The Supra catalogue brings yet
more technobabble, I'm afraid, and is only slightly more accurate than usual.
Still, the actual cable is immaculately assembled. It consists of a pair of
conductors, each tubular (i.e. stranded around a non-conducting core), made of
silver-plated copper and insulated with polythene. An aluminium foil screen is
wrapped separatly about each conductor and the whole lot is embedded in
PVC. |
The conductors are connected in
pseudo-balanced mode with the screens connected at one end, and the plugs are
exceptionally rugged types with collet cable clamping (but soldered earth
connection) and a locking clamp to ensure a tight fit - use with care on cheap
sockets!
Sound Quality
This cable came out as an easy top choice in the group. Listening started with
some orchestral material, growing out of the 'cellos and basses and rising
through the orchestra to violins and solo trumpet. |
Right at the start this cable
was the most assured, with effortless low frequency extension but no lack of
detail. Possibly just the slightest hint of plumminess, but it's hard to be
sure. As other instruments joined in the sound never lost its focus and
control, and the bass was soon perfectly complemented by sweetness and detail
in the treble which again equalled or exceeded every other cable here.
Quite simply, if there are any drawbacks to this cable it's hard to find them.
Detail across the board is first-class and never at the expense of tonality or
dynamics: imaging is stable and precise at any level: the sound just has a
'rightness' that makes for relaxed long-term listening. |
Conclusion
Measurements give no obvious clues as to why this cable is so far out in front.
Its capacitance is highish but remarkably so. The tested length of 0.75m
presumeably gave it some advantage over the others (mostly 1m) but even so it's
clearly unusually capable and an obvious Best Buy.
|
