Xangsane Cryo OCC vs Sterling Silver XLRs

Thanks for the insight.  I'll pull the trigger tomorrow when they price out the 5m order.

I've always heard that silver can sound bright.  How would you characterize the sound of Xangsane's sterling silver?

Sterling Silver is all over eBay as well from Chinese retailers.  I'll let my ears judge if indeed hear some sonic benefits from the cables.  I didn't think OCC copper would provide enhancements but for some reason it's apparent when I switched from Mogami interconnects to Neotech NEI-3002.  Then going up to NEI-3001 was yet another improvement that was immediately apparent.

I'm in the camp that I should hear sonic benefits immediately, and if that's not the case then it's not a good buy for me and it's returned.

I'm excited for the potential of these new cables and will report back with real insight.  

I just ordered a 1m and 5m of the 1105ag XLRs.  I'll report back in probably 3 weeks once they arrive and have been burned in.

As for the AliExpress scams, they happen on alot of websites.  I purchased them from the Xangsane store and not some random retailer on AliExpress.  I've purchased many items from Chinese retailers on eBay with no issues at all.  Also, in the event an issue arises (knock on wood) I'll submit a claim with the credit card for a refund.  A 90 day return policy with free returns, helps out with me pulling the trigger.

I was skeptical with Neotech's as you will only find users on the forum reporting about their performance and they are not carried in stores but their performance is well documented and a way better option for me than going Kimber and AudioQuest at the time.  I'm more so concerned about the 4N pure silver which they clearly say is sterling silver on another slide, but I've read a few reviews of the 9001ag and the 9003ag being a very legit cable.   The 1105ag from only 1 person is said to be a slightly improved cable vs the 9003ag, so I'm taking the plunge as Neotech NEI-1002 MkII OCC silver/gold cable is $125.79 a meter unterminated plus assembly and plugs. 

If this works out and I have better results than Neotech's OCC copper interconnects that I'm running, it will be worth the risk.

@inagroove if you are in the Maryland (very close to Delaware) area and want to pop in once everything is setup for a listen, by all means stop on by as I'm always looking for a well educated hifi friend.

@ted_b I skipped the DIY method as the XS-1105 is $918 for 12m on AliX from the Xangsane store and $668 for 12m directly from Xangsane US website.  I paid $886 for the 2 cables and with the option of returning them if they are not to my liking.  Terminating the cables would have me stuck with $900 worth of cables that I cannot resales because I'm sure the resale value of these are not good based on the lack of reviews (written or YouTube).

Also, I had issue with terminating thicker XLR cables.  Thin Mogami cables were straightforward and simple with the copper Viborg XLR connectors.  When I tried to terminate thicker cables I've had issues and quite simply fails on XLR and RCA connectors.  I switched over to EIZZ XLR connectors that are solderless screw connectors to complete the Neotech NEI-3002 and 3001s.

If I keep the Xangsane and meet someone or get recommendation from a company that can termite the Xangsane cables to the Viborg silver connectors, I would definitely be interested in reterminating these cables.  I originally was interested in purchasing Neotech NEI-1002 MkII to be terminated with the Viborg silver connectors being terminated by Audiophonics or Hifi Collective.

@mbolek I almost pulled the trigger on the XS-5500 as they are in direct comparison of the Neotech's offerings in the Saraha line without the fancy geometry.  

Have you received the XS-5500's?  If so, what is your impression of the cables?

Ok fellas, both the 5m and the 1m cables are in and they are amazing.  I'm into  initial responses of cables and components, and these XS-1105Ags totally wipe the floor against Neotech's copper range of interconnects that I own.

The clarity and transparency is unreal.  They were bright the first day but they settled down after 25 hours of listening.  I suspect they will hit there stride in 100 hours as Xangsane says they are good to go in 72.

For the money I do not see any competition in this price range.   I see why @roxy54 loves Xangsane's silver interconnects.

@roxy54 What speaker cables are you using?  I'm tempted on looking at Xangsane's silver cables but I've always heard that go silver in your interconnects and copper in your speaker cables.

I don't want too much of a good thing as they say with an all silver cable loom. 

@rja I did not have to pay any tariffs on the cables from China but I did pay $45ish on tariffs for my new Gustard X30 from France.  

Side note I paid tariffs from France on my Gustard A26 as well a year and a half ago.  So at this time, no additional cost has been incurred from buying overseas.

@mbolek Being as though the XS-5500s already have gold plated red copper connectors, I do not see any sound improvement in going to Viborg's red cooper rhodium plated plugs.  I have Viborg's XLR and RCA connectors with rhodium plating which are solid but I think that red cooper with any plating will produce the same sound to "my ears".  

If you are going to swap connectors, I would look toward OCC connectors for the sound improvement but now we are talking double the money for that slight incremental step towards your audio nirvana.  With that money, I would put it on a fuse upgrade vs a connector upgrade since the existing connectors are of good quality.  My $.02.

Please report back with your findings because this is how we all learn and begin to experiment.