A good interconnect cable - KLOTZ, Cordial or get out of the situation

Wojciech Pakula, High Fidelity, June 2011

Both interconnect cables are quite interesting.

They are quite expensive and do not vary much in price. The same cannot be said about the design. Both models use 7N copper (99.99999%) MEXCEL - a tape coated with a thin and strictly controlled thickness dielectric layer (polyimide). The only supplier of cables of this type and quality is Mitsubishi, which owns AcroJapan, owner of the Acrolink brand.

It should be noted that in the vast majority of cases, the surface of conventional cables from other manufacturers is not uniform due to fluctuations in the thickness of the conductor and the insulating layer. As a result, the cable parameters are unstable.

So, let's talk about the differences in the design of the interconnect cables being tested.

7N-DA5100 is a double shielded coaxial cable with the first being made of 7N MEXCEL copper and the second being made of 4N copper with silver plating. The 7N-DA2100, on the other hand, has two independently shielded cores braided with copper tape and shielded with 4N silver-plated copper. The conductors in the first cable are thicker than in the second: 0.58mm2 and 0.26mm2. The company offers the DA5100 in balanced and unbalanced versions, as well as in digital cable (RCA) and AES/EBU versions. The DA2100 is available only in unbalanced versions, as a digital (RCA) and BNC cable.

Sound

7N-DA5100

At first I listened to a more expensive cable. (By the way, the 7N-DA5100 is half the price of the reference interconnect cable 7N-DA6300 Mexcel, and although both cables belong to the same Mexcel series, they differ in sound, and these differences are clearly audible. The sound of the DA5100 is not as rich and less informative and clear in comparison with DA6300)

And yet, the 7N-DA5100 interconnect cable has its undoubted advantages. Despite the pressure from above from Acrolink's top cables, we have to give this excellent interconnect cable its due. One of the advantages is the openness of the sound. It is, of course, not as open and developed at the edges of the frequency range as the 6300, but when compared with other cables for the same and higher prices, it is the openness of the sound that first of all attracts attention. In addition, in many systems this cable may be preferable to the DA6300 .

The 7N-DA6300 is an uncompromising cable, so if the system, for example, emphasizes highs, it will not mask this feature, but will show it impartially. The DA5100 is also a very honest cable, however, since its high frequencies are still a little limited, it is more forgiving of the system's shortcomings. Thus, the most expensive and objectively best cable is not always the best option for a particular stereo system.

System components often interact with each other in complex and ambiguous ways. If there are problems, contradictions in the system and if it is impossible to eliminate their causes, you are forced to somehow compensate for sound imperfections with the help of accessories. From a purist's point of view, this approach is flawed because we should be identifying, not hiding, shortcomings. However, from the position of a pragmatist, a person who does not have the opportunity to make serious changes to the system, such actions are completely justified.

7N-DA5100 is a cable with a very delicate and finely crafted sound.

It is not warm - the cable is not like Tara Labs The 0.8 or The Zero. It does more in its area than Accuphase CD players like the DP-510 do in theirs. Their sound characters are, in general, very similar. The sound is dense, evenly detailed, tonally balanced, the dynamics are slightly averaged, and at the edges of the frequency range there are noticeable limitations, which, as I noted above, are not present in the top-end Acrolink cable. Despite this, the sound of the cable is very good. So, this is a very high level cable. Its upper mids are slightly emphasized, resulting in an open and inviting sound. In addition, there is no trace of sibilance or excessive brightness. The upper register is slightly softer than the middle, similar in character to low bass. These features make the 7N-DA5100 interconnect ideal for systems that have high-treble issues and where warm-sounding cables are not desired. This is where the Acrolink 7N-DA5100 model will be very useful.

In general, the Japanese Acrolink cable very accurately positions the elements of music in time and space. In other words, Acrolink conveys the content of different recordings very correctly - nothing is lost or drowned in the overall sound. In George Michael's Faith album, the sound image is localized mainly in the middle part of the music stage and from time to time some details appear unexpectedly at its edges, and the interconnect broadcasts all these events completely impartially. On Suzanne Vega's Close Up CD, the vocals are recorded large and you can hear that the recording was made with a microphone located quite close to the vocalist - Acrolink does not distort the proportions. With Acrolink you won’t hear any special problems in the sound if they are not in the recording, that is, the cable, I repeat, conveys the content of the recordings very honestly. When listening to both recordings, I noticed that the 7N-DA5100 interconnect slightly moves the music scene away from the listener, as if you had moved deeper into the room. In other words, the cable keeps its distance.

The sound is very, very solid, and probably has a different feel than other cables at a comparable price; it's very accurate and neutral. You can safely use the cable in the system without expecting any surprises. He calmly and neatly puts everything on its shelves, hiding nothing and not emphasizing anything. This is not a perfect cable, which in no way prevents its use in both relatively inexpensive and very advanced stereo systems.

7N-DA2100

This interconnect cable is slightly cheaper than the previous one. The presence in the catalog of two interconnect cables for a similar price is explained, as I understand it, by the different nature of the sound, which is due to differences in design. Sound differences can captivate anyone. The sound of the DA2100 is more impressive and I would even say more “catchy”, more dynamic and faster than the sound of the DA5100 .

These qualities are likely to be useful in many systems. The upper bass is firmer and more muscular, which gives it a speed advantage. At the same time, the lower bass of the 7N-DA2100 interconnect cable is more rarefied than that of the 7N-DA5100. Perhaps the differences are not so great, and the 2100's lower bass seems softened due to the contrast - because the upper bass tone is increased.

The 7N-DA2100 delivers the upper register more effectively. This is why the sound is perceived as very expressive, and it is not mere brightness, but something that encourages us to sit down and listen to the music with unflagging interest. Sibilance is normal, no part of the spectrum is emphasized, while the high ones are perceived as dynamic and open, which is why the music is conveyed in an exciting and somehow especially pleasant way.

There is no restraint or evenness inherent in the DA5100. But the sound is not as well balanced and deep. In turn, the 7N-DA2100 will help “invigorate” the sound without emphasizing one or another part of the spectrum . The DA2100 does not make the upper mids more prominent, which is sometimes observed in the sound of the DA5100. I'm not sure if this would show up in a system with a warm-up tube amp, but in my ultra-analytical system it's quite noticeable. I don't think this is a problem - at least not for me - and since we're talking about an interconnect cable here as a means of sound correction (regardless of how far the cable is from the purist's ideal), even slight variations in character sounds may or may not be useful in a particular system.

Functionality and what they are

An speaker cable is a wire that is needed to electrically connect speakers and amplifiers. It consists of a conductive core, which is covered with insulation and an outer braid. It should introduce as little distortion as possible into the sound. There are several types of structure:

• single-core;
• stranded (bundled, symmetrical and asymmetrical, concentric, parallel and rope);
• twisted pair (with different types of shielding or without shielding at all);
• coaxial (high resistance to external interference).

What else should you pay attention to? On important electrical properties:

1. resistance;
2. capacity;
3. inductance.

• Impedance is the most important parameter on which sound quality depends. This is the ability of a material to resist the movement of electrons. To make it easier to select a cable with the required resistance, see the documentation on the back of the device. The lower the resistance, the more source energy is delivered to the speaker coil, and, accordingly, the greater the power and sound. In turn, the resistance depends on the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the wire.

The strength of the current flowing through the conductive core depends on the cut area of ​​the wire core - the cross-section. Less resistance is achieved with a thicker section. If the conductor cross-section is insufficient, power is dissipated and low frequencies sound quieter. Therefore, according to buyers, advice to buy a cable with a larger cross-section than recommended in the documentation for the device makes sense - the thicker the cable, the better the sound quality.

To reduce resistance, try to choose a shorter length - the resistance is proportional to it. What else should you pay attention to? To balance the system and achieve an ideal stereo effect, the length of the cable to the two speakers must be equal - then the resistance will be the same.

• The length also affects characteristics such as inductance and capacitance - the shorter the wire, the smaller they are. This facilitates the operation of the amplifier and minimizes its losses and, as a result, there are fewer unnecessary effects on the sound.

For more information about the cross-section and thickness of the speaker cable, see the video:

Musical material:

• Audio Accessory - T-TOC Records High Quality Data Master Comparison, TDVD-0002, DVD-R, ripy 16/44.1, 24/96, 24/192 FLAC.
• Stereo Sound Reference Record. Jazz&Vocal, Stereo Sound, SSRR4, SACD/CD.
• Stereo Sound Reference Record. Popular Selection, Stereo Sound, SSRR5, SACD/CD.
• Brian Eno, Craft On A Milk Sea, Warp Records, FLAC 24/44.1.
• Carmen McReae, Book of Ballads, Kapp Records/Universal Music Japan, UCCU-9634, SHM-CD.
• Depeche Mode, Personal Jesus, Sire/Reprise 21328-2, MS CD.
• George Michael, Faith, Epic/Sony Music, 7753020, Special Edition 2 x CD+DVD.
• John Lennon, Imagine, Capitol/Mobile Fidelity, UDCD 759, gold-CD.
• Laurie Anderson, Homeland, Nonesuch, 524055-2, CD+DVD.
• Pat Martino, East!, Prestige/Mobile Fidelity, UDSACD 2022, SACD/CD.
• Radiohead, The King of Limbs, Ticker Tape Ltd., TICK-001CDJ, Blu-spec CD.
• R-men, I thought about you, T-TOC Records, MCDR3002, CD-RIIα.
• Suzanne Vega, Close-Up. Vol 1, Love Songs, Amanuensis Productions/Cooking Vinyl, COOKCD521, CD.

Translated by Artyom Avatinyan

Rating of quality speaker cables

Budget

In-Akustik Star LS Cable 2×2.5 mm2 m/cat (reel 150m)

Made in Germany at an attractive price, the model is made from high-purity OFC copper with transparent insulating braid, providing clear, transparent sound without background noise with good audio components. Flexible, marked. Cost – from 415 rubles per meter.

In-Akustik Star LS Cable 2×2.5 mm2 m/cat (reel 150m)

Advantages:

• assembly reliability;
• high-quality sound;
• conducts the signal quickly;
• marking;
• pure copper;
• inexpensive;
• Suitable for inexpensive speakers.

Flaws:

• no shielding.

Atlas Equator 2.0

One of the most famous manufacturers of cables for hi-fi and high-end, the British company Atlas Cables, has been operating since 2002 and has earned justifiable recognition from customers and critics. In connection with the expansion of production and entry into the world market, the Atlas company appeared in Scotland in 2004, and today there are distributors in all major countries. All products are of excellent quality, thanks to development, production and testing based on proven processes and innovative technologies.

The Atlas Equator 2.0 model meets all standards and is a true product of this company. Flexible, soft, pearl-colored, with a resistance of 0.0094 Ohm/m, it produces excellent sound with clear highs, mids and lows. Made of concentric stranded conductors with a cross section of 2.0 mm from oxygen-free copper of 99.9997% purity. The average price is 720 rubles per meter.

Atlas Equator 2.0

Advantages:

• soft;
• attractive appearance;
• tonal balance;
• creates a three-dimensional sound picture;
• universal – suitable for speakers and subwoofer;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• not found.

QED Silver Anniversary XT 2×1.88mm2 cat/100m

UK made model. Possibility of bi-ware connection. It consists of aluminum on the high frequencies, double copper on the low frequencies. The stereo image is significantly increased due to the added detail in the high frequencies. Made from silver plated copper. A cross-section of 1.88 mm2 is sufficient even for 100W speakers. After warming up, the bass begins to sound clearly. The average cost is from 1130 rubles per meter.

QED Silver Anniversary XT 2×1.88mm2 cat/100m

Advantages:

• quality of materials and reliability of assembly;
• sound detail;
• size and weight;
• impeccable highs and midranges;
• bi-ware;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• warming up is required to develop bass.

Mid price category

QED RUBY ANN Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable 3.0m QE1422

A model with which you can achieve good sounding compositions, rich in details and nuances. This is a new product from a British company. A special feature of the model is the increased distance between conductors, which helps reduce losses and distortion due to capacitance. The cable is two-conductor - one audio signal is transmitted by two conductors of different diameters, which creates an alternative channel for HF transmission. Crimped with a gold-plated banana connector using technology that provides a tight connection without soldering. This method eliminates changes in contact parameters and reduces contact resistance. The average cost is 12,500 rubles per 3 meters.

QED RUBY ANN Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable 3.0m QE1422

Advantages:

• amazing detail;
• universal;
• maintains neutrality;
• minimum distortion.

Flaws:

• a bit harsh.

Oyaide TUNAMI II SP-Y

The improved version of the classic model will provide powerful and wide-range sound in a superb silent background. Copper conductor, insulation made of polyolefin and polymer-polyolefin, three-layer shielding of EMI, carbon and copper foil with ground conductor, palladium and platinum plating. The average price is from 43,900 for 2 meters.

Oyaide TUNAMI II SP-Y

Advantages:

• connectors are not subject to corrosion;
• excellent shielding;
• quality materials;
• reliable design;
• powerful solid sound.

Flaws:

• lacks detail.

LAVARDIN Model CHR 317

Single shielded cable with two wires and gold-plated connectors, low memory, suitable for any equipment and provides deep multi-level sound. Low frequencies sound especially prominent. The average price is from 61,000 rubles for 3.17 meters.

LAVARDIN Model CHR 317

Advantages:

• surround sound;
• universal;
• qualitative;
• relatively inexpensive;
• excellent fast bass.

Flaws:

• slightly darkened drawing.

Premium class

CHORD COMPANY Epic Reference Speaker

Multi-core, 4 X 12 AWG silver-plated copper, thick foil shielding and Teflon dielectric, the cable provides perfect resolution and high speed. The high frequencies are worked out very clearly, the localization of instruments is filigree. Cost - from 95,690 rubles for 3 meters.

CHORD COMPANY Epic Reference Speaker

Advantages:

• reference sound;
• drawing the scene;
• the effect of presence is created;
• exceptional detail;
• the price corresponds to the quality.

Flaws:

• not identified.

XLO Signature — 35,400 rub.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 3

Peculiarities

A good "almost honest" cable, but a certain amount of simplicity in the sound lets it down.

Design

The cable is not thick and quite flexible. The connectors with gold-plated contact surfaces are thick and connect smoothly and reliably, although their smooth housings slip in the hand. All necessary markings are present and made in traditional XLO colors. The conductors are made of ultra-pure copper, Teflon is used as a dielectric, and the cable has a complex internal geometry. The break-in is rather quick and quite comfortable.

Sound

The sound is a little softer, lighter and more delicate than one might expect, although, in general, the presentation is neutral, there is no obvious coloration. The bass is juicy and punchy, the mids and highs are open and clear. The detail is quite good, each sound is clearly and clearly defined. The stage is wide, but with moderate depth and slightly blurry edges and shots. The dynamics are not bad, there are no obvious complaints with rock music, but with large symphonic works the picture is not entirely ideal. The vocal presentation is very decent - detailed, fast, with virtually no loss of nuances or articulation. In general, everything is very good, but a little more detail would definitely not hurt. The sound as such turns out to be a little simpler than it actually is.

Cardas Golden Reference — 43,300 rub. Sympathy Prize.

Detail 4

Dynamics 5

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

A cable with a distinct individual signature, extremely emotional.

Design

The cable is thick, flexible and very soft at the same time. The connectors are rhodium-plated, massive, probably even too massive. There is no color marking of the channels, only inconspicuous icons on the heat shrink on the connectors. The connection direction is not indicated due to the symmetrical design. Many copper wires are used as conductors, and Teflon air tubes are used as dielectrics. The cable has a complex internal patented geometry. Break-in is moderately fast.

Sound

The sound is fast, with good detail, high cohesion throughout the entire range and smooth development of the range from edge to edge. It seems that every sound, every fragment is slightly amplified - big bass, big mids, big highs, so to speak. The picture in general and in particular turns out brighter and more textured than it actually is. The scene is impressive in its scale, depth and detail. The overall presentation is always a little joyful, softened and bright, even when it should be minor and tragic. There are no noticeable problems with dynamics on any recordings; the cable is universal in genre and conveys everything with its own characteristic style. Vocal parts, both solo and choral, are reproduced very colorfully.

Abbey Road Reference - 44,000 rubles.

Detail 3

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 5

Convenience 5

Peculiarities

Smooth tonal balance and high dynamics, but detail is lower than we would like.

Design

The cable is not thick, soft and flexible. All markings are present. The connectors are lightweight, with a minimum amount of metal used, and are easy to connect. The conductors are made of ultra-pure copper; foamed polyethylene is used as a dielectric. Two braided conductors are twisted with a certain pitch and are enclosed in an outer transparent sheath. The cable is not shielded. Break-in is moderately fast.

Sound

The presentation is extremely neutral, no coloration is audible at all, the entire frequency range is heard smoothly, without protrusions or dips - neat, moderately deep bass, smooth mids and equally smooth high frequencies. The stage is chamber-like, with a small width and depth; at the same time, images and plans are readable well and without distortion of proportions. There is very little air as such in the sound; after-sounds are defined rather formally and decay faster than usual. The detail is a little lower than I would like. Against the background of a smooth and neutral presentation with a very decent speed, even on complex moments of orchestral recordings, it is precisely due to simplification in details that the sound itself turns out to be rustic and straightforward, and subtle emotional moments are lost. Vocals are heard accurately, but with the same simplification in detail.

Cardas Golden Presence — 37,300 rub.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

The cable is similar to the older Golden Reference, but the sound is simpler.

Design

The cable is a simplified version of the older Golden Reference model, it uses a slightly simpler internal design, but the same complex winding of ultra-pure copper is used as conductors, and Teflon tubes are used as a dielectric. Outwardly, everything is still similar: a thick but very flexible cable, massive, not the most convenient connectors, the direction is not indicated, the channel marking is determined by the markings on the heat shrink near the connectors. The burn-in period is not the longest.

Sound

The sound is fast, with a good level of detail and at the same time naturally harmonious. But the elaboration of nuances is more simplified than that of the older model, a little less details are heard, the after-sound is shorter and simpler. Otherwise, the handwriting is very similar, the presentation is emotionally upbeat, rather joyful, a little warm. The stage is just as wide and deep, but the images are drawn a little simpler and more unambiguous. The same large volumetric relief vocals, however, with a simpler timbre presentation, with fewer details. Only in terms of dynamics and speed, you can hardly hear the difference - everything is just as fast, but due to the general simplification, the same choir can sound somewhat chaotic, and this is already becoming critical.

A little about connectors

At the ends of a balanced analog cable you can find one of three connectors:

• XLR male (3 pins) is connected to the equipment input.
• XLR “female” (3 sockets) connects to the equipment output and microphone.
• The TRS (Tip, Ring and Sleeve) connects to the inlet and outlet.

Each connector has 3 contact points that transmit signals from three wires (plus, minus and ground).

An unbalanced cable typically has a TS connector, which has only two contact points and is found on instrument/guitar cables.

Balanced TRS circuit:

• Tip - positive signal
• Ring - negative signal
• Sleeve - grounding

Unbalanced TS circuit:

• Tip - positive signal
• Sleeve - grounding

RCA (also called composite, "tulip", etc.) cable is used for unbalanced transmission of line-level analog signals, mainly from various recording devices.

Analysis-Plus Silver Oval-in — RUB 27,700.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

A very unusual cable with a specific, but interesting presentation.

Design

The cable is thick and rigid, especially at the connectors due to the additional heat-shrink tubing. The connectors are collet, massive. All markings are located on heat-shrinkable tubes near the connectors; unlike the older model, there is color-coded channel marking. The conductors are made of silver and copper; the design uses the proprietary “hollow oval” geometry. The dielectric and screen materials are unknown. The burn-in is long and gradual, without sudden changes in sound.

Sound

The sound is cool and detached, with good detail and long, well-readable but not exaggerated aftertaste. The bass is deep and accurate, with decent elaboration, the mids are smooth, but the upper frequencies are more transparent, lighter and brighter than usual. With some coolness and detachment, it cannot be said that there is a lack of emotions, they are simply conveyed differently and not quite as usual. The dynamics are not bad, although a certain speed limit is felt, at the same time the images are presented neatly, without mixing. Vocals sound quite natural, only in some nuances a little more simplified than necessary. On large-scale symphonic works there are almost no problems with speed and saturation, but there is a lack of bass and solidity.

Audioquest Niagara — RUB 45,300. Sympathy Prize.

Detail 4

Dynamics 5

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

A cable with an assertive, strong sound and at the same time elegant handwriting.

Design

This model can be considered moderately thick and quite flexible, but the cable-mounted dielectric bias system blocks reduce ease of use. The connectors are small, silver-plated, and connect with moderate force. All markings are on the cable. The conductors are made of polished silver monocore placed in Teflon tubes. The cable is equipped with a proprietary DBS dielectric bias system; 6 batteries are used for power supply, providing a total of 72 V DC. The battery packs can be removed if necessary. Break-in is quick and unobtrusive.

Sound

The tonal balance is almost even; from silver you can only notice some lightness and brightness of the sound, especially at high frequencies. At the same time, very decent dynamics and decent detail are heard. The sound is large, with a large-scale stage, but not rude and unobtrusive. The after-sounds are a little lacking in attention, but, in general, the picture is not simplified or impoverished. Vocals are drawn more densely than usual. There is more emotionality and this is more likely to be heard as handwriting, and not as some kind of flaw. The cable is universal in terms of genre, but for rock music or electronics such a power supply is more natural.

Furutech Evolution - 22,300 rub. Sympathy Prize.

Detail 5

Dynamics 5

Tonal balance 3

Convenience 3

Peculiarities

A fast, detailed cable, genre-versatile, but specific in the high frequencies.

Design

Moderately thick and rather flexible cable. The connectors are massive, collet-type, comfortable and of high quality, the contact surfaces are gold-plated. Channel-by-channel marking does not raise questions, but the indication of directionality is ambiguous - in practice it turned out that the source must be installed on the side where the rings with the name of the cable are located. The conductors and screen are made of copper, manufactured using proprietary alpha technology. Dielectric - polypropylene. The burn-in process takes a long time; the sound changes significantly during the process; it takes especially long for the high-frequency delivery to level out.

Sound

Neutral and very fast. High detail, good readability of aftertones. The sound is very emotional, but devoid of arrogance and intrusiveness, only it is a little lighter than usual, a slight coloration and a slight touch of synthetics can be heard at the upper frequencies. The bass is deep, rich, dynamic. The scene is moderate in size, airy, multifaceted and well readable, with reliable proportions of images. It was not possible to identify genre preferences, except that in classical works with an abundance of high frequencies one can hear some excess of them, but with other indicators there are no difficulties. Vocals sound quite natural and detailed.

Atlas Mavros — 48,500 rub.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 3

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

A cable with a cool, “Nordic” sound, but not without some grace.

Design

The cable is easy to use, not thick, although a little stiff. The silver-plated connectors connect tightly, but without undue force. All necessary markings are present and easy to read. The conductors are made of ultra-pure copper, and Teflon is used as a dielectric. The cable structure uses natural cotton as a filler. The screen is also made of pure copper. Break-in is very long and not the most comfortable. The cable comes with a CD with a warm-up track.

Sound

The presentation is transparent, a little cool and distant, at the same time there is a slight emphasis on the high frequencies. For some reason I immediately want to call the sound Nordic. He is not so much cold as very calm, detached, but at the same time full-bodied and not devoid of emotions. The sound, although cool, is detailed and extended - the after-sounds are heard for a long time, and they are not lost against the general background. Everything is extremely neat and collected. There are few emotions, so bright major works are not very successful. The vocals are timbrally balanced and accurate. There are no problems with dynamics, the stage is correct - wide and deep, however, the space is rather filled with sounding emptiness rather than sounds - everything is very spaced out and separated from each other.

SAEC SL-4000 — 30,600 rub.

Detail 4

Dynamics 3

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 4

Peculiarities

Calm, “intelligent” presentation without coloring, but sometimes “too neat.”

Design

The cable is not thick, rigid, all the necessary markings are present. Rhodium-plated push-in connectors are high quality and easy to connect. The connectors are not thick, but long. The conductors are made of various grades of ultra-pure copper - OFC PCOCC-A. The dielectric is polystyrene foam. The cable initially has an internal balanced design and is equipped with a double copper shield. The break-in is long, but more or less comfortable.

Sound

The sound is neutral, with a good level of detail, the presentation is light, unobtrusive, and no coloration is audible. The main features include very careful handling of sound; there is neither brightness nor impudence; on the contrary, sometimes the sound is too neat. In fast dynamic moments and emotional works, this can be heard as a little uncertainty or instability, lacking assertiveness. The tonal balance is smooth, the bass is high-quality, intelligent, so to speak. The stage is medium in size and well designed. Vocals are presented in detail, texture, but sometimes not as assertively as we would like. It’s the same with large works—formally everything is there, but the emotions are smoothed out.

Ortofon Premium AIC-X7 — 30,500 rub. Sympathy Prize.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 3

Peculiarities

An exceptionally neat cable, with some attraction to small and medium-sized compositions.

Design

The cable has variable thickness - the main part is thick and uncomfortable, but the end fragments are thinner. The connectors are massive, collet, rhodium-plated. All markings are present. Inside, the cable has a complex structure; the conductors are made of various types of copper - OFC, PCOCC with silver coating. The part of the cable that is thicker, judging by the feel, is enclosed in a twisted copper tube. Elements resembling ferrite rings are also installed. Run-in is moderately long.

Sound

A very delicate presentation is immediately noticeable, the sound is smooth, calm, clear and light, but not lightweight. The entire range is processed smoothly and with the same quality; no dips are heard. There is no coloring as such either. The bass is not the deepest, fast, with good articulation and detail, the middle is open, the upper frequencies are natural and natural. Vocals are presented exceptionally carefully - with all intonations and details. The scene is medium in width and depth, with clear images and clear proportions. In terms of dynamics, there are no obvious problems, but in terms of nuances, small and medium compositions are easier. The entire spectrum of music is conveyed emotionally reliably, but again, there is a tendency towards natural genres and not the largest compositions.

Ortofon Reference 905 Silver — 25,100 rub.

Detail 4

Dynamics 4

Tonal balance 4

Convenience 3

Peculiarities

The sound is comfortable and transparent, but only up to a certain limit in terms of dynamics.

Design

The cable is thick and rigid along its entire length, especially due to the heat-shrink tube at the connectors. The rhodium-plated connectors are solid and have a collet clamp. All markings are easy to read. This model uses conductors of various compositions - silver, silver-plated copper and just copper. The screen is copper, polyethylene is used as a dielectric. The break-in process takes a long time, the sound changes a lot during the process and at first it is not stable or beautiful.

Sound

The overall presentation is rather soft, unhurried and thoughtfully contemplative, at the same time light and barely warm. The sounds are round, well separated from each other and do not mix excessively. The bass is spacious, the mids are smooth, the highs do not have an obvious silvery brightness. The scene is wide, with well-defined images, but depth plans are less clearly defined. The presentation of vocals is specific - on the one hand, it is outlined and not deprived of details, on the other - the voices sound a little lower in tone and a little slower. The dynamics turn out to be good, but only up to a certain limit - in fast and large-scale works, after a certain limit, the sound loses its harmony and expressiveness, and detail decreases, especially at the upper frequencies.