{"id":6705,"date":"2009-11-16T18:10:14","date_gmt":"2009-11-16T16:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=6705"},"modified":"2022-11-15T15:29:44","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T13:29:44","slug":"bals-ht-iego-schukos-compared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/power-connectors-reviews\/bals-ht-iego-schukos-compared\/","title":{"rendered":"Hifi Tuning, Bals and IeGO Schuko connectors compared"},"content":{"rendered":"

Schuko connectors compared part 2: IeGO 24k Gold,\u00a0Hifi Tuning Gold II,\u00a0Bals 73<\/h2>\n

A follow-up comparison in which I compare the Hifi Tuning Gold with newcomer IeGO 24k Gold and do a cross-check with the Bals standard connector.<\/p>\n

This review is a follow-up of the Kupp, Bals and Hifi Tuning Gold II Schuko connector review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Connectors under review:<\/strong><\/p>\n

-IeGO 24k Gold (50 euro)
\n-Hifi Tuning Gold II (28 euro)
\n-Bals Type 73(12 euro)<\/p>\n

All connectors were tested in combination with their own completely confectioned power cables, and both Lapp and Belden were used. Each cable was assembled in the same way in the same length, plugged in for the same phase, and burned in for the same duration. During testing, only one cable at a time was connected, each time in the same position of the extension block. A Wadia 861 CD player was used as a source, as well as a Jeff Rowland Synergy 2i. Both were well-run in and kept warm at all times.<\/p>\n

I was especially curious to find out how newcomer IeGO would perform against the Hifi Tuning Gold. The latter is extremely refined but can be slightly too restrained and is not suited for all systems. Would IeGO be the same, worse or better?<\/p>\n

Using Belden power cable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Belden power cables have a tendency to sound hard in the treble which is why I avoid using standard connectors with this cable. So I compared a Belden cable with Hifi Tuning Gold schuko and IeGO IEC with a Belden cable that has IeGO connectors at both ends.<\/p>\n

\"hifi<\/p>\n

When I listened to the standard Belden with IeGO IEC and Hifi Tuning schuko (pictured above) it was very recognizably a Belden cable as I know it: fast, dynamic, and open. The IeGO IEC did a fine job at toning down the excessive brightness that the cable normally has and I thought it made for a well-balanced sound that had no real downsides, apart from a slight lack of color and weight at the bottom.<\/p>\n

\"IeGO<\/p>\n

Swapping to the same cable but with IeGO at both ends, now with IeGO schuko, there was a huge difference! The addition of an IeGO gold schuko had so much impact on the sound that it was simply incredible. The sound became fresher and more finely nuanced and there was a higher degree of resolution available that made subtle sounds so much more interesting. Surprisingly, all these traits did not come at the expense of dynamics or speed. In fact: the IeGO was a lot faster and more dynamic sounding than the HT gold. However, the IeGO addition did make for a slightly less airy and refined treble.<\/p>\n

\"Lapp<\/p>\n

Above: IeGO with Lapp cable<\/p>\n

Using Lapp power cable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course I did a double-check with Lapp cable to see if the results would be valid for Lapp as well. Hifi Tuning gold connectors are too much of a good thing in combination with Lapp because Lapp is already relaxed and the addition of a HT schuko makes for a cable that fits only the most open and transparent systems. I wondered if the same would be true for IeGo schukos but our experience with the Belden cable already prepared us for the opposite. First I listened to the standard Lapp with IEC-Gold and Bals schuko. This is already a very well-balanced cable and it works well with many components and in many setups, and you really wouldn’t see any major flaws in its presentation. That is unless you compare it to the same cable with IeGO connectors.<\/p>\n

First, I listened to the Lapp with IeGO gold schuko and still the IEC-Gold. I feared for some rounding of transients and dynamics but the IeGO turned out to be just as dynamic as the Bals, but fresher and much more finely nuanced. Tiny little wooshes would now stand out of the mix as opposed to being buried. And again these traits did not come at the expense of anything. The Bals is slightly, and I mean very slightly more rounded in the bass but it is still very, very dynamic and fast. I would not label the IeGO schuko rounded, but I can see one may feel the Bals to be slightly dry.<\/p>\n

Then it was time to listen to the fully-fledged Lapp with IeGO connectors at both ends. This result was more mixed. Indeed the swapping of IEC-Gold to IeGO gold made for an even more nuanced and finely detailed delivery, with much smoother highs, cleaner mids, and more resolution. But I thought the IEC-Gold can have the upper hand in some systems where the added attack at the higher frequencies is needed to open up the sound. In the test system (magnetostatic speakers) there is so much resolution and treble air at hand that I don’t need additional emphasis on the highs but if your system is already tending toward the dark, I’d suggest using IeGO as a schuko and perhaps something else as an IEC.<\/p>\n

\"Belden<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

IeGO connectors have all the color and a portion of the subtle fluidity that Furutech offers but without their restraint in dynamic expression. I was already enthusiastic about the IeGO IEC’s but now it turned out that the Schukos may be even better, albeit at a price. But after these tests, I couldn’t help but conclude that connectors make out at least half the sound of a cable. So do yourself a favor and use at least one IeGO on your cable!<\/p>\n

Some advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Belden, one really needs to use good connectors, such as those from IeGO. The connectors lift the performance significantly. With Lapp cable the results are more mixed: if your system has enough resolution and transparency, go for IeGO at both ends. However, if your system already tends toward the dark, you’re better off using IeGO on one side only. That could be Schuko or IEC; they’re both fantastic connectors, but contrary to what I had originally thought, I have the impression that the schukos have the most impact on the sound.<\/p>\n

Next<\/strong><\/p>\n

Belden power cable compared<\/a><\/p>\n

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