Introduction:
Test is complete, and the results are being tallied. Thanks for participating, everyone.
This is an in home, blind "taste" test for cables.
Origins of this experiment and discussions can be viewed here.
The object of this test is to see for yourself if you can hear the difference between different analog interconnect cables' conductors. Namely, the wires inside.
For this test there are three cables. All are nearly identical in appearance and overall "feel" on the outside. On the inside, they are completely different.
The three materials are as follows: the "guts" of Canare StarQuad, 24awg Solid Silver, and the "guts" of the crappiest "Rat Shack" cable I could find.
Each cable is marked with a symbol: Triangle, Circle, and Square.
Each cable is one meter in length.
Each cable is also labelled with a directional arrow, so please make sure to hook up the cable to that the arrow points towards your amp. This is to rule out "directionality" of burning in cables.
I have been burning in these cables myself to reduce the burn in effect, for those that believe it could make a difference in sound for later participants.
Eligibility:
1. Member of Head-fi for at least one year to this posting's date.
2. Feedback thread in good standing at Head-fi.
3. Must have a headphone amplifier with an analog unbalanced RCA input and a source with an analog unbalanced RCA output (otherwise these cables won't connect, of course). Sound Cards (for playback only) and Portables are perfectly acceptable.
4. Test is limited to the USA for now. International ones may happen at a later date if this test goes well.
Rules:
1. Each participant will get the cables for 1 week. Otherwise this test will take too long. For example: If you receive cables on a Tuesday, please ship it out the following Tuesday.
2. Each participant pays for shipping to the next person. Cables must be shipped via trackable means. Examples of acceptable methods of shipment: USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
The only exceptions are when cables are personally hand delivered to Head-fiers in the same city. But remember rule #1. If you can't meet with the other person within a day or two, then ship it to them. If this is too much of a financial hardship, please do not participate then. But please note that shipping can be as little as $4.30 for USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation.
Pay it foward.
Contact the next person on the list, and arrange shipping to them.
3. Each participant must PM or email me shipment tracking numbers. Receiving members next down the list, must PM or email me confirmation that they received the cables.
4. Each participant must PM or email me which cable they think is what after their turn is complete. At the end of the test, and the cables are back in my hands, the secret identity will be posted. I will post anonymous results of the number of votes for each cable (the total number of votes for which symbol corresponds to each cable type). After I post the results, it is up to the individual participants what they want to say.
5. Do not attempt to disassemble the cables. I have made them virtually tamper proof, doing so will damage it and void this entire "experiment." Meaning that I won't divulge the results of the test, nor will I reveal the identity of the cables.
6. Other than hooking them up and listening to them in your system, do not try to figure out the cables' identities via other means like test equipment including, but not limited to DMM's, TDR's, oscilliscopes, etc. Or by X-Ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc. Or using a sound card, or other sound measurement devices (other than your ears) to measure frequency response. If you really feel the need to use these methods to test cables, then please, don't participate and ruin it for everyone else. You can play test tones if you really want to, but you can only use your ears to listen.
7. PM's and emails asking for the identity of the cables (by either participants or others) will be cheerfully ignored.
8. Do not PM or email other participants about which cables you think are what. Especially to those that have yet to participate. I would like to not have peer pressure or group influence to affect others conclusions.
9. Do not post about which cables you think are what. That includes impressions, like "this cable seems to be brighter than the other one." It would be best to save all impressions until after the end of this test.
10. Posting pictures of the cables in your system are perfectly acceptable, but not if it indicates which type of cable you think it is.
11. I know this is a lot to ask, but for the smokers out there, please refrain from smoking a lot around these cables. I for one have a very negative physical reaction to things that reek of tobacco smoke. Be considerate to the next potential non-smoking Head-fier that may have these cables next
12. This thread will be locked after the sign up is complete and the cables go out to the first participant.
13. Any flames or rants in any resulting discussions after the test is complete will result in the cancellation of any further tests. Be civil and don't ruin other's fun.
Fine Print:
The sign up is not entirely on a first come, first served basis, but for the most part, preference will be given to the first to sign up. Each city/region may or may not have a few participants trimmed from the test in order to "balance" out the demographic spread across the country. (i.e. If 50 people sign up first from one or two cities, the number of people from those cities will have to be trimmed down, since this test is not going to take more than a year. The route in which these cables will travel will be in a way that minimizes shipment time. So the cables will start in Los Angeles County in California (where I live) and move on from there.
I am not responsible for possible damages (however unlikely) that may occur to your system due to using these cables. Great care has been taken in making these cables, but the connectors are technically considered locking connectors. (Neutrik Pro-Fi) But they are of the type that is the least likely to damage RCA jacks. They do not require any twisting, the "locking" feature is automatic. Simply push the connector on straight, and pull straight out to remove. It may be harder to push in on some systems, so if it feels like you are going to break something, please don't push so hard.
Shameless Plug:
Don't forget, Head-fi needs your support. Even if you've given before, give a little if you can. $5 even. More if you can. Did you get a nice refund from the IRS?
Every little bit counts. It's easy. Check this link for more information.
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/announcement.php?f=32
I've contributed before, and the year is not up, but I'm going to at least give another $5. I can think of so many times I've wasted $5 on something totally useless.
Remember, donating is not required for participation. But if you have the means, please do so. If you have a large amount of money burning a hole in your wallet and you've been wavering on deciding what sweet headphone gear to buy soon, remember the place that got you hooked on it in the first place.
-Ed
Test is complete, and the results are being tallied. Thanks for participating, everyone.
- ***WORKING DISTRIBUTION LIST***
CALIFORNIA
Iron_Dreamer
City= Los Angeles
State= CA
Headphone Amp(s)= PIMETA to be borrowed
Source(s)= Benchmark DAC1
Headphones(s)= Sony MDR-SA5000, Shure E5c
Czilla9000
City: La Canada (a small town between Pasadena and Glendale)
State: CA
Headphone Amp - Stax SRM-313
Source: Philips DVD763SA SACD/CD/DVD Player (may upgrade to something better soon)
Headphone - Stax Classic Series 2
ayt999
City= Berkeley
State= California
Headphone Amp(s)= BlockHead
Source(s)= RME HDSP 9632
Headphones(s)= balanced HD650
Chinchy
can pick up the cables from ayt999.
City= Berkeley
State= CA
Headphone Amp(s)= modded Melos SHA-1.
Source(s)= modded Sony 333ES.
Headphones(s)= Grado HP1000, Senn HD650, Grado SR225, Senn HD25-1.
clarke68
City= San Mateo
State= CA
Headphone Amp(s)= Gilmore Lite
Source(s)= Rotel RDP-980, Audio Alchemy DDE v1.1, Sony DVP-NC875
Headphones(s)= SR-225, HD-580
WASHINGTON
eric343 *to participate later on in the list*
City = Seattle (ok, Clyde Hill, but nobody knows where that is)
State= Washington
Headphone amp= KGSS
Source = Arcam CD72T
Headphones = Stax Omega 2, Sennheiser HE90
radrd
Seattle
Link to your feedback thread= http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23763
City= Seattle
State= WA
Headphone Amp(s)= Gilmore V2-SE
Source(s)= Cyrus CD7Q
Headphones(s)= Etymotic ER-4P/S
SOUTH DAKOTA
morphsci *to participate later on in the list*
City= Vermillion
State= SD
Headphone Amp(s)= Headroom Coda, SR-71, AA v. 1.0, McCormack MID, RS Stealth
Source(s)= iRiver HP-140, Sony SCDc333es, Philips 963a
Headphones(s)= Alessandro MS1, MS2, MS2i, MS-Pro; Grado 225 Woodies, 325i, HP-1; Sennheiser HD-650 (Stock, Moon Audio Silver Dragon and Zu Mobius)
UTAH
comabereni *
City= Salt Lake City
State= Utah
Headphone Amp(s)= RA-1, Pete Millett hybrid
Source(s)= 1212m, AV710, Yamaha CDC-625
Headphones(s)= DT440, Koss TiPro, MS-2
ILLINIOS
bhd812
City=Chicago
State=IL
Headphone Amp(s)= Ray Samuels RAPTOR, Ray Samuels hr-2
Source(s)= Meridian G08
Headphones(s)= Grado ps1/rs1/rs2/black325/gold325/silver325/oldstylems2/125/80/60/40/senn600withcardas
strohmie
City=Urbana (mid-June to early August )or Bethesda
State=IL or Maryland
Headphone Amp(s)=Dynahi
Source(s)=Homebrew
Headphones(s)=AKG K240S, others eventually
MICHIGAN
jefemeister
City= Ann Arbor
State= MI
Headphone Amp(s)= Headroom Home (original version)
Source(s)= Pioneer Elite DV-47a, Wadia 12 DAC
Headphones(s)= Senn 650, Silver Dragon
Todd R
City= Edwardsburg (S.W. corner of MI, far from jefemeister's side of the state)
State= MI
Headphone Amp(s)=Bottlehead SEX amp
Source(s)=Cary 303/200 & VPI Scout TT
Headphones(s)= Sennheiser 650 & Grado RS-1
INDIANA
zachary80
City= Fort Wayne
State= Indiana
Headphone Amp(s)= Pimeta; (planned and hopeful) M3
Source(s)= Sony DVP-NS755V (SACDmods), CDP-C365; Hercules Game Theater XP
Headphones(s)= Sony mdr7506, 7509; Sennheiser hd580; Shure E2c
PENNSYLVANIA
Thaddy
City = Pittsburgh
State = PA
Headphone Amp(s) = Pete Millet Hybrid
Source(s) = Toshiba SD-3950, Rio Karma (with dock)
Headphones(s) = Sennheiser HD580, Westone UM-2
Canman
City=Philadelphia
State=PA
Headphone Amp(s)=Singlepower Maestro
Source(s)=Meridian G08
Headphones(s)=Sony R10, SA5000, Senn HD650
MINNESOTA
Mr.Radar *to participate later on in the list*
City= Red Wing
State= Minnesota
Headphone Amp(s)= Headsave Classic, CHA47, Harman Kardon 730 receiver (vintage 70's)
Source(s)= EMU 0404 soundcard, Dual 1237 turntable, Toshiba SD-3960 DVDP, Koss CDP 312CP PCDP; EDIT: Rio Karma DAP [line-out] (I'll probably only use the Toshiba, Rio, and EMU though)
Headphones(s)= Beyerdynamic DT770, Koss PortaPro
NORTH CAROLINA
Jeff E
City=Lewisville
State=NC
Headphone Amp(s)=meta42, Gilmore V2
Source(s)=NAD541, Onix XCD-88
Headphones(s)=HD650, HD595, SR200, K501
CONNETICUT
GEORGIA
aznsensazian
City= Atlanta
State= Georgia
Headphone Amp(s)= Perreaux SXH-1
Source(s)= EMU 0404
Headphones(s)= AKG K340 and Senn HD580
FLORIDA
tyrion
City=Davie
State=FL
Headphone Amp(s)=Dynahi/Raptor soon
Source(s)=Berendsen CDP-1
Headphones(s)=SA5000
This is an in home, blind "taste" test for cables.
Origins of this experiment and discussions can be viewed here.
The object of this test is to see for yourself if you can hear the difference between different analog interconnect cables' conductors. Namely, the wires inside.
For this test there are three cables. All are nearly identical in appearance and overall "feel" on the outside. On the inside, they are completely different.
The three materials are as follows: the "guts" of Canare StarQuad, 24awg Solid Silver, and the "guts" of the crappiest "Rat Shack" cable I could find.
Each cable is marked with a symbol: Triangle, Circle, and Square.
Each cable is one meter in length.
Each cable is also labelled with a directional arrow, so please make sure to hook up the cable to that the arrow points towards your amp. This is to rule out "directionality" of burning in cables.
I have been burning in these cables myself to reduce the burn in effect, for those that believe it could make a difference in sound for later participants.
Eligibility:
1. Member of Head-fi for at least one year to this posting's date.
2. Feedback thread in good standing at Head-fi.
3. Must have a headphone amplifier with an analog unbalanced RCA input and a source with an analog unbalanced RCA output (otherwise these cables won't connect, of course). Sound Cards (for playback only) and Portables are perfectly acceptable.
4. Test is limited to the USA for now. International ones may happen at a later date if this test goes well.
Rules:
1. Each participant will get the cables for 1 week. Otherwise this test will take too long. For example: If you receive cables on a Tuesday, please ship it out the following Tuesday.
2. Each participant pays for shipping to the next person. Cables must be shipped via trackable means. Examples of acceptable methods of shipment: USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
The only exceptions are when cables are personally hand delivered to Head-fiers in the same city. But remember rule #1. If you can't meet with the other person within a day or two, then ship it to them. If this is too much of a financial hardship, please do not participate then. But please note that shipping can be as little as $4.30 for USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation.
Pay it foward.
Contact the next person on the list, and arrange shipping to them.
3. Each participant must PM or email me shipment tracking numbers. Receiving members next down the list, must PM or email me confirmation that they received the cables.
4. Each participant must PM or email me which cable they think is what after their turn is complete. At the end of the test, and the cables are back in my hands, the secret identity will be posted. I will post anonymous results of the number of votes for each cable (the total number of votes for which symbol corresponds to each cable type). After I post the results, it is up to the individual participants what they want to say.
5. Do not attempt to disassemble the cables. I have made them virtually tamper proof, doing so will damage it and void this entire "experiment." Meaning that I won't divulge the results of the test, nor will I reveal the identity of the cables.
6. Other than hooking them up and listening to them in your system, do not try to figure out the cables' identities via other means like test equipment including, but not limited to DMM's, TDR's, oscilliscopes, etc. Or by X-Ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc. Or using a sound card, or other sound measurement devices (other than your ears) to measure frequency response. If you really feel the need to use these methods to test cables, then please, don't participate and ruin it for everyone else. You can play test tones if you really want to, but you can only use your ears to listen.
7. PM's and emails asking for the identity of the cables (by either participants or others) will be cheerfully ignored.
8. Do not PM or email other participants about which cables you think are what. Especially to those that have yet to participate. I would like to not have peer pressure or group influence to affect others conclusions.
9. Do not post about which cables you think are what. That includes impressions, like "this cable seems to be brighter than the other one." It would be best to save all impressions until after the end of this test.
10. Posting pictures of the cables in your system are perfectly acceptable, but not if it indicates which type of cable you think it is.
11. I know this is a lot to ask, but for the smokers out there, please refrain from smoking a lot around these cables. I for one have a very negative physical reaction to things that reek of tobacco smoke. Be considerate to the next potential non-smoking Head-fier that may have these cables next
12. This thread will be locked after the sign up is complete and the cables go out to the first participant.
13. Any flames or rants in any resulting discussions after the test is complete will result in the cancellation of any further tests. Be civil and don't ruin other's fun.
Fine Print:
The sign up is not entirely on a first come, first served basis, but for the most part, preference will be given to the first to sign up. Each city/region may or may not have a few participants trimmed from the test in order to "balance" out the demographic spread across the country. (i.e. If 50 people sign up first from one or two cities, the number of people from those cities will have to be trimmed down, since this test is not going to take more than a year. The route in which these cables will travel will be in a way that minimizes shipment time. So the cables will start in Los Angeles County in California (where I live) and move on from there.
I am not responsible for possible damages (however unlikely) that may occur to your system due to using these cables. Great care has been taken in making these cables, but the connectors are technically considered locking connectors. (Neutrik Pro-Fi) But they are of the type that is the least likely to damage RCA jacks. They do not require any twisting, the "locking" feature is automatic. Simply push the connector on straight, and pull straight out to remove. It may be harder to push in on some systems, so if it feels like you are going to break something, please don't push so hard.
Shameless Plug:
Don't forget, Head-fi needs your support. Even if you've given before, give a little if you can. $5 even. More if you can. Did you get a nice refund from the IRS?
Every little bit counts. It's easy. Check this link for more information.http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/announcement.php?f=32
I've contributed before, and the year is not up, but I'm going to at least give another $5. I can think of so many times I've wasted $5 on something totally useless.
Remember, donating is not required for participation. But if you have the means, please do so. If you have a large amount of money burning a hole in your wallet and you've been wavering on deciding what sweet headphone gear to buy soon, remember the place that got you hooked on it in the first place.
-Ed
