All,
Once again I thank Bill for the opportunity to audition the Clarity Labs Harvest II interconnects. The review portion of the audition was performed by listening the the cuts below with the Harvest II, and then my SoundStrings to get a reference. The music I used during the review part of the audition:
Marc Johnson, Shades of Jade, Snow(6), Since You Asked(7)
Thomasz Stanko, Suspended Night
Sean Jones, Kaleidoscope, Journey(2)
Cassandra Wilson, New Moon Daughter, Strange Fruit(1), Harvest Moon(12)
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, So What(1), Flamenco Sketches(5)
On all cuts the Harvest gets solo piano right, down to the peddles and note decay. Nice detail, if its there, you hear it, and they are quiet. Music comes out from a black back ground. Do those BIG connectors have something to do with that? One nit pick, however, cymbals are a just a little splashy. More tin, than brass? This is picked up on Marc Johnson, Since you Asked, and Thomasz Stanko, VIII, they have long cymbal runs. I am really picking here, the cables are quite good, and I am reaching for any real criticism.
The bass reproduction with these cable is showcased on Cassandra Wilson's Strange Fruit. The clear articulation of the "heart beat" is very good here, in addition, sound stage spacing is good, too. The twangy guitar and Cassandra's voice are right on as well. On Harvest Moon, there is no loss of detail. There are a lot of small sounds throughout, F's, t's, s's on vocals, crickets, wind chimes are and all are clearly discerned.
Thomasz Stanko, Suspended Night was just nice. Thomasz's trumpet was sooo well done.
Sean Jones, Kaleidoscope, the vocals on Journey are very breathy, and this is conveyed very well. An excellent example of spacing is the trumpet location is clearly defined over the vocalist's right shoulder during the the songs closing.
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Flamenco Sketches. It was easy to tell the difference between the tenor and soprano saxes, and brush strokes from tape hiss. After those tests, I just listened to the music.
After all of that, (I do not envy professional reviewers) I must say that the Clarity Cable, Harvest II is a winner, and a not much thought is needed at their price.
These cables have an exceptionally good mid-range, and just let you listen to the music, without nervosa. I can only imagine what the extremes are like.