IMMENSE Change due to cable swap?

cjr888 · « **on:** 27 Dec 2002, 02:55 pm »

Last night was the first time I got the 'Holy Shit!' effect due to an audio component swap in awhile....and the worst part is I can't tell you exactly which product model it is -- I'm not sure. My last wow factor came when the EAR2 was plugged in.

So I have some questions....

I grabbed an interconnect from Stealth Cables, a RCA -> XLR interconnect they had made for a customer but that they weren't sure exactly which model it was, but that it was solid silver and they didn't want to take it apart. They said that at the worse it could be FLR, but it was most likely an M7, maybe better, maybe worse, but it was a custom job and they really didn't remember what it was based off of.

I bought it primarily because the EAR2 cave is so tight. I have a MkII EAR2, so the connection layout is a little different for the better. The XLR connection aims straight down, and I thought I could possibly get a little space back in there without serious cable bends if I used an XLR. Volume control is currently SE/RCA output only, so when I saw the converter cable I grabbed it on a whim.

Also in the back of my mind was something else. Even though its to my understanding that there isn't any difference, I had a vauge memory of reading ICEPower literature stating that going through the XLR interface meant also going through some anti-aliasing filter and some of stuff.. I was assuming there's no difference between the RCA and XLR connections and what circuitry it goes through in the finished EAR2, but I had this thought it the back of my mind as well of possible improvement.

Anyways -- when I put the cable in the system, I let the system run for an afternoon while I was running around, and then through the night. I finally had time to listen to music a bit last night with my girlfriend.

Listened to a couple familar recordings and a couple new ones.

Two things right off the bat -- the first was subtleties -- lots and lots of them. Microdynamics and the subtle details came through like never before, mainly with the human voice. Every little ripple in a wavering held note, the subtle breathiness came through with such greater clarity.. This type of change I'm used to with cable swapping -- your 'more vs. less detail', 'more warmth', 'more warmth at the expense of detail', things like that...

The second set of changes that I'll group together were what really blew me away -- this involved presence, seperation, image size, and soundstage size. Sense of presence and recording location/space came through better than it ever has by a long shot. Images sizes seemed to grow a bit, but were much clearer and better focussed.

Instruments and multiple voices were seperated better to the point of noticing additional vocals and layers added into the mix that I previously didn't notice. This is another factor I'm used to with cable swapping.

The biggie -- soundstage size. Its seemed to literally double. Items at the front of the stage, say a vocal jumped closer to the listening position in an absolutely pleasing way. Width doubled with images on good live recordings being way left and right. Depth increased significantly. Height improved. Loved the more intimate presentation without sacrificing depth and actually significantly improving it.

There's the entire 'you are there' vs. 'they are here' debate on preference. Thing was this -- I felt like I'd just moved many rows closer to the performance, or rather than the performers had moved closer to me in the 'they are here' sense, but this combined with the amount of additional presence I was receiving, the big stage, and the wrap around effect gave me a whole lot more of the 'you are there' feeling as well.

The improvement was huge, to the point that my girlfriend commented on all sorts of things -- more enjoyable, better clarity, feels like the speakers just grew, the fact that sounds sounded spookily like they were coming from the other side of the wall, and basically that everything sounded so much more real -- partially in detail, but mainly in presence and how everything was presented to you. She's a music lover, not an audio nut. Its changes like these where I get encouragement to buy rather than the typical 'You're nuts, but do what you have to do...'

Fact of the matter is I don't really care whether some of the improvements I'm receiving by design or by side-effect -- its bringing a lot more enjoyment and making me want to try another run of the stuff between CDP and volume control.

So my question -- is it normal for such as change to be _so_ prominent (soundstage size and seperation)? I'm so used to hearing that such drastic changes are typically incorrect phase setup and what not, or phase tricks. Thing is this, everything is completely locked in and with such pin point clarity as well, that I doubt that. But is there any chance that some people design cables to use/abuse this, or that in the RCA->XLR something like this occurs w/phase?

I'm happy and instantly went and read available reviews, and found plenty of people that came to the same thing -- that the presence of recordings was amazing as long as the rest of your system balanced with it...

This is obviously not a formal review and besides, I wouldn't know what product I'm actually reviewing, but definitely happy with the swap. I received a few changes typical of a cable swap, but I also received changes in presentation that I frankly didn't think I'd get without a speaker swap...

Apologize for the ramblings...

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 03:50 pm »

If I am not mistaken, I believe there is usually some gain increase from using XLR vs. single ended. This could be what you are experiencing.

What cables were you using before?

B

cjr888 · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Dec 2002, 04:58 pm »

Was using Granite Audio #444 99.999% continous-cast, continous-crystal solid silver, Stealth PGS, and a handful of others that I no longer have -- will try and compile a list. Thing is I'd just never in any combination had such soundstage expansion. I think gain is the the same or similar -- at least doesn't seem different at all.. Who knows.. Either way I'm happy.

Oxia · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 07:12 am »

cjr888,

Are these the cables you got?

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?cablintr&1044942204

Sounds interesting and for only $100 it may be something worth trying with my eARTwo, if the improvement is anywhere nearly as dramatic as your's. Mine's the original "MK1" version with horizontally mounted XLR jacks. Just wondering, how flexible are your Stealth cables?

Thanks

Jay S · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 02:41 pm »

cjr888 and Oxia,

Btw, what speaker cables are you guys using now? I'm still using the plain-jane flat ribbon cable with Speakons that Peter sent me. I had asked Wayne to make me a set of the cross connected speaker cable for me with speakons, but he suggested that I wait for his new speaker cable (coming out in January). So, for now, I wait....

cjr888 · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 03:23 pm »

Actually, I'm using a pair of Wayne's CC speaker cables right now.

They will stay in the system for a little longer, but are soon to be replaced. New speakers are biwire -- I do have some Analysis Plus jumpers that I'll be temporarily using....once I get the speakers setup, but after that, I'll most likely grab a new pair of biwires...

Oxia · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 03:42 pm »

Jay,

I'm still using my DYI Canare 4S11 biwire cables. As I said on HD, I eagerly await your review of the new NITRO speaker cables, as I'd love upgrade to something better. The fact that Wayne is willing to factory-terminate with SPEAKONs is a plus.

The characteristics I'd like the cables to exibit are 1) transparency, (2) netrality/timbral accuracy, (3) natural detail. Other cables that I'm interested in based on postive word of mouth are Analysis Plus Oval 9 or 8, Audience Au24, and Acoustic Zen Satori.

Jay S · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 03:51 pm »

cjr888,

Thanks for the reply. What improvement did you notice when you went from Peter's flat cable to Wayne's CC cable? I'll really appreciate your inputs on this. If it turns out that the new cable doesn't quite synergize with my system/room/ears than the new cable, then I'll have to hunt down a used pair of the CC cable (the pair I have is too short).

Oxia,

I'm looking forward to the release of the NITRO speaker cable too. I've got a couple of NITRO ICs right now, but as far as I know, the only person with NITRO speaker cable is Tyson (and he's got a prototype - no idea if Wayne will make changes to the production version).

Happy new year to you all!!

cjr888 · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 03:54 pm »

Would be hard to say -- at the time of the cable switch I went from a MkI to a MkII amplifier.

roopaudio · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 04:12 am »

Chris,

If you have a chance to compile that list, please let me know. I'm planning on fooling with swapping cables with my eAR for the next couple months - if you'd like to join me please email me or call me and we can work out the details privately.

Rup

Oxia · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Jan 2003, 04:58 am »

cjr888,

I caved in and bought the Stealth cables from audiogon. Man am I glad that I did!

Everything you said was absolutely true. After I swapped out my single-ended van den Hul Integrations for the XLR Stealth between preamp and amplifier, it took only a few minutes to realize that there was a dramatic difference. Suddenly there was even more space around the instruments. The soundstage was wider and deeper. Microdynamic details stood out and shimmered in stark relief against a black background. Image solidity and palpability was startlingly real. After listening to Bach's "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Cantata", I rediscovered what truly HOLOGRAPHIC imaging is all about. It's important to note that I found the results to be best when the Stealth (between preamp and amp) was teamed with van den Hul First Ultimate (between my CD and pre). I tried other cables that I had on hand between CD and pre (vdH Integration, Second, Audioquest Viper), but they couldn't match the Stealth-First Ultimate combo.

By now I think you're getting the idea -- all the virtues that I loved about the eARTwo was now elevated to another level. I don't know why there's such a dramatic difference. It could be the anti-aliasing filter of the IcePower module that you mentioned to me, which is invoked only when using balanced inputs. Or it could be simply the inherent characteristics of the Stealth cables that I'm hearing. Whatever it is, I just had to thank you for pointing me in the direction of the most impressive "tweak" that I've ever come across. You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!