If they are DIY, which you sure seem to be saying they are, then what is there to identify?I was hoping to identify the source of these cables in case I wanted to purchase a pair for myself. I am not sure they are DIY - I just assumed that as a possibility because of the lack of branding.
DIY ones can be good, if one know what they are doing. This is not rocket science.Exactly - I don't know what I'm doing though when it comes to building my own cables.. But, I have really enjoyed listening to this cable and evaluating it's sound qualities compared to the other cables I have..
I asked your question to Duster, the cable guru over at the AudioAsylum and he said this:That is actually another possibility. I found a few Chinese RCA cables that looked very similar but, similar isn't the same so.. Another excellent point you brought up is that these could be digital cables.. I didn't even think of this! How might I confirm this? It seems to sound great as an RCA analog cable so.. Very interesting.. I will also search through Google Images for Acoustic Zen and Harmonic Technology.
" I can't identify the distinctive looking rca barrel. My hunch is it's an unbranded Chinese digital cable product purchased a number of years ago, or maybe it's a DIY build.
I would bet on it being an unbranded Chinese product rather than DIY, especially since the cable jacket under the see-through braided sleeve seems to be unmarked.
If I were to research the possibility of being a commercial cable, I would look into very early Acoustic Zen or Harmonic Technology digital cables, but wouldn't understand why there is no branding involved."
FWIW - I have had a bit of time to compare this unknown cable to a Kimber Hero. The Kimber is more detailed, layered, controlled, silent, open, thinner, quicker/more pulsatile, has a huge headspace, truer tonality. You are further set back from the performance generally speaking.
The unknown cable is thicker sounding with stronger (less controlled) more rounded bass, has a sweeter more forgiving tonality that strongly emphasizes the midrange, treble is less extended and seems 'one note' where the same kind of treble tone is carried from song to song . Warmer. There is an ease to the sound that can be less harsh or brittle overall. It seems to play 'louder' and bring you closer to (or within) the music. Natural, Organic, Intimate.
Really they are quite different sounding. The Hero is great for analyzing music - it is musical enough that you get drawn in but still has 'Hi-Fi' kind of detail that can pull you out of the musical experience sometimes. Whereas the unmarked cable is much easier to listen to and has a lot of the same details but presented in a more natural and warm way.
Ultimately, I would like to move to a cable that has the positive attributes of both since I find myself missing aspects of each when listening to the other - depends on the mood and musical selection. Overall though, if pushed, I would have to say the Kimber is more refined but preference is definitely subjective so I could see this going either way depending on the person.
So, I am thinking of possibly trying out some Kimber Selects since they are said to be softer in the treble and warmer sounding? This may bring the Hero sound attributes but at the same time warming up the sound a bit perhaps making it more natural and organic like the unmarked cable. Any thoughts?