Thieliste, you get last msg?
Taralabs cables
Hi, I wanted to start a new thread for all the owners of Taralabs cables, Enjoy, and cheers.
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Thanks audiolabyrinth, it's difficult to put a budget on cables but it has to be coherent with the rest of the system. What's the price range for the Muse line of cables ? It's not listed on the Cable Company yet. The gear i'm considering in my short list for the moment is Ypsilon Aelius II and preamp + Totaldac Twelve + server. I'm also looking into other cable brands such as Kubala Sosna, Shunyata Research and Synergistic. |
Hi Thieliste, this is my recommendation, The Muse w/HFX TARA Labs is extremely proud and excited to introduce a brand new high-end audio cables series called, The Muse. Beginning with the Muse interconnects, this new series will offer the listener a cable that has superb high-frequency extension, as well as being exquisitely revealing of low level ambient and spatial information. You will hear an impressively low noise floor, pin-point imaging with the absence of distortion, which also includes an equally impressive soundstage. Rounding out this complete audio cable package is a characteristic presence of superb musicality! The listener can expect to hear their music played with such feeling and such emotion, that the performance level of these cables would absolutely alleviate any thoughts of uncertainty or doubt, by even the strongest critics of an audio cables performance.The Muse series cables will take the listener to places of musicality that very few cables can ever hope to match. The construction of the Muse interconnect begins with the precise measuring, machining, and cutting of TARA labs proprietary materials. Beginning with our 99.999999% pure rectangular solid core copper conductors that are super-annealed, oxygen–free, mono-crystal, and frequency-tuned. The conductors are then hand-polished and coated in our proprietary liquid dielectric to prevent oxygenation before inserting into PTFE Teflon lumens air tubes. The meticulous hand-crafted construction techniques used by our technicians, then assemble these materials into an audio cable that is capable of bringing recorded music as close to live as you can get. TARA Labs legendary HFX floating ground station system is also included with all Muse interconnects. RCA or XLR terminationAll PTFE Teflon air dielectric spacers and center tubeTwin axial-design features RSC Gen2 conductors using Aero-PTFE dielectricHFX Floating Ground Station SystemExtremely open and detailedExpansive 3 dimensional soundstageExceptional low noise floorSuperb musciality |
THE PROCESS OF HANDMAKING TARA LABS CABLEShandmade 1TARA Labs embodies what can be described as true hand-crafted methods of high-end products. Designed and created by TARA Labs Design Team (TLDT) led by Matthew Bond & Merrill Bergs, all TARA Labs audio cables are manufactured in our factory in Southern Oregon, USA, and lifetime guaranteed.Every TARA Labs high-end audio cable is meticulously hand-crafted by our factory lab technicians. A good example on exactly what goes into this process is offered by the below construction techniques in building just one pair of our Omega Evolution speaker cables.The process for manufacturing these cables begins by the cutting, forming, measuring, and then the hand polishing of each one of the 576 – TARA Labs copper conductors.All the dielectrics are prepared including customizing the multiple size air tubes, outer & inner sleeve layers, as well as other proprietary cable components. This includes our custom hardware, all of which have to be machined, polished and laser etched before final assembly of the product. This would also include all cable terminations. As far as the actual labor to make these cables, it takes two senior technicians working an 8 hour day, for 10 days just for that one pair. That’s a combined 160 hours to make just one pair of our reference grade speaker cables.Throughout the process, each cable goes through multiple testing stations to ensure every aspect of the product meets our rigid standards. TARA Labs uses a variety of specialized testing procedures and equipment to ensure that every cable meets our rigid standards. Each cable must pass through a variety of stringent testing stations. Point to Point Signal Continuity using Hewlett Packard and Tektronix spectrum analyzers to ensure that every cable has the correct specifications.The final stage is when each cable is listened to, and evaluated in our sound room using a wide variety of audio components. Product is then packaged and shipped all over the world. |
Over the years, TARA labs audio cables have been paired with many of the world’s high-end components, and always with fabulous results. Magico’s new M3 Speaker was introduced at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2016 paired with TARA Labs Zero Evolution interconnects & Omega Evolution SP speaker cables. Omega Evolution AC power cables were also used. "I was there, and the sound was fabulous!" Jonathan Valin gave a in review of their performance in The Absolute Sound Sep. 7th, 2016. Magico certainly created a wonderful new loud-speaker. Paired with TARA labs high-end reference cables at the show really created a sound deep in detail, depth, soundstage, and musicality. |
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Why high-frequency extension, capacitance and picofarads go hand in hand regarding:"How much of the music do you really hear?"More Capacitance = More DistortionHF extension or “high-frequency extension” can be described as the frequencies and harmonic structure heard at the sonically extreme levels in music. Part of the frequency/harmonic structure is not even heard but felt in music, through the inner ear bones, the face, the skull and so on. The sonic benefits are not only for cymbals, triangles, brass instruments but for violins which produce frequencies as high as 40 kHz. The high-frequency extension is needed in order to have a more authentic harmonic structure, which enables us to hear leading edge transients and the decay of musical notes. Otherwise the leading edge details of mid-range and bass notes sound dulled. This is also measurable with square waves, where high-frequency attenuation of ultrasonic and audio band frequencies causes distortion known as overshoot and ringing of the square wave. Part of the reason that TARA Labs interconnects offer the listener more high-frequency extension than any other cables in the world, has to do with our extremely low capacitance (measured in pico-Farads or pF). This remarkable level of achievement has been accomplished through our thirty years of experience in technology & design. Even though this technology exists in all our interconnects, our flagship cables; The Grand Master Evolution interconnects offers a clear example of just how far we have taken this technology. While virtually all of the cable manufacturers in the world claim pF in the double digits, TARA Labs Grand Master Evolution interconnects has a remarkable pF of 2.0. This translates to, as Stereophile’s top reviewer Michael Fremer wrote regarding his review of the Evolution cables, “Limitless high-frequency extension.” For a more detailed description of the importance of this technology, this can be explained as; For every doubling of the capacitance, the high-frequency bandwidth is reduced by a full octave, thereby high-end audio interconnects in the marketplace manufactured by the most well-known and respected audio cable manufacturers, such as Nordost, Cardas, Stealth, Crystal, Transparent, MIT, Kimber, etc, have capacitance numbers that are typically in the low double digits or slightly lower than 10 pF in their extreme top of the line audio cables. Which again in layman’s terms means; more capacitance equals more high-frequency roll-off and distortion. So for example, if you take 4 pF, double it to 8, double it again to 16 and then double this again to 32, this translates to doubling the capacitance 3 times, which means that each doubling is an octave lost of high frequency. In this example, 3 full octaves of music have been lost or filtered away. In this particular case, three full octaves of high-frequency extension are lost due to the increased capacitance. More distortion, higher noise floor, loss of high-frequency extension, as well as the nuances that are lost when listening to music at this extreme level of audio technology. Please note the audible frequency spectrum ranges from 20Hz to 20 kHz then the ultrasonic spectrum from 20kHz – 100kHz and then the RF or radio frequency spectrum 100kHz - 300 GHz. Due to the ultra-low capacitance of the Grand Master Evolution at 2pF, the listener is able to hear more of the music faithfully reproduced, more so than any other high-end reference audio cables in the world. Below is a comparative list of how TARA labs interconnect audio cables compare in regards to capacitance levels measured in picofarads (pF) to some of the leading and most well-respected audio cable manufacturers in the world. Remember, more capacitance means more distortion. |
TARA Labs HFX Floating Ground Station SystemHFX The HFX Floating Ground Station is an extraordinary component that is included with all reference “Extended” bandwidth interconnect cables. TARA Labs proprietary ground station system is made of mil-spec aluminum alloy. Our specific metallurgical properties allow for the reduction of radio frequency interference (RF) and electromechanical resonance; EMI/RFI. It's 18.23% heavier and stronger than aircraft-grade stock. Equipped within the HFX station is a patented ceramic composite of metallic oxides and an amalgam of mineral elements in a proprietary ceramic binder called "Ceralex." Because the HFX functions completely outside of the signal path, its ability to dissipate and eliminate the effects of EMI/ RFI (Electromagnetic interference & Radio frequency interference) which also includes sonic distortion, noise, "snow", and lack of image clarity. What the listener will hear using the HFX system is more high frequency extension, incredible details, tighter bass and full mid-range, including enhanced musicality and neutrality which are all signature characteristics of TARA labs high-end audio cables. The HFX Floating ground Station System comes complete with a variety of mini banana & spade leads to connect it to virtually any component. The appearance of the HFX station is one of beauty and elegance, in addition to its superb performance. |
The Muse w/HFX TARA Labs is extremely proud and excited to introduce a brand new high-end audio cables series called, The Muse. Beginning with the Muse interconnects, this new series will offer the listener a cable that has superb high-frequency extension, as well as being exquisitely revealing of low level ambient and spatial information. You will hear an impressively low noise floor, pin-point imaging with the absence of distortion, which also includes an equally impressive soundstage. Rounding out this complete audio cable package is a characteristic presence of superb musicality! The listener can expect to hear their music played with such feeling and such emotion, that the performance level of these cables would absolutely alleviate any thoughts of uncertainty or doubt, by even the strongest critics of an audio cables performance.The Muse series cables will take the listener to places of musicality that very few cables can ever hope to match. The construction of the Muse interconnect begins with the precise measuring, machining, and cutting of TARA labs proprietary materials. Beginning with our 99.999999% pure rectangular solid core copper conductors that are super-annealed, oxygen–free, mono-crystal, and frequency-tuned. The conductors are then hand-polished and coated in our proprietary liquid dielectric to prevent oxygenation before inserting into PTFE Teflon lumens air tubes. The meticulous hand-crafted construction techniques used by our technicians, then assemble these materials into an audio cable that is capable of bringing recorded music as close to live as you can get. TARA Labs legendary HFX floating ground station system is also included with all Muse interconnects. RCA or XLR terminationAll PTFE Teflon air dielectric spacers and center tubeTwin axial-design features RSC Gen2 conductors using Aero-PTFE dielectricHFX Floating Ground Station SystemExtremely open and detailedExpansive 3 dimensional soundstageExceptional low noise floorSuperb musciality |
Why high-frequency extension, capacitance and picofarads go hand in hand regarding:"How much of the music do you really hear?"More Capacitance = More DistortionHF extension or “high-frequency extension” can be described as the frequencies and harmonic structure heard at the sonically extreme levels in music. Part of the frequency/harmonic structure is not even heard but felt in music, through the inner ear bones, the face, the skull and so on. The sonic benefits are not only for cymbals, triangles, brass instruments but for violins which produce frequencies as high as 40 kHz. The high-frequency extension is needed in order to have a more authentic harmonic structure, which enables us to hear leading edge transients and the decay of musical notes. Otherwise the leading edge details of mid-range and bass notes sound dulled. This is also measurable with square waves, where high-frequency attenuation of ultrasonic and audio band frequencies causes distortion known as overshoot and ringing of the square wave. Part of the reason that TARA Labs interconnects offer the listener more high-frequency extension than any other cables in the world, has to do with our extremely low capacitance (measured in pico-Farads or pF). This remarkable level of achievement has been accomplished through our thirty years of experience in technology & design. Even though this technology exists in all our interconnects, our flagship cables; The Grand Master Evolution interconnects offers a clear example of just how far we have taken this technology. While virtually all of the cable manufacturers in the world claim pF in the double digits, TARA Labs Grand Master Evolution interconnects has a remarkable pF of 2.0. This translates to, as Stereophile’s top reviewer Michael Fremer wrote regarding his review of the Evolution cables, “Limitless high-frequency extension.” For a more detailed description of the importance of this technology, this can be explained as; For every doubling of the capacitance, the high-frequency bandwidth is reduced by a full octave, thereby high-end audio interconnects in the marketplace manufactured by the most well-known and respected audio cable manufacturers, such as Nordost, Cardas, Stealth, Crystal, Transparent, MIT, Kimber, etc, have capacitance numbers that are typically in the low double digits or slightly lower than 10 pF in their extreme top of the line audio cables. Which again in layman’s terms means; more capacitance equals more high-frequency roll-off and distortion. So for example, if you take 4 pF, double it to 8, double it again to 16 and then double this again to 32, this translates to doubling the capacitance 3 times, which means that each doubling is an octave lost of high frequency. In this example, 3 full octaves of music have been lost or filtered away. In this particular case, three full octaves of high-frequency extension are lost due to the increased capacitance. More distortion, higher noise floor, loss of high-frequency extension, as well as the nuances that are lost when listening to music at this extreme level of audio technology. Please note the audible frequency spectrum ranges from 20Hz to 20 kHz then the ultrasonic spectrum from 20kHz – 100kHz and then the RF or radio frequency spectrum 100kHz - 300 GHz. Due to the ultra-low capacitance of the Grand Master Evolution at 2pF, the listener is able to hear more of the music faithfully reproduced, more so than any other high-end reference audio cables in the world. Below is a comparative list of how TARA labs interconnect audio cables compare in regards to capacitance levels measured in picofarads (pF) to some of the leading and most well-respected audio cable manufacturers in the world. Remember, more capacitance means more distortion. |
The Zero Evolution Phono The Zero Evolution Phono-Cable is the epitome of high-end reference quality phono cables. The design and technology used in creating this exceptional cable, is a far cry above any other phono cables that are currently available in today’s marketplace. Extremely low Capacitance as well as exceptional high-frequency extension The Zero Evolution Phono-Cable works very well with all cartridges regardless of voltage. The Zero Evolution also incorporates a “star-ground” system (SGS) with a variety of optional male/female mini-banana connections. This system is unrivalled in that it provides the option of floating or connecting different sections of The Zero GX Phono-Cable shielding system. There are subtle differences to be heard, some of which are caused by slight variations in the shield and grounding arrangements of the cartridge and the tonearm, and the turntable and the phono-preamp. As we all know, the shield/ground formats in the Phono interface are sometimes different enough to create a hum or buzz problem. Using The Zero Evolution Phono Cables’ superb proprietary shielding system, we are able to provide a method of optimizing the shield and ground system for the lowest possible noise floor in this critical component interface. As we all know, the shield/ground formats in the Phono interface are sometimes different enough to create a “hum or buzz” problem. With The Zero Evolution Phono Cables’ proprietary shielding system (SGS), we are able to provide a method of optimizing the shield and ground system for the lowest possible noise floor in this critical component interface.“Master” Gen3 Conductor is: 99.999999% Oxygen-free, mono-crystal, rectangular solid core, hand-polished, frequency-tuned copper conductor.Available termination: RCA, XLR, 5 pin DINHandcrafted in USA and lifetime guaranteedExcellent high-frequency extension & exceptional detailTight bass & full midrangeExtremely revealingImpressive holographic soundstageNeutral & naturalUnparalleled musicality |
"Dlcockrum, what have you been considering for vibration control ?" Hi audiolabyrinth, https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-of-solid-tech-discs-of-silence Also purchased eden Sound TerraStone footers for the "new to me" MW Sony 5400ES and TerraStone roller bearings to go under the MW power supply and under my preamp. All should be here Friday. http://edensoundaudio.com/shop/category/terrastone-footers/ Best to you audiolabyrinth, Dave |
THE PROCESS OF HANDMAKING TARA LABS CABLEShandmade 1TARA Labs embodies what can be described as true hand-crafted methods of high-end products. Designed and created by TARA Labs Design Team (TLDT) led by Matthew Bond & Merrill Bergs, all TARA Labs audio cables are manufactured in our factory in Southern Oregon, USA, and lifetime guaranteed.Every TARA Labs high-end audio cable is meticulously hand-crafted by our factory lab technicians. A good example on exactly what goes into this process is offered by the below construction techniques in building just one pair of our Omega Evolution speaker cables.The process for manufacturing these cables begins by the cutting, forming, measuring, and then the hand polishing of each one of the 576 – TARA Labs copper conductors.All the dielectrics are prepared including customizing the multiple size air tubes, outer & inner sleeve layers, as well as other proprietary cable components. This includes our custom hardware, all of which have to be machined, polished and laser etched before final assembly of the product. This would also include all cable terminations. As far as the actual labor to make these cables, it takes two senior technicians working an 8 hour day, for 10 days just for that one pair. That’s a combined 160 hours to make just one pair of our reference grade speaker cables.Throughout the process, each cable goes through multiple testing stations to ensure every aspect of the product meets our rigid standards. TARA Labs uses a variety of specialized testing procedures and equipment to ensure that every cable meets our rigid standards. Each cable must pass through a variety of stringent testing stations. Point to Point Signal Continuity using Hewlett Packard and Tektronix spectrum analyzers to ensure that every cable has the correct specifications.The final stage is when each cable is listened to, and evaluated in our sound room using a wide variety of audio components. Product is then packaged and shipped all over the world. |
The Zero GOLD Gen 2 One of the most successful audio cables of all time is the original ZERO Gold Interconnect from TARA Labs. The original ZERO Gold was praised for its breakthrough performance. In the Gen 2 design, technology has literally been borrowed from the famous and more expensive ZERO Evolution Interconnect. Available now is the ZERO Gold Generation 2 Interconnect at a lower price with complete flexibility and better performance than the original ZERO Gold. The breakthrough improvements include greater bandwidth and a completely new and proprietary air-dielectric construction. TARA Labs first introduced air dielectric interconnect cables in 1986; 30 years ago. And instead of using round conductors in air-tubes, TARA Labs uses Rectangular Solid Core® (RSC®) conductors which are 'seated' inside small air-tubes™. The new Zero Gold G2 makes full use of this technology. (Click on image to enlarge) The new Zero Gold G2 will offer the listener an audio cable that is absolutely fabulous! Extremely low in capacitance at 4 pF, with a sound that can be described as holographic. Exceptional high-frequency extension and detail, expansive soundstage with spatial cues with a bottom end that is rich and full of bloom, in addition to a substantial low noise floor. This interconnect is simply astounding for the price. And for audiophiles who remember the original Zero Gold, the flexibility of the new Zero Gold G2 will simply amaze! The Zero Gold Gen2 = 4pF (cable capacitance measured in picofarads / pF) |
Hi dlcockrum, I have talked to the designer Mathew bond for year's, however, I have never talked about graphene cable's with any one there, but I have talked to them at taralab's about magnetic conduction cable's such as high fidelity, great conversation, at the end, that idea was dismissed as inferior, I my self heard the difference, very big difference, I preferred the taralab's by a large margin, so after that, I really rarely bring up another cable's technology to them, when I do listen to the cerious technologies graphene cable's, I will give my honest opinion of them, likely against similar priced taralab's cable's, I do plan to obtain the cerious technologies graphene cable's, when, not sure yet, I have owned many cable's over the years, some I've enjoyed, I do like having system's in my home to sound different from one to the other, like different flavors of ice cream, mmmm!, at the end of the day, taralab's has always been on my best system I can afford to build, just my preference 🤓🖒👀 |
Hi dlcockrum, A cerious technologies graphene speaker cable will not out perform a cable such as the taralab's Grandmaster Evolution speaker cable, sorry life doesn't work that way, although the graphene cable's are a big bang for the buck, the Grandmaster Evolution speaker cable is a state-of-the-art technology cable that only a few can obtain, there will soon be review's that you should read about the Grandmaster Evolution speaker cable, at this time, there is plenty of review's of the second cable down called, the Evolution zero cable, enjoy reading all of them, there has been so much buzz about the new Zero that the interest for a review of the Grandmaster Evolution is just now being talked about 😎 |
The Grandmaster Evolution The new Grandmaster Evolution speaker cable is a stunning achievement, boasting the greatest current-carrying capability of any speaker cable in the world, together with the High Frequency extension and linearity of a 32-gauge conductor. The Grandmaster Evolution Speaker Cable is an all air-dielectric design with 288 Rectangular Solid Core ® conductors per channel. Importantly, the gauge size for each channel is far greater than any speaker cable ever made or ever conceived in history. The gauge size is not 10, or 6, or 4, or even 0. The gage size for an Evolution Speaker Cable is 000, that's an area of 85,000 square millimeters per channel. • BSM (with 1/4"or 5/16" Spades or Bananas)• Gauge size is 000 = an area of 85,000 Square mm per channel• SA-OF8N® copper.• Each channel comprised of 288 Rectangular Solid Core ® conductors per channel• Aero-PE® GMI™ dielectric.• Separate positive and negative conductor run for each channel.• Helixed Rectangular Solid Core® conductors and air-tube technology• Spectacular power and clarity. Absolutely neutral and coherent.• Superb resolution of micro-detail and ambient information.• Incredible dynamic contrasts & vivid imagery• Holographic soundstage & superb resolution of micro-details• Excellent imaging & absolute coherent and neutral |
Dlcockrum, I will always have taralabs cable’s, taralab’s is on my reference system, I’m interested in cerious technologies graphene cable’s for my budget system, although when I do pull the trigger on the cerious Ge , I will compare them to my cable’s, which to be honest with you would be like comparing a Volkswagen to a Maserati, or Ferrari, lol!, I have the taralab’s zero gold interconnect and Omega gold speaker cable’s, cobalt power cord , when I bought these cable’s, they were the best of taralab’s, then the very next year, taralab’s introduced for the first time in years , a new flagship cable 🤗 |
Thanks for the extended explanation audiolabyrinth. You remind me, well, of me. lol I thought as much re: the "thin wire about 3 inches long". My Ayre preamp’s L &R outputs are on the exact opposite end of the back panel, so I had to "rig" a small-gauge generic wire connecting the two leads. Okay? The OCD side of me, although partially defeated over the years, wants me to worry about existing ruptures of the delicate-sounding conductors in the cable. But they sound GREAT, so I am choosing not to worry (or, at least, to make the attempt). Best to you audiolabyrinth, Dave |
Hi dlcockrum, The Master Gen II is constructed from RSC (rectangular solid core) conductors, each conductor is insulated w/ TARA’s proprietary Aero-PE. Several of these thin gauge RSC conductors are helixed around an air tube.There is a thin wire about 3 inches long that comes out from the source-end RCA connectors. One of these wires has a female connection & the other a male. Once the interconnect is inserted into the source electronics back panel, the user is to connect these 2 wires together. What this basically does is that it creates the same ground potential for both the L & R channels i.e. it creates a common-mode ground voltage. The ground voltage is, of course, obtained from the preamp. However, if there is any disturbance on the ground voltage (called “ground bounce”) this disturbance is seen by both L & R channels so it appears as a common-mode potential to which the electronics has a high attenuation factor. |
Hi audiolabyrinth, Due to my overall preference for XLR ICs (my Ayre preamp and Krell amp are both fully-differentially balanced), the single-ended RSC Master Gen 2’s have seen little use between the initial purchase period and the recent re-introduction into my system due to the recently-added DR-9s sounding so much better via SE vs XLR. I always liked the sound of these cables, so they have survived the many transitions of cabling over the years. Sort of a reference for me I suppose. I try to treat my cables tenderly, but it is very hard with stiff XLRs (SR Apex for example) since different source components have different orientations of the XLR males on the rear (Ayre CX-7eMP vs Sony SCD-XA5400ES). I have to let the Apex re-settle for a few hours (even overnight) after switching between the two due to the twist required to accommodate the 45 degree difference in XLR plug orientation between the two players. No issues as of yet with the RSC Master Gen 2 with the exception of two of the screw-down RCA locking collars loosing their ability to fully tighten down on the RCA females of my Ayre preamp and DR-9 amps. Thanks for the heads up on the delicate nature of these ICs. I would hate to inadvertently damage them as I have no plans to replace them as this point. What exactly do the small wires that connect the L & R cables on the RSC Master Gen 2s accomplish? Common shield ground? Best to you audiolabyrinth, Dave |
Hi dlcockrum, I use to own the same taralab's cable's you have, that's incredible that your taralab's cable's has lasted that long, had any issues with them?, I have seen many cable's by other brand's have a short, or just come apart, my buddy has some virtual dynamics cable's, you basically have to move the interconnect around till you find the sweet spot for the left channel to work, your cable is alot older than his, if you bought your taralab's RSC master gen 2 new, you likely got your cable's in the early 90's. |
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3778 Perhaps only "fine" to me ;) but I enjoy it. BTW - Tara Labs is one of my top five... Best to you audiolabyrinth, Dave |