Listening – CH Precision
The CH Precision A1.5 power amplifier is ultra-transparent and extremely linear and it is not lean in an absolute sense but it is also not a Soulution, Bryston, or Classe in terms of fullness. After changing from the NuPrime to the A1.5, the absolute slam did take a step back but thanks to the Black Magic cables, it was still so much bolder and more solid, outgoing, and engaging than before, that I instantly knew that I would no longer be content going back to the Jorma.
Between the 2-Core and 4-Core versions, I heard the same differences as with the NuPrime amplifier. The former is insanely lively and communicative and it has mad transient- and articulation skills but whereas this worked quite well with the NuPrime’s inherently full sonic balance, the more neutral and indeed leaner CH amplifier made the 2-Core cable sound just a tad forward and lean. Interestingly, it does not sound tonally lean as it offers quite deep saturation, but in its overall energetic balance, the cable seems to be tilted such that the midrange is more accentuated than the lower bass. In spite of its remarkable precision, control, and articulation, the cable does offer a superbly natural timbre. It may be lean, but it is the very opposite of synthetic.
Above: 2-Core closeup, below 4-Core closeup
Again, I heard all the aforementioned advantages along with bass that was not just technically better in terms of articulation, tightness, or control, but just plain better. And not by a small margin! The improvement is not only in the bass, but the entire presentation also seems more balanced and even-handed. The 4-Core version does everything the 2-Core version does and not only further adds to it, it complements it, and makes it whole. Not only with the NuPrime but also with the CH amp. The sound is neither too forward nor too relaxed, neither lean nor full. Its balance is nigh on… dare I say it? Perfect!
For the first time, I felt that the CH amp could fully take on the aforementioned Classe, Anthem, Kinki, and NuPrime amplifiers while retaining its hallmark refinement, neutrality, and linearity. Unless you’d connect those amplifiers with Black Magic cables, I guess. Although, with the Anthem and the Kinki, that might prove altogether too much. It remains a matter of balance, after all.
Every day that I played music, I just could not believe how much more energetic my system sounded. And it did not matter where I was listening, in the sweet spot, the kitchen, at the computer, or in the other room. The improvement was absolutely substantial.
Until this point, I have not touched on matters such as resolution or soundstaging. But here, too, the Black Magic cables perform absolutely admirably. Both the 2-Core and the 4-Core versions’ resolution is fully on par with that of the Trinity. In terms of focus and soundstaging, the Black Magic cables perform arguably even better, especially the 4-Core version. Both versions render 3D images very sharply and both throw a deep stage but because the 2-Core version has a more forward character, it can appear to image less deeply. In terms of soundstage width, the 2-Core is almost on par with the Trinity but the 4-Core version goes quite a bit beyond whilst even managing more distinct layering in the depth plane.
Over the course of several weeks, the 4-Core Black Magic cables have behaved absolutely consistently, wowing me time and again while receiving approval from friends, even those with a preference for tube systems and overall liquidity. All agree that my system simply sounds more realistic now.
Conclusion
I am much impressed with these cables and if you ask me, the Mad Scientist has really outdone himself. Both the 2-Core and 4-Core versions provide a sound that seems to have been lost in so many other brands. These days, cables seem to be all about being more and more polished and refined, to the point that the musical message gets glossed over and the raw energy is lost. I am surprised and amazed to find what is in many ways the opposite of this trend with the Black Magic cables.
I have heard plenty of very accurate cables that managed to kill the soul of the music in the process. The Black Magic cables may be highly accurate and superbly neutral, but they do not sound damped or over-controlled in any way. Rather, they fully conduce the full extent of the lyrical and “singing” qualities of every recording and they have blown me away with the immensely solid, visceral, energetic, toe-tapping, dynamic, and joyful presentation that they elicit from both the NuPrime and the CH A1.5.
The only reservation that I can make is that the Black Magic cables will not be ideal for those who desire their cables to inject the music with sweeteners, colorants, or emulsifiers. The Black Magic cables will not mask issues upstream, nor will they rose-tint bad recordings. They do not, however, restrict fluidity, smoothness, or romanticism, they just do not add any of their own.
As you might have guessed by now, I highly recommend the 4-Core Black Magic speaker cable while the 2-Core version offers many of the 4-Core’s amazing qualities at an unbeatable price point.
External Links
Manufacturer: Madscientist
I wonder if your cables were fully broken in. As I added Mad Scientists AC cables in 3 stages I found it took a full 6 WEEKS to reach peak performance. I have the 4 core for about 6 weeks but because of domestic considerations I can only play them 2-3 hours a day. For the last week they lost something and just last night came back with fuller tone and rythm. I am looking forward to further improvements. FAR and away the best of the dozen or so cables I have owned and auditioned.I find the most astounding aspects are decreased distortion (who knew cables did that!), fuller tonality, more musical ryhtm and communication, much better micro and macro dynamics (oops almost typed economics). I have a CD of Klezmer music that is as much as 118(!) years old- sure it sounds “bad” but it’s fleshed out, the instrumental lines are seperated nicely and the dynamics though not intense are temporaly and tonaly synchronized. The absolutely best upgrade ever. BRAVO!
Hi Jeffrey, Prior to starting my serious listening for the review I had used the speaker cables for almost 2 weeks. I am still using the cables on a daily basis and for many hours a day and have noted no change beyond what I wrote in the review. It seems that the running-in takes place for the most part during the first days of being connected.
These look like their covered in ferrite magnets. Noise isolate? and PET wrapped 12 guage automotive grade ofc . Made in Jerry’s methlab?
I agree the looks are a bit of an acquired taste. But the sound is fantastic and that’s what counts. What you are referring to are not Ferrite rings but “Kegs” as the manufacturer calls them, home-made and specially formulated for this purpose. Variants of these items are also available separately in various shapes, for instance, the BlackDiscus.
Dumb as a “Rock” comment, you are probably better of at the ASR website …..
This is the biggest load of B.S. i’ve ever seen online……I pitty the people
that fall for this rip off !!!!
Christian,
I think you must be doing right you’ve begun to attract trolls. Sensible Audio Guy above, and someone else left a trollish comment on your Denafrips review. You’ve hit the big time it seems. 😀 A typically excellent review btw.
Cheers,
Jon
Thanks, Jon!
LMFA, people still fall for this today? Speaker cable break in that you can hear? Wow, not very smart people.
Interesting review, Christian. I am curios on mad scientist audio cables after your review.
For those trollers who have commented here, I congratulate them as they don’t hear difference in different cables and can save money.
Agree with comments about this being a ripoff. After spending some serious coin, who would admit that a serious mistake had been made. Confirmation bias to the highest degree. Wake up.
Better, better, better………always the sound seems to be better…….
The system needs to be at a certain level for you to be able hear audible differences in cables. Once I i.e. added Tara Labs (The2) speaker cables into my chain, the upgrade was night and day from Chord Epic. I recently upgraded my USB cable from Curious to Enklein and again the improvements couldn’t be more staggering. I’m really interested in the Mad Scientist speaker cables now, may investigate these further. Great review Christiaan!