Opinions / Comparisons of sub $100 ICs from Bolder, Canare, DH Labs, AR, & Markertek? - Page 2 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

ding · 02-20-2002, 08:09 PM

I don't have experience with your specific cables, but I'm going to be comparing 3 sub-$99 interconnects over the next couple weeks:

NBS Dragon/Fly (this one I've been using for almost a year now)
JPS Ultraconductor (just got this one in yesterday)
DH Labs Air Matrix (not sub-$99 new, but can be if bought used)

I haven't gotten my Air Matrix cable yet, but even without burn-in, I really like the Ultraconductor. So far the tonal balance of the NBS and JPS seem pretty close, but the JPS is more detailed with tighter and more exciting bass, and the build quality is better than the NBS as well. Perhaps I'll give a more detailed review after I get all three and have them burned in.

But if you are looking for sub-$99 interconnects, you should consider the Ultraconductor in your search.

morphsci · 02-20-2002, 08:15 PM

The markertek cables using the Canare Star-Quad cable are trully a "hidden treasure". I use a 40' (yes foot not inches) in the living room system and they are dead quiet. Now if I can only remove that last little bit of hum on the AC ....

chych · 02-20-2002, 10:30 PM

Audio&Me, the DIY Cable Fat Ones are exactly the same as the Bolder Type II... the cables I built are very similar to these except I do not use the larger solid core belden cable, just two stranded cores (the former being superior). And you can basically get the parts yourself for $50 or so and a with a little bit of time, patience, and soldering skills, you can make them yourself.

Just a heads up, DH Labs uses silver plated copper which usually comes off as bright... or "more detail in the treble" if you think that way...

Also I wouldn't think about using the Acoustic Research Pro series, the insulation is PVC or some material that is not of the following acceptable three: teflon (and variants), air, and vacuum.

Anyways, I would have to recommend building your own cables anyway

But DIYcable or Bolder if not.

Audio-Me · 02-21-2002, 01:56 AM

Would you be willing to buy the parts and make them for me if I paid you?

I just need one for now, to hook up the MG Head to my sound card. 1.5meter with the Cardas SRCA plugs would be nice.

DanG · 02-21-2002, 02:15 AM

Originally posted by chych
Audio&Me, the DIY Cable Fat Ones are exactly the same as the Bolder Type II... the cables I built are very similar to these except I do not use the larger solid core belden cable, just two stranded cores (the former being superior). And you can basically get the parts yourself for $50 or so and a with a little bit of time, patience, and soldering skills, you can make them yourself.

Just a heads up, DH Labs uses silver plated copper which usually comes off as bright... or "more detail in the treble" if you think that way...

Also I wouldn't think about using the Acoustic Research Pro series, the insulation is PVC or some material that is not of the following acceptable three: teflon (and variants), air, and vacuum.

Anyways, I would have to recommend building your own cables anyway But DIYcable or Bolder if not.

Several comments:

First, keep in mind that an important part of the cable-making process is the termination. This is why it's important for reviewers to use factory-terminated cables as opposed to third-party builders (or DIY building). I believe that the Bolder Cable Company uses a crimping process which I don't really know much about... but which is allegedly better than the average amateur's soldering job.

Second, the "brightness" issue is highly subjective and should be decided upon on an individual basis. If you order direct from DH Labs, I believe they give a 14-day satisfaction guarantee. Bolder Cable Company gives a 45-day guarantee... I would guess that other companies also have guarantees. Also, I've found that my Air Matrix interconnects aren't as unbalanced as my BL-1 interconnects of the same length (1 m). Seems like I never really got around to that review...

Third, there are, in fact, other dielectrics than PVC, air, and vacuum.

So I'd have to say that limiting oneself to the DIY route or Bolder Cables is a bad idea. Leave all paths (and your wallet) open!

chych · 02-21-2002, 03:23 AM

First, keep in mind that an important part of the cable-making process is the termination. This is why it's important for reviewers to use factory-terminated cables as opposed to third-party builders (or DIY building). I believe that the Bolder Cable Company uses a crimping process which I don't really know much about... but which is allegedly better than the average amateur's soldering job.

No no, they are exactly the same, save for cosmetics and maybe different solders and maybe different twisting frequencies (Cardas are soldered, not crimped, and both are Cardas SRCAs).

Second, the "brightness" issue is highly subjective and should be decided upon on an individual basis.

Yes, it is subjective, won't disagree.

Third, there are, in fact, other dielectrics than PVC, air, and vacuum.

Yeah, but only teflon, air, and vacuum are acceptable for audio use (or any other really good insulator, but teflon is the best solid insulator... air filled teflon is better, pure vacuum is the best like the Tara Labs Zero, no idea how they pull that off)...

DanG · 02-21-2002, 04:12 AM

The Tara Labs Air-1 uses a glass dielectric, according to one engineer that I spoke to on the phone. That's really the only other one I've heard of.

I thought for some reason that the Cardas connectors were crimped on in the Bolder cables, but I guess I'm wrong about that. Thanks for the correction.