Need recommendation for hi-rez xlr plugs for re-termination project
I recently bought a pair of balanced interconnects, here, and am mostly quite pleased with the sound but the seller was mistaken about their length, and I have 3M instead of 2M and that too would have been longer than needed. I've contacted the builder of these fine cables and he's willing to re-terminate them.
Sonically, these cables have the blackest background I've ever heard and lots of wonderful detail. They are well-controlled with an excellent bottom end and the images are dense and corporeal. BUT, I find the top end a bit less extended and open than I'm used to. The xlr plugs are gold plated and I'm not fond of gold in my system for the most part. So, I'm looking for recommendations for very detailed and precise xlr's but want to avoid brightness.
I have a pair of male Xhadows from another project and could pick up the matching females for about $150. The re-term is already going to be pricey as the cables are fairly complex so price is an issue. I was going to repurpose the Furutech FP 601/602 rhodiums I have on another pair of cables but the builder glues them so can't do that. I rather like the rhodium plugs I've used, mostly on power cords, so am interested in that option as well. I have noticed that rhodium over silver sounds quite a bit better (to my ears) than rhodium over copper. The Cardas CG xlr's are rhodium over silver but I can't find any reviews of these plugs and seems they never get a mention. Also, looking at AECO plugs. Partsconnextion (Canada) said they are quite good but really didn't address my question about comparing them to other hi end xlr's so hard to know about these. They are, however, quite affordable. The quad costing less than the 2 female Xhadows, if I were to go that way. Anyway, opinions regarding the Xhadows vs the AECOs vs Furutechs vs Neotechs vs Oyaide xlr would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
@clsidx Yes. I still have some older cable pod binding posts. Used them on some of my first Class D Hypex builds. Need to look at their newer options. I also like the set screw idea. Love to have a solid mechanical connection, and at times, like it better than solder. |
@pindac I like the Triple C XLRs very much. I believe they out perform my previous OCC builds. Just sensing more clarity, better voicing, overall info that I haven't heard previously with my go to music. This is a 30" cable with AECO copper/silver XLRs. (2) 19awg bare Triple C conductors (+, -) inside teflon tubing. Neotech 16awg for ground (Helix wrap). May look at replacing some internal hookup wire with the Triple C. Good stuff... |
@lcherepkai I like the AECOs. They are my reference to date. Seems like the lowest mass connector that I have come across. Built many XLRs using Xhadow, Viborg, Furutech knock offs from eBay, Neutrik. Always searching for the right combo of conductors/connectors....I wish KLE made an XLR. |
