As previously mentioned, I replaced the 1.5m Pangea Premier SE with the 1.5m Pangea XL, the presentation is much more intimate. I find my body grooving to the music: PRAT. Now, some 50 hours of play time later, I am blown away (especially for $150!). So far, every redbook CD I played I am much much closer to the actual recording: singers and instruments are extremely palpable and when recorded, bass, drums, and piano are very authoritative. https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGDCPXL&variation=1.5 |
I replaced the 1.5m Pangea with the 1.5m Pangea XL a couple hours ago. Obviously 'some' break in is needed, but, in short, the presentation is much more intimate. I find my body grooving to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band "Better Days"
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@tomic601
Thanks. I checked, it's ~ a 12 YO design. I wouldn't think it would compare to newer designs/materials |
The NOS Nordost Siler Shadow can sometimes be found for <$150 and is a fantastic sounding SPDIF spec cable.
@buff a dealer on this site has them from time to time and is a great guy.
no affiliate, just happy customer |
@auxinput
Thanks for your input.
When I called Audio Advisor to order the XL I spoke with Joe, who was surprised that I preferred the 1.5m to the 1.0m. He believes the 1.0 is better. In terms of pinpoint imaging it was, but it lacked the grounded nature of the 1.5m
Wish I could buy more expensive versions just to hear how much better spending 2-5Xs as much will be. I read a 6moons review that compared the reviewers coax (forget whose) to both WireWorld Silver and Gold, the Gold being considerably more expensive, but he appreciated the improvement
Unfortunately, my Oppo 105 only as one coax out, so I can’t simply switch between 2 |
I haven't really used 1.5M cables, but the longer 2M cables are always superior to the short 1M cables (just search for "digital reflection on short cable").
Pangea makes decent stuff, but it's not the overall best. The Pangea cables I have tested are pretty good, but can come across just a bit dull when compared to better cables.
I don't actually know how the "Pangea Premier XL" is going to compare with the DH Labs D-750. They are both coax RG-6 type 18awg silver-plated solid-core copper with foamed PE insulation. The DH Labs is $50 more expensive. I've tested the DH Labs and it's quite a good cable for the money. I actually really liked the D-750, but ultimately there are better cables (but obviously much more expensive).
The more expensive Nordost cables, such as Heimdall 2, are absolutely awsome, but your paying $800 for a 2M COAX.
The other cable that may be really good is Black Cat Cable, but I have never tested them.
I would not necessarily choose the Wire World digital cables because they are based on DLNA Helix design which uses multiple individual conductors for the cable. Their Platinum COAX is advertised as 22awg, but uses 4 conductors that are essentially 28awg each.
Smaller conductors just don't have enough "oomph" for bass/midbass power, even if there are multiple conductors. The Pangea and DH Labs are 18awg solid-core. The Nordost Heimdall 2 is 20 awg solid-core. I don't think I would go smaller than this and I would always choose solid-core designs.
I have tested 24awg solid-core digital COAX cables and they are okay, but just don't have the openness and "oomph" for bass/midbass.
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The 1.5 performed much better, but how many hours of break-in before it really comes on song? Last night was day 6 of connection, but maybe 10 hours of actual play time. I listened to Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, followed by Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time (I have owned them both for ~10 years): they both sounded quantum levels better than they ever did, no matter whether I had an all tube system, or all SS with class AB amps. Cutting to the chase, ones digital connection could be why some have negative comments about class D OMG I see they also have a Premier XL $149 for 1.5m, so I’m ordering it now https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGDCPXL&variation=1.5 |
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To whomever mentioned 1.5m will sound better: THANK YOU!!!
Right out of the box it is solidly grounded: the music is more organic without losing the timber and tone of the 1.0m. It definitely plays bigger, more robust
Now, this begs the question; has anyone compared the WireWorld Series 7/8 coax (1.5m MSRP $300), or the DHLabs 1.5m is $200. Hrrd to imagine they could be 3-5xs better than the Pangea
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I installed the Pangea 1.0M late yesterday. Some of the improvements were immediate; much better separation of singers/instruments, deeper sound stage, better bass impact. Over several hours this improved as well as timber and tone, and location of instruments and backup singers on a much more believable stage.
CSN, which I have owned for 3+ decades was a perfect example of how amazing this cable is. Each voice was considerably more distinct from each other, and easy to tell whether it was Crosby or Nash; Stills sang mostly harmony until the last cut. New Favorite is a much better recording with similar distinctions
How much better can the multi-hundred dollar coax cables be? Best $49.95 I've spent, well maybe the Machina Dynamica NEW Dark Matter applied to the CD tray. This is a must for CDs
I ordered the 1.5M yesterday (only $10 more). It takes 3 days to get here, so I will have a couple days playtime should there be more break in. Which begs the question, what is approximate hours needed before coax breaks in? |
Tweek1,
Yes I do. I really like this dac (with optional power supply)! |
My life is so simple. I just buy the appropriate Cardas cable that I can afford. ;) Just bought their cheap digital RCA one, for my somewhat experimental network bridge I have built.
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@boxer12
Interesting. Do you also have the PS 5? It took me about 6 months to locate one. It is well worth the price. If you need on contact Peter M direct
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Well, I’m in the same area code as they are so If I ever find myself in need of one of their cables, it shouldn’t be too hard to simply call them up. 👍
I still have one that Tony Minasian made for me some years back (he's a recording engineer) so I'll have to see where I stashed that one.
All the best,
Nonoise |
@nonoise
IME, studio engineers would make their own cables. And yes, every cable is measured to the inch.
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I also have the DDP-1 DAC & a PD65 CD Player (used as a transport). Like you, I tried both optical & coax & prefer coax. I'm using a Nordost Silver Shadow & like it a lot. Going to the Nordost from an entry level Audioquest coax cable was a nice jump in performance. Never tried the Requisite but trust Nonoise in that it's a very good digital cable as well. |
That's too bad considering they seem to make a great cable. |
Requisite is working on a store. Right now their commerce is stuck in the 90's for little guys.
Good luck in getting a price with shipping so you can send them a check. |
I read on some other site where an engineer who uses solely coax with his company found out that just one additional foot would throw all the measurements off, very badly, depending on the placement and use. They always measured everything they installed and didn't just trust that the cable was well made.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Thanks so much. I never would have thought longer than 1.0M would actually sound better
Ill be checking your links out
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A while back, Audio Bacon did a review of a bunch of coax cables and rated them. When he got to the Requisite Audio cable, he thought it was somewhere in the $500 dollar range and it turned out to be about $55. That was the copper/silver cable and they have a pure silver cable for about $40 more. http://requisiteaudio.com/studio-cables/ Requisite Audio makes cables and equipment for the recording industry and will sell to audiophiles as well. Here’s the Audio Bacon review as well: https://audiobacon.net/2018/08/11/the-audiophiles-short-list-the-best-digital-coaxial-cables/ It’s from a few years ago but is still relevant. There's a quick way to get to a particular cable review by going to the list he has and clicking on the one you want to read about without reading the whole thing as it's about 9 pages long. All the best, Nonoise |
