Gold interconnect comparison help

Hi John...Yes. I'm in the process of burning it in.

Opus88,

Just caught this one too, thank you for your kind words. I'm curious; have you received the GA-0 interconnects w/Topline connectors back yet? That is a great little cable, I think you'll enjoy it.

Best,
John

I've been reading through this and other threads that have discussed the virtues of mainly the more popular gold based cables. Even among these, there are significant price differences. And it would seem, as some others have previously pointed out that quite often prices have little to do with the kinds of performance attributes that listeners find the most desirable or appealing. I've keenly realized this myself in the past several months by auditioning a number of cables. For example, I'll say only that I had a very pleasant experience with Audio Metallurgy's relatively inexpensive GA-0 interconnect, fitted with Nextgen Midline connectors. I'm waiting to receive a pair with the Topline connectors. I also listened to the Jade Hybrid ic, which cost nearly ten times the amount of the GA-0. IMHO the Jade had a number of extremely fine qualities. However, I did not find it anywhere near ten times better than the GA-0. In fact, I'll just say that by comparison, the GA-0 acquitted itself most commendably. I've also been hearing John Prator's Silkworm+, which I had fitted with Eichmann copper bullet plugs. Pricewise, it falls in between the GA-0 and the Jade Hybrid, but is closer to the former. I would like to take the opportunity here, as some others have, to add my two cents about this product. First, I will say that so far I have had it run in for about 350 hours. What makes it stand out for me is its ability to render various tonal shades, shifts in timing and manner of expressiveness of instruments and instrumentalists with the sort of beauty and musicality that causes me smile and shake my head. I also find its presentation avoids a tendency toward the analytical, and simply allows the music to flow with ease, openness and even elegance if it's in the mix. Especially noteworthy is the very significant minimization of unpleasant artifacts(mainly brightness)at macrodynamic levels, so that what I hear is reminiscent of being at a live orchestral concert. Throughout the entire sound spectrum hi fi-ishness or atificiality is foreign to the Silkworm+. The degree of naturalness is ear opening. I detected nothing untoward as well with separation and location of instruments, stage width, depth or height, which are all quite important to me as a listener of orchestral music. Further, I consider top and bottom end performance to be quite exemplary. I feel delighted too with the rendering of realistic warmth in the lower strings, and the reproduction of the orchestra's power instruments....All in all, I have every reason to feel the charms of the Silkworm+ will continue to unfold as things move on. If you haven't done so already, I recommend you invite this marvelous cable into your home. Not only do I consider it a superb instrument, but also feel its creator, John Prator, is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He impresses as a very likeable fellow, with a most engaging sense of humor. I'm confident he'll be very pleased to communicate with you, and I daresay there's a very good chance you'll be quite pleased with what he will offer you for your musical enjoyment.

Mr Tennis - To add to JaFox's comments... I would not recommend JD's more expensive cables (the Hybrids) to someone with a modest system, however, better cables do make a helluva difference in highly resolving systems with higher end components. Better systems deserve better cables to bring out their full potential.

I'm sold on Jade Hybrids... the difference in sound quality coming out of my system was a dramatic leap forward. The Hybrids sound much better than my Purist Venustas, and the Venustas is a good cable.

i doubt one could detect the difference between pure gold and pure copper, assuming connectors and all other materials were the same.

This is exactly the case with Jade Audio cables. JD uses the same manufacturing process in all his models for insulating the lines, wrapping them in the jacket and terminating to the connectors. Provided the listener compares all Jade models with the premium connector as standard on the Hybrid, the only difference between the Gold, Vermeil and Hybrid models is the wire material itself. And the sonic differences between these 3 models is significant in frequency extreme levels AND portrayal of space.

Mr Tennis, before you doubt any more what many of us have experienced with this product line, contact JD to hear these differences for yourself.

i own one pair of pure gold interconnects and have auditioned another pair of gold interconnects as well as a pure gold speaker cable.

each cable had a d a different presentation, which suggests that there is no unique sound to gold.

i doubt one could detect the difference between pure gold and pure copper, assuming connectors and all other materials were the same.

Congrats, I'm glad that you enjoy them. IME, the Hybrid did not change as much on burn in as the Vermeil did. The Vermeil changed dramatically after about 100 hours, possibly due to the plating, I'm not sure.
As I recall, the Hybrid did not change nearly as much. I would say that you get 90-95% performance right away, with a slight improvement after 100-150 hours, mostly in just subtle nuances and hues.

Cheers,
John

Okay... the Jade Hybrids have been burning-in since last night, and already the difference in my system is very noticeable. Big improvement in dynamics, clarity, decay. I know it sounds like a cliche, but I'm hearing things I've never heard before. The haze is gone and the sound is more natural and life-like. I was a bit skeptical that spending thousands of dollars for an interconnect was worthwhile, but I can say these babies are outstanding performers.

Does anyone know how long it will take before they are fully burned-in? It's kind of hard to believe they can get much better.

Congrats Paul!! You'll have to let us know what you think after the Hybrids have burned in.

Cheers,
John

John - Thanks for your input. I just placed an order with JD for two of his Hybrid IC's with RCA's. Should be a huge upgrade over my Nordost Blue Heaven and another no name cable. I anxiously await their arrival!

Wow, what a great response from John on the two cables. My Hybrid vs. Indra observations were parallel to John's Hybrid vs. Rapture. If the Hybrid had just a tiny bit more energy in the highest of the highs, I would consider it flawless....well of course until the Hybrid Mk II came out! 8-) And as John points out, it is very easy to bail out of the cable changing game once one of these lands in your system.

Pdreher, I am using a ARC Ref 3 and a BAT VK-75SE modified by Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign running fully balanced with my Verity PE's, not PO's.

As for my opinion, both cables are terrific, and bargains at their price point. The Rapture had better attack of the note, which gave it a stunning clarity quality, especially noticeable on percussion. The Hybrid had a more natural decay of the note, which created a deeper, more 3-D stage, which better allowed me to hear the size of the recording venue.

Tonally, they were both on the slightly warm side of neutral, with the Hybrid being a bit warmer, and the Rapture a bit closer to neutral. The slightly warmer Hybrid gave brass a wonderful burnish hue sound which sounded more accurate to me, but again, the clarity/speed of the Rapture made percussion sound more real.

Just for comparisons sake, I would say the Hybrid sounded closer to the PAD Dominus camp, while the Rapture sounded closer to a Stealth Indra. Two very different sounding cables that will both sound great with the right gear, and may even sound best when combined together someway.

As a note: I never listened to the Rapture throughout, since I run fully balanced and Gary (Glory) does not. I compared these two cables between my Walker Signature phono stage and my ARC Ref 3 preamp. I was still running through a 2 meter balanced Hybrid from preamp to amp with both cables.

Bottom line, both cables had stunning qualities. The Rapture is certainly much better than the previous GG cables I have heard (Extreme and Revelation). I could live happily with either cable, and not look back. I found myself amazed at how two cables could sound so different and yet sound so damn good. It left me scrathing my head I must admit. That's my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
John

Glory & Jmcgrogan2...

What was the final verdict in your cable swapping comparison between the Jade Hybrid & the GG Rapture?

Jmcgrogan - what amp & preamp are you using with your Verity PO's
Also, where you balanced or single ended?

how much the SRP? Worth the diff? How do you compare the antipode gold and jade hybrid? Thx

I just received a pre-production version of the Antipodes Reference from Mark to compare to my Antipodes Gold. More money, but more everything, particularly lower noise floor, more PRAT and dynamics. I remember the Jade Hybrid and the Antipodes Gold being close but different, but the Reference is definitely a step up on my Golds. It would be good to have some Hybrids here to compare them with. Not sure when it hits the market though, and I have to send these pre-pros back next week dammit.

Darealjaydee, yes its the discontinued one. sure i might check on that one. or maybe 1/2m rapture

milen007 are you comparing the KCI with the discontinued Gabriel Gold Revelation?
The original is an excellent cable,however,the MK 2 is much better.
check it out if you can
jd

just finished comparing the KCI silkworm and GG rev in my system:

cdp cyrus 8x with psr
pre amc cvt 1030
amp amc cvt 2100
belden diy PC
lessloss PC
few diy shielded and unshielded PC
audio art ic-3
gabriel gold Rev
kci silkworm
xindak fs gold
spendor s 3/5

the opinion below is strictly my own opinion with my limited experience in hifi.

both cables are exceptional cables with huge clarity, details and can be easily live with.

the differences are:
KCI silkworm appear faster with slightly more dynamic and slightly better soundstage. i prefer kci when listening to instrument music, orchestra, etc

GG Rev has vocal to die for that kci cant compare. i prefer this cable when listening to vocal, jazz, etc

both cable have to be arrange such that GG rev from cdp to pre, and silkworm from pre to amp to give the best sound, dynamic and details. very quiet and huge soundstage.

if the other way around, they sound noisier, maybe to much decay of the instrument or something. but still maintaining the same details and soundstage.

Hi-I've listened to and have owned every Gabriel Gold cable created to date.
I presently use Rapture interconnects,speaker wire and AC cords.
Early on even with the original GG Extreme I knew Steve was on to something special and his designs continue to baffle me me with each new offering.

Steve does not rest upon his past accomplishments and continues to "bring your music to greater heights"

If Steve ever decided to go "BIG" with ad campaigns,distributors,etc I really believe he would have not only the best cables available,but most likely one of the best selling and most popular cables you could buy.

Steve's passion is design and performance with every cable being beautifully built by Steve himself.

Not a flavor of the month product.
He should have a cable come out called the "Evolution" because in my experience I have seen these cables evolve from a giant killer(Extreme) to perhaps the best the industry offers with the Rapture.

I'm sure it won't end there
keep it up
Bobf

posted by Glory
"I have the Rev. MK2 and I will tell you it is many steps up from the first version. I don't know what Steve did to it but it is worth seeking out."

is many steps up 10% ????

10% in audio math must equal it easily sounds a lot better and it's worth it.

glory it appears that you are doing a very thorough evaluation and my hats off to you.
Let's not forget that the Revelation MK 1/MK 2 is 1/2 the price of the GG Rapture and Jade Hybrid.If after further evaluation you find that the Revelation MK 2 out performs the original Revelation by 10% than thats a big difference in my opinion.10% in the world of audio is a HUGE number as most members will agree.Also the price for the MK 2 remains the same as the original Revelation.In todays economy how often do you get improved performance,design and appearance without a price increase. When considering the long list of big dollar cables the Revelation has replaced in members systems it is my opinion that the Revelation MK 2 sets the bar very high and are still tough to beat.Certainly if you have the extra thousand bucks go for the Rapture or maybe even the Hybrid as these cables most likely are 2 of the best even if you have no limits to your budget.
good job I look forward to your additional thoughts on the Revelation vs Revelation MK 2
JD

77,

Jade/Hybrid

With respect and honor to all those who have found, heard and bought this wonderful sounding cable. From top to bottom it is a world class cable.

The GG Rev. MK1/2 is not in the same leauge as the GG Rapture or Jade Hybrid.

I just got done with a A/B session with the GG Rev. MK2 and the GG Rapture. The Rapture kicks the living snot out of the Rev.2. My friend has the Rev. MK1 and if Steve lets me have the Rev.2 a few more days I will report back on the difference between the two. I would say the Rev.2 is 10% better than the Rev.1. I will report back on these thoughts after I grab the MK1. I still think the Rev. MK2, with it's wider fuller soundstage is a giant killer and should be pursued by all who can find it.

The Rapture is 30% better than the Rev. MK2. It has transformed my system in such a way that it is intoxicating at times. After listening to the Rev.2 and installing the Rapture I threw my notes down and enjoyed the ride.

Thanks Steve (Gabriel Gold) for all your hard work and for your dedication to this hobby. Keep on kicking butt and show those big bad ass cable companies you don't have to charge BIG $$$$$$$ for world class cables.

The J/H was, in my mind,a truly eye/ear opener as it brought out the best in my system. After Jmcgrogan2 gets done with the Rapture we will report back to all those who are interested in our findings on the two cables.

If Jmcgrogan2, in some way, thinks the GG/R sucks than all we GG fans need to allow him to express what he hears and not go into the trip about the break in hours on the Rapture. I have a cable cooker. =8^)

This is a fun hobby and it's members like John that are keeping it that way.

Happy tunes to all,
Gary

Wow, the Jade Hybrid is getting respect from a GG owner? I'm shocked! ;-) I'm actually very interested in hearing John's verdict about the Jade Hybrid vs. GG Rapture.

Tomer

John, have you tried the GG Revelation 2?

I'm just enjoying my first listen with the GG Rapture (thanks Gary), and I agree with Glory completely, it is in an entirely different league than the GG Revelation. By far Steve's best effort to date, and a fabulous cable.

Later this week I will do a A/B between the Rapture and the Hybrid, once I've gotten to know the Rapture a little better.

Cheers,
John

just got a pair a Gabriel Gold Intuition interconnects
I was bidding on the Revelation MK 2 but lost out.
The Intuition cables are really nice. My gut feeling leaves me thinking that they are even better than the original Revelation.The Intuition got a big warm stage with all the detail and bass that the Revelation had.member Glory's opinion that the Revelation MK 2 is many steps up from the original Revelation may just be on the money.If the Intuition is this good I have to check out the MK 2's for myself.

with the Gabriel Gold Revelation being discontinued and with the NEW Rev.MK 2 out now there are good deals to be had on the original,but,it sounds like the MK 2 is a much improved cable.
If you A-B the Revelation against the Silkworm it would be nice to know your findings.
A better comparison would be the MK 2 against the Silkworm as members who have both claim it is no contest.The MK 2 is in a different league.
I still think the original Revelation is a great cable though as is the other cables mentioned in this thread.
Sounds like you have the right combination using one of each.
Resolution and warmth
cool,
JD

I would like to try jade vermeil but never found used jade cable for sale. Is this mean everyone is so satisfied with jade that none willing to sale. OR jade sold in just small amount. Comment?

Just got my KCI silkworm. Been running awhile. So far so good. With combination of GG rev and silkworm , my system sound so musical and transparent that I'm reluctant to AB them.

glory -- are you saying that the GG Rapture and the Jade Hybrid are in the same league and that the new GG Rev. MK 2
smokes the original Revelation?
Considering the original Revelation is still a giant killer that says a lot for the Rapture,Rev MK 2 and the Jade.
I have GG Raptures in my main system and sold off my 2nd system which includes some GG Revelations(which sold in a day)When I settle in after my move I plan on checking out the Rev.MK 2's.
Could you add any additional info regarding the improvements you found in the MK 2 over the original Revelations
thanks,
JD

Let me get this out the way first. John at KCI is one of the nicest people you will deal with in life let alone in our hobby. His "Silkworm" IC is the most natural sounding cable I have ever experianced. Period. I have no experiance with the others mentioned. I have no need to. I'm enjoying music more now than ever and to me that's what it's all about. Peace and Good Listening to all.

All you GG owners that talk about burn in time need to let that one go.

I have on trial the Jade H vs. the GG R. (I own )

I have had the GG Rev. MK1 and in no way( even with 10,000 hrs ) does it compare withe the J/H.

The RR/G and J/H are in the same league and they are fun to A/B. My wife has made her decision on which one she prefers.

I have the Rev. MK2 and I will tell you it is many steps up from the first version. I don't know what Steve did to it but it is worth seeking out.

I will keep you posted on my finding with the J/H vs. GG/R.

I will say this that the J/H is a heck of a cable and I am enjoying my time with it.

Of the gold ICs mentioned, I've only had the KCI Silkworms in my system - 0.5M XLR between DAC and active linestage. Synergy is everything and, unfortunately, completely system-specific. For me, the Silkworms are keepers as the first analog wires in the signal chain. Just the right balance of warmth and detail with Ridge Street Poiemas between linestage and amps and Ridge Street Alethia loudspeaker cables. I've no desire to further experiment with cables.

i would like to add to my previous post about my initial impression about gabriel gold revelation ic. i make a wrong claim saying gg is harsh in my systems. i later found out its caused by the quicksilver contact enhancer that i applied to the tubes pins. today i just change the tubes to telefunken 12ax7 with no enhancer, just cleaning the pins with contact cleaner. sound dull at first which then open up very nice after few hours of running. so GG revelation is rave in my system. kuddos to the designer, well done, steve.

Electro77, thanks for the inputs, that cable looks good.

Well if it's lush you're looking for, you should check out the Jungson Golden Dragon interconnects from Stewart at Weekend Environments. I think they are gold plated copper... Very rich midrange, quite a bit more than the Gabriel Gold, Jade, and KCI cables, IMHO... In my experience they were intoxicating at first, but in the end I preferred a more open midrange presentation.

Tomer

Milen007 - Rather than speculate, why not read the information on the Jade site for yourself and then contact JD there for further information.

how bout jade vermeil? i think they are alloy as well, not sure the composition tho.

my intention is actually try to get some sore of idea in the IC characteristic that price below $1000 and particularly IC that contain gold. So alloy might be fit.

with the added gold in the IC construction may bring some sort of characteristic to the sonic which I like.

I prefer lush sound (tube sound), which of the above IC mention above has this kind of character?

The initial thread was titled "gold ic comparison" so technically the Gabriel may not belong in the discussion. There is a family of gold alloy cables where Gabriel probably belongs with others such as Siltech.

rja I stand corrected according to Steve there is still a small amount of copper in the mix with the Gabriel Rapture and Revelation MK 2 but the percentages of Gold and Silver differ plus some platinum is added

You were correct
Jim

rja-you are correct.The Revelations are a Gold alloy with with silver and copper in the mix and a thick 24k gold plating.
Based on the description of the Revelation MK 2 and Rapture ,I don't think either of them use any copper at all.
Jim

One thing to keep in mind when comparing these cables. The Antipodes and KCI Silkworm are gold cables while the Gabriel Revelation is an alloy of gold, silver and copper. I believe the Gabriel Rapture also has some platinum added to the mix.

Milen007,
Tons of great advice has been given in your thread, the most important being that each system and set of ears is different so what you like another may not and vice versa. Even though I am a builder of one brand I believe all of the cables you mention are fantastic cables built by great vendors and you can't go wrong with any of them. Enjoy your search and most importantly don't let the search get out of hand!

John P.

any comments from Revelation MK 2 owners? as the Revelation is no longer current.
It's suppose to be much better and closer to the sound of the Rapture.
Milen from the description posted it sounds to me like the
Gabriel Gold Intuition might be more what you need.
The description makes it sound like it's a little warmed over.The KCI Silkworm is also another good choice.
Louder volume issues sound more like a room problem,have you tried or do you use any room treatment?
Jim

Hi Rja, my cable is ex-demo, so its well cooked :) according to Steve, he suggest 6-8 hrs run will give the best of the cable. i read somewhere in the threat that it will give the best of the cable if cooked regularly. but i dont have that pleasure as i am in Asia. you might try, think Steve will do it for you happily

Milen007,
Have you had your cables cooked? I have not but but I see that Steve is now recommending it. Perhaps we should both contact him to discuss this.

Rja, i did replace with my old IC but the harsh tone down, so hardly any harsh with old IC. BUT, less detail, less soundstage and less dynamic and all. two IC is actually different league, VDH D102 and GG rev, so no way to compare.

with GG there is no harsh when listening at slightly less than my normal listening volume, but getting fatigue once above my listening volume

i think it might be the systems that sounds harsh, thats why i do not blame the GG IC. I will still keep it as it really sound very good at slightly below my normal listening volume.

Havent got the chance to try GG rev on friend's systems (which is better system than mine)

Well, the word "harsh" actually fits my experience with the GG Revelations... Perhaps it was simply a system or room problem, but why should I spend mega bucks on a component upgrade which may or may not fix the problem when there are other cables out there that sound better in my system?

Interestingly, I looked it up and Revelation also means "God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures". Hmmm... Food for thought.

Tomer

Revelation = "to reveal,to remove the veil."
essentially hearing what's there for better or worse.
Got a system or a room problem you may just hear it now!
these cables are not tone controls.

Milen007,
Are you sure it's the GG Rev that's "a bit of harsh" in your system? Have you replaced the GG to make sure the "harsh" isn't present without them?
The word "harsh" just doesn't fit my experience with the GG Rev cables.

05-26-08: Milen007
I think all the cable is systems dependent. just swapping the PCs (OFC and silver coated copper) amongst the cdp, pre and amp do make it sound different. likewise when i swap IC between cdp and amp. all sound different. i think this hobby really need trial and errors.

Bingo! That's why much of this is pointless. Folks can tell you what THEY like in THEIR system to THEIR ears, but they CANNOT tell YOU what WILL sound best in YOUR system to YOUR ears. Afterall, we are not simply dealing with system synergy here, you have to allow for room interactions AND personal tastes vary too. Too many variables.

It's harder than telling someone what kind of wine they will like best, where only personal tastes are involved, no room/system interactions.

Cheers,
John