KCI Silkworm+ VS Gabriel Gold interconnects


Hi,
Has anyone of you compared KCI Silkworm+ (or the regular KCI Silkworm) performance against Gabriel Gold ICs (Rev2R or Rapture)?
I prefer life-like musical sounding, involving and engaging. I mainly listen to vocals, rich and smooth but not muddy. I love 3D soundstage with depth and great layering.
In addition, which one is more flexible and better build? So I could purchase shorter length and save my money.

I couldn't listen and do A/B comparison since I live in Asia, even their helpful return policies are not appealing because of high returning costs and quite a hassle. Therefore, I ask you guys for your thoughts and impressions over the sound quality and characteristics.
Both of them are well regarded ICs in Agon but I couldn't find direct shootout between them.

Hope you guys could help me.
Thanks for the input.
shinn_aj
What a great reply Arthur, thanks.

Would you mind to let me know which Gabriel you owned?

Price wise, I think Silkworm+ as KCI's top-of-the-line is quite a bargain & appealing since its price almost on the same level as Gabriel's Revelation R and below Gabriel's top cables, the Rapture (their Reflection line definitely not an option).

If yours were GG Rapture and Silkworm+ performs better in your system & to your ears, then it's obvious which the winner based on price-performance ratio. But, system synergy is the most important thing, I know that.

Unfortunately, their flexible trial periods and auditioning each one of them are not great idea since my country is a "leech" where every US$50 value of imported goods would get 20% customs and not to mention tax. Sending back & forth would make me broke in no time.

Thanks Arthur.
My ears agree with Arthur's. The combination of Silkworm+ interconnect and Purist Proteus Provectus tonearm cable in my system helps deliver the most natural/realistic sound I've ever heard from amplified music.
Hi Shinn,
The difference between the Silkworm and the GG Revelation: I found the Silkworm to sound a bit more natural and full in my system (tube amps and pre). I also hear a bit more of the frequency extremes with the Silkworms. Both the Silkworms and the GG's have excellent build quality. Regards and good luck with the decision. BTW the Silkworm + is the 4th pair of Silkworm I have purchased in one iteration or another.
Hello Shinn aj,

I wanted to chime in here to clarify a few things if I may. First off I'd like to say thank you for your interest in our cables, much appreciated. My hat is off to everyone participating in this thread; it's really nice to see a KCI vs GG vs Jade thread that is so fair and civil-thank you.

The changes made from the standard Silkworms to the Mk II were just a natural progression over time as we were able to acquire better components and improve our building techniques. A few things were changed such as larger more pure Teflon tubing and a second layer of insulation but the most important improvement was the much improved and much more robust strain relief, besides that there was really nothing earth shattering for the Mk II's honestly. As a side note; none of our cables only have techflex over just the conductors, they all have at least two different layers of insulation over the conductors before the techflex, which is just a protective covering, is applied.

The Silkworm+ came about as we wanted to improve on the standard Silkworm and hopefully be able to build a cable that would equal or even surpass our limited(and costly) Silkworm S.E. without such a high price tag. The "plus" uses all new Teflon, insulation, plugs and wire-pretty much a total redesign and has exceeded our expectations. Though the plus is larger in diameter it is still a comparatively(sp?) thin cable and very easy to manage which has always been one of our concerns.

The cables you are considering are all excellent cables IMO; Steve at GG does top notch, fantastic work and the Jades are no slouch either. Most of these cables will compete with the big guys cables costing much, much more and will offer you more "bang for your buck" so to speak.
I hope that I was able to clear up a few things for you and wish you the best in your search. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me anytime and I'd be happy to try my best to answer your questions. Have a great day!!

Sincerely,
John
KCI
I am late to the party in terms of discovering KCI silkworm cables. There are so many "homegrown" cables on the market today that are being touted as being great that I've tuned out the hype and stayed away from auditioning any of them. I only tried KCI cables after a fellow A-goner and friend coerced me into giving them a try. Boy, am I glad I did!

I have NEVER, and I mean NEVER had an interconnect take my system to a level like this on its own...all by itself! The sound I'm getting is incredible, out worldly, crazy, crazy good! It excels in SO many areas I don't know where to start! Let me detail what I'm hearing:

-A livelier pace and rhythm that keeps your foot tapping all through the song!
-Along with this comes great bass detail and depth. I'm hearing bass lines as well as detail in the bass I never heard before.
-The way it organizes and separates instruments in the soundstage, fully delineating and unraveling complex musical lines so you can hear each instrument and exactly what its doing in the background!
-Vocals, vocal, vocals! What air and naturalness. It opens the vocal up so you can hear everything! its organic, palpable and natural sounding with a touch of air and breathiness.
-The extra detail is phenomenal and its across the entire frequency range not just in one area. I'm hearing things in the mid-range that my other ic's just weren't able to resolve and send to my speaker cables.
-A relaxation to the entire presentation but again with great PRAT and flow. Just unbelievable.
-The treble is just lovely. Brushes on the snare drum are finely textured, you can hear the individual strands. Tingly these like triangles just pop!

Not only is this cable great in terms of checking off all of the "audiophile qualities" we crave, its just down right enjoyable to listen to!

The only other cable type component I've ever had in my system that produced sonic improvements of the same magnitude (actually to a greater magnitude) was the Elrod Gold statement version 2 power cord. That was akin to adding a reference component in my system. But its 3 x the price of the KCI silkworm + so it should give better performance.

My highest compliments to John Prator at KCI. Great product!