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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2019 17:33:06 GMT
Having proven that my LKS to preamp connection sounds much better using XLR balanced cables, I've just bagged a set of 0.5m Townshend Isoldas. They will go up against the Yannis 1m set that I'm currently using. XLR cables tend not to show such large differences in sound as single-ended cables, so this is an experiment. I couldn't find any Black Cat XLRs for sale, but these Townshends have a good rep. Anyone heard any?  |
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Post by petea on Feb 13, 2019 20:08:15 GMT
Only in RCA and I've been very impressed. I switched d my system from Siltech New York to DCT300s a while back. Now I'm in the process of moving some of the system across to Townshend Fractal cables and Max has just made me 2 x 2.5 m cables which will complete the changeover. I still use DCT 300 in the German system though.
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Post by The Brookmeister on Feb 13, 2019 21:39:17 GMT
Martin stop buying stuff and listen to the music man.LOL
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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2019 21:54:34 GMT
Why? I'm system tuning and having fun. Listening every day, don't you worry.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2019 21:55:05 GMT
Only in RCA and I've been very impressed. Interesting. Thanks, Pete. |
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Post by John on Feb 14, 2019 10:35:44 GMT
Had some years ago
The system was very different then so not able to help
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2019 10:02:51 GMT
The cables have arrived, and beautifully made they look, too.
Will try them out tonight.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2019 12:33:38 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2019 18:12:24 GMT
I've had the Townshends running for a little while now. They are ex-demo so they probably have a decent number of hours on them. Nevertheless, they'll need a little while to acclimatise to room temperature and settle down.
Replacing my Yannis XLRs with them, they've done the expected and the unexpected. In keeping with all balanced cables I've ever used, the differences are much more subtle than with single-ended cables. I expected a slight tilt towards a fuller bass end and possibly lower glare and I've got that. It's a small but welcome tilt, pretty much exactly what I wanted. What I didn't expect was even punchier dynamics, something not missing from my system of late. This is great and brings the music even more alive than ever before.
Listening to the first Dire Straits album on Spotify, the leading transient edge on Knopfler's guitar is wonderful, cracking like a whip from the silence. Pick Wither's drums are now better balanced and weightier. Bass guitar is satisfyingly full and deep. This recording reveals more as my system progresses. The small studio noises, subtle percussion, football rattle etc. Who has heard the very low level finger tapping on the opening glockenspiel in Water of Love? Yes, this is Spotify!
Very pleasing. These cables can stay.
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 15, 2019 21:00:49 GMT
Who has heard the very low level finger tapping on the opening glockenspiel in Water of Love? There isn't any! There's plenty of use of Wood Block, and it comes across on any old crappy system.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 15, 2019 22:58:17 GMT
Glockenspiel - wood block, they sound similar anyway. The instrument is not what I'm talking about. He's tapping time with his fingers.
I've just tried it on my PC system and I can't hear it. The LKS on the big system is extracting incredible detail.
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 16, 2019 0:03:30 GMT
Glockenspiel - wood block, they sound similar anyway Do they bollocks sound the same!!!!! One is made of wood, and the other is a wooden frame with tuned metal bars. One has a wooden "knock" sound, and the other has quite a distinct metallic chime about it! The only thing they have in common is a fast attack - tonally they are poles apart. The instrument is not what I'm talking about. He's tapping time with his fingers He is. On his drum kit. From the pitch and attack he's getting it's the hanging rack tom toms above the kick bass drum. I've just tried it on my PC system and I can't hear it. The LKS on the big system is extracting incredible detail IIRC you have single driver speakers you built yourself, using tiny "full range" drivers. You don't get full range out of any driver, least of all tiny ones.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 16, 2019 0:11:51 GMT
My mistake, I meant the one with wooden bars. Xylophone?
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 16, 2019 0:14:27 GMT
I just had the difference between full fat FLAC files and Spotify's version thereof rammed home tonite, listening to Roman Clarke's most recent single - I bought the track from Bandcamp after hearing it on Spotify. The Spotify version sounds very good. The Bandcamp lossless file gives the Spotify version a very firm kick into the weeds. In isolation the Spotify sourced track sounds very, very good. It's only when you play the lossless file that you realise just what it is the Spotify track is missing.
Spotify gives a very good facsimile of whatever it is you're playing.
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 16, 2019 0:17:13 GMT
My mistake, I meant the one with wooden bars. Xylophone? Has wooden bars. And a similar tone and attack to a wood block, without the hollowness.
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Post by Slinger on Feb 16, 2019 0:58:24 GMT
Claves.
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 16, 2019 1:03:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 10:07:34 GMT
The Isolda does major on the leading edges as well as the bottom end, still using the film cans as well, nice touch.
What I find interesting is the CAT cables are a big step up form the Isolda, I would if this could be the balanced output of 4.4V (+6dB) maybe influencing this possibly?
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Post by MartinT on Feb 16, 2019 11:04:43 GMT
I measure the balanced output as being exactly +6dB gain over single ended.
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