Sternklang Cables

@willgolf 

I wouldn’t quite call it a comparison just yet, what I posted above are just my listening impressions. As I mentioned in my OP, Sternklang cables has a very different presentation. They will not be replacing my reference, 聖Hijiri “Million” cable loom. I am still accessing if I can listen to Sternklang livelier, slightly forward presentation long term. I am now spoiled by 聖HIJIRI‘s sophisticated and gorgeous sound..LOL! 

How’s your SPDIF audition coming along between Sternklang and 聖HIJIRI? 

@lalitk 

I think I posted the SPDIF  shootout above in the thread.  I was ready to do a full loom of Hijiri (Power cords and RCA and S/PDIF) and then I heard the Sternklang S/PDIF.  It was a combination of what you described with Hijiri with a little more Live sound which meets what I am looking for.  I just got my Lmpizator Horizon so I am breaking it in with all of my new cables.  My next venture will be speaker cables but I am not in a rush because the Horizon needs to break in and then I have to complete a tube rolling exercise to determine the best sound.  Then I will move to speaker cables and it is why I asked you what you compared to.  

@willgolf 

I can see why you loved Sternklang SPDIF over 聖Hijiri with Horizon DAC. My system is all SS so I found the right ‘balance’ with 聖Hijiri cables. Having said that, Sternklang proving to be quite complimentary…whenever you’re ready, I recommend that you give the speaker cable a shot in your exquisite system. 

@lalitk 

Just to be clear, are you referring to the Ephemera speaker cable?

@willgolf 

Sorry I wasn’t clear, try both 聖HIJIRI and Sternklang. 

@lalitk 

"聖HIJIRI‘s sophisticated and gorgeous sound"

That is a perfect way to describe what I hear as well.

Has anyone compared these cables to the Infigo?

ozzy

lalitk

Excellent exchange of ideas and information in this thread. As I start to navigate HIJIRI, I will audition the "Million" tier.

Happy Listening!

“I will audition the "Million" tier.”
@jafant 

Go for it! 

@willgolf @lak 

Update: I am continued to be impressed by the extremely low mass of the Sternklang cables. I may be more smitten by these cables due to their simple yet very effective approach to rendering music effortlessly and naturally. And the best part, they are so complimentary to my reference 聖HIJIRI cables and rest of the system. How often that happens…LOL! 

@lalitk 

On the Sternklang Ephermas what terminal connection do you have?  I understand there is a banana option and just a copper spade-like connection but not a spade.

@willgolf 

You’re correct. The bare copper ends serves as spade connectors. I ordered mine with bare ends and used my own ETI solderless bananas on one end. 

@lalitk 

I am curious, what made you go that route versus straight banana?

@willgolf

It is my understanding that Sternklang uses silver soldering for banana terminations. I wanted to avoid that thus used my own Banana Plugs. Here is the link,

https://www.vhaudio.com/eti-link-banana.html

Update: I end up buying Sternklang Speaker and XLR cables. They handsomely compliment my reference 聖HIJIRI cable loom with their livelier, detailed and balanced sound. 

Nice lalitk. I’m hoping to audition these speaker cables soon. I bought a pair of the rca interconnects and really like them and like you have several Hijiri power cables in the system with one on each of my amp, preamp, and dac to great effect. 
 

My current speaker cables are a cheap pair of Chinese occ copper cables that are better than a $600 pair they replaced so I’m intrigued by the Sternklang to see if I get a good fusion like you with the Hijiri’s. 

“if I get a good fusion like you with the Hijiri’s”
@t_ramey

I am hoping as well, there is a definite synergy between the two brands. I can only encourage you to try Strenklang speaker cables and see if you hear any appreciable difference over your existing cables.

Speaker cables are all that I have left to possibly upgrade.  The Hijiri Power Cords and RCA cables are excellent.  When I mated them to a Sternklang SPDIF I got that little bit of extra punch I was looking for.  I too will demo the Sternklang speaker cables down the road.  Right now I am in amp-switching mode and tube rolling on my Lampi Horizon DAC.  I have to get those figured out before I try the Sternklnag Speaker Cables.  I also have to decide on a fuse for my DAC or the QSA plug.  This hobby never ends.

Speaker cables are in route. Hope to have them early next week. I haven’t asked Colin yet but has it been confirmed one way or another if Sternklang uses occ copper or not? My guess is if they did they would certainly advertise it..

“if Sternklang uses occ copper or not?”
@t_ramey 

Thanks for the update. For reasons unknown to me, the Japanese artisans are not very revealing of metallurgy and construction of their cables. Honestly, I don’t care cause how they sound to my ears and gel within the system is what matters the most. 

I agree lalitk. I asked Colin awhile back on what is the gauge size of the Nagomi power cables and he said the same thing about them not releasing certain information. I guess it’s the sum of all parts that make these cables great and work like they do. 
 

Colin said the demo pair does have bananas on the amp end, which as I type this just wondered if they are all directional? The rca interconnects I got did not come with any direction arrows pointing anywhere. Maybe it’s in regards to which ever way you start with try to keep the signal going that direction? Anyways, I’m looking forward to trying the Sternklang speaker cables and will report back next week. 

@t_ramey 

The speaker cables are not directional. I bought the new pair with bare ends so I terminated the amp end with banana’s. I would use the demo pair with bananas on amp end to keep the signal flowing in same direction. Looking forward to your feedback. 

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 

@lalitk

I was told they are directional. The Sternklang cables have a label on one end. Not sure if the label side is > or  <. I would confirm with Colin

@aniwolfe

Thanks for chiming in. Since speaker cables were not marked with directional arrows, I followed the official position,

“They gain directionality as they’re used, so pick one orientation and stick with it”

Hey fellas... any new updates?

I've been looking into low mass / flat / ribbon style cables and the Sternklang Ephemera came up for IC's ad Speaker. 

What is the price point on these?

@kray

Please reach out to Colin @gestalt audio.

Update: Just received Sternklang Ephemera Interconnect Cable. I will be breaking-in the cable on a SONOS streaming box before forming any listening impressions with my tube based CD player. 

@lalitk looking forward to your impressions