Cable Testing

[admin_exported]

Hi, just thought I'd share a testing session I had yesterday.

Decided to try an move some cables around and see what the differences were.

Amp = Yamaha AX759SE (set to Pure Direct)

CD Player = Pioneer PD-207

Connected the CD Player using a QED Quenx 1 RCA 1m (£20) and then via Black Rhodium Rythym RCA 2m (£50) and vice versa to ensure the differences were real and not imaginary.

First track, "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns & Roses.

QED - Clean sounding, decent bass response and all together reasonable sound. Pretty much what I'm used to.

BR - Crisper treble, more solid bass less wooly. Heard cymbals that I hadn't noticed before.

Conclusion - Swapping back to QED I definately can't here those cymbals, I'd have to admit that for Rock music I think the QED is better, to me I like a warmer sound and the BR seems to open up the track a little too much, though I'm sure I'd get used to it.

Second track, "Writer's Block" by Just Jack

QED - Same as before, good strong sound. No surprises.

BR - Yet again there are parts of this track that don't come out with the QED. There is meant to be a sample at the beginning like a crackle on an old record, this isn't as apparent with the QED but is clear as day with the BR.

Conclusion - After a few swaps it's so clear that the BR is a far more detailed cable than the QED. On this track, the bass line is more defined, each thump of the drum more weighty and not soft like it is with the QED. Well worth the addition money in my opinion and though not suited for every style of music but it certainly makes the most of better quality recordings.

 

[MattSPL]

Glad you heard a difference in the cables, some people cannot.

Time to decide which way you like most now. Choices like that annoy me sometimes. Im better off with 1 option. Stop's me wondering what it will sound like the other way.

Did a similar test myself with 2 Ps Audio cables. 1 copper and 1 silver.

Had the Silver between cd and pre amp, and the copper between pre and power amp. Sounded great.
Swapped them round and the sound lost life and sparkle, sounding veiled and less well defined.

So i swapped them back, happy that i could decide which way was best.

 

[Anonymous]

I remember when I first got my QED Silver Anniversary Speaker Cable, massively different from the bog standard speaker cable. Well worth it and I've bought it ever since.

 

[MattSPL]

Yeah its great being able to fine tune your system with cables.

At risk of causing debate, give mains cables a go and either Isoclean or Hifi Tuning fuses also.
I they make even more of a difference to the sound than an interconnect or speaker cable change.

 

[vinod_david]

Nice to read your review of cables. Am planning to change my QED SA XT to Chord, do you think its wise decision considering my setup ?

 

[d_a_n1979]

vinod_david:Nice to read your review of cables. Am planning to change my QED SA XT to Chord, do you think its wise decision considering my setup ?

IMO yes; I had the QED Silver Amnniversary cables for years but then moved across to the Chord Carnival Silverscreen and it was superb! Bass was deeper with more punch and tautness; midrange was smooth and detailed and the treble was crips and clear.

The QED Silver XT cable is very good indeed but for C/A gear, more so with M/A RS6's; I think you'd find the Chord will do a better job for you

If/when I sort my new system this week (hopefully) I'll be using Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cable but I'll be using a Black Rhodium Prelude interconnect between CDP and amp as when I heard it the other week I was mightly impressed. Same principal as the Chord Crimoson but just that bit better as well re depth and clarity of bass and midrange; and it's now come down in price

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting, I'm happy to play around with mains, but I know it's been a hot topic on here lately and I've taken notes from all the non-believers (so no need to repeat!)

I should hopefully have a Chord cable coming from the subscription offer last month so I'll give that ago for starters.

 

[MattSPL]

Good stuff.
And if/when you hear an improvement in sound from the power cord, then replace the plug fuse and see what you think. Then, start replacing fuses everywhere in your system if you like the improvements. If you don't notice any improvement from the first fuse, then you have only spent £20 on the fuse so not the end of the world. And you could always sell it on.

 

[vinod_david]

Thanks Dan, much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Had the QED XT and it robbed the system of a good balanced sound. The chord SS will be very good, or try e bay to see if rumour / odyssey can be had cheaply.

If you would like to try a much more rounded QED cable, then one of the X tubes or Revelation is excellent, and better in all areas than the XT.

 

[Anonymous]

I bought a few meters of the 6mm Van Damme LC-OFC cable on ebay ....

'cheap as chips' ... (£6.99/m) .... still to receive it in the post (will keep it as a spare cable for future use)

 

[vinod_david]

Thanks, Potboy, much appreciated. But, am across the seas, any online cable site that you can refer that can send Chord cables across ?

 

[Anonymous]

Most sellers on ebay will if contacted, will get costs for sending the cables abroad. Get in touch with the sellers on the british site, and you should be able to sort something with them.

 

[vinod_david]

Thanks, indeed.