DH labs Cables/Interconnects

I've been using the BL-1s in my system for a couple years now, and after comparing them to some of the best around I can say without hesitation they're an outstanding value. They might not offer quite the fullness of tone and harmonics of the high-buck interconnects and the upper frequencies can sometimes get a little smeared, but their transient speed, dynamics, transparency and detail are up there with the best. I think this is due to DH Labs' effective use of silver along with copper in their design, and they can make even top copper-only cables seem a little thick and slow by comparison. If you have a bright system or are looking for an overly lush midrange these might not be appropriate, but if you're after a neutral and detailed presentation these should be near the top of your list and could save you a bundle. Best of luck.

Tim

I was using the Q-10 internal bi-wire for my HT fronts, now for the center and surrounds since re-integrating my two channel w/ht. The Q-10 is a very good performer for the price. Its open, detailed, extended, sounds fast, and yet is quite refined sounding for a cable at its price point. Response is flat with a relatively neutral sound, neither to bright or to warm. I also have Transparent Ultra XLs on my mains, and used to use Transparent Super on my center. The Q-10 is a little more open then the Super, although somewhat leaner sounding, but no less detailed or capable. I also tried Audioquest Granite and LAT International's top bi-wire cable. Neither one peformed at the same level, and both cost more.

Thank you Sc53 for the info. Looks like you have a very high end system. Your endorsement of these cables especially having had the capacity to compare them to your other brand name cables, is noteworty. -- Jay.

Hi I've been using both the BL-1 Series II and Air Matrix interconnects for several months now in various parts of 3 different systems, side by side with my other "boutique" and much more expensive cables and think they perform very, very well--esp. for the price! Recently I acquired a custom-assembled biwire set of their new Q-10 speaker cables and although I did not like them as well as my Transparent Ultra XL speaker cables on my upstairs system (ARC CA-50 tube integrated, Electrocompaniet EMC-1 CD player, and Proac Response 1SC minimonitors w/REL Storm III sub), they sounded as good as the Transparent Reference cables I use on my downstairs, much bigger system (ARC VT100 Mk III, BAT VK30SE preamp, Marantz SA-1 SACD player, Genesis 500 speakers). I don't know why they sounded better on my bigger system, where they replaced better cables. The Q-10's are still breaking in so this is just a preliminary report! I also purchased a DH Labs digital coax cable for my DVD player (used in a separate, small-scale HT system) and like it very much as well. So I'm a big fan of DH-Labs and think it is well worth a try before you go off experimenting with mega-bucks cables. Jeff Delman of Value Audio (he advertises on this site) made and sold me most of my DH Labs stuff, he offers meticulous hand-crafted custom assembly of the cables and free shipping. But these cables are also available used or in auctions on this site as well.