John,
You're right, I may have over reacted a bit. When I think $15k, I think SOTA CDP, pre-amp, amp or very nice speakers not wire. But hey, that's just my bias! |
Budburma,
I would say that the cryoing I did made little or no difference. Again, I bought the cables as an experiment so I did the cryo thing. I checked with Steve to make sure that cryoing was OK from a damage stand point. He suggested that additional treatment probably wouldn't make much difference and he was right. |
Bobf,
When good systems and cables reveal crappy recordings. That's why I stick to crappy systems and cables and good recordings 8^). |
Jmcgrogan,
My experience with the Gabriels is that they don't require the long break-in periods of some other ICs out there. Maybe 40 hours or even less compared to 100-200 hours that many other cables require. Perhaps other owners will post their break-in experience with these cables. |
I purchased a balanced pair at auction about a year ago as an experiment. IMO: They are excellent ICs and are well worth what I paid for them. I have recommended them several times on Audiogon threads for their high price to performance ratio.
PS: I believe speaker cables are available but I haven't heard them. |
Budburma,
I actually broke mine in twice, originally when I purchased them and then after double cryoing by Cryogenics International. Also, my pair are balanced, don't know whether that has any bearing. |
Good thread. I'm interested in hearing some opinions on the Gabriel speaker cables. Anyone using them? |
I'm going to have a Revelation vs Revelation shoot-out at the OK Corral. I'm currently using balanced Virtual Dynamics (version 1) ICs and Steve has just sent out a pair of balanced Gabriel Revelation ICs. I have tried the GGs and liked them. We'll see what happens! |
Put in my new Gabriel Revelations last night. Right out of the box, just a hair closed in and bass, while there, was a bit fuzzy. These are just preliminary impressions that don't really mean much at this point, just thought I'd report. I have owned the Gabriel Golds and liked them a lot but I've been using Virtual Dynamics Revelation v1 with great satisfaction for about a year now. All the cables mentioned were balanced. I'll try to get back to this thread after the Gabriels get more time, maybe a week or two.
BTW: I really enjoyed dealing with Steve B. |
I want to clarify my statement about the Gabriel being a hair closed in and bass a bit fuzzy.
1. This was my impression of the cable right out of the box.
2. The qualities I was describing were extremely slight.
3. This was my impression compared to the well broken-in VD Revelation.
4. In retrospect it was such a worthless statement that perhaps I shouldn't have made it. My apologies.
On a more postiteve note,the Gabriel Revelations have been in my system for two days now and are opening quite nicely and the bass has gained definition. |
Mahler259,
I agree that the GG Revelations are a great product. Everything is presented with a natural balanced ease. Bass is quite spectacular and the treble sings without being overly aggressive or harsh. IMO: the price to performance ratio is off the charts.
Did I mention that I really like these cables? Hats off to Mr. Brunelle for designing and producing a marvelous product!!! |
Gentlemen,
How about a bit more feedback on the speaker cables. Thanks! |
Yes, I've owned the Extremes and received my Revelations a couple of weeks ago. Now thinking about a speaker cable purchase. Seems there aren't as many out there as the ICs. But what I've heard about the speaker cables has been positive. |
Got a brand new bi-wire set of Revelation speaker cables burning-in as I type this.
After just a few hours they sound very good but the suggested burn-in time is 250-300 hours (note from Steve) so we shall see what extended use brings to the sonic table.
|
The Gabriels have dropped from sight. No ads recently. Nothing for sale. Anyone know what's happening? |
Jimman,
I'm not sure they have a website although I certainly could be wrong. Most sales are handled through Audiogon from user name: sts. I think you'll find some information there and of course you can e-mail Steve for more info. |
How would you Rapture owners characterize the difference between them and the Revelations? If there is a sonic difference is it a significant difference and is it worth the additional cost? I know this is all subjective but I'd like to hear your opinions. I'm currently using the Revelation balanced ICs and bi-wire speaker cables. |
Steve sent out some balanced Raptures to try on Friday so I will soon know what you guys are talking about. If they are as good as you say, they might not be going back! |
Audioforever,
Received Raptures today and they are in my system. I don't know if they are brand new or not so will let them burn-in a while. I'll try to post my impressions in a day or two. Real nice of Steve to let me check them out.
BTW: I've owned the original Gabriel Gold and currently using the GG Revelation XLR ICs. Also using bi-wire GG Revelation speaker cables. |
Audioforever,
Just received an e-mail from Steve. He says break-in time on the Raptures is 250-300 hours. |
This may sound a bit weird but I had eye surgery last Thursday. I think they are very, very dark blue or black. They look better than the Revelations to me. |
Well they've been playing for a couple of days now. So far they are sounding quite fine. I was afraid this would happen, now I've got to figure a way to scrape together the scratch so I don't have to send these back! |
I don't feel equipped to describe sound (mostly from lack of experience) but short of clapping two stones together and just declaring "me like!!!", I'll try. The impression I get listening to the Raptures is "solidity with finesse" meaning there is very solid and impactful bass foundation married to delicate defined treble information. Because I am very sensitive to a bright, harsh, edgy, irritating high end I will reject any cable or component that exhibits it. A system that possesses this quality, as mine does to a slight degree, demands an IC that does not accentuate it. However, this quality seems to be more software dependent in my system and while many excellent CDs are problem free in this regard, many more are IMO problematic. It would be great if a cable would attenuate this quality but then I suspect it would not be accurate in the treble.
I'm always hesitant to declare anything the "best" but I do believe the Rapture is the "best" IC I have had in my system. I don't feel that the Rapture is a "huge" improvement over the Revelation but I believe it possesses significant sonic benefits. Whether the benefits are worth the price difference between the Revelation and Rapture will vary with each system and owners priorities but for me, I believe the Raptures are priced fairly for the high level of performance they are capable of delivering, especially considering the prices of cables that would compete at this level. I would encourage anyone who is considering ICs in this price range or even significantly higher, to audition the GG Rapture. You may be very pleasantly surprised!
My most recent ICs were the Gabriel Gold, the GG Revelation and the Virtual Dynamics Revelation v.1, all balanced. Before those listed I used several highly regarded balanced silver cables which led me to the conclusion that I do not care for the sonic "signature" of silver.
Because I alternate between two CDPs that connect direct to my amp (EAR ACUTE and Wadia 270SE & 27i) I use only one set of ICs. The Wadias are connected with a VD Revelation Signature balanced digital cable and Aural Symphonics Optimism v.2 AT&T.
My speaker cables are bi-wire GG Revelations which replaced VD Revelation v.1 b-w which is a fine cable but extremely stiff and heavy. I was initially concerned about the gauge of the GG Revelation speaker cables being adequate but that concern has proven to be meaningless. All my PCs are VD Master v.3. |
Well Budburma, I don't think the Raptures and Revelations exhibited the differences in my system that they did in yours. To me they were different but not dramatically so. This is probably due to differences in our systems. Frankly, I could live with either one with no problem. |
Bobf & Budburma,
I think the Raptures are exceptional ICs. Hopefully I didn't imply that they were anything but. However, the differences they exhibited in my system just didn't seem to be as dramatic as you two experienced. In my system the differences were more subtle.
The Revelation ICs have been in my system for about a year while the Raptures (which I think were brand new) were in for 2 weeks. Could there be a break-in issue? Steve did say 250-300 hours so I was just on the edge of that.
I've never been a sound-staging fanatic. The accuracy of the voices and instruments has always interested me more. And the never ending quest to attenuate or eliminate that nasty digital edge that too many CDs possess.
|
John,
There may not be a cure in cables but I have found that some cables "accentuate" these nasties. Actually "attenuate" may be more appropriate with "eliminate" being a poor word choice.
As far as vinyl is concerned it possesses a whole other set of unique problems and is by no means perfect.
Maybe someday someone will come up with "perfect sound forever"! Oh wait a minute, I guess they already did that.
Bottom line on the Gabriel Gold ICs though, they are very, very good and I enjoy using them. |
Emigene,
I don't believe Gabriel Cables has a web site. All business is done direct through Audiogon. Either purchase by auction or contact Steve direct through one of his ads here. |
One problem in comparing these is that we should know the approximate date they were made. For instance, I'm not sure the earlier Raptures are or sound exactly the same as more current Raptures. Hate to throw cold water on this discussion but this was alluded to in a conversation with Steve.
My assumption (emphasize "assumption") is that an early Rapture may be closer to a recent Rev mk2 because the Rapture has changed over time.
If I'm incorrect in this assumption perhaps Steve could step in to illuminate us. If I'm correct then comparisons must be qualified.
I do agree that the Gabriels are outstanding cables at their respective price points although I must admit that I've not heard them all.
Disclosure: I've owned original Extreme and currently using Rev mk1 xlr and 2 runs of Rev mk1 speaker cables. I have used early Raptures in my system for several weeks. |
My post was only meant to point out the fact that I think these cables are evolving in materials and design. No value judgment was intended, only that comparisons might be best weighted; i.e. an early Rapture may not be the same as a current one for instance.
Frankly, I have not heard a Gabriel cable that I would term "bad" or "mediocre". I fully intend to purchase a pair of balanced Raptures in the future if possible.
|
Agree or disagree, I always enjoy reading Johns take on things audio. He does have a way of expressing exactly what his thoughts are and I find that refreshing. |
Bobf,
I hate when that happens 8^). |
Enter Gabriel in the Audiogon search and one of Steves ads should come up. You will find it there. |
I think if you own $15k ICs, there has to be a predetermined level of bias that would affect the objectivity of this comparison. Here's a real case for a blind test.
Who would want to admit that their $15k ICs sound the same as a pair of $2K ICs or worse, not as good? And, even if the $15k ICs sounded marginally better how could you rationalize a $13k price difference? I don't usually make value judgements or criticize others choices but isn't $15K for a pair of ICs bordering on obscene? How good can they be?
No ones claiming the Gabriels are the absolutely "best" ICs out there but they are damn good for the money! |
I rarely criticize the buying decisions of others because, frankly, it's none of my business what someone else does with their money.
It's not quite fair of me to accuse this person of bias either. It just seemed like there was potential for bias in this situation, but hey, I'll admit I could be wrong. |
A few years back I had a set of Virtual Dynamics Revelation bi-wire speaker cables. You will need Tarzan to come over to help wrestle the gargantuan pythons into submission! Broke a speaker terminal first time I tried them. Can get frustrating.
XLR terminal in my DAC is loose from a 1.5m balanced VD Revelation Signature digital IC even though supported by 2 bungies (weighed 8 lbs). Also had a pair of balanced VD Revelation ICs. Warning; don't let your components be their sole support!
I came to the conclusion that, although the stuff sounds pretty good, it's just not worth the effort. Unless of course you need a workout 8^).
Compare this to ease of use of so many other fine sounding cables! |
Bob,
The problems always start when Tarzan brings Cheetah 8^). |
Thanks Philjolet,
I'm looking forward to the new offerings. I was concerned that something negative had happened. |
Jc4659,
Looking forward to your comments on the Rapture. |
Hififan61,
I don't believe he has a net site. He sells mainly through Audiogon under the user name: Sts. Search Gabriel and his ads will come up. |
Thanks Budburma, I'll check it out. |
I await reports on the new Reflection ICs. Should be interesting! |
Budburma,
Thanks for the report. I had an opportunity to audition these but unfortunately Steve only had RCAs available and I use XLRs. 8^( |
Personally, I'd go for the IC before the PC. |
