Wireworld Silver or Gold Eclipse 8 - IC or Speaker Cable?

I  just finished letting a set of rca and xlr Silver eclipses settle in my system over the last 3 weeks and  they are staying put for a long while. I tried the eclipse 8 version prior to the silver and could've lived with them but increasing the budget by not much and  being a fan of copper/ silver cables I really became curious about the silver 8's  I find what they do top to bottom in my setup is nothing short of astonishing !

Thanks for the post. Silver Eclipse 8 XLR looking good.

@jdub39 +1

@ryder Which PCs do you prefer on your amp(s)?

@vinylvalet currently I prefer the Acrolink cords on the amps.

Thank you.

FWIW> I too had 20 year old WW Gold Eclipse III full loom interconnect and speaker cables. Got new speakers that were not bi wire able and also needed longer lengths started me off looking for replacements. I ended up with Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables. However on a whim I found a pair of RCA Eclipse 8 on the used market and placed them between my DAC and Pre amp. They bettered my (Best they sold at the time) Gold Eclipse III silver interconnects. So I sold off all my Gold Eclipse and got the Eclipse 8. I don’t know what you are using now and how it compares to to old WW you had but the newest stuff seems to be very good. It bettered my old WW in a good way.

For reference my system is in the $60K MSRP range. I started that Electra 7 thread you are involved with, that cord is on my DDC unit but have not heard it yet because my Pre Amp is at VAC for updates and have not got it back yet.

Wire World really has something special going with the 8 series !

Thanks @fthompson251 and @jdub39 . I’ve had great success with the Platinum Starlight 8 USB and Silver Electra 7 power cord. The system has greatly improved in areas of poise and refinement. I’m very happy.

I’m currently all tapped out but will keep the higher range WW interconnects in mind when I get the itch. The XLR interconnect I am currently using is pretty good so I guess I may I need to go higher up the range of the Wireworld to achieve an improvement in sound quality.  

Jdub39, I just received the Silver Eclipse 8 XLR. It's showing great potential in my system although it's being used for less than 50 hours. May I ask how long is the burn-in period?

Have you managed to compare the Silver Eclipse 8 XLR with the Gold Eclipse 8 XLR? If the Gold Eclipse 8 has higher levels of resolution, detail and dynamics, I may acquire another one in the near future. The Platinum 8 is too costly so it's out for me. 

1. Difference Between Silver Eclipse 8 and Gold Eclipse 8:

• The Silver Eclipse 8 is typically considered to be a more neutral and detailed cable. It offers excellent transparency and can provide a sense of airiness and detail to the sound. It may excel in reproducing high-frequency details and providing a sense of spaciousness in the soundstage.
• The Gold Eclipse 8, on the other hand, is often characterized as having a slightly warmer and smoother tonal balance compared to the Silver Eclipse. It may offer a more musical and less analytical presentation, making it a good choice for systems that need a touch of warmth and richness.

Which one is more dynamic, smoother, detailed, or 3-dimensional can vary depending on your system and personal preferences. Some may prefer the additional detail and neutrality of the Silver, while others may favor the musicality and warmth of the Gold.
 

2. Interconnects vs. Speaker Cables:

• The choice between investing in high-quality interconnects (XLR) or speaker cables depends on your system's needs and where you perceive the most significant impact. Both can make a noticeable difference, but the specific benefit will depend on your existing components and their strengths and weaknesses.
• In general, if you feel that your system is already well-balanced and you want to enhance detail and soundstage, upgrading your interconnects can be a good choice. They can have a substantial impact on the clarity and imaging of your audio.
• On the other hand, if you're looking to optimize the power delivery from your amplifier to your speakers and improve the overall synergy in your system, upgrading your speaker cables may be the better choice.

Ultimately, the "better" choice between interconnects and speaker cables is system-dependent and based on the aspects of your system that you want to improve. It's worth noting that the differences between cable lines can be subtle and are best evaluated through listening tests in your own setup. If possible, consult with a knowledgeable audio dealer or Wireworld representative who may be able to provide specific recommendations based on your gear and listening preferences.

Tokushi, thanks for the post. Certainly useful !

I presume you have experience with both Silver Eclipse 8 and Gold Eclipse 8 cables judging from your detailed assessment? I agree it’s a matter of mix and match and from your description it looks like the Silver Eclipse 8 will suit my system or preferences more than the Gold Eclipse 8 as I am looking for a more open and 3-dimensional sound rather than warmth. It is surprising to know that the Gold Eclipse 8 is warmer sounding than the Silver Eclipse 8 as the conductors are solid silver while the Silver Eclipse 8 is copper with silver plating. Anyway, it’s good to know the Gold Eclipse 8 sounds warmer than the Silver Eclipse 8. I surely don’t want a warmer sound as I am seeking for an airier, more open and 3-dimensional sound.

My current Acrolink 8N-A2080III Evo XLR sounds warmer with a fuller midrange in comparison. The tonal quality and delivery in nuance between the two XLR interconnects is different too, surprisingly.

It appears that I have made a right choice in investing in the Silver Eclipse 8 XLR interconnects rather than speaker cables. A 4m pair Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables is too costly for me so I’ve decided to stick with what I have since it all sound balanced and great at the moment.

@ryder 

Congrats on the Silver 8's , I only compared them to the Eclipse 8's  and found them to be just what I was after. Give them 200hrs to show there stuff , it was at that point I decided I was keeping them. They just allow musicality to flow with an uncanny ease and openness with great organization. 

@jdub39 Thanks for the response. That’s useful to know and it’s fortunate I picked the Silver Eclipse 8 over Eclipse 8. I wanted some silver content in the conductors and it looks like I’ve made the right choice.

@jdub39 , the Silver Eclipse 8s are good! It’s about 100 hours only now and the sound has improved tremendously, more open with better clarity and detail. The slight dark and muffled sound in the midrange and upper bass are now gone. I can’t wait to get to 200 hours.

Once it's all over I'll swap to the Acrolink XLR again to reconfirm my impressions. 

@ryder  , Sounds about right!

ryder

I always enjoy reading about your System upgrades. Nice score on the WW Silver Electra7 PC. I was really impressed with this particular Power Cord. And yes, it does well on Digital sources.

Can you talk about the Sonic differences between your Acrolink PC and the WW Silver Electra7 PC?

Happy Listening!

Hi Jafant,

Thanks. This time it’s not the WW Silver Electra7 PC but the Silver Eclipse 8 XLR interconnect. I haven’t made any serious comparison between the Silver Elektra7 PC and Acrolink PC but may do it soon. I briefly swapped the Elektra7 PC and Acrolink PC on my amp and source and found the Acrolink PC to have a more full-bodied sound with bloom in the midrange and treble whereas the Elektra7 has a leaner sound and perhaps slightly more detailed but without the bloom. In other words the WW sounds a bit flat or bland in comparison. I have since made few changes to the system (new rack, new power conditioner etc.) so things might be a bit different now if I compare the cables.

Generally, the Acrolink PCs have a fuller and warmer sound, a bit tube-like while preserving the detail. If the system is already warm then the Acrolink PCs might not be a good idea. I need more time to assess the sound or performance of the WW Silver Electra 7 PC as I only use it on the streamer at the moment. I prefer the Acrolink PCs on the amp and DAC but may swap the cords another time.

I’m now waiting for the burn-in of the WW Silver Eclipse 8 XLR to complete, possibly in another 2 to 3 weeks before I switch to the Acrolink XLR.

@tokushi

You posted this earlier:-

1. Difference Between Silver Eclipse 8 and Gold Eclipse 8:

• The Silver Eclipse 8 is typically considered to be a more neutral and detailed cable. It offers excellent transparency and can provide a sense of airiness and detail to the sound. It may excel in reproducing high-frequency details and providing a sense of spaciousness in the soundstage.
• The Gold Eclipse 8, on the other hand, is often characterized as having a slightly warmer and smoother tonal balance compared to the Silver Eclipse. It may offer a more musical and less analytical presentation, making it a good choice for systems that need a touch of warmth and richness.

Update. I think it’s rather accurate since I’m currently experiencing this albeit it’s between the WW Silver Eclipse 8 XLR and Acrolink 8N-A2080III XLR instead of Gold Eclipse 8 XLR.

The Silver Eclipse 8 XLR has better clarity, separation and detail than the Acrolink XLR but sounds a little lean with reduced bass slam and dynamics. The overall sound of the WW is clean and tidy. The Acrolink sounds a bit too warm and thick in the midrange and lacks the airiness of the WW. However, the overall sound of the Acrolink is more dynamic and the bass sounds more robust. I can feel the powerful bass pumping with the Acrolink while it’s reduced bass energy with the WW which caused the reduced dynamics. The bass thud of the WW has less impact and sounds weaker. The dynamics leap out more from the background with the Acrolink while the WW sounds a little flat in comparison. The WW also lacks the bloom or tube-like glow of the Acrolink particularly with piano. Perhaps the WW is more neutral while the Acrolink imparts a bit of tube-like glow or warmth to the sound of instruments.

I presume it’s a matter of matching as I might get a different result if I swap DAC and speakers, which I will do soon. Nevertheless, that does not change the basic character or sound signature of the cables. The WW Silver Eclipse 8 XLR would be perfect if it maintains the clarity, separation and detail across the frequency spectrum and improves on bass slam and dynamics.. Will the Gold Eclipse 8 or Platinum Eclipse 8 provide the additional bass slam and dynamics?

I’ve actually shortlisted the top level Acrolink 7N-DA6300IV Mexcel XLR as the ultimate final treat before I retire for good. It’s very costly so I’ll have to wait until next year after I manage to raise the funds. There isn’t any doubt the WW Silver Eclipse 8 XLR is a great sounding cable at its price point, great value. The 7N-DA6300IV Mexcel costs almost 5 times more than the Silver Eclipse 8.

@ryder  How many hours ? When it was all said and done and back and fourth comparisons I decided the increased transparency and perhaps a tad less bass but still maintaining bloom and musicality and had to keep the Sliver Eclipse 8's in the chain, I do wonder about the Gold's .

ryder

What length are you using for Acrolink XLR and WW Silver Eclipse8 XLR?

Happy Listening!

ryder

I enjoy my WW Silver Starlight and Platinum Starlight HDMI cables.  Question: how are you using the Luxman DA-06 in your set up?

Happy Listening!

Jdub39, less than 100 hours, perhaps 80 hours. I think you are right. The sound improved today as it sounds a bit more dynamic. The bass sounds slightly tauter although still not as powerful. It’s getting better. I hope the less than stellar sound is premature impressions.

Jafant, both are 1.5m.

Oh yeah! still some ways to go , they are listenable out the box so the illusion they are settled is easy to fall for. The bass will fill out some more and complement the rest of the sound stage and then just go about organizing the music as an skillful conductor would.

ryder

Looking forward to the XLR shoot-out! After 200 hrs. the bloom will improve.

Happy Listening!

ryder

Can you tell me how you are using the Luxman DAC in your system?

Happy Listening!

Hi Jafant, 

A Lumin U2 mini streamer is feeding the Luxman DAC which is connected to a Luxman L-590AXII integrated with the WW Silver Eclipse 8 that is discussed here. 

ryder

Thank You for the follow up.

Happy Listening!