VH Audio, Ridge St or Audience for XLR ICs

Bingenito · « **on:** 30 Oct 2004, 01:20 am »

I am in the market for 2 pairs of balanced cables .5-1 meter to go between my Esoteric Dv50/ Pass X-1/ Blue Circle BC26MKII power amp.

I have rented cables from the Cable Company- including the Au24's but I was not able to get a sample of the Ridge St or VH Audio Pulsar w/o buying them.

If you have heard at least 2 of these cables can you please post a comparison.

Thank you

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Oct 2004, 01:58 am »

Quote from: Bingenito

I am in the market for 2 pairs of balanced cables .5-1 meter to go between my Esoteric Dv50/ Pass X-1/ Blue Circle BC26MKII power amp.

I have rented cables from the Cable Company- including the Au24's but I was not able to get a sample of the Ridge St or VH Audio Pulsar w/o buying them.

If you have heard at least 2 of these cables can you please post a comparison.

Thank you

All the ic's you mentioned above are excellent and will produce some very good sound. Each has its own flavor and the only way you will know which is best for you is to try them in your system.

I highly suggest buying and keeping your favorite.

My favorite is the VH Audio Pulsar with Rhodium Furutech connectors.

George

Hantra · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 12:00 am »

I concur with Zybar. I love Au24, and have compared probably 15 or more ic's to them. I can't seem to get anything at all that doesn't screw up the incredible timing that Au24 has. I have heard many cables that do better things all around, but they all seem to confuse the timing versus the Au24.

Many folks love the VH cables though. I have heard the Pulsar in single ended, and it's nice. But not good enough to make me want to try it in XLR.

satfrat · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 03:59 am »

Quote from: Bingenito

I have rented cables from the Cable Company- including the Au24's but I was not able to get a sample of the Ridge St or VH Audio Pulsar w/o buying them.

Thank you

Could you please clarify this comment as I'm not sure I understand. Isn't it true that BOTH these companies have a 30 day money back policy so trying them in your system for the price of shipping both ways IS in fact renting them for audition, right?

Regards, Robin

Bingenito · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 11:06 am »

Quote

Could you please clarify this comment as I'm not sure I understand. Isn't it true that BOTH these companies have a 30 day money back policy so trying them in your system for the price of shipping both ways IS in fact renting them for audition, right? Regards, Robin

Just trying to get some specifics on these cables from anyone that has compared them before I spend $ on demos.

Marbles · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 02:47 pm »

As far as Ridge Street is concerned, you should talk to Robert and tell him EXACTLY what you are trying to accomplish with the cables in your system.

He can taylor a cable for about any type you're looking for from highly anylitical, to the less focused, more musical type.

I have tried his Poeima's and a unnamed prototype. They are very good.

I have just bought the Pulsars and am breaking them in. They do a lot of nice things including having a very wide soundstage.

What I have found with cables is that they are VERY system dependant and listener dependant.

If I were you, I would try as many cables in your price range as possible and return the ones that don't work out.

I have recently tried Bolder Summits (and HAD to buy them) and the Cryotweaks Silver Ref II's.

They are all very very good and I recommend you try them as well.

All of the above were single ended.....

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 02:57 pm »

I am going to say something that is very non-audiophile kosher, but be very weary of cables that effect the audioband to any great degree. I think your gear is top notch so I think you should avoid tuning or taming your system with cables. I would try to focus on cables that let your system be your system and try to make the cables 'unnoticeable'.

Bingenito · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 04:50 pm »

Quote

I am going to say something that is very non-audiophile kosher, but be very weary of cables that effect the audioband to any great degree. I think your gear is top notch so I think you should avoid tuning or taming your system with cables. I would try to focus on cables that let your system be your system and try to make the cables 'unnoticeable'.

Exactly what I am looking for

I tried all of the cables recommended by The Cable Company and out of the bunch only liked the Au24's. They seemed natural. The only cable that The Cable company offered that I did not try and now wish I had is the Acoustic Zen silver ref II.

Zybar’s review of the Pulsar is very interesting to me. My only hesitation is the comment that the Pursang was more refined in the midrange and did not have the slight digital glare in the treble. I understand that no cable is perfect and there will always be compromises.... In a later review I think Zybar resolved the slight glare issue by tweaking the RM40s. My arrays do not have Lpads to adjustment is not an option.

Anyone else have experience with the balanced Pulsar or even unbalanced compared to the Au24?

Thank you

StevenACNJ · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:03 pm »

Bingenito

I think that there is a lot of info regarding the AU24's in the discussion forum @ AudioGon. Also do a search in the cable forum @ Audio Asylum.

I just completed making the following cryo Pulsar cables: 3 digital (1 with a small Bybee on center wire), 5 analog (run between amp & pre/pro), and 1 subwoofer cable.

So far I am pleased with the result, but they need to break in.

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:05 pm »

I am happy to say that the Pulsars smoothed out and there is no glare or grain at all.

This wasn't solved by adjusting the L-pads, this happened with enough time on the ic's.

George

Mad DOg · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:18 pm »

bingenito,

i compared the pursang to cryotweak's ct silver ref mk II IC and found that the ct cable was a bit better at getting out of the way of the music. i may be able to get some au24s to compare to the cryotweaks ic...

Bingenito · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:24 pm »

Quote

This wasn't solved by adjusting the L-pads, this happened with enough time on the ic's.

Thanks for the clarification.

BTW does anyone know if Chris is going to build an IC with the silver/cotton wire he sells? If so any ETA?

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

Exactly what I am looking for

I tried all of the cables recommended by The Cable Company and out of the bunch only liked the Au24's. They seemed natural. The only cable that The Cable company offered that I did not try and now wish I had is the Acoustic Zen silver ref II.

Zybar’s review of the Pulsar is very interesting to me. My only hesitation is the comment that the Pursang was more refined in the midrange and did not have the slight digital glare in the treble. I understand that no cable is p ...

I am actually a little surprised by your comment on the Au24's. *I need to put on my flame retardent suit now* I really think the Au24's fail miserably in the conditions I stated above, for this reason I believe Bolder Cables M80's are a much better IC and far cheaper too. The Au24's are an audiophile darling but *I* feel they leave a LOT to be desired.

Bingenito · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:42 pm »

Just for some background. Until I rented the cables from the cable company I built my own balanced ICs with Canare cable from Markertek.

Compared to my homemade cables the AU24 were much more detailed. Now that is not to say that others cables out there are not way better, I just have not tried them yet.

The objective of this thread is to narrow down the amount of cables that I need to rent, buy or audition.

I have been very happy with the VH Audio Flavor 4 PCs. Can Pulsar owners comment on the sound compared to other cables mentioned (Likes and dislikes)?

Thank you

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 05:55 pm »

Canare makes some good cables, but like you said you can do a little better still. The VH F4 PCs are great! I have some raw Pulsar cable but haven't built them yet so I have no opinion. I do however really enjoy the DIY silver ICs that VH has on his website.

doug s. · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

Quote:
I am going to say something that is very non-audiophile kosher, but be very weary of cables that effect the audioband to any great degree. I think your gear is top notch so I think you should avoid tuning or taming your system with cables. I would try to focus on cables that let your system be your system and try to make the cables 'unnoticeable'.

Exactly what I am looking for

have you tried alpha-core tq2-ag? *extremely* neutral, imo, & not too spendy, especially if ya find 'em used...

doug s.

Bingenito · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 08:49 pm »

Quote

have you tried alpha-core tq2-ag? *extremely* neutral, imo, & not too spendy, especially if ya find 'em used...

I have not but Wayne from Boulder Cable is sending me 2 pairs of balanced Summit ICs for demo.

If the cables are as good as the customer service I will be buying them

bubba966 · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 09:02 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

If the cables are as good as the customer service I will be buying them

Looks like you just found your cables...

Bingenito · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Nov 2004, 09:04 pm »

Quote

Looks like you just found your cables...

I did order 2 pairs of M80 speaker cable for bi-wiring from Wayne. Figured I would take avantage of the sale.

kana813 · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Nov 2004, 12:20 am »

"They seemed natural."

Bingenito- trust your ears. The Au24s are natural and will continue to reveal more information as they break-in. I can also highly recommend
the Au24 speaker cables and AES/EBU digital cables.

:flame: With the amp and speakers JoshK uses, it not surprising he doesn't like them.