Comparisons -- low cost cable swing with big boys?


I am usually an advocate of "you get what you pay for" even with accessories and cables, but just inserted a low cost cable in my system that rivals and beats ones costing multiples, and wondering if my ears are playing tricks on me.

When I recently purchased Bob's Cinemag 1131 Step Up Transformer built for my Miyajima Premium Mono BE cartridge, on a whim I picked up one of Bob's vintage US interconnects (http://www.bobsdevices.com/cables.htm) thinking it might solve some grounding issues I was having. The new SUT solved the grounding issue so I moved the Bob's Devices U.S. vintage interconnect (.707 meter with cardas connectors) to run from my Herron VTPH-2 phono preamp to VAC preamp. In place of my Cardas Golden Reference, Bob's Devices humble $125 interconnect sounds better -- richer meatier harmonics, better extension, better articulation. So I compared it to my Harmonic Technology Magic Link 2. Same thing. I preferred the Bob's Devices interconnect. Only interconnect I own that beats it is my Audience Au24 (more resolving and faster).

Has anyone else tried this cable? Any impressions?

I went ahead and ordered two more of them in different lengths. I am usually pretty good at hearing subtle differences in interconnects and power cables etc., so my initial impressions are shock at what I'm hearing from such an affordable cable.
podeschi
Your ears (and everyone else's) are always playing tricks on you. Good ones and bad ones.
I bought Premium Analog RCA Cables from Monoprice.com and am dazzled at the sound quality in my lower level electronics from them, less than $5 for 6 ft. omg don't walk but run and get some of them. The XLR's are a huge dissapointment though.
Monoprice, that is the way to go. I've found some of their cables sound better then those costing $100 per foot.
The sonic effects of a cable are dependent to a significant degree on interactions between the technical characteristics of the cable and the technical characteristics of what the cable is connecting, in some ways that are technically predictable and in other ways that are inherently unpredictable. Examples could even be cited of tonal effects resulting from a given cable that in some circumstances can be technically predicted to be the exact opposite depending on what the cable is connecting.

Also, given the widely held belief that many cable effects cannot be explained based on generally recognized science, it follows that the point beyond which further improvement of some design parameters and design characteristics becomes overkill is not clearly knowable, even by the designers. Which in turn means that a significant fraction of the purchase price of some expensive cables may be paying for overkill of some design parameters and characteristics that will not provide sonic benefit in many, most, or all systems.

Therefore it can be expected that the correlation between cable price and cable performance will be far from perfect.

IMO.

Regards,
-- Al
Just ordered 2 more in 1 meter and 1.2 meter. This Vintage US Wire rocks -- high resolution, big soundstage, one dollop of warmth/presence in the mids.
Only interconnect I own that beats it is my Audience Au24 (more resolving and faster).

Just ordered 2 more in 1 meter and 1.2 meter. This Vintage US Wire rocks -- high resolution, big soundstage, one dollop of warmth/presence in the mids.
Sooo why not get more Audience?
I plan on getting more audience -- first speaker cables, then 3 more interconnects so everything can be run Audience 100%. I couldn't pass up getting some more Bob's Devices cables though..for recordings that have a bit of a bite and need 1/2 click to warm side, these US Vintage Cables do the trick for me. Its fun to have both....plan on selling all my Harmonic Technology and Cardas GR cabling.
Thank you Podeschi. I am the cable builder for Bob. We work in the same shop in close proximity. It is a privilege to watch Bob build his SUT's. The time, meticulous attention to detail, and testing serves to inspire me. I try to apply the same standards to our entry level thru our top solid crystal silver XLR's.

Christopher
Nicely done. Just listened to new Miyajima Zero cartridge thru Cinemag SUT. Amazing.