4TC and 8TC's highs are also more silky making the 4TC appear dry in comparison but in the wrong system all this fullness could be too much as 4TC can come across as faster and more rhythmic.

Kimber pbj interlink Cinch/XLR

Very detailed, highly neutral and fast/rhythmic but arguably slighly dry and thin. Nevertheless, compared with other cables at this price it performs admirably and is the natural choice as a first step-up interlink. Sounds the same used in a cinch or balanced XLR configuration.

MIT Z-cord powercable

This well-known cable really is nothing but a Belden cable with two ferrite rings attached. You read that correct: there's nothing special in those big plastic boxes but ferrite rings and a lot of glue. Therefore it comes as no surprise that the cable sounds like a Belden too. But the ferrite rings do seem to have an effect as the transients are slightly softened and the highs and a tad more fluid than standard Belden. This gives the MIT a more friendly character at the cost of some attack. Do replace the standard melted-on plugs, this can make a lot of difference.

MIT Terminator 2 speakercable

Supercreamy mids and highs but with a fat one-note bass. Very seductive as a temporary treat but after some time this very thick sauce becomes tiresome and you start longing for other meals.

ASI Liveline powercable

In standardform with Yarbo connectors this is a fast, lively and open sounding cable. But it is too dry, edgy rough in the treble. Substitute the Tarbo connectors for IeGO 24k Gold ones and you're in for a surprise. All of a sudden the cable loses most of its roughness and gains some air and a lot of refinement at the same time. Still, compared to the CP-audio Ultimate Clarity there is more to be had, at less than half the price.

Extensive Reviews:

-Changing the connectors to IeGOs

-ASI Liveline compared to CP-audio Ultimate Clarity

Nordost Red Dawn XLR interlink/Speakercable

On the one hand these are exceptionally neutral and refined cables. On the other hand I find them flat, grey and unspectacular. Both speaker cable and interlink share a similar balance and are not very much unlike Kimber pbj and 4TC albeit less exciting because Nordost is so very refined. Also Rhytmically and dynamically I find Nordost to be the lesser candidate, holding back in relation to Kimber. But Kimber is much more rough and nowhere near as refined.

Siltech SPX 10 powercable

Open, and articulate throughout the entire spectrum, with airy, silky highs. It is also leaner than other Siltech cables and even compared to Belden. On some source components the Siltech can sound dynamically restrained compared to Belden and Lapp but it performed admirably well in combination with a McIntosh amplifier. The Siltech is definitely not grainy or harsh and it doesn't lack fluidity but it can be ever so slightly technical.

Siltech SPX 20 powercable

See SPX-10 but with a more forward mid and overall more detail and resolution, but at the expense of some shoutyness.

Siltech SPX 30 powercable

Quite a bit like SPX20 but a bit more natural and more relaxed

Siltech MXT New York Cinch interlink

Even this very affordable interlink sounds much like other Siltechs: neutral, musical, well articulated and with pretty good detail.

Siltech LS25MXT speakerkabel

Although affordable, this really is a very good cable. It is fast, open, detailed but never pushy or shouty. Its highs are silky and fluid. If there's something to complain about it would be a slight tendency for too much control in certain combinations. But at the price just very fine and will work in many setups.

Transparent Super XLR interlink

Just like all Transparents, the Super has a silky smooth balance and is very spacious. Not everything about this cable is great though. It can be quite slow and in the wrong system the sound can even get muddy if your source has a weak output stage. If you want the plus sides without the downsides, go for the Ultra.

Transparent Ultra XLR interlink XL

Silky, airy treble and an overall very refined and luxurious sound. This cable makes listening to music (as opposed to listening to your system) easy. The XLR version is airier and more subtle than the cinch version. If your system can handle this cable (has enough resolution and speed to begin with, as well as a source with a robust output stage), it's difficult to find better.

Extensive Review:

-Transparent Cables compared - MM versus XL and non-XL

Transparent Reference XLR Interlink

This is an extreme cable, and it will not fit every setup. But if it fits, boy, this cable is magical. The sound is comparable to that of the Ultra, but grander, bigger in all dimensions. The room is simply filled with sound. The cable in question is a non-XL version and is compared to the Ultra XL so it may not be entirely fair. Despite this, the differences are clear and mostly in the Reference's advantage. The Reference is so much more velvety, lush, creamy and luxurious that it's hard to go back to Ultra that sounds grey in comparison. The downsides of the Ref: it's slower in pace, slightly darker and is even more relaxed so your system really has to be up to scratch, otherwise you'll end up with a muddy sound. And then there's also the importance of having a robust output stage in your source, otherwise this cable can start to sound very undynamic and restrained.

Extensive Review:

-Transparent Cables compared - MM versus XL and non-XL

Magnan Silver Bronze Cinch interlink

A well-balanced cable that falls somewhere between Cardas and Transparent soundwise. It has Transparent's musicality and unforced presentation and a hint of Cardas Bass-fullness and directness. Its transient response is slightly softened, the bass slightly fat and it is topped off with some creamsauce but it's a nice sauce. A cable for musiclovers if not for the analytical-minded.

van den Hul CS 122 Luidsprekerkabel

Quite neutral (not warm nor analytical), with open highs and a fair amount of detail and for the outlay not bad. Still I was not convinced by this cable and found it lacking drive while the highs can be brash. Overall it is a bit unnatural and there are many alternatives but still the vdH is not a bad choice for a starter cable.

van den Hul The Second XLR interlink

This cable is special because it doesn't use any metal such as silver, copper or gold as conductors. Instead it employs individually coated carbon fibre. Indeed the resulting sound is anything but metallic, showing no signs of edginess or other defects often associated with metal conductors. In fact it has little sound of its own, making for a bland presentation in some setups as it can lack colour or attack. Its highs are very nice though: open, airy and silky. Mids are unforced and natural but dynamically maybe a tad restrained and the least well developed part of this cable is the bass which however deep, is a bit woolly and lacking power.

Draka Image 360 (coax) applied as digital or analogue interlink

Very neutral if a bit thin but amazing detail, openness and very fast and tight. These characteristics are valid whether the cable is used digitally or in analogue fashion. In its strengths it can even compete with very expensive highend cables but compared to Belden RG59, the Image 360 is more detailed but also less smooth and fluid.

Cardas Golden Cross XLR Interconnect

Relaxed and seductive; a cable that encourages listening for hours at end. Fuller and warmer in the bass and mids than Golden Ref, also more creamy in the treble and more colourful compared to the old Hexlink Golden 5C and the newer Quadlink 5C but the CG sounds somewhat less enthusiastic and dynamically more restrained. It is not however a shut-in cable; its detailing is actually very good but this cable may ultimately be slighly too creamy for its own good.

MIT Shotgun S2 XLR Interlink

This interlink sounds completely different from the Terminator 2 speaker cable. You'd think that there is a MIT house-sound but after comparing moe MIT products it seems as if the entry level products are more smooth and the more highend products ever more precise. This goes for the Shotgun interlink too. It is very tight, fast, precise and dynamic but also dry and tonally flat. It could do with some more colour and fluidity.

van Damme Hybride silver/copper bases interlink (with LOK cinch connectors)

Very transparent with a completely unforced and fluid midrange and treble. The mids and highs remind me of Cardas Golden Cross. The van Damme is also very good with microdetails and even though it has tight and articulate bass, it presents the entire sound in such a relaxed fashion that for some tastes it can be too mellow. This is a cable for refined tastes, not for rock-enthusiasts.

Belden RG59 coax based analog Interlink (with LOK cinch connectors)

Open, redelijk gedetailleerd en snel. Rustiger en minder strak, maar voller van kleur dan AA IL-Type 2. Belden RG59 is de meest neutraal-natuurlijke en muzikale versie RG59 kabel verkrijgbaar. Deze kabel is heel mooi in balans en zit klankmatig tussen AA IL-Type 2 en Type 1. Kortom: een goede instapkabel om de algehele kwaliteit van uw weergave een zetje te geven, zonder daarbij overboord te gaan.

Lapp Olflex 5g1,5 191CY powercable

There are many variants in Lapp's repetoire. Some cables are merely good while others are extremely good value for money. The best Lapps produce a very full sound, deep bass that's very tuneful, a rich and creamy midband that is also very well detailed and focussed and a treble that is very fluid and absolutely never harsh. There are quicker and fresher cables around, Belden for example, but Belden sounds thin and dry in comparison.

Extensive Review:

-Lapp powercable compared

Belden 3x2,5mm shielded powercable

Very good and neutral basic cable that is much more open, dynamic, tight and focussed than ordinairy cable. But the Belden is also slightly edgy in the treble and can sound dry and too controlled. It lacks some "meat on the bones". But it can work wonders in setups that need some livening up. This cable was also compared to the thicker 3x4mm Belden, see review below.

Extensive Review:

-Belden powercable compared

Transparent Reference Loudspeaker cable (with XL technology)

For this cable I have the same feelings as for the Reference XLR interlink above: I love the rich lushness and luxurious feel that this cable lends to the music. Unlike the interlink though, this cable is not slow and in fact very dynamic and highly detailed. But it is never dry or sterile. It is slighly darker than the Ultra speaker cable but so much more musical and full of colour that it's an offer you'll gladly make. Also, this cable isn't hard to drive and sounds dynamic and fast on many systems.

Harmonic Technology Digital Copper interlink

Supple, creamy and silky (apparently a Harmonic Tech tendency) but too rounded off on the transients. Because of this everything sounds slower and less dynamic than with any other digital interlink I tried. Ultimately I would only recommend it for very analytical and forward setups. (compared to Belden RG59, Transparent Premium and Wireworld Gold Starlight III with Meridian 600 series and CEC Tl1x transports and Audiomeca and DCS dacs)

Wireworld Gold Starlight 5 digital silver interlink

The Starlight 5 looks exactly like the Starlight 3+ and the sound is similar but there are distict differences. Most noticeable was the bass and mid. With the 5 it was faster and drier and had slightly more attack. The 3 has a more fluid and round bass and is more relaxed. Which is better? That's a matter of taste but to me, the 3+ sounds more "analog".

Extensive Review:

-Digital Cables Compared

KCI Falcon digital interlink

Very open with lots of detail but has a presence in the treble that can be too much. The highs are so very open that it seems as if the treble knob on the amplifier is positioned too much to the right... The bass is also on the thin side and the total impression that I get from this cable is that it is somewhat boring and lacking colour.

Transparent Premium digital interlink

Compared to RG59 (see above) this cable is quite a bit more fluid and organic. It is also more relaxed and less dry. On the other hand, compared to RG59 it is also slower and less dynamic but overall still lively enough. In an open system it strikes a good balance between relaxed fluidity and detail. Wireworld Gold Starlight however is better in all respects; it has more colour and is less rounded at the same time.

Extensive Review:

-Digital Cables Compared

XLO reference Cinch interlink

This cable reminded me of Kimber and Nordost. The XLO is also somewhat thin, flat and lacking character while it is not tighter or more detailed than Kimber pbj. It is however, just like Nordost, more refined and has more gentle and silky highs but overall I found this to be an unexciting cable.

XLO reference powercord

A cable with a very strong character, sounding creamy, full and loudness-like with lots of drive in the bass and a big dip in the mids. With its deviating character this cable can work really well when matched carefully, where you could compensate for defects elsewhere in the chain but keep in mind that it is not neutral and not universally applicable.

Wireworld Gold Eclipse Cinch interlink

In spite of expectations there is no harshness whatsoever in this pure silver cable. Instead it is very refined, silky, smooth and also well-detailed. It has nice, deep bass and a natural, neutral balance. It is however not the most dynamic cable around and the soundstage doesn't extend much outside the speakers compared to Transparent Ultra and Analysis Plus.

Mogami AES-Interlink (tested with Gold Neutrik XLR's)

Compliant with very strict broadcast norms, this cable is extremely neutral, very refined and very detailed but not too tight or too controlled. It is neither hard nor cool and actually still musical. in combination with Neutrik Gold XLR's this cable makes for a very fine AES EBU cable that is hard to beat at any price.

Extensive Review:

-Digital Cables Compared

Kimber Tonik based Interlink (used with LOK cinch connectors)

This is (sort of) the affordable follow-up of the well-liked pbj. Its sound is somewhat comparable but different in some areas. The bass is less tight, the highs more fluid and resolution is a notch down but the entire presentation is more relaxed, making this cable the better choice in more open or analytical systems.

Belden RG59 coax videocable used as a digital interlink

Open, nicely detailed, fast but absolutely not aggressive. Neither dry nor wooly, this is a very balanced and neutral cable. More relaxed and with more colour than Draka Image 360.

Extensive Review:

-Digital Cables Compared

Transparent Powerlink XL 15A power cable

This cable is very different from the Transparent sound that I'm used to. It simply doesn't sound like a Transparent. This is probably so because of the configuration of the cable: Solid core conductors and Teflon insulation. The first thing you notice when hearing this cable is the livelyness and dynamics. Until now, Belden was at the top of my list for dynamics but this Transparent simply slashes Belden on all accounts. It even manages to add some fluidity to all the action. But it's not the luxuirous creaminess that I know from the Transparent interlinks, rather a civilised feel to an otherwise very dynamic and forward cable. The one downside is its treble; it is darker and drier than most other cables I have lying around. It's not grainy at all, just not that airy. All in all you could compare its sound signature to that of the Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C.

Synergistic Research Designer's Reference XLR interlinks

This cable was compared to Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C, Cardas Quadlink 5C and Transparent Ultra XL, all XLR cables. It has some really strong qualities such as a very firm yet tightly articulated bass and a lively and well pronounced mid (Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C-alike). It has very good control and transients are clean but this control also extends to the highs, making them dry and even a bit coarse. There's also a lack of air compared to the other cables. Overall a lively, well articulated cable but too rigid for my tastes. I left it connected for days to a playing source but this didn't change much. The missing air could be caused by oxidized connectors (age) but still this would be a strict cable, best suited for bringing clarity and control into a system that needs it. For well balanced systems it may very well be too much. both Cardas Quadlink and Transparent Ultra were more lightfooted, airy and more refined while remaining dynamic and speedy.

FIM Gold Series XLR interlink

This is an interlink. But you cannot imagine how stiff this cable is until you hold it in your hands... If your component is a lightweight, chances are that it'll float in free air when you've connected these interlinks. You really have to pre-bend them into the right shape befor connecting. This interlink probably also uses solid core conductors. But enough about their physicalities. How do they sound? In a word: lively. Very lively. In fact these are the most dynamic and "live"-sounding cables I've come across. They even beat Cardas Hexlink in this regard. The sound is very present. They articulate immensely well, and they make alle music very rythmic and well defined as well as having very solid bass. The downside is that depending on the rest of your system, the sound can also become too controlled and even slightly dry. Especially the high frequencies lack the kind of airy refinement that Transparent but also Cardas Golden Reference and even Cardas Quadlink do offer. These cables present the music in a more breathing and organic athmosphere.

FIM Gold Series Powercable

This powercable is unbelievable. When you pick it up, it just retains its shape! You almost need tools in order to bend it. Well, not really, but you catch my drift. It really is an extremely stiff cable that has to be bent in shape before connecting. It uses 9 2,5mm solid core conductors and that doesn't go unnoticed! Not too surprisingly, the cable sounds the way it feels: very controlled and very dynamic. It is easily the most lively powercable that I've come across, even beating the Transparent Powerlink XL in that respect. Detail and focus are excellent all round. The bass is meaty, the mids are dynamic and very "live" and even if you'd expect this, the high frequencies aren't coarse or brittle at all. But the cable does clearly lack some air and extension on top. When switching to the aforementioned Powerlink XL, I hear quite a bit more air on top, even though the Transparent isn't the most open and airy cable around. Even a Lapp cable is more open. But amusingly, compared to the FIM, Lapp is decidely mushy and warm! But all other cables I had lying around (NBS, Lapp, Harmonic Tech, Siltech, Transparent) were very much more fluid, more airy and more relaxed. A very extreme cable then, but if your system needs an energy boost: this cable provides it!

NBS Dragon Fly powercable (original Dragon Fly I)

This has to be the most open and airy cable I've ever heard. Maybe Siltech SPX10 beats it in ultimate delicacy, but the NBS has an altogether more fluid and organic sound, whereas the Siltech is more technically perfect and more dry. The NBS may even have a little bit too much HF, but is is never, and I mean NEVER agressive, glassy or brittle. It's just very, well, airy! It helps that the mid frequencies are, in the best sense of the word, neutral. Neither retracted nor shouting out, thereby helping the natural balance that this cable has. The Dragon Fly also has ample bass, only slightly short of what Lapp achieves. But the NBS is more fluid, airy and more agile than Lapp. It is also quicker and airier than Harmonic Technology Pro ACII. All in all, especially at this price level an amazing achievement even though this is NBS' entry cable.

Transparent Musicwave Ultra XL Speakercable

This speaker cable is more neutral than the Ultra interlinks but still very much a Transparent. Still the sound is very human and natural and the treble is open and airy without being harsh in any way. The Ultra is moe speedy and has more attack than the Reference but lags behind on many other areas such as colour, lushness, fullness of bass and spaciousness. This cable isn't hard to drive, like the Reference XL SS is. In fact, the Ultra will work in many systems.

NBS Dragon Fly III powercable

A follow-up to the original Dragon Fly, this cable has similar appearance with the same connectors but uses solid core instead of litze. This translates directly to the sound, which is more focused, has tighter end slightly sronger bass but is also less airy and, to my ears at least, too controlled and too dry. I suspect that this cable is now closer to the sound of the more expensive NBS cables and if you're looking for more detail and value precision over fluidity in a powercable then this may be the one for you. It is still very affordable.

www.hifi-advice.com - reviews by Christiaan Punter - continually updated

MIT/Spectral MH-750 Ultralinear speakercable

This cable is branded Spectral but really is an MIT cable. It has a fluid, smooth sound that is never aggressive nor shouty. It's not really bad on detail but don't expect hyper-focused imagery here. Also the bass is a bit too wooly at times and can lack attack and pitch definition. Nevertheless this is a good cable to use in systems that are otherwise too clinical or analytical sounding. Compared to Transparent Reference XL, the MIT lags behind it on all accounts but I guess that's only fair considering the large price difference. A good alternative would be the transparent Ultra (XL): this more affordable Transparent is not as supersmooth as the MIT but is a lot more focused, dynamic and keeps your toes tapping.

Belden 3x4mm shielded powercable

This thicker Belden cable (bottom cable on picture) sounds very different from the thinner 3x2,5mm version. It has more bass and less of the thinness and grain in the treble but the price paid for this is a much darker sound and compressed dynamics. This cable is so lacklustre that it doesn't even sound like a Belden anymore.

Extensive Review:

-Belden powercable compared

Furutech FP-3T S20 powercable

This cable reminds strongly of the Harmonic Technology Pro AC II cables: lush, sweet, fluid and refined. But it is not in the same league, sounding somewhat restrained dynamically and simply too relaxed in the bass. Although really subtly detailed yet smooth and therefore very seductive, you need to apply this cable carefully. It could be just what you needed to get rid of that digititis or it could be the toe-tap-killer. (listened to with various connectors and on various components)

Analysis Plus Solo Crystal 8 Speakercable

This cable's strong side is its bass: it's full and deep but incredibly nuanced and very nimble. Transients are very clear and detailed and yet the bass is never dry. This cable is quite colourful yet neutral and doesn't accentuate any frequency band. You have to be careful though in very revealing setups that this cable could tilt the sound too much toward the dry and analtical. It is also not the most fluid cable around. Compared to Cardas Golden Cross the Analysis is even faster, more dynamic and more specifically detailed but at the expense of the creamy fluidity that the Cardas offers. Please note: this cable has to run in for an obscene amount of hours before it relaxes: some 300 hours. Before that it sounds lean and too forward.

Essential Audiotools powercable

This cable is said to give great results at an entrylevel price. Indeed, at its admission price of only 99 euro you're getting a neutral sounding, basic cable that's a lot better than the standard "packed in the box" powercords. Overall I'd rate it more or less on par with the most affordable Kemp and well thought out home-made Belden/Lapp cables. Its resolution is moderate and its treble could be more open but it's not aggressive and enjoyable enough. I suspect that this is a Lapp cable with custom print but compared to some Lapp types it still comes out short with respect to colour and fluidity. Then again, at 99 euro I haven't heard better commercial powercords.

please note: this review had originally been written with a price of 200 euro in mind. In this light I had less sympathy for the cable. I have now heard of the real price of 99 euro which changes things quite a bit. Hence the amendment of this review.

Crystal Reference Powercord

This cable has caused quite a stir in the highend world. And rightfully so. It has its roots at Siltech and it shares some sonic similarities indeed, like its resolution and openness combined with a relaxed fluidity. This is a combination that you don't find very often. There are differences though, as a comparison with a Siltech SPX20 made clear. Where the Siltech can be pushy in the mids and slightly overemphasized, the Crystal is more relaxed and more natural. Upon looking at the cable you'd expect a lean bass but this is not so, in fact its bass is excellent. No, it is not as full as Harmonic Technology's Pro AC II but I would say it is just right. Tonal balance is neutral but the mids are every so gently laidback. A comparison with the best cable from netkabels.nl, the Ultimate, made clear that the Crystal really makes music at the highest level. And bear in mind that it comes with bog-standard connectors... imagine what the replacement with high end connectors would do! Comparing the two cables I would say that they each have their specific strengths: the Ultimate having more harmonic richness and body; the Crystal having higher resolution in the treble. The choice comes down to taste and preference.

Oyaide Tunami powercord with Oyaide 037 connectors, later also with IeGO connectors

This is probably the best cable to show off your system with when friends come along: it is extremely lively and dynamic and very finely resolved at the same time. It is not grainy or harsh but its enthusiasm simply is too much for me. My system has Magnepan 3.6 magnetostats and because they are already so very open, the addition of the Tunami was imply too much of a good thing. I can imagine though that this cable could do very well in less open systems. Recently (2011) I tried this cable again, this time with IeGO gold connectors. Same result: way too technical, dry and unemotional, even in a friend's Jadis system.

Wireworld Gold Starlight III+ digital silver interlink

One of the best digital interlinks available. It has a tremendously wide soundstage. It is slightly less open and explicitly detailed and slightly less tight bass than Belden RG59 but is much more involving. It is more colourful, more complete and more fluid. It is also more lively than the Transparent premium interlink. The sound is rich and full, without being slow or congested and detailing is first rate.

Extensive Review:

-Digital Cables Compared

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Apogee Wyde Eye digital coax cable

It might be because this cable uses litze as opposed to a solid core conducter, but this cable sounds very refined, fluid, relaxed and decidedly "undigital". But its not al praise since the dynamics are somewhat compressed and the cable also lacks some get up and go, it could do with a bit more bite. But for open systems you could do a lot worse than this cable, and the price makes it a no-brainer. It can be bettered, but not anywhere near its price point. A good alternative that has similar sound, but better (if you ae willing to spend the money) is the Transparent Premium Digital or even better, the Wireworld Gold Starlight III.

Synergistic Research Designer's Reference LS cables

Unlike their interlinks, the speaker cable is a smooth operator. Compared to even the Transparent Ultra XL, the Designer's Reference is full, warm, big-bodied and very much forgiving of bad recordings. It covers everything up with a nice full-colour blanket but this may well be too much of a good thing. The bass is full and entertaining but lacks some precision and speed. Overall this cable lacks resolution and openness, and the treble is dark and lacks extension. It is absolutely never grainy but just a bit too dark.

Extensive Review:

-Synergistic Research Designer's Reference compared to Transparent Music Wave Ultra XL

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Transparent Reference XL SS Loudspeaker cable

This is the last XL incarnation that sounds markedly different from the previous XL technology generation. I've compared it directly with the XL and the difference is both huge and unexpected. Whereas the recent MM technology tends to sound much more forward, dynamic and analytical than the older cables, this XL SS speaker cable does the opposite: its filter boxes are much larger and seem to contain more filtering. Or at least, it sounds that way. The XL SS sounds supersmooth, fluid and subtle but also overdamped, a little undynamic and less articulate. I feel that it is meant for use with much heavier amps than my Rowlands and tougher loads than my Magnepans. Altogether I preferred the older XL technology for its more honest and lively presentation while definitely maintaining the Transparent House Sound.

Extensive Review:

-Transparent Speaker Cables compared - XL versus XL SS

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PS Audio Prelude powercable

Somewhat similar to Harmonic Technology Pro ACII (which is fluid, round and full and slightly laidback) but less subtle, less finely detailed and with considerably less PRAT (less speed). Overall, for the outlay it is not a bad cable but your system really needs to be able to facilitate it. If your sound is very open and perhaps harsh or shouty, these PS cable may be for you. In already warm systems it may be too much.

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IeGO L 70530 copper/silver powercable

A lively, fast and detailed sounding cable that has excellent midrange clarity. For all its openness and detail, it is never harsh or grainy at all. It is however very much balanced to the forward/analytical side of things, leaving little in the way of fluidity, creamyness or relaxation. It sounds very focussed, the soundstage being less wide and "outside the speakers" than is possible with other cables. This cable is all about detail. If you crave it, this cable will deliver, sounding easily as open and detailed as a Siltech SPX-20. In fact it sounds much like it but is less airy. This is a very good cable but an extreme one so handle with care.

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Cardas Maggie (Magnepan) Jumpercables

Comprised from Golden Reference cable, these jumpers should sound a lot different from the standard OFC wire I use between filterbox and speaker. Normally the filterboxes are attached straight to the speaker by means of solid metal connectors. Many people disconnect them to place them separate from the speaker. But what cable will you then use? As it turns out, the Cardas jumpers have much better bass, both fuller and more tuneful and articulated, very nice. The mid frequencies is another area in which Cardas usually excells and they do so here, too: more liveliness and an overall more acoustical feel. But where they are less than the simple OFC wires is in the treble which is noticeably more shut in and less ariy now. I'm giving them more time to acclimatise and run in and will update this review if I feel that they have improved in this area. I will also experiment with using a mix of Cardas on the bass and regular OFC on the treble.

Extensive Review:

-Cardas jumpers versus regular OFC jumpers

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Siltech FTM-4 Gold G3 single ended interlink

This review boggles me. The cable was in my system as a guest. A friend was considering buying it but heard a few downsides in his system so we listened to the cable in my setup too. It was compared to the Transparent Ultra XL XLR interlink. Admittedly the Siltech had to make use of Cardas XLR adapters but the resulting sound was much worse that I knew what could be caused to these adapters. The thing is, these adapters, if anything, reduce bass power and weight slightly. They don't add nor subtract brightness and certainly don't dull the sound. What I heard was completely opposite of what you might expect from this Siltech cable though. Even compared to the Transparent, which is on the forgiving side of neutrality, the Siltech sounded flat, small and even less refined. The Siltech's strong point could be considered its neutrality. Nothing stood out and nothing was amiss. It had good detail and was never agressive. But it always sounded slow, didn't image much outside the speakers and somehow just sounded rhytmically impeded. It simply failed to sound engaging. The same things were noted in my friend's system (where we didn't use the adapters). Sure it wasn't bad, but for its price we expected much, much more. If anyone feels that this is not right and wants to set the records straight by compare a Siltech XLR cable to the Transparent, you're more than welcome to contact me!

Heaven's Gate Ultra Silence XL Music Link

Wow, these cables are seriously heavy. The can easily lift a lightweight cd player off its feet. No kidding. They reminded me of the FMJ cables visually and I expected the same sound signature. But not so. In fact, they sound more like the Synergistic Research loudspeaker cables I once tested. Their character is summed up easily like so: Smooooooooth. Take a Transparent Ultra XL interlink and compare. All of a sudden the Transparent sounds dry. (which it really doesn't). Then, compare it to an older Transparent Reference XL interlink. Still, the Transparent sounds lighter, quicker, more dynamic, but also drier. This is a first for me. My Transparent Reference interlink has always been the most fluid and smooth cable I had heard. It is in fact so smooth and relaxed that it doesn't work well in many setups. But sure enough, the Heaven's Gate goes beyond this. What you get is a cable that makes everything sound good. Over-produced and dry Pro-Tools studiorecordings? No problem, with the Heaven's Gate they sound creamy and full. So, we've established that this cable is full, smooth, creamy and forgiving. It also sounds big, although not quite as big as the Transparents. It also doesn't articulate that well and its treble, although again very smooth, is not as airy as the Transparent's. But that's to be expected with such a smooth cable. Additionally, it was felt that the frequency curve had a distinct dip in the midrange, making the cable essentially a loudness cable. This is a cable with a lot of character. That's fine, if you can accommodate it. Just be warned that this is not a neutral cable. Quite the opposite: it adds not a spoon of gravy but pours the entire bowl over the music. But it really is nice sauce indeed.

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Cardas Golden Reference XLR interlink - 4 meter version

From memory, the 50cm pair I had years ago sounded faster and more precise. Whether this is really the case or not I cannot confirm. What I can say is that the Golden Reference now sounds much fuller, warmer and smoother than my resident Transparent Ultra and Reference cables. With the latter already being too smooth for some, I'd say that the Golden Ref is almost as smooth as the Golden Cross, and should be placed in the very warm sounding cables category rather than the suggested "reference" neutral camp.

Extensive Review:

-Golden Reference Interlinks and speaker cable

Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables

Very nice cables that walk a fine line between warmth and smoothness on the one hand and detail and openness on the other hand. They are not the world's most articulate cables, nor do they focus like the best out there, but they are very forgiving as well as utterly musical. Like the interlink, I feel that Golden Ref is very close in sound to the Golden Cross. The latter may be even smoother, but there is a definite family character.

Extensive Review:

-Golden Reference Interlinks and speaker cable

Transparent Ultra cinch interlink XL

Lush and luxirious sounding interlink that still manages great detailing and speed. It is a lot more refined and more articulate that the Super. I've used Transparent Ultra in several setups now and all friends that hear it want it. The Ultra is the sweet spot for Transparent in that it provides a lot of what the brand has to offer while still being somewhat affordable. The Ultra works well in many setups but fares less well with sources that have a weak output stage. The cable needs some driving. If you feel that your Transparent cable sounds too undynamic and too restrained and smothered, you may well have a mismatch on your hands. If your source has a robust output stage, your system has sufficient resolution and you're in need of some sohistication, this is THE cable to have. Now superseded, second hand still a very good buy.

The cinch version sounds different from the XLR version. This is confirmed in 3 different setups: the XLR is more spacious and relaxed, the cinch is more forward and less airy.

Transparent Reference MM XLR Interlink

It seems that Transparent have chosen a different route with the introduction of the MM series. The new MM sound still recognisably have the Transparent house sound but less so. It could be that the lush richness and that creamy, room filling soundstage are actually side effects of the filtering used and that Transparent is now striving for a more neutral character. The new MM's are more detailed, forward and neutral but less cuddly, luxurious, spacious and less creamy and ultimately for me in my setup: less magical. There's still Transparent magic, but less so. Now you can have a portion of Transparent magic and still have excellent dynamics, transients and speed. This newer cable is much easier to drive than the older XL technology so source matching should be less of an issue.

Extensive Review:

-Transparent XLR Cables compared - MM versus XL and non-XL

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Echole Obsession XLR interlink

Extremely fluid, smooth and relaxed sound with incredible resolution. Voices are entirely natural and float freely between the speakers. Even more smooth and liquid than Transparent Ultra XL. Still, it isn't perfect because there's a distinct lack of drive and dynamics in the bass and lower midrange, being definitely less exciting than the Transparent Ultra XL. Can achieve near-magical results when combined with dynamic, fast components but can be underwhelming in already smooth setups.

Echole Obsession Powercable (1st edition)

Just like the interlink: extremely fluid, smooth and relaxed sound with incredible resolution. Voices are entirely natural and float freely between the speakers. Additionally, this may well be the most neutral and well-balanced powercable I heard. Its frequency response is ruler-flat, but the cable doesn't sound devoid of colour, like would usually be the case. Nevertheless, just like with the interlink, all isn't perfect. Dynamically this cable can sound restrained and there can be a lack of drive and attack at times. Best combined with characterful components.

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Furutech FP Alpha 3 powercable

Not compared directly to Harmonic Tech Pro ACII yet, but seems even better at fine detail and transparency. This is a neutral and natural cable that nevertheless sounds smooth and forgiving. It is never harsh or agresssive yet very detailed and even fast and precise. One of my favourites.

Verastarr Silver Signature interlink (self-terminated, off reel)

Highly neutral yet musical, with excellent low level detailing. Despite its open mid and treble there's no harshness or aggressiveness. Articulate and tight bass and good speed and dynamics. Slightly dry/empty/lacking colour compared to Transparent Ultra XL but avoids tipping over into clinicality. Not entirely my favourite (I like more colour/substance) but at the price very, very good.

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