So I've had the XRS in my system for over two weeks now, and I must say I've like what these cables have done from the get-go. The key word that pops into my mind to describe their sound is transparency.
As you may or may not know, these cables are unique in their "connectorless" design that puts the wire in direct contact with the RCA jack, without solder or plugs in the signal path. The wires are held to the jacks using specially handcrafted connectors made from heavy-duty so-call "military-grade" heatshrink. I have had no issues with the connectors, they always fit properly and easily on the first try, and are not easily warped by external forces, despite their less that stalwart looks.
Compared to their lesser Headphile bretheren, the Blacksilvers, the XRS has decidedly more clear, accurate, and vibrant treble. Switching back to the XRS from the Blacksilvers, there is an immediate filling of what seemed like holes in the frequency response graph of the upper registers, and through there is more treble information present with the XRS, the treble is smoother, more refined and lifelike. Cymbals have a shimmer and shine more like hearing them live, likewsie with strings.
The soundstage of the XRS cables is also improved of the XRS, not so much in dimensions, but in placement and imaging. The XRS's greater detail makes for tighter image placement, which in turn allows me to discern between individual instruments or musicians, even in an orchestra, much easier.
The XRS also wins points in my book for a quicker dynamic response, i.e. instruments have a more impactful, realistic attack, whether a lone snare drum, or the power of an entire orchesta. This difference is not huge between the XRS and Blacksilvers, however it is present nonetheless.
Also under the catergory of subtle yet present, I detect a tighter, quicker bass with the XRS, a fact that seems to track along well with the difference of the previous paragraph.
The bottom line for me is that the XRS is the best interconnect that I've used, and probably the last i will have for quite some time (unless Larry whips up some new magic). The transparency and dynamics of these cables are what make them special, even when not considering their unique deisgn.
As you may or may not know, these cables are unique in their "connectorless" design that puts the wire in direct contact with the RCA jack, without solder or plugs in the signal path. The wires are held to the jacks using specially handcrafted connectors made from heavy-duty so-call "military-grade" heatshrink. I have had no issues with the connectors, they always fit properly and easily on the first try, and are not easily warped by external forces, despite their less that stalwart looks.
Compared to their lesser Headphile bretheren, the Blacksilvers, the XRS has decidedly more clear, accurate, and vibrant treble. Switching back to the XRS from the Blacksilvers, there is an immediate filling of what seemed like holes in the frequency response graph of the upper registers, and through there is more treble information present with the XRS, the treble is smoother, more refined and lifelike. Cymbals have a shimmer and shine more like hearing them live, likewsie with strings.
The soundstage of the XRS cables is also improved of the XRS, not so much in dimensions, but in placement and imaging. The XRS's greater detail makes for tighter image placement, which in turn allows me to discern between individual instruments or musicians, even in an orchestra, much easier.
The XRS also wins points in my book for a quicker dynamic response, i.e. instruments have a more impactful, realistic attack, whether a lone snare drum, or the power of an entire orchesta. This difference is not huge between the XRS and Blacksilvers, however it is present nonetheless.
Also under the catergory of subtle yet present, I detect a tighter, quicker bass with the XRS, a fact that seems to track along well with the difference of the previous paragraph.
The bottom line for me is that the XRS is the best interconnect that I've used, and probably the last i will have for quite some time (unless Larry whips up some new magic). The transparency and dynamics of these cables are what make them special, even when not considering their unique deisgn.
