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ALO Cryo SXC 18G vs 22G?

post #1 of 24
11/15/08 at 5:12am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

Not sure if it's right of me to post this here, but I see there are 2 kinds of ALO Cryo SXC cables, 22G and 18G on their website that supports the iPhones and 2G touch.

What is the main difference besides the thickness of the wires?

I see the price jump by quite a margin.

Can anyone recommend which is appropriate as I do not wish to upgrade that often?

Regards.
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post #2 of 24
11/15/08 at 5:34am
They both cost I think exactly the same to get from jena directly. which is like 5 bucks a foot and you'll probably have just over a foot in your LOD once you count the varying strands together

(:

18g has a lot of bass, btw
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post #3 of 24
11/15/08 at 6:28am
For flexibility, get the 22AWG.
For ultimate flexibility, get stranded copper.
For ultimate durability (age), get silver. I personally use silver when I make my LODs because oxidised silver is still a conductor, but oxidised copper is not (a good conductor, at all).
The benefits/"sound" of a cable is almost negligible if it's an LOD. No point spending heaps on an LOD IMHO. But if you're using it as a 0.5m long RCA-RCA or longer, now that is debatable.
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post #4 of 24
11/15/08 at 9:22am
I have the 18 gauge version (ipod only and w/o the iMod) and it is a very nice sounding unit. Lots of warmth and detail at the same time.
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post #5 of 24
11/15/08 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
I have the 18 gauge version (ipod only and w/o the iMod) and it is a very nice sounding unit. Lots of warmth and detail at the same time.
I agree with mrarroyo as I have the same LOD. Im no expert compared to others here but IMO you can only gain an increase in SQ if you are using lossless files (or similar) together with the ALO LOD that you are asking.
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post #6 of 24
11/15/08 at 1:00pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I will need one to use with the RSA Mustang P-51(hopefully sometime soon) and heard that something more flexible is advisable since the jack might not be able to take the pressure.

Is the 22g ALO Cryo SXC cables flexible enough as compared to the copper ones?

Regards.
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post #7 of 24
11/15/08 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by palestofwhite View Post
Hi,

I will need one to use with the RSA Mustang P-51(hopefully sometime soon) and heard that something more flexible is advisable since the jack might not be able to take the pressure.

Is the 22g ALO Cryo SXC cables flexible enough as compared to the copper ones?
I'll let you know when I get mine .

I see that you are in Singapore? I've worked there for like 7 years, circa 90's. I lived in Red Hill then moved to Tanglin Halt. I still miss the rendangs and chili crabs . One of the cleanest countries Ive been to.
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post #8 of 24
11/15/08 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

It's really nice to have someone familiar here! And I see you have a few LODs as well. Well please let me know when you get yours as I don't want to spend on the wrong stuffs again...

Anyway I bet you missed Chicken Rice and probably Laksa too. I think Tanglin Halt is somewhat near Alexandra and there are some nice food over there as well...

Regards.
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post #9 of 24
11/15/08 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by palestofwhite View Post
Hi,

It's really nice to have someone familiar here! And I see you have a few LODs as well. Well please let me know when you get yours as I don't want to spend on the wrong stuffs again...

Anyway I bet you missed Chicken Rice and probably Laksa too. I think Tanglin Halt is somewhat near Alexandra and there are some nice food over there as well...

Regards.
actually it looks like he's only got one LOD a few IC's but only one LOD. SXC; better known as silver plated copper; doesn't sound so special when you say it like that does it?? I would get the 18AWG though. the flexibility isn't an issue if you know one neat trick. normally yes the 18AWG will stress both the dock out on the ipod/iphone and the input jack on the amp. but if you get yourself a hairdryer put it on hot attatch the LOD as you would normally and wave the hairdryer at the LOD while holdiong the amp and dap together. dont just hold the dryer still or have it TOOO hot you might melt something/ anyway after about 30-40seconds stop and leave the LOD to cool in position. the LOD is now that shape if you take it off it will stay like that. takes the stress of your equipment and allows you to use the 18AWG which IMO is better. as luminette says more bass. 18AWG is more of a PITA to work with so I understand why its more, but that much more
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post #10 of 24
11/15/08 at 4:26pm
If I recall even the 18g SXC was fairly flexible when I had a loaner to test, being stranded individual wires in a PE jacket, and the silver plating on each strand by itself will reduce oxidation of the copper underneath it.

As for sound of the 18g vs 22g, it seems to me that for such a short run of cable length and such low current levels that they should sound very similar.
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post #11 of 24
11/15/08 at 7:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
As for sound of the 18g vs 22g, it seems to me that for such a short run of cable length and such low current levels that they should sound very similar.
Finally! Yeah but seriously, what can 4~5" of wires in parallel do to be so different between 2 gauges? A lot of people believe bigger, is better. But I've heard otherwise. They've also forgotten that shorter is better, for analog interconnect cables of course. The shorter the cable is, the less it affects whatever's flowing through it.
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post #12 of 24
11/16/08 at 12:25am
they do sound similar; VERY similar, especially as it is such a short distance. It is however noticeable that there is slightly more bass energy with the 18AWG. VERY slightly. with speaker cables and headphone re-cables it is very noticeable, but it takes a quiet room to tell the difference with a LOD but there is a difference.
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post #13 of 24
11/16/08 at 3:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by qusp View Post
they do sound similar; VERY similar, especially as it is such a short distance. It is however noticeable that there is slightly more bass energy with the 18AWG. VERY slightly. with speaker cables and headphone re-cables it is very noticeable, but it takes a quiet room to tell the difference with a LOD but there is a difference.
I always go for the 18g, so that's why I don't know what the 22g sounds like
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post #14 of 24
11/16/08 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I'm sorry guys, does anyone know if the imod versions of LODs work with the normal iPods? I was thinking of getting those cause I have future plans of doing the iMod? Please advise.

Regards.
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post #15 of 24
11/16/08 at 3:51pm
Yes, it does. But you gonna get some bass roll-off.
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