Sakura Systems OTA Cable Kit

Just like to add my experience with Sakura cable. I've obtained the best sound by running the .4 cable on the positive/hot and .6 on the negative/return, both single stranded. Some of you are aware that there are two 47 Labs cables, one that is slightly thicker than the other.

A friend of mine, while in Japan went over to Junji Kimura's (designer/builder of all the 47 Labs gear) house and listened to his setup. While there Mr. Kimura told him that he prefers not to use multiple strands of cable. (Even on his power cords!) Mr. Kimura said that multiple strands break the signal up which affects the "timing relationships" in the music. I'm not sure if this is exactly what he meant because, even though my friend speaks fluent Japanese, true meanings get lost in translations.

Just re-read my earlier post so as not to be redundant.

Anyway, Mr. Kimura, designer of the 47 Labs products, said that the OTA cable is based on telephone wire. He said that his goal as a designer was to reproduce acoustic music not rock or synthesized music. He reasoned that since telephone wires go on for miles yet preserved the tonal quality of one's voice he felt it would help him attain his goal. The wire is made in Japan by a company that makes telephone wire.

As to the exact process I do not know exactly how it is done. However, Mr. Kimura always looks for the simplest ways to do things; the components he uses are common off the shelf items not custom made, but he is very specific as to how to implement them. And I would suspect that no voodoo/black magic is involved in the making of the cable. I suppose the reason for the high cost, about a dollar a foot, is because it is made in smaller runs with his logo on the jacket. You should see the power cord wire that he gave my friend.

One final note, there are many websites in Japan that are dedicated to copying Mr. Kimura's designs and even on how to improve them. If you have access to a computer with Japanese windows/browser and can read Japanese you should check them out. They probably have many lower cost alternatives that are better than the Sakura cable (Japanese audiophiles are absolutely fanatical, and have clubs that meet weekly. The difference between us and them is that they like modifying things internally; they'll take a portable cd player that runs on AA batteries and turn it into a world beater!).

Do not "wiggle" or turn the connector while it is in the jack. Simply pull it out and then turn it and then re-insert it. First, though, pull out the connector that is working and look at the orientation of the wire. Then turn the other connector to match this orientation.

The designer, told my friend that the material that is used to make the connector does not store any electrical charge like ordinary plastic. And it is designed to create a single point of contact. A harder material may not work as well.

If all else fails use the Eichmann bullet connectors.

Slawney, it was my post that recommended using the two different wire gauges (thin hot, thick return). However, not for ICs but only for speakers cables. In my system it produced better bass.

My Japanese speaking friend is going back to Japan next week and may visit Mr. Kimura again. While there he can ask him (not the distributor!) directly, if the thicker cable would make a good power cable. I would call Mr. Kimura myself, but he does not speak English and my Japanese is rusty. The last time my friend was there Mr. Kimura gave him the exact power cable and another experimental cable he was using in his reference system. My friend gave me the cables, but I have not used them as the gauge looks too small-might start a fire, although the insulation is thicker than on the OTA.

What might work is to hardwire the OTA to the the component and attach a plug at the end and plug that end into your favorite power cord. That way the first power cord can dampen the mechanical resonances and the OTA can further refine the filtered power.