Something to get the head around??? I'm at home today, the idea is to do the final transformation of the study into a music room/study. But before I do this final installation I decided I wanted it to be 'final' no messing about with cables in the future, 'mounting climbing' as Hazel put it to get round the back of cabinets etc. I want an easy life, relaxing and enjoying my music with Hazel.
So, having talked to a few people, had a bit of advise on here. I got some top quality gold banana plugs. Sixteen meters of nice new Linn K20 cable, the cable runs are 8m, present runs, 5m. Then I was pointed in the direction of oxygen free, 521 strand speaker cable . . . 'as good as anything affordable on the market' I was told? Things have changed over 20 years, its not expensive so 16m was procured.
I was warned of the problems terminating 521 strand, that was a fair warning, its a pig but not impossible.
The listening session started, Croft CI-P integrated valve/mosfet amp, Apollo CDp, PMC LB1 20 year vintage transmission line speakers. The sound as is with 5, K20 is warm, fairly detailed, generally easy on the ear. My prefered music for this test was a track by Pavarotti and one from Nigel Kennedy.
First thing warm the amp, then try something I had never don, is the K20 directional? always been told the triangle on the Linn logo should point to the speakers . . . Dont believe everything you are told, I have been listening to K20 the wrong way round for nearly 30 years!!!! I had Hazel in on the listening, she is naive as far as hifi, she hears what she hears and says how it is. Her comment, in the right direction, the sound is full and coherent. No of this describing a fine wine rubbish, and she was right!
So we have virgin, 8m lengths of brand new K20 and 521 strand. First the K20, running the time honored way following the triangle pointing to the speakers, a bit thin says Hazel, turn round, that much better, a full rounded, well presented sound, good base extension, detail, the orchestra is well presented, in its sections, especially the cellos and base fiddles.
521 strand, Hazel described it as squeaky . . . ??? turned it round, much better, says Hazel, but I could not follow the cellos and the top end, whilst containing more detail was harsh, not something to listen to all night!
So I went back to the K20 and did an 'A-B' on the 5m v 8m? I had a niggle in the back of my mind, was I imagining things? The 8m runs outperformed the 5m runs, subtle but base (lower frequencies) was much more together, the top end was exquisite with out being strident, Kennedys violin playing was like having a film running in my head, I could visualise every move of the bow, it was all these but more with the new 8m K20 cables.
If I am honest, the 521 strand did have a tad more detail at the top end, but, on my system it was strident, I could see some of the heavy powerful rock music doing well. I found the mid range a little back, compared with the K20, which if anything was slightly forward, but not in the face, the lower end just did not gel at all . . . neither did the image, it was wider but but less defined.
So K20 wins, what I dont understand is the very definite improvement of the 8 meter run over the old 5 meter cable . . . my only explanation, the 5m cable is at least 25 years old, does copper deteriorate over time, have manufacturing techniques improved over that period, or has the specification been upgraded? I have no idea, what I do know is I trust my ears, new K20 cable better than old K20 and both out shining the 521 strand for smooth presentation and more detailed low frequency.
These are only mine and Hazels findings, in our room with our system . . .
CJSF
So, having talked to a few people, had a bit of advise on here. I got some top quality gold banana plugs. Sixteen meters of nice new Linn K20 cable, the cable runs are 8m, present runs, 5m. Then I was pointed in the direction of oxygen free, 521 strand speaker cable . . . 'as good as anything affordable on the market' I was told? Things have changed over 20 years, its not expensive so 16m was procured.
I was warned of the problems terminating 521 strand, that was a fair warning, its a pig but not impossible.
The listening session started, Croft CI-P integrated valve/mosfet amp, Apollo CDp, PMC LB1 20 year vintage transmission line speakers. The sound as is with 5, K20 is warm, fairly detailed, generally easy on the ear. My prefered music for this test was a track by Pavarotti and one from Nigel Kennedy.
First thing warm the amp, then try something I had never don, is the K20 directional? always been told the triangle on the Linn logo should point to the speakers . . . Dont believe everything you are told, I have been listening to K20 the wrong way round for nearly 30 years!!!! I had Hazel in on the listening, she is naive as far as hifi, she hears what she hears and says how it is. Her comment, in the right direction, the sound is full and coherent. No of this describing a fine wine rubbish, and she was right!
So we have virgin, 8m lengths of brand new K20 and 521 strand. First the K20, running the time honored way following the triangle pointing to the speakers, a bit thin says Hazel, turn round, that much better, a full rounded, well presented sound, good base extension, detail, the orchestra is well presented, in its sections, especially the cellos and base fiddles.
521 strand, Hazel described it as squeaky . . . ??? turned it round, much better, says Hazel, but I could not follow the cellos and the top end, whilst containing more detail was harsh, not something to listen to all night!
So I went back to the K20 and did an 'A-B' on the 5m v 8m? I had a niggle in the back of my mind, was I imagining things? The 8m runs outperformed the 5m runs, subtle but base (lower frequencies) was much more together, the top end was exquisite with out being strident, Kennedys violin playing was like having a film running in my head, I could visualise every move of the bow, it was all these but more with the new 8m K20 cables.
If I am honest, the 521 strand did have a tad more detail at the top end, but, on my system it was strident, I could see some of the heavy powerful rock music doing well. I found the mid range a little back, compared with the K20, which if anything was slightly forward, but not in the face, the lower end just did not gel at all . . . neither did the image, it was wider but but less defined.
So K20 wins, what I dont understand is the very definite improvement of the 8 meter run over the old 5 meter cable . . . my only explanation, the 5m cable is at least 25 years old, does copper deteriorate over time, have manufacturing techniques improved over that period, or has the specification been upgraded? I have no idea, what I do know is I trust my ears, new K20 cable better than old K20 and both out shining the 521 strand for smooth presentation and more detailed low frequency.
These are only mine and Hazels findings, in our room with our system . . .
CJSF
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