-------------------------------------------------
I wanted to share my recent experience with you, as there's been relatively little discussion about cable comparisons.
I had to try it myself.
[Background]
I knew replacing a major component might require adjusting peripherals.
But I didn't expect the conflict would be with my old favorite. After trying a number of brands,
My goal was to find a cable that cost under $3,000.
(Note: This article won't discuss sonics in detail; this is just a comparison, so I'll focus on the differences.)
The following are the various cable brands I've tried recently. Thanks to everyone for their support.
At least I've listened to them on my own system for a while, not just blindly listening outside.
-------------------------------------------------
【Triode Wire Labs Spirit II RCA】
Natural and smooth, with balanced three-band sound, a neutral, gentle, and soothing sound.
Compared to higher-end models, there's naturally some lack of resolution and separation, but detail is present.
This pair has always been my go-to pair for home use, and considering the price, there's really nothing to complain about.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 88 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 90
Recommended for those who have a limited budget and want to maintain their quality first
-------------------------------------------------
【Esprit Aura Xlr】
It's also a natural soundtrack, but with added realism and a refined texture.
It has a nice sense of space and a wide atmosphere, and compared to other tracks, it feels more focused on the background.
The vocals aren't particularly enhanced. This brand doesn't seem to be the type that catches your ears immediately.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for audiophiles who have their system tuned to a certain level and want to add a touch of liveliness.
-------------------------------------------------
【Audience frontRow Xlr】
Rich and hydrating, with excellent thickness, it's smooth and forgiving.
It's particularly captivating when listening to vocals, especially in slower songs.
Unfortunately, the low-frequency impact could be a bit stronger.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 93 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 95
Recommended for audiophiles who want a more musically immersive system and enjoy pop and jazz music.
-------------------------------------------------
【CM audio Conductor XLR】
The resolution and separation are surprisingly strong, and the sense of space is vast and expansive.
The echo is very enveloping, and the sound is focused, concentrated, and full. The low frequencies are fast and impactful.
However, the main components of the music, such as the vocals, tend to be closer, which depends on the user.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 98 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for those who want enhanced acoustics and soundstage, and prefer a closer listening experience.
-------------------------------------------------
【Neotech Amazon RCA】
Another pair of cables with strong resolution and plenty of power, and good dynamics.
The tempo is fast, the finish is clean, and the body is solid. Although they are silver cables, they have a sheen without being overly bright.
Vocals are relatively simple, almost neutral, but with a bit more body than the Neotech 1001.
For the price, they're worth a try.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for rock, metal, OST, and other music lovers.
-------------------------------------------------
【Nordost valhalla 2 Bnc to Rca】
I used a clock cable and an adapter to listen to the sound quality first. I've heard that genuine signal cables are thicker.
The separation is excellent, the background is transparent, and the layering is excellent. The texture and vibrato of the high frequencies are especially captivating.
The overall sound is full of agility and very realistic.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 96 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97
Recommended for audiophiles with a sufficient budget.
-------------------------------------------------
【Van Den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII XLR】
The soundstage is impressive, with powerful bass and distinct layers of separation and softness.
The overall frame control is excellent. The synergy between electric guitar and bass during rock music is captivating.
Vocals are realistic and natural, but not without compromise. The texture and rendering of details are quite good.
But! There's a rounded feel to the extremes of all three frequencies. Listening closely reveals either a lack of clarity or a sense of rounded corners.
This detracts from the Chord's unique character. Truly surprising.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 93
Recommended for systems that prefer a more restrained or overly bright sound while still maintaining a clear acoustic character.
-------------------------------------------------
【Albedo Monolith Reference Mkii Rca】
Smooth, fluid, and with a stage presence, it's well-balanced, with a moderately extended soundstage.
I've heard that Albedo cables tend to be weak in the bass, but this Reference cable...
isn't the case; it has ample depth and power.
This cable isn't easy to describe; all three frequencies cast a subtle, soft glow. It's warm, not glaring.
It's simply beautiful.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 95 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97
Recommended for audiophiles who want to brighten their system a bit and appreciate both vocals and acoustics.
-------------------------------------------------
【Final Touch Audio Ganymede RCA 】
The soundstage has excellent height and width, and the clarity is excellent.
Fluidity and airiness have always been FTA's hallmarks, and this applies to signal cables as well.
The sound is also rich in layering and color, and the extended range is excellent.
What I'm most satisfied with is the white space and residual softness between musical notes.
It's beautifully done, and the vocals often create a fragmented yet powerful atmosphere.
It's deeply moving and captivating.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 95 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 98
Recommended to audiophiles like me who want excellent vocals and retain the gorgeous feeling of Chord
-------------------------------------------------
【TaraLabs The 0.8 Onboard XLR】
This is my previous pair of cables, unfortunately, they're no longer compatible with the current components.
This is also the main reason why I changed the selection of wires this time.
Density, weight, richness, separation, focus, and a very black background.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 97. Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97 (previously), 92 (now).
Recommended for audiophiles who desire density, a clean background, and a high degree of bass.
-------------------------------------------------
【Conclusion】
Finally, the only three pairs left in the final round were FTA, ALBEDO, and Nordost.
I first ruled out N brand for the simple reason of limited budget.
I also had a feeling that I'd need to fine-tune the peripherals.
Also, the battle between ALBEDO and FTA was a tough one, but in the end, FTA won thanks to its unique features.
I can't pinpoint the reason why it won, but FTA just caught my ear more.
(PS: There's no perfect set of cable brands, so just try as many as you can within your budget.)
The above experiences only apply to my own system; I'm not responsible for any issues outside of my home. Differences are always relative.
For example, I said the Amazon is more plain, but compared to the 1001 and 1002, the Amazon's vocals are relatively sweet.
In reality, these are just minor differences in the system and aren't crucial.
Ultimately, signal cables have a greater impact on sound quality. Are more expensive cables generally better?
No, that's not the case. Any changes really depend on the system's configuration.
For example, my previous pair of Taralabs 0.8 headphones were very satisfactory with the original components.
But after replacing the headphone amplifier, their power and impact became too strong, drowning out some softer sounds.
The sound layering was less pronounced, and even slight imbalances reduced their listening comfort.
-------------------------------------------------
My English is still as bad as ever, please forgive me
I wanted to share my recent experience with you, as there's been relatively little discussion about cable comparisons.
I had to try it myself.
[Background]
I knew replacing a major component might require adjusting peripherals.
But I didn't expect the conflict would be with my old favorite. After trying a number of brands,
My goal was to find a cable that cost under $3,000.
(Note: This article won't discuss sonics in detail; this is just a comparison, so I'll focus on the differences.)
The following are the various cable brands I've tried recently. Thanks to everyone for their support.
At least I've listened to them on my own system for a while, not just blindly listening outside.
-------------------------------------------------
【Triode Wire Labs Spirit II RCA】
Natural and smooth, with balanced three-band sound, a neutral, gentle, and soothing sound.
Compared to higher-end models, there's naturally some lack of resolution and separation, but detail is present.
This pair has always been my go-to pair for home use, and considering the price, there's really nothing to complain about.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 88 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 90
Recommended for those who have a limited budget and want to maintain their quality first
-------------------------------------------------
【Esprit Aura Xlr】
It's also a natural soundtrack, but with added realism and a refined texture.
It has a nice sense of space and a wide atmosphere, and compared to other tracks, it feels more focused on the background.
The vocals aren't particularly enhanced. This brand doesn't seem to be the type that catches your ears immediately.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for audiophiles who have their system tuned to a certain level and want to add a touch of liveliness.
-------------------------------------------------
【Audience frontRow Xlr】
Rich and hydrating, with excellent thickness, it's smooth and forgiving.
It's particularly captivating when listening to vocals, especially in slower songs.
Unfortunately, the low-frequency impact could be a bit stronger.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 93 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 95
Recommended for audiophiles who want a more musically immersive system and enjoy pop and jazz music.
-------------------------------------------------
【CM audio Conductor XLR】
The resolution and separation are surprisingly strong, and the sense of space is vast and expansive.
The echo is very enveloping, and the sound is focused, concentrated, and full. The low frequencies are fast and impactful.
However, the main components of the music, such as the vocals, tend to be closer, which depends on the user.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 98 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for those who want enhanced acoustics and soundstage, and prefer a closer listening experience.
-------------------------------------------------
【Neotech Amazon RCA】
Another pair of cables with strong resolution and plenty of power, and good dynamics.
The tempo is fast, the finish is clean, and the body is solid. Although they are silver cables, they have a sheen without being overly bright.
Vocals are relatively simple, almost neutral, but with a bit more body than the Neotech 1001.
For the price, they're worth a try.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 92
Recommended for rock, metal, OST, and other music lovers.
-------------------------------------------------
【Nordost valhalla 2 Bnc to Rca】
I used a clock cable and an adapter to listen to the sound quality first. I've heard that genuine signal cables are thicker.
The separation is excellent, the background is transparent, and the layering is excellent. The texture and vibrato of the high frequencies are especially captivating.
The overall sound is full of agility and very realistic.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 96 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97
Recommended for audiophiles with a sufficient budget.
-------------------------------------------------
【Van Den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII XLR】
The soundstage is impressive, with powerful bass and distinct layers of separation and softness.
The overall frame control is excellent. The synergy between electric guitar and bass during rock music is captivating.
Vocals are realistic and natural, but not without compromise. The texture and rendering of details are quite good.
But! There's a rounded feel to the extremes of all three frequencies. Listening closely reveals either a lack of clarity or a sense of rounded corners.
This detracts from the Chord's unique character. Truly surprising.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 94 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 93
Recommended for systems that prefer a more restrained or overly bright sound while still maintaining a clear acoustic character.
-------------------------------------------------
【Albedo Monolith Reference Mkii Rca】
Smooth, fluid, and with a stage presence, it's well-balanced, with a moderately extended soundstage.
I've heard that Albedo cables tend to be weak in the bass, but this Reference cable...
isn't the case; it has ample depth and power.
This cable isn't easy to describe; all three frequencies cast a subtle, soft glow. It's warm, not glaring.
It's simply beautiful.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 95 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97
Recommended for audiophiles who want to brighten their system a bit and appreciate both vocals and acoustics.
-------------------------------------------------
【Final Touch Audio Ganymede RCA 】
The soundstage has excellent height and width, and the clarity is excellent.
Fluidity and airiness have always been FTA's hallmarks, and this applies to signal cables as well.
The sound is also rich in layering and color, and the extended range is excellent.
What I'm most satisfied with is the white space and residual softness between musical notes.
It's beautifully done, and the vocals often create a fragmented yet powerful atmosphere.
It's deeply moving and captivating.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 95 Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 98
Recommended to audiophiles like me who want excellent vocals and retain the gorgeous feeling of Chord
-------------------------------------------------
【TaraLabs The 0.8 Onboard XLR】
This is my previous pair of cables, unfortunately, they're no longer compatible with the current components.
This is also the main reason why I changed the selection of wires this time.
Density, weight, richness, separation, focus, and a very black background.
Purely speaking, the sound quality: 97. Comprehensive features and my system compatibility: 97 (previously), 92 (now).
Recommended for audiophiles who desire density, a clean background, and a high degree of bass.
-------------------------------------------------
【Conclusion】
Finally, the only three pairs left in the final round were FTA, ALBEDO, and Nordost.
I first ruled out N brand for the simple reason of limited budget.
I also had a feeling that I'd need to fine-tune the peripherals.
Also, the battle between ALBEDO and FTA was a tough one, but in the end, FTA won thanks to its unique features.
I can't pinpoint the reason why it won, but FTA just caught my ear more.
(PS: There's no perfect set of cable brands, so just try as many as you can within your budget.)
The above experiences only apply to my own system; I'm not responsible for any issues outside of my home. Differences are always relative.
For example, I said the Amazon is more plain, but compared to the 1001 and 1002, the Amazon's vocals are relatively sweet.
In reality, these are just minor differences in the system and aren't crucial.
Ultimately, signal cables have a greater impact on sound quality. Are more expensive cables generally better?
No, that's not the case. Any changes really depend on the system's configuration.
For example, my previous pair of Taralabs 0.8 headphones were very satisfactory with the original components.
But after replacing the headphone amplifier, their power and impact became too strong, drowning out some softer sounds.
The sound layering was less pronounced, and even slight imbalances reduced their listening comfort.
-------------------------------------------------
My English is still as bad as ever, please forgive me
