Kimber Selects

Just picked up a set from a former head-fier, the 1030s. I haven't had much time with them yet, but from what I've heard they sound great.

I've listened to the 1011, 1021, and 1030. I posted about them a month or two ago. I have a 1011 and a couple of 1030's in my system that are there to stay. What do want to know?

Go for the KS-1030's

I've used the 1021's and the 1030's and there is no comparison. The 1030's are as close as perfect as I've ever heard. Not overly warm, not overly analytical. Just right (YMMV). Basically, if I was going to do the cable thing all over again I would buy entry level stuff and then only upgrade to the top of the line stuff (or as "top of the line as sensible" this doesn't include $20k speaker cable). Skipping the mid stuff ultimately saves money.

I have tried the KS1020's & the KS1030's. I must say that the 1030's are the closest to neutral out of all the cables I've heard thus far. Imaging and details are great too. The 1030's are not lacking in speed too.

Another cable that I found to sound great as well are the Aural Symphonic AS-one. They're however, a tad slow compared to the KS1030's.

From what I understand, the Kimber Select line was actually developed by the guys who now run Zu Cable. They made these cables for Kimber before they branched out on their own with their own line. I suspect there are similarities between them and that the Zu Cables purchased direct might be cheaper. Someone should verify, but that's what I've read elsewhere.

For how thick they are, they're really flexible. Like a limp noodle.

I'm not crazy about those twist lock RCA's. Nice wood block. Is there anything in that block?

-Ed

Edwood,

From what I've read, it appears the wood block is just that, a wood block. There doesn't seem to be anything special about it, except that it keeps the cables together. Nice marketing gimmick too, I suppose.

The cables are definitely nice to look at: http://www.kimber.com/select/KSHome.html

At $1200 for a 1 meter pair, they're way out of my league, though.

I'm not crazy over the WBT plugs either. I'd prefer if they could launch a new version with Eichmann Silver Bullets instead. Although I suspect that with such volume purchases of the WBT plugs, Kimber probably gets them toplines at $10 - $20/ pair?

The wooden block is a Cocabola wood block. On it is carved the direction of signal flow and it holds the 2 cables together.
It doesn't do anything to improve sonics.
If you're a true audio-nut, you may ignore the previous sentence and assume that it provides sonic benefits over cheaper wood. =)

I wasn't going to spill the beans, but now I suppose I have no choice.

Kimber selects only the finest cocabola wood, from rare cocabola forests. They then select only those trees guarded over by the cocabola wood nymph, who agrees to allow the lumberjacks to take small pieces in exchange for the blood of their first born children.

Kimber allows this atrocity only because the use of this particular wood is so necessary to the clarity and neutrality of the 1030 wires.

Or maybe I just made this up. Your choice. Think this is any crazier than the story of the wood used in the R-10 and W-2002?

Given Kimber's ties to WBT, it wouldn't surprise me to one day see Selects offered with WBT's upcoming "nextgen" RCA connectors. You can find out more about these WBT "nextgen" connectors at the following link:

http://www.redcobracable.com/wbt-nextgen.htm

Looks alot beefier than the Eichmann Bullets. Never was crazy about the plastic housing.

Woah, what's up with their new RCA socket?

-Ed

I've worked with Cocabola wood before. It's actually considered a toxic resinous wood. It actually contains some sulfur in it, which is what those yellowish colored swirls in the grain are. It's fine as long as you don't burn it or eat with it.

Not nearly as toxic as other woods like Wenge and Purple Heart.

-Ed