What is the difference between the Piccolo cable and Piccolino cable? - Page 2

Lenni, just for your information, the Crystal Piccolino was made in limited amount by Crystal Cable and sold by another reseller exclusively.  However, my understanding is that CC has stopped making the Piccolino.  It was made exclusively for another reseller anyway, that is why when you go to their site you cannot find it listed. And after whatever is made and sold, there will be no more Piccolino. But it is a special and unique cable.

thanks for the info... that's clearer. I imagined the Piccolino was a re-terminated CC's interconnect Piccolo - I didn't know it was like a limited edition. too bad they don't make it anymore. would it be possible to make HP cables out of interconnect cables? personally I find the current headphone cable 'market' still somewhat limited (it's either copper or silver), and overpriced (imo). there's room from improvement, and business.

I wanna see a $5k headphone cable!  ....j/k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenni 

thanks for the info... that's clearer. I imagined the Piccolino was a re-terminated CC's interconnect Piccolo - I didn't know it was like a limited edition. too bad they don't make it anymore. would it be possible to make HP cables out of interconnect cables? personally I find the current headphone cable 'market' still somewhat limited (it's either copper or silver), and overpriced (imo). there's room from improvement, and business.

 

I wanna see a $5k headphone cable!  ....j/k

And I have just that one to sell you...

FYI:

I hope to clarify what the difference is once and for all.

Both of these cables are made by Crystal Cable all though this has been stated I hope to go into a bit more detail about some companies that have been selling this cable and some misleading information that is running around this thread and other websites.

First off what is the Piccolino?

The Piccolino is a cable made by Crystal Cable that is exclusively for OEM's use that is why you do not see it on there website.

The Piccolino's outer plastic is Hypoallergenic as it's primary use is for headphones or IEM's.

The Piccolino is made to be more flexible than the Piccolo that is why you see the thin strands in the photos provided on this thread.

The Piccolino is no better nor worse sonically than the Piccolo cable.

The only difference between the Piccolino and the Piccolo is:  A) Hypoallergenic cable  B) Stranded instead of solid core  C) Made for OEM use  D) Not manufactured with connectors

Now to clarify what you see on some websites:

Null Audio:

http://www.null-audio.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=72&zenid=16o3hld61tt581pi9ad13g11p0

They are using the Piccolo at an inflated price. They bought a few meters of Piccolo from Crystal Cable and without Crystal Cables permission began selling it under the name Crystallino when all it is is a renamed Piccolo cable. They will probably never sell this cable again as Crystal Cable does not sell bulk cable anymore due to lack of quality control and possible abuse of the Crystal Cable name.

UncleWilsons:

http://www.unclewilsons.com/shop/step1.php?number=636

This company sold the genuine Piccolino cable but in my opinion at a very inflated price.

With that out of the way now to clarify where you can get this cable and set it up for headphone or iem use.  First off I have seen both of these cables and although the Piccolino is a bit more flexible and unless you have sensitive skin the Piccolo will do just nicely.

To get either what you need to do is go on Crystal Cables website and under there distributors page find your nearest distributor, call them and say that you need to make a special order for Crystal Cable wire some distributors may not have heard of the Piccolino cable that's because most distributors are only dealing with the Piccolo. On your order you need to have them specify that you want the Piccolino cable and not the Piccolo.

You specify what connectors you want i.e 3.5mm jack etc and the length you need as this is a special order, turn around time is apprx 3 weeks.

For instance on my order I asked for two 48in long Piccolino cables solder to a 3.5mm jack at one end and bare stripped wire at the other so I could solder them to JH Audio size pins.

The reason you should ask for the wires to be stripped at one end is because Crystal Cable has a very high precision wire stripping machine which will be a million times better than anything you could do at home. Here is a video that will show this machine:

http://www.podcast.tv/video-episodes/hi-visit-crystal-cable-3398427.html

In all I paid no more than $450 or about e375. That is well below the inflated prices I have been hearing about on these threads and have seen on other websites.

You may need to shop around through a couple of distributors as I found that some US distributors were selling this cable at over $150 more than there European counter parts even when you throw in shipping that's still inflated.

I have no idea why people have been paying ridiculous prices when all you need to do is place a special order with the manufacturer and save a fortune.

These cable are still not cheap but have a very high quality manufacturing process that is unmatched.

I got my information directly from Crystal Cable by simply emailing the company and asking them to clarify the differences of these cables

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManAtWork 

 

Yes, I think they bought the Crystal Cable, and cut them then re-terminate for using on headphone and IC. Because I have side by side compared them, they are the same.

 

erm you really dont know what you are talking about, piccolino was and still is a crystal cables product, first named flexible piccolo and then dubbed piccolino as its smaller and thinner, even uses different dielectric and internal structure, they really are not much alike. (i disagree with improvised there, piccolo really isnt very suitable for portable headphone cables at all due to solid core center conductor and thicker sheath),  it is not available anymore afaik and costs about 4 to 5 times as much for an iem cable, that might have something to do with the not getting the attention of others lately. i suppose as above said, they may have soe stocks left themselves, or make to order; but afaik there are no official resellers making headfi specific interconnects and headphone cables using the wire, including wilson.

and yes my m key is playing up

my apologies, i had not seen the last couple posts when i hit send

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp 

 (i disagree with improvised there, piccolo really isnt very suitable for portable headphone cables at all due to solid core center conductor and thicker sheath),

I've edited my comments to reflect a more balanced and un-confrontational tone so as not to offend anyone.

The point I'm simply trying to make in regards to solid vs stranded is that although solid is more ideal for interconnects  by no means does it prohibit one from using it with good results on headphones or IEM's.

Any cable no matter how tough it is will fray split and other wise degrade over time. I have owned shed loads stranded cables that have come undone, frayed or split in one way or the other, ultimately the longevity of the cable comes down to how you use it and how well it's made. A well built solid core Piccolo cable will outlast any run of the mill stranded cable that is unless your taking it with your two fingers and bending over and over and over until it finally breaks.

Under normal use and I mean wearing the cable from your phones connected to your player that cable will last you years, now if your swinging from a tree and using it to tie down your tent then it won't last.

As far as "microphonics" I've never had or heard of this issue with the Piccolo cable even with the cable next to sources such as mobile phones or other electrical sources I haven't picked up interference. I've never even seen nor heard issues of "microphonics" with high quality shielded cables. If what your saying is true I would challenge you to show me proof that this is common in quality made shielded cables I simply don't think that exists other than in cheaply made products.

So I guess I'm left with saying your full of nonsense.

haha its solid core, thats the only reason. i cant post pics here because i'm mot, but i can assure you i have experience with them. i would like to see the numbers on returns for piccolo iem cables, i can tell you it will be much higher than piccolino, which is nigh indestriuctible due to the inner conductor having only 7-8 ~34awg (probably thinner) strands in kapton with soe sort of yellow polymer fiber (not sure what) vs a single solid wire . it is you who clearly doesnt have much experience with making portable headphone cables and have to support  them afterwards, unless there is something you arent telling us, oh person with one post about piccolino with inside knowledge and a direct line to Gabi. solid wire is also much more microphonic, to the point i only offer stranded portable headphone cables and keep solid for home cables. add enough support/strain relief and it becomes thick stiff and/or microphonic, dont add it, the wire perishes over time through repetitive movement, or being bent sharply. now if you think that is nonsense, then i'm sorry i dont know what to say. i gotta say though, you seem to take this awful personally

Make your own. Just find the slickest/most high tech looking RCA's, make the cable part as thin as possible but use a covering that no one has used before, look through a lot of cable ads and incorporate some of the best buzz words into your ad, and watch the dough come rolling in. Maybe throw in a couple of reviewer quotes for authenticity. You don't need any measurements, just let your own mind tell you that it's better than anything else out there.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenni 

thanks for the info... that's clearer. I imagined the Piccolino was a re-terminated CC's interconnect Piccolo - I didn't know it was like a limited edition. too bad they don't make it anymore. would it be possible to make HP cables out of interconnect cables? personally I find the current headphone cable 'market' still somewhat limited (it's either copper or silver), and overpriced (imo). there's room from improvement, and business.

 

I wanna see a $5k headphone cable!  ....j/k

Ugh, what is this crap?  I came to this thread to read about Crystal Cables, and instead you two are mucking up this thread with your childish personal feud.  The internet is serious business.

To get back on topic here, I'm seeing the cables sold out on Null Audio's website, and I'm hearing there's a problem with supply at Unclewilson.  Improvised, the place you got the cable in Holland, would this place happen to have a website from which one could order?  Is there any other place from which to get these?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrots 

Null audio cable is piccolo and Piccolino and is much stiffer and don't sound as good.
Uncle Wilson has discontinued this line from the information I was given and sold of the remaining wire they had to someone.
Good luck getting hold of some.

Thanks for the information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrots 

Null audio cable is piccolo and Piccolino and is much stiffer and don't sound as good.
Uncle Wilson has discontinued this line from the information I was given and sold of the remaining wire they had to someone.
Good luck getting hold of some.

Hi,

I am intrigued... Whoever gave you that information is totally and absolutely wrong. I wonder where he got it from. There is not an ounce or shred of truth in it.

Regards, Wilson

Uncle Wilson,  I was the one that told Parrots about that information.  I was in Hong Kong in February and April this year.  I went to your Jaben store in Mong Kok and purchased a Crystal Piccolino for my JH13 in February (I was told only two left at the time) and a Crystal Piccolino for my HD800 just two weeks ago.  I spent several days in the store and have a lot of discussion with Derek and Ken.  I also purchased other items (PB2, several Ibasso hirose interconnect etc).  Your store manager Derek and Ken told me both in February and in April about the above information.  You can verify with them.  They know who I am.  I was told by them that there were two rolls of Piccolino that were ever made and because of the high cost of production, the two rolls were sold off at an audio convention auction.  So whatever that is left is gone there will be no more Piccolino.  I was specifically told that Crystal Kable is not going to make anymore of the Piccolino.  I asked Derek the difference between Piccolo and Piccolino, I was shown a mini to mini interconnect that is very stiff and was told that the piccolo could not be used to make headphone cable because it is too stiff.  I posted this info in your dealer announcement forum.  In fact, if it were not because of my concern that there may not be anymore Piccolino, I would not have rushed to buy the HD800 Piccolino because I wanted to by the Piccolino for my LCD2 and not my HD800.  Because I do not have the connector for the LCD2 at the moment, so I bought the HD800 right away for fear that they may not be around when I get my LCD2 connectors.  If this is inaccurate information distributed by your store, should I return the cable now that they are available on a constant basis?