Ha! Gotham GAC-1 review........

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PJPro

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Jan 21, 2008
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Why don't you do a bit of research and post your findings? We don't have to rely on the team to do everything.
 

Don Guess

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Jun 4, 2008
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Clare Newsome:
We haven't "taken a stab" at anything - we've been ruthlessly honest about a cable that's being promoted by its retailer as being far, far better than it actually is.ÿ

I've said it repeatedly on this thread and i'll say it again - for just about £17 more than the Gotham you can get a cable that is way, way better. If someone can afford the hi-fi to attach an interconnect to, they can afford another £17.ÿ

If not, they'd be better off searching eBay for a decent second-hand cable - as people trade up, they tend to sell off great-quality cables at a superb price. ÿ

What methodology did you use to come to that conclusion? ABX?

I thought it was usually cables which cost the earth that are "promoted by its retailer as being far, far better than it actually is"..
 

Clare Newsome

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Jun 4, 2007
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Octopo:Clare Newsome:
If not, they'd be better off searching eBay for a decent second-hand cable - as people trade up, they tend to sell off great-quality cables at a superb price. ÿ

Good idea, maybe you could offer a WHF guide of how to do this?ÿ

Not sure what there is to guide, beyond:

1) Find a great-rated cable that's a good match for your system - if in doubt, ask here, and you're bound to find someone who's using/has used it in a similar system to your own.

2) Check you can't get this cable new from a dealer - there can sometimes be deals to be had on older models, for examples, as new ranges come in.ÿ

2) If buying second-hand from eBay, only buy from sellers with excellent eBay feedback, who take Paypal (payment protected) and offer a returns policy if you're not happy with the quality of the product you receive. It's best to open a dialogue with the seller before you buy to find out everything about the condition of the cable. And insist on pics, too!
 

tounra

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Sep 25, 2007
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I own 4 pairs of interconnects:
Two pairs of free in-the-box
A pair Wireworld Oasis III, cost me about ? 80 (£60)
A pair Wireworld Oasis V, cost me about ? 100 (£80)

Both Wireworlds look nice, both free wires look awfull.
Both Wireworlds sound nice, both free wires sound nice...

Honestly, I never heard any significant improvement.
I use the Wireworlds practically for cosmetic reasons only.
A real pleasure when I am cleaning my room once a week: a split second I look at these beautiful wires, not seeing them again the rest of the time.

I am sorry, it is not my intention to start a cable debate, just wanted to share my opinion :)
 

Clare Newsome

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Don Guess:Clare Newsome:
We haven't "taken a stab" at anything - we've been ruthlessly honest about a cable that's being promoted by its retailer as being far, far better than it actually is.ÿ

I've said it repeatedly on this thread and i'll say it again - for just about £17 more than the Gotham you can get a cable that is way, way better. If someone can afford the hi-fi to attach an interconnect to, they can afford another £17.ÿ

If not, they'd be better off searching eBay for a decent second-hand cable - as people trade up, they tend to sell off great-quality cables at a superb price. ÿ

What methodology did you use to come to that conclusion? ABX?I thought it was usually cables which cost the earth that are "promoted by its retailer as being far, far better than it actually is"..

Yes, blind testing.

And yes again, we've also given very poor ratings to cables that are widely overpriced.

Here is one example:

http://whathifi.com/Review/Oehlbach-Real-Matrix-HDMI-75m/ÿ

But sometimes you really do get what you pay for!ÿ
 
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Anonymous

Guest
But:

1) If they ask me, I'll recommend the GAC-1 dependent on their system and budget. If they had read an alternative review I would listen to both and recommend the best for their system, to their budget, to my ears.
 

Clare Newsome

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Octopo:
But:

1) If they ask me, I'll recommend the GAC-1 dependent on their system and budget. If they had read an alternative review I would listen to both and recommend the best for their system, to their budget, to my ears.

And that, of course, is your prerogative.

But it took me a second of searching to find some Chord Crimson interconnects on eBay for under £15 (including postage), from a 100 percent feedback seller....ÿ
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I've tried quite a lot of cables and have done blind testing with a friend. Generally speaking the more expensive cables sounded better. There was one occasion when we felt that the Black Rhodium Prelude didn't sound as good as any others between £20 and £350, but that was the only exception. After the comparisons I bought the Chord Chameleon Silver Plus and my mate bought the Nordost Baldur.

Based on this experience I've decided to give the GAC a miss. I don't believe it would come close to my Chords. It's an item of curiosity that may in some cases, as pointed out by Drummerman, have a place in balancing a system. If it comes to that then I'll be questioning my choice of kit.

Is it worth the money? Well, given that the QED Qunex 2 and Chord Crimsons are so damn good for the money, no chance. Just my opinion without hearing it (gulp).
 

drummerman

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Jan 18, 2008
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Its a fine cable. If your system has excess bass and treble and you need midrange focus, drive and detail, try it. No system I've ever heard is perfect, same with cables.
 
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Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:
And that, of course, is your prerogative.

But it took me a second of searching to find some Chord Crimson interconnects on eBay for under £15 (including postage), from a 100 percent feedback seller....ÿ

This brings us back to the ebay thing.

Nowhere on the site do I see a recommendation to do this.ÿ
 

matengawhat

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Aug 17, 2007
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i can't belive a £17 piece of lo-fi is causing such debate - yeah its better than freebies - it has its place in the market but its nothing special.
 
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Anonymous

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matengawhat:i can't belive a £17 piece of lo-fi is causing such debate - yeah its better than freebies - it has its place in the market but its nothing special.

True but that isn't what the debate, to my eyes, is about.ÿ
 

Clare Newsome

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Octopo:Clare Newsome:
And that, of course, is your prerogative.

But it took me a second of searching to find some Chord Crimson interconnects on eBay for under £15 (including postage), from a 100 percent feedback seller....ÿ

This brings us back to the ebay thing.

Nowhere on the site do I see a recommendation to do this.ÿ

I've just posted one - and I and my colleagues have often discussed second-hand kit on these Forums!

But we can't recommend specific second-hand products to sit in a review sectionÿalongside reviews of new product - we can't predict exactly what'll be on sale second-hand at any one time.ÿ

What we can do is keep as many reviews online as possible (even after they've been discontinued) so that a consumer knows what we thought of the product as its original selling price. Over time, our reviews archive should build up to be a useful resource for people buying second-hand.ÿ

Goodness me, such a palava - I wish the Gotham had lived up to its hype!
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I meant A guide and why it is better, like one of your video tutorials.

I'm sure you'll know, many more thousands of people will read a review on the site than a certain post in a certain thread on the forum.ÿ
 

matengawhat

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Aug 17, 2007
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Because you could always argue then that when ever a company lowers its prices for example yamaha just has that those goods should be re reviewed for examplea a 4 star product at say £1500 is then reduced to £1000 at that price it would prob beat most 5star products but you can't expect a new review - its just common sense you get what you pay for
 

Clare Newsome

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OK, how about we add a paragraph into the Gotham review? I'll sort that tomorrow - right now, with the 'day job' at risk of running into a second day, i'll sign off.
 

drummerman

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matengawhat:i can't belive a £17 piece of lo-fi is causing such debate - yeah its better than freebies - it has its place in the market but its nothing special.

? Whilst it is easier to get a common consensus on interconnects (less variables than amplifier/speaker connection) most systems in their various forms benefit from some fine tuning, usually with cables. To say a particular cable is not worth trying is more than questionable. One cables shortcomings may be another systems solution to a better balance.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Clare Newsome:OK, how about we add a paragraph into the Gotham review? I'll sort that tomorrow - right now, with the 'day job' at risk of running into a second day, i'll sign off.
Now that's what you call good service...
 

Clare Newsome

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Jun 4, 2007
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drummerman:
To say a particular cable is not worth trying is more than questionable.ÿ

Nowhere in the review do we say not to try it.ÿ
 

matengawhat

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Aug 17, 2007
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drummerman:
matengawhat:i can't belive a £17 piece of lo-fi is causing such debate - yeah its better than freebies - it has its place in the market but its nothing special.

? Whilst it is easier to get a common consensus on interconnects (less variables than amplifier/speaker connection) most systems in their various forms benefit from some fine tuning, usually with cables. To say a particular cable is not worth trying is more than questionable. One cables shortcomings may be another systems solution to a better balance.

possibly but at £17 quid i wouldn't expect it to blow me away in any setup - call me old fashioned but if it was any good i would expect to have to pay a premium for it!

ps - i'm a marketers dream - i love the hype
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Clare Newsome:OK, how about we add a paragraph into the Gotham review? I'll sort that tomorrow - right now, with the 'day job' at risk of running into a second day, i'll sign off.

But if you hold it as such a great alternative to the Gotham in the first place, and can't quote it as reference, simply don't mention it in the first place as a reviewer.ÿ
 
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Anonymous

Guest
JohnDuncan:And I thought "Elvis is Rubbish" was provocative.

But yet still debated till this day? (can I add now, just to be sure, that my own feelings were not expressed during the duration of this comment).

After all it seems, all truth is God's truth.
 

Thaiman

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Jul 28, 2007
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I did try not to join in but what the bell?

So what! if the Gotham only earn 2 stars!?? Would that change anything? They were review at £17... They are a pair of interconnects cables and they will work between your source and amp!

I had a very interesting conversation with a guy who working in the hifi industry today about cables, basicly if you nod your head along with music you will get a different in sound more than changing interconnects!...
 

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